Air Cell Structures

Pioneered by the Lindstrand team in 1999, air cell technology marked a new era in the history of inflatable fabric engineering and pneumatic architecture.

Pneumatic buildings and structures can be used in practically any environment and are ideally suited both for military and civil applications.

Air cell structures are advanced constructions (often referred to as pneumatic structures) made with two layers of material with fabric formers perpendicular in between. They are self-supporting and self-erect-able by means of an air fan only with no need for foundation, hardware or guy wires.

Air cell inflatable buildings (or pneumatic buildings) act as permanent structures rather than temporary ones having high torsional stiffness, which allows them to withstand wind up to 80 knots and snow load up to 140kg/sq.m.

Inflatable buildings can support loads on the roof and walls for lighting, lifting and other cabling requirements. They have great thermal and sound insulation properties, and tolerate temperatures from -30 °C to + 70°C.

Inflatable buildings manufactured by Lindstrand Technologies Ltd. fully comply with the standards applicable to pneumatic buildings – Fire Retardant Standards (BS 7837/5438) and Anti-Fungal Standards.

The life expectancy of inflatable buildings depends upon the climate in which they are installed and particularly the levels of UV light to which the pneumatic structures are exposed. An inflatable structure erected outdoors should survive for 10 years in the Tropics and for 20 years in European conditions. If the inflatables are kept indoors they will last almost indefinitely.

There are almost no limitations as to design geometry for the inflatable constructions – Lindstrand’s facilities are capable of producing almost anything in fabric. However, the building must have a sufficient air gap to create the required rigidity, and large flat horizontal areas are to be avoided.

Portable architecture brings no disruption to the site because inflatable buildings are manufactured entirely off-site and can usually be installed within a day.