Is the hot weather causing bursting airbeams when camping?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter fella1973
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Hot Weather
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential impact of hot weather on the integrity of airbeam tents, specifically whether increased temperatures are causing airbeams to burst. Participants explore the relationship between temperature and pressure in gases, as well as other factors that may contribute to failures in airbeam tents.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes anecdotal evidence suggesting that hot weather has led to an increase in burst airbeams but expresses skepticism about whether a small temperature increase could exceed the maximum acceptable pressure limits.
  • Another participant explains that for a closed volume, the pressure of a gas is proportional to its absolute temperature, calculating that a temperature increase from 20°C to 40°C would raise the pressure from 8 psi to approximately 8.5 psi, which is below the maximum limit.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that if failures are occurring, they may be due to issues with the adhesive or welding of the air chambers rather than pressure alone, and questions the maximum operating temperature specified by manufacturers.
  • One participant raises the possibility that the fabric's temperature in direct sunlight could exceed ambient temperatures, potentially affecting the airbeam's integrity.
  • Another participant mentions the potential impact of fabric color on failure rates, questioning whether darker fabrics fail more often in hot weather.
  • There is a correction regarding the calculation of absolute pressure, indicating that the increase in pressure could be higher than initially stated, and suggests that softening of the plastic may also play a role in failures.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the causes of airbeam failures, with some attributing it to pressure increases and others suggesting material or construction issues. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the primary factors contributing to the reported failures.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific pressure and temperature values but do not provide a consensus on the maximum operating temperature or the reliability of the pressure specifications. There are also assumptions about the conditions under which the airbeams are used that are not fully explored.

fella1973
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Im a keen camper and for my family tent I have been a long time convert to airbeam tents as opposed to poled tents. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that the recent spate of hot weather has led to increase in burst airbeams due to the higher temperatures, but i find it hard to believe that a relatively small increase in temperature would put the pressure in the beams beyond the max acceptable limit of the beams. I've tried to figure it out myself but its a long time since i did any physics.

Here is what i know:

Beam Dimensions 12cm diameter by 6m length
Recommended air pressure at 7psi
Max recommended air pressure 9psi

if we assume normal temp is 20deg what would be the impact on the beam pressure at say 30deg C and 40 degc?

Cheers
 
Science news on Phys.org
For a closed /constant volume, the pressure of a gas is proportional to the absolute temperature (293° for 20°C and 313° at 40°C. The pressure increases at the same rate as the temperature. The percent increase in temperature from 20°C to 40°C is 6.8% so the pressure increases by 6.8%. So at 8 psi and 20°, this increases the pressure to 8.5 psi so no problem if the 9 psi max is reliable.
 
fella1973 said:
but i find it hard to believe that a relatively small increase in temperature would put the pressure in the beams beyond the max acceptable limit of the beams.
If the increased incidence of failures is real, then more likely is a failure of the adhesive or welding procedure used to form the air chambers. Do you have any photos of such failures? Were they along seams or someplace else in the airbeam construction?

You list a max pressure specification, but what do the manufacturers list for max operating temperature? The temperature of the structure's fabric in the direct sunlight in hot weather will be a fair amount higher than the ambient air temperatiure...

Do airbeam tents with dark-colored fabric fail more often in hot weather compared to airbeam tents with light-colored fabric? :wink:
 
Last edited:
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: gleem and dlgoff
gleem said:
For a closed /constant volume, the pressure of a gas is proportional to the absolute temperature (293° for 20°C and 313° at 40°C. The pressure increases at the same rate as the temperature. The percent increase in temperature from 20°C to 40°C is 6.8% so the pressure increases by 6.8%. So at 8 psi and 20°, this increases the pressure to 8.5 psi so no problem if the 9 psi max is reliable.
Not quite right. It’s the absolute pressure that increases, 8 psi + 14.7 is 22.7 absolute, which increases to 24.2 = 9.5 psi.
In reality, it’s probably a combination of higher pressure, and the softening of the plastic. Let it down a bit if it’s hot!
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: gleem

Similar threads

Graduate Why do tanks get hot when you fill them from higher pressure tanks?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
12K