Cable-membrane structures provide interesting architectural forms for: exhibition structures; temporary enclosures; theatres; and sports arenas. This book concentrates on the computational aspects of their analysis and design using the dynamic relaxation method with a finite element idealisation. The book also explains how parallel and distributed computers may be used to speed up the design. The topics considered in the book include: mesh generation for cable-membrane structures; formulation and control of dynamic relaxation analysis; finite element formulations for cables, membranes and geodesic strings; formfinding; cutting pattern generation; sequential and parallel analysis and design; and decomposition for parallel finite element analysis.

The book is intended for researchers and postgraduate students working in the field of finite element technology. The software described in this book, including both the sequential and parallel source codes will be made available via the authors' website.

Authors' webpage

Saxe-Coburg Publications, hardback: 234 pages
2007: ISBN 978-1-874672-11-1 price £95