01_A city-leisure activities generator
Design concept
The inflatable structure is a simple, coloured and versatile element, which can be installed in the city open spaces apart from their morphology or surface (lawn, paving, asphalt, water). The concept is the use of a simple but intriguing object in the chosen areas, so that an interest might be stimulated without aggression or any particular devices.
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The result is a system that can varies in dimensions and be used in different ways according to the different needs (illumination set, open-close kit, rigid metal structure, fire system, information system, etc) Different versions of the same structure can be realised: a model with the external surface of semiconductor polymers cells that appears like a big display distorted for interactive plays or messages and information; or, the application of flexible photovoltaic cells for the prototype of an energetic unity.
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The assemblage is realised by inflating the object. The water ( which could be also used for the fire system, if included) in the element in contact with the ground, secures stability. This building technology is used for sea rescue boats of reinforced rubber or for protection pneumatic systems. The two main support element are departmental and are realised in reinforced rubber with a thin net of mix material, tear-proof, fire-proof and very resistant to vandalism. Its thin plastic cover stretches when inflated and can be matched with any printed or designed film. This allows a chromatic diversification, the application of logos or advertisements and even decorations by the visitors.
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The structure can therefore be used both as a normal sitting/shelter and for more peculiar needs: meeting place, shows, projections, expositions, lounges, information point,etc. Thanks to the statics deriving from the geometry and the building technique, neither anchorage nor even light modifications of the area will be necessary. The rough and resistant surface of the basic element, together with the structure own weight, once it is immersed into the water, provides the resistance to the sliding just through friction. The assemblage phase requires an atmospheric compressor and a water inlet line, or a tank truck, as well as easy mechanical operations. The only fundamental suggestion is to preserve the dismissed structure in a soft container with mineral powder to be washed off before the next assemblage. In the simpler version the absence of metallic components secures the greatest active reliability of the structure. Even if torn as a consequence of a traumatic accident, the material does not allow the damage to expand, so giving time to mend it. The structure can also be fixed with poliuretanic foam. This operation is irreversible.
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Technical description
Building system and materials - The basic structure takes its inspiration from the inflatable boats of nautical origin. Two different in material elements are cut and soldered into one: a thicker one for tubular sections, a thinner one for connection surfaces. No radial joints are used for the variable geometry of the structure. The cuts in the fabric are longitudinal and compensated in order to reduce the torsion on the tubolars. The pneumatic support section is internally divided into 8 independent rooms about 3,60 m long, the air pneumatic section being internally divided into 6 independent rooms about 3,10 m long. Both of them are made of reinforced material with polyester fabric saturated by coating and calendering with mixtures of specific elastomers. The different internal rooms allows for a constant balancing of the inflating pressure – about 0,2/0,25 bar – and contribute with their quenching effect to improve the resistance to the crashes, in particular thanks to the water filled section. The material is resistant to any hydrocarbon and solvent. It has a limit breaking stretch of 20% and a use temperature ranging from – 40° to + 80°.
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The control-valves for the inlet and the aspiration of air and water are movable and must be taken apart before the folding operations. The meteoric waters flow through passages opened in the collecting points on the cover surface. Fire system - The basic fire system can be completed with a little automatic one: three sprinklers on the sides of the air tubular. The abduction line is normally outside and it has a suitable junction, but in special conditions the water can also be taken from internal reserve of the tubulars through a little automatic or manual compressor. It will be then pressured into the sprinklers pipe. The use of this water does not harm the stability of the structure, whose tubulars will be later filled up. Light system - The system can be integrated in the recess formed by the air tubular. The water-proof luminous elements, fixed on a rigid plastic structure, are mobile and equipped with cold light lamps. The connection to the mobile board is integrated in a screened and protected external channel along the basis tubular. Closing Kit - Sittings, tables and shelves, along with a mobile board with net or connection cables can be kept in a closed part of the structure. It is realised with an additional element made of the same materials but with only air inflatable tubulars. The total weight of the closing system is about kg. 129.
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The opening/closing operation is manual and consists of a crank demoltiplicator on the junction band of the closing system. The latter is blocked up with a pin at whose end is a lock. Should the structure be particularly rigid because of the ground or the use, a steal support can be applied, which is variable in height according to the pressure of the basis inflatable ring. Transport and endurance - The phases of loading, unloading and transport do not require special equipment. A motor-lorry with an oildynamical moving jib and a 5.30 (or more) metres long loading platform will be sufficient. The stocking containers, provided with clasping handles, can be placed one upon another. The implied materials and the tested technologies indicate an average endurance of the structure of about 10 years in a Mediterranean climate, apart from the numbers of assembling and disassembling operations, as long as they are realised according to the above mentioned indications. Possible damages, even serious ones, can be anyway mended with a cold sticking. Estimated costs - Making a comparison with the costs of structures similar in technology and materials, a possible production amount for the basic model of the project is € 23.000,00. Since the industrial fields implied in the production have costs depending on the number of the pieces, the estimated values may vary. We have therefore thought of a limited production but not smaller than 5 pieces.
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Max dimensions of the working structure: m. 15,51 L - m. 10,63 W m. 4.53 H
Max dimensions of the disassembled structure: m. 5.30 L - m. 2.40 W m. 1.35 H
Stocking volume: about m³ 11
Total stocking weight – valves and containing bag included: kg. 335.00
Area covered by the structure: m² 54.85
Air tubular:
- length m.18.87
- volume m³ 1.71
- area m² 20.33
- weight kg. 81.32 (4.00 kg/ m²)
Basis tubular:
- length m. 29.05
- volume m³ 2.67
- area m² 31.22
- weight without water kg. 124.88 (4.00 kg/ m²)
- weight with water kg 2600
Cover fabric:
- volume m³ 0.28 thickness mm. 3
- area m² 93.29
- weight kg. 111.95 (1.20 kg/ m²)