Terrestrial laser scanning based full-scale wind load test and numerical analysis of a tensile membrane structure

The structural response of tensile membrane structures under wind load is critical to their overall safety and stability. Characterizing the shape and detecting the stress state of the tensile membrane are essential aspects of this analysis. Full-scale testing is undoubtedly the most effective and direct method to gain an in-depth understanding of the deformation mechanisms of these structures under wind loads. This study uses tFIGerrestrial laser scanning technology to examine the structural behaviour of a saddle-shaped tensile membrane structure subjected to wind load. Initially, uniaxial and biaxial tensile experiments are conducted on the material. The uniaxial experiments analyse the impact of different prestress levels on material nonlinearity, and the biaxial experiments assess the residual strain after multiple tension cycles, providing insights into the true mechanical response of the structure under wind pressure. Subsequently, full-scale form finding test and wind load tests based on the equivalent load method are performed. Terrestrial laser scanning technology captures the dynamic geometrical changes of the tensile membrane, offering valuable data on its deformation behaviours under various wind load cases. Additionally, a finite element model of the structure under wind load is developed based on the material properties obtained from the experiments. A comparative analysis between test results and finite element simulations is conducted and discussed. In conclusion, this research enhances the understanding of tensile membrane structures and provides a foundation for advanced structural analysis and design in architectural applications.