Feasibility of Rigidified Inflatable Structures for Housing

Abstract

Rigidified inflatable structures (RIS) are thin, flexible membrane structures that are pneumatically deployed. After deployment, these structures harden because of chemical or physical change of the membrane. Because of this change, or rigidification, these structures no longer require pneumatic pressure to maintain their shape. With the aim of reducing the cost and examining the feasibility of RIS structures, a new material is proposed, developed, and evaluated. This material involves the formation of a semi-interpenetrating polymer network based on polyvinyl chloride and an acrylate-based reactive plasticizer. The economical and environmental performances of RIS using this new material are assessed by means of a case study. In this study, the performance of RIS technology is compared with that of a typical wood light-frame structure in the application of a small single-family house. The study indicates that the cost of ownership in present day value for the RIS is approximately 35% less than the cost of a comparable wood light-frame structure. The study also indicates that significant environmental benefits exist with the use of RIS. These structures use significantly less in terms of resources than do wood frame structures: approximately 2 times less in materials originating from nonrenewable fossil resources, approximately 2 times less in material originating from trees, and approximately 19 times less in materials originating from inorganic resources. The study concludes by delineating various means available to further increase the economical and environmental performance of RIS technology.