Effects of Uplift Resistance on Continuous-Pipe-Foundation of Single-Span Plastic Greenhouse by Steel Plate Pipe Connector

Abstract

The single-span plastic greenhouses are affected by strong winds which generate uplift resistance causing the bending of members, damage to protective films, and damage to crops. This study performed a field test using the static axial tensile load method to present basic data to prevent damage to a single-span plastic greenhouse. Three representative areas were selected, and the effects of pipe connectors, rafter spacing, and embedding depth were tested. In the field test results, it was found to be greatly affected by the pipe connector. The pull-out resistance at the site fixed by welding instead of the pipe connector was measured as 4.5 times the sliding resistance standard value of the Rural Development Administration. In other sites, the measurement was below the standard value of the sliding resistance of the pipe connector. It was confirmed that the uplift resistance is determined by the sliding resistance of the pipe connector, the rafters, and the crossbar pipe. Therefore, it seems possible to increase the uplift resistance of a single-span plastic greenhouses continuous foundation through the reinforcement of the pipe connector. The field test results can be utilized as basic data for the reinforcement of the commercialization of single-span plastic greenhouses and new standards.