Numerical analysis of a modular system consisting of hyperbolic paraboloids, made of a cementitious composite.

In contemporary architecture the use of modular lightweight constructions is often favourised. When a construction is modular, a variety of esthetics can be created with only a few basic and simple modular elements. The objective of this paper is to provide insight in a general characterization of the behaviour of hyperbolic paraboloid-surfaces, made of E-glass fiber reinforced cement matrix composites, under uniform loading. This will be done through a numerical study of one modular element with different boundary conditions. The use of passive prestress will be considered. The influence of different E-glass fiber reinforcement-types will also be studied. Finally, a combination of four modules, attached to one another, will be examined. The behaviour of the cement matrix composite is considered to be linear elastic. In reality, the behaviour of these composites is only linear elastic up to a certain stress level. The study of linear elastic hyperbolic paraboloid-surfaces is used to obtain preliminary understanding of the behaviour of the real hypar-surfaces.