Non-linear FE Analysis of Tension Structures used to Stabilize the External North Facade of Pad 19-20 in the Fiera di Bologna: Comparison of Two Different Proposed Solutions

This paper describes the tension system solution adopted to stabilize the teflon membrane of the north façade of the Pad 19-20 in Fiera di Bologna (Italy): the authors explain the important structural conditions which have to be taken into account to determine the design pre-stress state of the cable systems of the State 0 condition, and the analytical procedure to find it. Non-linear geometric analyses results are discussed and some structural problem are highlighted. In particular the influence of the structural border of the tension system on the membrane diplacement is observed: the origin of this effect is investigated and a new tension system solution is proposed to minimize it. Therefore, for both the systems, the statical responses are shown in order to observe the different behaviour of the membrane under the effect of a wind load: displacement and shape deformation are discussed.