What is the Purpose of Temporary Building Structures in Construction?

Temporary structures are structures designed and constructed to serve a function for a short period of time. It may be a simple structure like a tent to a complete building to accommodate something or for storage purposes. A structural sculpture can also is considered a temporary structure.

Temporary Building Storage Structure
Image Credits: www.inside-outside.co.uk/

In this article, all varieties of temporary structures that are used in construction projects are discussed with examples. 

Purpose of Temporary Building Structures

The temporary building structures can include a host of buildings that can be small, medium, or large. These include:

1. Temporary building structures are used as an alternative accommodation during the reconstruction of a permanent building structure.
2. They are constructed as a signature or symbolic pavilion for special events like expos, trade fairs, etc.
3. To provide daytime facilities for construction workers.
4. To symbolize some historic event, which is constructed temporarily to attract visitors attraction and later retained as a permanent feature.
5. To provide temporary domestic accommodation. 
6. For industrial use as lightweight or demountable buildings. They can be modular, steel roof buildings, canopy buildings, etc.
7. Other uses of temporary structures are for boat and RV storage, workshops, disaster relief stations, screen houses, pool enclosures, and airplane hangers.

Types of Temporary Building Structures

The major varieties of temporary building structures are:

1. Traditional Marquees 

• Also called soft tops, pole tents, or guyed marquees
• Employed for private functions and traditional venues
• Can be 120 feet wide 

2. Giant Structure

• Large span aluminum frame or tensioned pole tents
• Specialist structures with spans 30 m, 40 m, or 50 m
• Require cranes and special instructions to erect and handle

3. Inflatable Tents

• Air-supported structures
• Use air beams, tubular construction, or cellular walls

4. Saddles pan

• Made from tensioned PVC and supported by architectural aluminum trussing
• Used for a large marquee, exhibition venue, audience shelter, stage cover
• Available in different colors and can be linked with large structures.

5. Multi-deck

• These structures can be double, triple, or quad-level structures.
• Have standard clean span aluminum frame design
• Specialized structures

Also Read: Folded Plate Structures-Principle and Structural Behaviour