Tensile Structures (v. 1 & 2) [Paperback]

Frei Otto (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1973

For the first time in this edition, Frei Otto's two studies of nonrigid structures (Pneumatic Structures and Cables, Nets, and Membranes) are available in one volume. Pneumatic Structures deals for the most part with surfaces loaded by tractive forces. Special membranes, of high tensile strength, are made semi-rigid by means of differences of enclosed air or fluid pressure and can serve as roofings, halls, silos, dams, or for any other application where ease and rapidity of construction and transportation are essential. This section is illustrated with 1,660 numbered photographs and line drawings, including many striking photographs of both models and existing implements and structures. In Cables, Nets, and Membranes the subject of nonrigid architectural structures is continued with a detailed investigation of structures under tensile loads, of which suspension bridges and tents are the most commonly known examples. Like pneumatic structures, tensile structures have the advantages of mobility, light weight, ease and speed of erection, and low cost.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The MIT Press has given us a volume so beautifully designed in black and white that it can as easily lead a life of leisure on the coffee table as become dog-eared in hard design-room service.... Mathematically and pictorially illustrated in immense and beautiful detail."
— Engineer

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (June 15, 1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262650053
• ISBN-13: 978-0262650052
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,572,129 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tensile Structures edited by Friel Otto, May 27, 2001

By 

Truman J. Siple (Oakford, Pennsylvania United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tensile Structures: Design, Structure, and Calculation of Buildings of Cables, Nets, and Membranes (Hardcover)

I have the book. This monumental work is into two major volumns. The first one was copywrited in 1962, the other volumn was added to the orginal in 1965. The book is edited by Friel Otto and contains not only his work, but the work other leaders in the forfront of this new form of architecture. Volumn 1 Friel Otto; Pneumatic Structures Rudoff Trostel; Calculation of Membranes Friel Otto; Tension Anchoring of the Foundation

Volumn 2 Friel Otto: Basic Concept and Survey of Tensile Structures Friedrich-Karl Schleyer; Analysis of Cables, Cable Net and Cable Structures The first section of book contains an indepth look of modeling using soap bubbles. Early experiments with balloons are presented showing how the early enginnering concepts were developed and tested. Many early examples of the use of the domes form for human habitation are also included. Large scale projects are also presented with shapes of the sturctures going into square,hexigons, and other auxilliary forms are presented. The next major part of this section containg cable netting and the models presented are truly facinating for there possible large scale appications. In the next part you will find a presentation on of all things,hoses. This topic is expanded into presenation of how hoses can be turned in load bearing members of a structure. Semicylinders and there real time applications are presented.The volumn continues with indebth presentations on Internal Drainage, Cushion Structures as well some very interesting experiments. I read and reread this section many times to try to understand all of the information presented especially in experiment home construction. The next section I really enjoyed. The volumn is nothing but how loading caculated is you like applied physics and engineering that section for you. I got understood much of it but in my case, it has been too many year since calculusII.

The second voulmn contain a hitory, development and classification of Tensile Structures. In this part Friel Otto takes you though the history of this form of architecture and mixes into modeling with concrete application showing large scale projects. I find this part of the volumn really helpful in undering how Mr. Otto thinks though his application problems from his basic modeling. His foundations details really helped me in the work I was doing at the time. The mix of the theoretical with the real time applications is very unique. I always had to remember this work was started in the late 50's and all of the work I was reading about was published in the mid-sixties. The last part of this volum was the enginnering calculations for Tensile Structures. I am still trying understand much of the information presented. My recomendations, is you like this architectural form and the math which drives it; this book is one you must read. When you read this book and look at the beautiful works of Horst Berger in Light Structures, this book by, Freil Otto and others is the historical basis on which Mr. Berger and other architects have continued the architecture form of Tensile Structures.

You can get it used, I did it just takes time. Some college library have it, but you will never get throught it one sitting.TjS