• Bifid tension dome for the Forum 2004, Barcelona
  • 100% recoverable lightweight tubular scaffolding structure
  • Installation process
  • Roof
  • Interior

General information

  • Home page
    http://www.upc.es/ca1/cat/recerca/tensilestruc/portada.html
  • Location address
    Marina Seca, Barcelona
  • Location country
    Spain
  • Year of construction
    2004
  • Name of the client/building owner
    Forum Barcelona 2004
  • Function of building
    Exhibition
  • Degree of enclosure
    Hybrid structure
  • Climatic zone
    Mediterranean - mild winters, dry hot summers
  • Number of layers
    double-layer
  • Type of application of the membrane
    covering
  • Primary function of the tensile structure
    • Sun protection

Description

A temporary 100% recoverable structure and roof were designed and built for the "Living in the World" exhibition at the "Barcelona Forum of the Cultures" event.Some principles of tensegrity structures together with innovations in the cable-roof dispositions were aimed to reduce self-weight, provide easiness of erection, improve the performance, increase the efficiency and above all, achieve 100% recoverability to fit in the sustainability concept of the exhibition.

Description of the environmental conditions

Sun protection in the waiting area of the exhibition.

General comments, links

The cable dome is a well established tensile structure started from D.Geiger experiences and B.Fuller antecedents.It applies some of the tensegrity structure principles, even though it can not be wholly qualified as tensegrity system, according to the R.Motro extended definition, because the compression ring is not inside. Nevertheless, the use of compressed struts between pre-tensioned cables proved to be successful in achieving lightness and efficiency.The bifid tension dome is a developement to improve the installation process providing stability and relieving pre-stress.

Bifid Tension Dome for the Forum 2004, Barcelona

Material of the cover

  • Cable-net/Fabric/Hybrid/Foil
    Fabric
  • Type (code)
    MESH 31 - Ferrari
  • Material Fabric/Foil
    Polyester
  • Material coating
    PVC-coated with Fluotop T2

Main dimensions and form

  • Covered surface (m2)
    314
  • Maximum height (m)
    7.9
  • Total length (m)
    20
  • Total width (m)
    20
  • Form single element
    Flat appearance
  • Form entire structure
    Anticlastic

Duration of use

  • Temporary or permanent structure
    Temporary
  • Design lifespan in years
    00-05

Involved companies

Editor