Pneumatic frame hangars for agriculture

The design of facilities intended for the storage of cereals, cotton, fertilizers and farm equipment in West and Central Africa imposes strict technical requirements. Pneumatic-frame structures with PVC membrane have been developed to precisely meet the climatic, operational and product conservation constraints of agriculture.
Wind load calculations are set in the range of 35 to 45 m/s depending on the exposure of the site and the region of installation. These values guarantee the stability of the structure even on open platforms frequently subjected to strong winds. Snow loads, although secondary in most of the climatic zones concerned, are included between 80 and 150 kg/m² to ensure versatility of use. The operating temperature range extends from –50 °C to +70 °C, covering the extreme conditions of the Sahelian regions as well as more temperate or high-altitude zones.
The envelope is made of reinforced PVC membrane with a density of 650 to 900 g/m² and a thickness of 0.55 to 0.80 mm. The outer white layer is equipped with a high-performance UV filter that reflects the maximum of solar rays. Inside the air chambers a black blackout membrane is systematically used, which completely blocks the penetration of light. This double design prevents the sun from heating the interior surface of the hangar and helps maintain a lower and more stable temperature, which is decisive for the conservation of cereals, cotton and fertilizers. The material offers high tensile strength, excellent resistance to ultraviolet radiation, good resistance to humidity and meets fire behaviour requirements (classification G1 / RP2 / B2).
The expected service life of the structure exceeds 25 years under normal operating conditions. The automatic internal pressure regulation system operates in the range of 1.5 to 3.0 kPa and intervenes only in the event of a significant variation. The required electrical power varies from 0.7 to 8 kW depending on the covered area, which limits energy consumption, particularly on remote sites where the power supply is limited or expensive.
All membrane joints are made exclusively by high-frequency and thermal welding. No sewing or glue is used. This method guarantees lasting airtightness and superior mechanical strength of the joints throughout the service life of the structure. Fixing points for technical networks (ventilation, lighting, video surveillance, fire detection) are integrated from the design stage, allowing precise adaptation to the specific needs of each farm: bulk cereal storage, cotton bale storage, fertilizer conservation or shelter for farm equipment.
The complete absence of internal supports maximises the usable volume and facilitates loading, unloading and handling operations. The structure is designed to accept the integration of forced ventilation systems, humidity control and handling equipment adapted to agricultural products.