Multi-Tunnel Greenhouses
The multi-tunnel greenhouse is an industrial-type greenhouse characterized by its fully metallic structure and curved roof, which can be semicircular or gothic-arch shaped.
These greenhouses are widely used in high-tech farming operations, particularly for horticultural production and the cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants, due to their superior ability to control microclimatic variables.
General Characteristics
Grupo IEP’s multi-tunnel greenhouses stand out for their robust and functional design, entirely constructed with high-quality galvanized steel beams, tubes, arches, finials, and gutters. The manufacturing process employs hot-dip immersion and Sendzimir Z-275 coating to ensure durability and corrosion resistance. Components are joined using cold-formed galvanized flanges and clamps, eliminating the need for welding and enabling efficient assembly.
The standard enclosure combines insect-proof mesh and EVA polyethylene sheets, secured with galvanized steel C- and H-profiles and PVC clips to prevent perforations, ensuring a secure and airtight installation.
These greenhouses feature natural ventilation systems, including side, front, and roof vents, with options for fixed or roll-up windows—manual or motorized—in single, double, or arched configurations (half-arch, quarter-arch/super-roof, and butterfly designs). This adaptability meets the climatic and cultivation needs of each project.
The models of this type of greenhouse built by IEP are entirely constructed with beams, tubes, arches, finials, and gutters made of galvanized steel of varying grades (hot-dip immersion and Sendzimir Z-275).
The connection between different components is made using cold-formed flanges or clamps, created through cutting and pressing of galvanized steel sheets – no welding required.
The standard roof enclosure consists of insect-proof mesh and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) polyethylene sheets. Both the mesh and plastic covers are secured to the structure using galvanized steel C- and H-profiles, which hold the sheeting in place with PVC clips (eliminating the need to puncture the membranes).
These greenhouses feature natural ventilation systems, including side, front, and roof vents.
Side and Front Ventilation: Available as fixed or roll-up systems at various heights, operable either manually or with motorized automation. Configurations include single or double vent options.
Roof Ventilation: Fixed or operable systems with manual or motorized opening/closing control. Available in half-arch (with gutter closure), quarter-arch (super-roof), or butterfly (dual super-roof) configurations.
The most common tunnel dimensions vary within these parameters, depending on greenhouse type:
Tunnel width: 7-9.6 meters (IEP currently implements projects with widths up to 12.8 meters).
Unit length: Customizable to client specifications.
Maximum side height (eave height): 2.5-6 meters.
Maximum ridge height: Adjustable according to eave height, reaching 8-8.5 meters.
Wall post spacing: 2-2.5 meters (variable by model and load requirements; tropical multi-tunnel models extend to 4 meters).
Internal post spacing: 4-5 meters, ensuring unobstructed interior space.
Arch spacing: 2-2.5 meters (3-4 meters in tropical multi-tunnel designs).
Types of Multi-Tunnel Greenhouses
The multi-tunnel greenhouses from Grupo IEP are available in various configurations designed to meet the specific needs of each agricultural project, adapting to different climates, crops, and geographic conditions. With a robust metal structure and advanced technology, they offer versatile solutions that combine efficiency, durability, and optimal climate control. Below we present the main types of multi-tunnel greenhouses: chapel, gothic, and tropical, each with unique characteristics that maximize productivity and profitability for horticultural crops, flowers, and more, ensuring innovation and sustainability in every installation
Multi-Tunnel Chapel-Type Greenhouse
These are modular greenhouses featuring semi-circular arched roofs. Their versatile structure and fastening systems allow for different coverings depending on the greenhouse’s intended use – from ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) polyethylene sheets to corrugated polycarbonate panels.
This construction type can be easily modified into a warehouse with metal sheet walls or sandwich panels.
Gothic-type multi-tunnel greenhouse
The pointed arch (also called ogival or gothic) is typically used instead of the semi-circular arch when seeking to improve the structure’s resistance and increase the interior volume: this type of arch allows for widening the tunnel spans, which enables increasing the cultivation surface area, provides greater light transmission, and facilitates better condensation runoff toward the sides to prevent dripping on crops.
This structure improves the interior microclimate, making it particularly useful for hydroponic crop cultivation.
It is designed for use in different climate types, being widely employed in cold regions with frequent snowfall, as its structure prevents snow accumulation.
Multi-tunnel Tropical-type greenhouse
This is a variant of the gothic type, featuring a lightweight structure adapted to tropical climates with strong winds, high temperatures, and humidity levels.
The structure is characterized by a 3-meter spacing between perimeter side posts (extendable to 4 meters in specific cases with reinforced arches and roof vents), with module widths ranging between 9 and 12 meters. Each perimeter side post features diagonal bracing to strengthen the entire structure, creating side aisles up to 2 meters wide. These reinforcements give the walls a slope that enhances wind resistance. Additionally, all module arches include a central support post.
Other structural features:
Front posts also feature diagonal bracing.
The interior is exceptionally spacious, containing only a single row of interior posts per module.
Steel cables replace traditional cultivation bars.
Roof vents are typically fixed and of the super-roof type.
The maximum ridge height can exceed 6.50 meters, facilitating optimal air circulation inside.
