Fabric Structure Strength and Structural Integrity of Large Area Maintenance Shelters (LAMS)

Abstract

Large Area Maintenance Shelters (LAMSs) are deployed worldwide by the United States Air Force. The U.S. Air Force uses LAMSs as storage facilities and hangars for vehicles and aircrafts alike. The inherent low weight and mobility of these structural systems make them a key asset to the U.S. Air Force. The lightweight material used as the roofing system on LAMSs has proved inadequate in cases of high wind events which has caused worry within the U.S. Air Force. Through material testing of four types of fabric structures used in the industry as roofing systems and a verification process using finite element analysis, this research provides an operable engineering model. The engineering model predicts the strength and serviceability requirements a fabric structure must provide to withstand high wind events as instructed by the Departments of Defense’s Unified Facilities Criteria on Structural Engineering.