ABSTRACT
Tensile structures are flexible, exhibit large displacements under the action of loads, even if the working loads are within the elastic state, i.e. they present nonlinear geometric behavior (Lewis 2003). The membrane material has high strength and low weight, but exhibits a complex behavior which should be verified by experimental tests. Furthermore, membrane surfaces, such as the steel components of the support system, are pre-fabricated, being assembled and pretensioned on site, restricting modifications of the membrane geometry.
