41 research outputs found
TemporActive Pavillion: first loop of design and prototyping of an ultra-lightweight temporary architecture
No full textThe paper presents the project development of an ultra-lightweight temporary structure consisting of bending active GFRP arches, a restraining system made of stainless steel cables, and a translucent membrane envelope, with particular focus on the prototyping phase leading to the first construction of the pavilion. A multi-disciplinary team has collaborated to the realization of the first full-scale prototype, built with the aim of deepening a wide range of aspects related both to the optimization of the innovative mix of structural components and to the understanding of the installation constraints, typical of temporary architecture. The paper concludes by showing the results derived from the study and the lesson learned from the first prototype and foreshadowing further studies of the interface between structure and coating, also in relation to the different cycles of use and life-span of the pavilion
SOFTENING THE HABITATS - Sustainable innovation in minimal mass structures and lightweight architectures
No full textThis publication contains 55 papers of a multi-form and multi-disciplinary kaleidoscopic set about theoretical and experimental research studies on membrane tensile structures and textile architecture, professional jobs and industrial developments. The 55 papers were selected through a complex and accurate blind review process, which was led by the TS19 scientific committee and then assigned three expert reviewers for each paper
Temporactive pavilion: second design-to-construction loop of an ultra-lightweight temporary architecture
No full textThe paper presents the design to construction process of an ultra-lightweight hybrid temporary structure consisting of a combination of
bending-active glass fiber-reinforced polymers arches, a restraining system made of stainless steel cables, and a translucent membrane envelope. After a brief introduction to the basic design concepts and versatility of the modular system to create different shapes, the paper focuses on the fast-track erection procedure that enables to build the pavilion in a very short time. A multi-disciplinary team had collaborated at the design development of the temporary pavilion, built with the aim of deepening a wide range of aspects that are peculiar to temporary architecture. The aim of the second design-to-construction loop, following the first loop which resulted in the construction of the first full-scale prototype, is two-fold: firstly to optimize the innovative mix of lightweight structural components with the aim of reducing the total weight of the building (and thus facilitate transport and installation), and secondly to test the technical details designed to favor reversibility and to ensure the re-usability of the structure for multiple cycles of use. The paper concludes by showing the results achieved and the lesson learned from the first construction of the temporary pavilion in occasion of a one-week event and anticipating the further studies regarding the interface between structure and membrane envelope, also in relation to the building expected life-span and requirements
Thermal performance of pneumatic cushions: an experimental evaluation
No full textIn the recent past coated textiles and membrane structures have been increasingly implemented in architecture as either temporary or permanent external building envelopes. Double or multiple layer pneumatic cushions are frequently adopted. Therefore, one of their tasks is to guarantee suitable thermal conditions for the enclosed environment and/or limit HVAC energy consumption. The key thermal-physical parameter is then the cushion thermal resistance, which is usually assessed through simple calculations based on the assumption that cavities are approximated as rectangular enclosures. However, the impact of the actual shape of the cushions on the heat transfer has not been clarified yet. In this work, the thermal resistance of two cushions is experimentally assessed using a double chamber thermal setup. More precisely, two (double and triple layer) small vertical samples (1.1 m x 1.1 m) are exposed to a 25 °C steady-state temperature difference, to replicate Milan winter design conditions. Their exterior surfaces are divided in thermally homogeneous sub-surfaces of various sizes and temperatures are locally sampled on every sub-surface of both skins, along with the heat flux density on one side. Data are collected every 5 seconds for a time span of 12 h, in order to verify the steady-state assumption, and the average values for both temperatures and heat flux in every subsection are calculated. These data are then area-weighted and used to calculate the overall thermal resistance for each sample investigated, which are then compared with various correlations from literature
Extreme Soft Skins: Multilayered ETFE for Challenging Environments
No full textETFE has been rapidly expanding its presence in the building industry, finding its application on all parts of the envelope, especially skylights due to the superior light translucence (Monticelli, 2015). Recent technological developments of multi-layered ETFE systems coupled with advanced coatings have altered their performance and boosted their potential for applications across all latitudes. The paper presents the optical and thermal characterization of multi-layered ETFE foils performed at the TextilesHUB - the Interdepartmental Research Laboratory at Politecnico di Milano. Studies include ETFE with advanced silk-screen printed coatings and coating patterns for various real case projects in challenging environments, covering both cold and hot extremes. Special focus is placed on hygro-thermal analyses to inform the design of the frame to eliminate potential condensation caused by the high- temperature difference between both sides and very low thickness at the edge of the ETFE cushions, where all layers converge into framing gasket. Moreover, the paper presents an optimization process for improving performance of ETFE layer compositions to mitigate high environmental stresses, provide optimal indoor comfort and reduce energy demand. Finally, we present achieved performance levels of different ETFE systems implemented in three projects in Sankt Petersburg, Milan and Manama and discuss possibilities for future improvements
