Estudio de los procesos de diseño, construcción y montaje de tenso estructuras

Abstract

This study arose from the need to establish clear and standardized methodologies for the design, construction, and assembly of tensile structures, given that their performance depends critically on the prestressing system and climatic conditions. The lack of procedures for adequately evaluating the demand-capacity relationship was identified, which limits the reliability of these systems. Furthermore, the importance of incorporating computational tools from the early design stages is highlighted, as these structures, characterized by their lightness, efficiency, and ability to span large distances using tension systems, require an understanding of complex principles such as double curvature, nonlinear analysis, and geometric stability. The methodology integrates a literature review, digital modeling, and technical selection of materials according to ASCE, AISC, and ASTM standards. The use of RFEM software enabled the development of form-finding processes, nonlinear analyses, and environmental load simulations, facilitating the definition of construction activities and sequential assembly procedures. The analytical results determined that the tensions in cables and membranes remained within acceptable ranges. For example, the cables reached a maximum tension of 114.05 kN under the most demanding load combinations, a value significantly lower than their ultimate capacity of 29.4 tons, thus ensuring an adequate safety margin. This allowed for verification of the design’s capacity through the demand-capacity relationship and confirmed the behavior of the prestressing system. Overall, the research proposes a technical guide applicable in real-world contexts, contributing to the standardization of tensile structures.