Adaptables2006, TU/e, International Conference On Adaptable Building Structures Eindhoven [The Netherlands] 03-05 July 2006 7-141 Development of a new deployable shelter T.C. Tran, J.Y.R. Liew Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Singapore, BLK E1A, #02-18, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576 g0306014@nus.edu.sg KEYWORDS Deployable shelter, stressed membrane, anticlastic surface Abstract This paper presents an alternative deployable shelter system which is constituted of deployable space truss and an anticlastic stressed membrane. By employing an innovative deployable supporting system, the shelter has the capability of enclosing large span space while being able to be erected rapidly and transported easily. The use of lightweight stressed anticlastic membrane helps to reduce the secondary structural components. In addition, by replacing conventional vertical arches with inclination arches, the structure achieves lateral stability without bracing and the membrane achieves more advantageous curvature surface. Moreover, this inclination arrangement facilitates the entire structure to be deployable, resulting in further rapid and effective erection on site. Parametric studies are carried out to determine the effective geometrical properties for the deployable shelter. Large scale prototypes of the proposed shelter systems have been carried out. The deployable shelter system has been developed for military applications such as temporary aircraft hangars, or emergency shelters. 1. Introduction Lightweight shelter systems are used in many industry and military applications. The shelter system normally has modular design and they are made of lightweight materials for the ease of transportation and erection. Various ranges of different scales and sizes of space enclosure using lightweight membrane have been developed [Hatton 1979]. In general, the shelter systems can be categorized into three generic types: • Unstressed membrane shelter • Stressed membrane shelter • Anticlastic membrane shelter Unstressed membrane shelter systems are tent-like. They comprise series of rigid supporting frames with an unstressed fabric membrane placed loosely over. The membrane thus needs to be heavy to prevent the fabric from fluttering. These shelter systems have the advantages of simple erection and low cost. However, the supporting frame is heavy and bulky due to secondary structural components and bracings. Therefore, they often take time for installation and removal, as well as more manpower involved. These shelter systems thus are not used for large span applications but often aimed at camping tents like the Modular general tent system [Eureka tent].