Eco-design principles for a preliminary eco-efficiency assessment in the design phase: application on membrane envelopes
No full textStating the necessity of increasing the designers’ awareness of both lightweight and flexible materials and their performances, in a life cycle thinking perspective, this contribute is based on the updated identified needs of the membrane sector (Cost Action TU1303, 2017): Life Cycle Assessment, durability aspects, recyclability, social acceptability, thermal, optical, acoustic comforts. Into the frame of the Tensinet association activity, the Textile Architecture Network of Politecnico di Milano is continuing the search of Eco-design strategies and enlarging the mapping of case studies, by the application ex-post of two eco-efficiency principles in order to verify their validness and their efficacy for the designer’s need, during the design process of a membrane system. The main advancement of this work is here presented adding new membranes case studies to the initial analysis. The aim is to verify the applicability of the principles to a wider and different uses of membranes and the identification of reference rates. The results demostrate relations between the rate of the eco- efficiency, the year of construction and the evolution of the technology and the impostance to take into account in the design phases the environmental impact of membrane structures
Finite-element analysis and design optioneering of an emergency tent structure
No full textThe paper focuses on the structural analysis of the “Multipurpose Shelter - Type 2” (T2 MP), designed and prototyped by the authors during the research activities of the European collaborative project S(P)EEDKITS. Research institutes, universities, non-profit organizations and manufacturers designed novel shelters concepts, medical care resources and other facilities provided in case of emergency. Specifically, this contribution proposes an optimized solution of the tent structure, in order to meet the UNICEF criteria for collective tents
Energy performance of film membranes in the retrofitting of Architectural Heritage: an Italian case study
No full textDuring the last decades, the development of architectural textiles led to significant innovations in the building industry. Designers, producers and researchers have invested in the technical development of textile envelopes with the aim of improving the structural performances of existing building in a cost-effective and sustainable way without sacrificing the aesthetical aspects of the historic buildings. The optimization of technical textiles properties focused particularly on the production process, on the lifespan and the end of life scenarios. Despite the technological progress, the performance of the membranes in terms of internal comfort and energy consumption still represents a critical issue constantly investigated by the academics in this field. In parallel, recent research on the use of membrane structures in historical buildings provided important references and data on the advantages of textiles application in the protection and promotion of the architectural heritage thanks to their intrinsic lightness and reversibility. For this reason, it is fundamental to evaluate the effects that the integration of film membranes has in these valuable structures in terms of energetic behaviour
LCA comparative analysis between a Textile Façade Retrofit and conventional solutions
No full textThe analysis of the European building stock has identified an urgent need of renovation due to
the buildings’ age, their predicted life-time and their energy consumptions. Considering that only façades account for 20-30% of the overall global energy consumptions [Dall’O et al.
2012], building skins play a crucial role in achieving the goal of the carbon neutrality of the building stock within 2050. The relevance of façades in building energy efficiency is driving
an assessment of the potential impact of widespread façade retrofit as a means to improve building sector energy performances and to reduce energy consumptions and related carbon
emissions.
Architectural textiles present high advantages and potentials in façades applications thanks to
their intrinsic properties, unveiling great potentialities in retrofit solutions.
As a consequence of the initial considerations regarding the current use and role of textiles in
façades applications, this paper assesses both the impact and the advantages of their
employment in retrofit applications in terms of LCA and LCC in comparison with conventional methodologies. The analysis aims to validate the existing results about the potentialities of these materials in case of first life proving their efficiency also in retrofit practices.
The research is conducted through a comparative LCA and LCC audit for evaluating the potentialities of innovative Textile Façade Retrofit (TFR) Strategies. The parameters used in
the analyses have been acquired both from the State of the Art and from data provided by
companies active in the field. Exploring the employment of textiles for retrofit applications, the research aims at evaluating the environmental potentialities of TFR Strategies through the integration within the design phase of the environmental dimension of the material, the optimization of the construction phase and an appropriate design. The outcome of the analysis
showcases which parameters make TFR solutions competitive in the field, revealing further
considerations for the optimization of the material and its application
