Construction properties of glass and plastic covered greenhouses in Mediterranean region

In this study, glass and plastic covered greenhouses in the Mediterranean Region, were investigated with respect to the structural aspect, the present status, problems, and construction properties. Various types of greenhouses widely used in Adana, Mersin and Antalya selected as study material.Information and statistical data about the greenhouse enterprices regarding cover materials, types and size were obtained from the Agricultural Provincial Directorates and their technical staff and purposeful sampling method was utilized to determine the number of enterprices evaluated.Three types of widely used greenhouses in the research area namely (crib, venlo, gothic) were selected. Computer models have been used for desing of greenhouses in a short time and also for robust construction in an economical way. Studies, the type of the selected three greenhouses were analyzed with SAP2000. The data obtained were compared with the current state of selected greenhouses, as a result of the comparisons examined, with the quantity of material used in greenhouses can be reached as a result of the analysis with SAP2000, there were no significant difference between the quantity of material required.Howewer, desing deficiencies were detected in trust cross sections of the greenhouses inspected, therefore, the stability problem may arise in these systems.Using the information gathered from this study, and employing AutoCAD 2007 desing program, suitable and ecomical greenhouse types widely used in the area were desingned for steel construction, spring and barrel-roofed, plastic and glass covered grenhouses fullfilling the structural requirements of the greenhouses in the region and suggestions were made for greenhouses producers.