The Renault distribution centre completed in 1982 has a tensile structure covering 25,000 square meters. The structure is supported by brightly colored tubular masts and arched steel beams, providing an expansive horizontal span and 7.5 meter clearance. The structural system is based around a repeating 24 by 24 meter module of pre-stressed circular steel masts connected by radiating steel beams and an exterior cable system, forming an elaborate structure that combines suspension and reinforcement.

1. BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY - 5
TENSILE STRUCTURE
RENAULT DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
TENSILE STRUCTURE
SUBMITED BY :
VIPASHA DARUWALA – 4
VIBHA DUDHWALA – 5
HETVI PATEL – 15

2. • COMPLETION 1982
• AREA 25,000M²
• CAPACITY 250
• CLIENTRENAULT UK LTD
• ENVIRONMENTAL FOSTER + PARTNERS
ENGINEER
BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY - 5 TENSILE STRUCTURE

3. • THE CENTRE WAS COMMISSIONED AS THE FRENCH CAR MANUFACTURERS
MAIN UK DISTRIBUTION FACILITY.
• THIS IS HOUSED WITHIN A SINGLE ENCLOSURE SUPPORTED BY BRIGHTLY
COLOURED TUBULAR MASTS AND ARCHED STEEL BEAMS.
BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY - 5 TENSILE STRUCTURE

4. • THIS EXPANSIVE HORIZONTAL SPAN IS COMBINED WITH AN INTERNAL
CLEAR HEIGHT OF 7.5 METRES.
STRUCTURAL SYSTEM THAT REPEATS ITSELF TO FORM THIS EXTERNAL
OUTLINE IS BASED AROUND A 24 BY 24 METRE
BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY - 5 TENSILE STRUCTURE

5. • THE STRENGTH OF THE DESIGN, SUPPORTIVE LOCAL PLANNERS
INCREASED THEIR SITE DEVELOPMENT LIMIT FROM 50 TO 67 PER CENT,
ALLOWING A FLOOR AREA OF 25,000 SQUARE METRES.
ENVELOPED BY A CONTINUOUS PVC MEMBRANE ROOF, PIERCED BY GLASS
PANELS AT EACH MAST
BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY - 5 TENSILE STRUCTURE

6. CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
• STEEL WAS USED AS THE MAIN PART
OF THE STRUCTURE.
• THE STRUCTURE HAS SMOKE VENT ON
THE TOP.
• THERE IS GLASS GLAZING TO THE
ROOF FOR NATURAL LIGHTING.
• THERE IS A CLADDING OF
INTERCHANGEABLE GLASS PANELS.
• THE ROOF OF EACH UNIT IS
SUSPENDED FROM CABLES ATTACHED
TO A CENTRAL 16-METRE-HIGH, PRE
STRESSED, CIRCULAR MAST OF
ROLLED, HOLLOW STEEL, WITH 8
RADIATING STEEL BEAMS.
• VERY MUCH ASM BUCKMINSTER
FULLER'S 4D STRUCTURES OF THE
1920S. UNLIKE FULLER'S FREE-
STANDING UNITS, HOWEVER,
FOSTER'S 'SUSPENDED UMBRELLAS'
ARE ASSEMBLED TO FORM A SYSTEM.
BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY - 5 TENSILE STRUCTURE

7. BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY - 5 TENSILE STRUCTURE
• AS A RESULT, THE PARTLY CANTILEVERED, PARTLY HUNG BEAMS OF
THE UNITS COME TOGETHER TO UNITE INTO ARCHES, WHICH IN TURN
ARE STRENGTHENED BY A SYSTEM OF CABLES.
• IN THE CASE OF THE LONG SPAN OF THE RENAULT ARCHED ROOF,
REINFORCEMENT IS IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE USE OF AN UNDER-
SPANNING CABLE AND TWO STUDS IN COMBINATION WITH EXTERNAL
CABLE STAYED STRENGTHENING.
• IT IS AN ELABORATE, HIGHLY RELIABLE STRUCTURE WHERE
SUSPENSION AND SUPPORT ARE STRATEGICALLY COMBINED TO
MAXIMIZE ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY.
• A ROOF-LIGHT UNIT MADE OUT OF DOUBLE-SKIN, TRANSLUCENT PVC
LOUVRES IS POSITIONED IN THE CENTRE OF EACH MODULE.

8. BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY - 5 TENSILE STRUCTURE

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11. BUILDING MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY - 5 TENSILE STRUCTURE
SUPPORTED BY BRIGHTLY COLORED TUBULAR MAST AND ARCHED STEEL BEAMS
THE DESIGN OF
COLLAR AND USE OF
REINFORCING
AROUND CUT OUTS TO
THE CONNECTION OF
TENSION RODS.
PVC
MEMBRANE
ROOF

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