Resistance uncertainty and structural reliability of hypar tensioned membrane structures with PVC coated polyesters

This paper presents the resistance uncertainty and structural reliability of hypar tensioned membrane structures with PVC coated polyesters. First, series of tensile tests are carried out to study the resistance uncertainty of membrane materials. Then, the uncertainties of computational model and load effects are discussed and the resistance partial coefficients for membrane structures are proposed, regarding to different load combinations. Finally, the reliability indexes are studied according to the serviceability limit state and ultimate limit states. Results show that the proposed partial safety factors could satisfy the target reliability index in current design codes. This paper can provide important references for the design and analysis of tensioned membrane structures.