Constructed Pavilion - Tensile Fabric Structure

 

 

FEA structural model for pavilion project

 

 

 

    Report No. TH-2006001   

  

 
                                                                                                                                  

 

______________________________________________________

 

Project:                         BPI, International  

                                    60’ Octagon, Porter Texas

 

Document:                    Structural Analysis of  ShadeZone Octagon

                                    Subjected to 110 MPH Wind Load

 

 

Prepared for:                                    BPI,    International

                                                                Mr.  Rick Bailey            

                                                                Ph.  386-943-6222

                                                                510 West Arizona Avenue

                                                                Deland,  FL 32720

 

 

Prepared by:                  Michael A. Tharp P.E.

                                     

                    

 

Date:                             Dec 27th, 2005

 

 

Distribution:                 Customer Proprietary

 

 

                                      Qsigma Associates

                                      3020 Zaharias Drive

                                      Orlando FL 32837

                                      Ph.  407-694-4865

                                      Fax  407-888-1190

 

 

 

1.0           Executive Summary and Recommendations

 

The objective of this structural analysis was to confirm feasibility of the BPI ShadeZone 12’x60’ Octagon Unit withstanding a design wind speed of 110 MPH for an application in Porter Texas.

 

*    Both a finite element structural model and structural analysis hand calculations using Roark’s formulas for stress and strain indicate there is no margin of safety for the current design if the design criteria is a constant design wind speed of 110 MPH.  Pipe bending stress and foundation bearing pressure are too high.

 

*    The difference in wind load pressure for the basic wind speed increasing from 90 MPH to 110 MPH is 20.5 lb/ft2 increasing to 32.3 lb/ft2,  or a 57% increase in forces that must be resisted by the structure.  The existing structure does not have an adequate margin of safety to withstand a 57% increase in wind load forces.

 

*    It is first recommended the contractor/installer check the local Texas building code design criteria to determine if the 110 MPH wind speed is a 3-second gust or a constant fastest mile of 110 MPH.   This is extremely important as a 110 MPH 3-second gust according to the Florida Building Code is equivalent to a constant 90 MPH wind speed.

 

*     If a constant 110 MPH is the design criteria the most promising method of modifying the existing structure to withstand this wind speed is to increase the size of the column footings and also install a #5 vertical steel rebar in the center of each 8 inch diameter steel column and fill the columns with concrete prior to installing the rafter corner.

 

*    The existing column base bolt size and pattern may not be sufficient for 110 MPH and would need to be checked. 

 

*    A second method of making the existing structure work would be to install 3/8 inch steel guy wires to the top of the four of the columns to restrain the columns and translate the lateral wind loads into a downward compressive force.  This method was quickly ruled out because of the safety issues concerning the use of the structure in a public playground.

 

*    A more conventional method of changing the  structural design for 110 MPH constant wind speed would involve increasing the size of the vertical columns to 12” diameter steel pipe and also increasing the depth and diameter of the column footers.

 

*    A final less conventional solution would be to investigate the possibility of designing a fabric with a tensile strength that actually tears away from the structure at wind speed above 90 MPH or change the general notes in the building plan to indicate the fabric canopy is to be removed if wind speeds greater than 90 MPH are anticipated.