A Shape Grammar for Space Architecture – I. Pressurized Membranes

The paper presents a study on the morphology of inflatable membranes and their application in space habitat design. The study is focused on the role of physical constraints on pneumatic membranes as a form generating factor in two aspects (1) the definition of elements (primitive shapes) and (2) the definition of a set of rules. The primitive (generic) shapes for pneumatics must be in an initial equilibrium state. Said condition applies restraint on pneumatic shape primitives. We used geometric surfaces having closed analytic solutions satisfying equilibrium state under uniform internal pressure. They are all surfaces of revolution – sphere, torus, cone, cylinder, and ellipsoid. A special class of intermediate elements – compression rings and tensioned diaphragms – are introduced to support concatenation rules.