Study on the Mechanical Response of Inflatable Ribbed Arch Structures Under Wind and Snow Loads

Inflatable structures have attracted increasing attention in recent years due to their light weight, translucency, rapid assembly or disassembly, mobility, and self-cleaning performance. Meanwhile, their flexible characteristics and low-damping behavior render the structures prone to significant deformation and vibration under wind and snow loads and may even lead to structural failure. Therefore, numerous researchers have conducted in-depth investigations into the mechanical response of such structures under wind and snow loads. However, existing studies on inflatable structures subjected to wind and snow loads have mainly focused on an air-supported form, and the mechanical behavior of inflatable ribbed arch structures has not yet been sufficiently investigated. To investigate the mechanical behavior and deformation patterns of inflatable ribbed arch structures subjected to wind and snow loads, static tests were conducted on three specimens with varying spans, heights, and cable arrangements. Following inflation to an internal pressure of 250 kPa and preloading with the tarpaulin weight, the wind load and snow load were converted to the equivalent concentrated loads and applied in five incremental stages. Displacement monitoring points (DMPs) were tracked using a total station. Under the wind load, a consistent wind-induced deformation pattern was observed across specimens characterized by inward displacement in Region I, upward displacement in Region II, and negligible change in Region III. The maximum horizontal displacements of Specimens A, B, and C were 76 mm, 140 mm, and 249 mm, respectively. Under snow load, the upper sections of all three specimens experienced significant downward displacement, while both sides demonstrated a slight tendency for outward expansion and upward lift. The maximum vertical displacements of Specimens A, B, and C were −27 mm, −233 mm, and −255 mm, respectively. The findings of this study provide deeper insights into the mechanical behavior of inflatable arch structures under wind and snow loads and can serve as a valuable reference for their design and optimization.