THE ROLE OF FABRICS IN TENSAIRITY - Eawag-Empa Library

idges and tents. In the roof for a parking garage in Montreux, Switzerland with 28 m span intensive
use of the interesting lighting options of Tensairity was made (Fig. 1).
Figure 1. Tensairity roof structure for a parking garage in Montreux, Switzerland with 28 m span, 2004
(Luscher Architectes SA).
Recently, a skier bridge in the French Alps with a span of 52 m was completed (Fig. 2). During the
winter season, a ski slope runs over the bridge and thus the bridge deck is covered with a thick layer of
snow leading to high loads. The bridge is an impressive demonstration of the potential of Tensairity for
wide span structures with heavy loads.
Figure 2. Tensairity skier bridge with 52 m span in the French Alps, 2005 (Charpente Concept SA,
Barbeyer Architect & Airlight Ltd).
2. SYNERGETIC STRUCTURES
Tensairity is a combination of an airbeam and a cable-strut structure. This fusion of two so far
separated technologies leads to a new structural element with improved properties. For example the
load bearing capacity under bending load of a Tensairity girder is by factors higher than the sum of the
load bearing capacity of the airbeam and the compression strut. The whole is greater than the sum of its
parts. Tensairity is a synergetic combination of an airbeam and a cable-strut structure.
2