Computer Aided Design of Cable-membrane Structures

Concentrating on the computational aspects of analysis and design using the dynamic relaxation method with a finite element idealization, this book explains how parallel and distributed computers may be used to speed up the design. Mesh generation for cable-membrane structures; formulation and control; and others are the topics covered in it.

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Cable-membrane structures provide interesting architectural forms for: exhibition structures; temporary enclosures; theaters; and sports arenas. This book concentrates on the computational aspects of their analysis and design using the dynamic relaxation method with a finite element idealization. It also explains how parallel and distributed computers may be used to speed up the design. The topics considered in the book are: mesh generation for cable-membrane structures; formulation and control of dynamic relaxation analysis; finite element formulations for cables, membranes and geodesic strings; form finding; cutting pattern generation; sequential and parallel analysis and design; and decomposition for parallel finite element analysis. It is intended for researchers and postgraduate students working in the field of finite element technology. The C source code for the procedures described in the book will be made available via the authors' website.