Analysis on wind resistance performance of ETFE membrane roof in aluminum alloy greenhouse

In order to analyze the wind resistance performance of the ETFE membrane roof in aluminum alloy greenhouse and improve the design safety, mechanics parameters and stress-strain relationship for ETFE membrane were obtained based on uniaxial tensile test data. The basic equations of membrane element were derived based on the geometrical nonlinear finite element theory. The computation model for loading case analysis was established, after determined the initial shape of ETFE membrane used in arch framed roof by means of pedestal-shifting method through general finite analytic software-ANSYS. Membrane surface principal stress distribution and deformation characteristics of an example project were calculated under the condition of wind load, and the effects of different membrane surface prestress levels on load-bearing capacity were analyzed. Analysis results showed that the wind load mainly affected the first principal stress distribution of the arch ETFE membrane roof, and the proper increase of prestress could significantly improve its global stiffness and load-bearing capacity. This research provides references for arch ETFE membrane roof wind-resistance computational analysis and fabrication of the multi-span aluminum alloy greenhouse.