Form Finding and Loading Analysis of ETFE Cushions Using Interaction Numerical Model

The enclosed air plays a significant role in form-finding and loading analysis of ETFE cushions. A new numerical model of ETFE cushions is proposed in order to consider the interaction effects between outer membrane and internal air. Then the form-finding and loading analysis of a regular hexagon ETFE cushion are performed and compared with experimental study. It is shown that the numerical results are in good agreement with the test results. The interaction FE model can be used in static analysis of ETFE cushions.