Tensioned Fabric Structures

Tensile Fabric Structures: Design Analysis and Construction summarises the range of tensile membrane structure forms and their applications and documents the current state of knowledge regarding loading form finding and nonlinear analysis of membrane structures. Structural forms and details are generally left exposed in tensile membrane designs and are strongly tied to architecture and aesthetics. These environmentally friendly and economically competitive structures are found in a wide range of recreational and transportation facilities. This report updates the earlier Tensioned Fabric Structures: A Practical Introduction.Topics include: history of tensioned membrane structuresmechanical lighting and thermal properties of membrane materialsfire safety and durability of membrane materialsshape determination and analysisfabrication and erection process attachment to supporting structuresstructural design and aestheticsThis report will provide practical guidance to structural engineers architects and builders of tensile membrane structures.

Written by an experienced practitioner of fabric structure design, this book methodically addresses all aspects of the design and construction process. Structural engineers will gain an understanding of shaping, analysis, and design of members and connections; architects will learn the possibilities and limitations in fabric roof form, as well as the means of achieving successful energy, lighting, acoustical, and fire safety performance; the contractors will gain invaluable information related to their fabrication and erection.

The tension structures discussed in this book are predominantly roofing forms created from pre-stressed cable nets, cable trusses, and continuous membranes (fabric structures). A unique feature in their design is "form-finding" - an interactive process of defining the shape of a structure under tension. The book discusses the role of stable minimal surfaces (minimum energy forms occurring in natural objects, such as soap films) in finding optimal shapes of membrane and cable structures. The discussion of form-finding is extended to structural forms whose shape is supposedly known, such as suspension bridge cables.

This reprint of the 1985 architectural classic discusses a technology that offers an important alternative to conventional construction, having unique properties that make it useful for certain applications. Due to improvements in materials, structural analysis, and environmental control, these structures can often be considered permanent buildings.The membrane is the principal structural component of a tensioned fabric structure. Under certain circumstances, a tensioned fabric structure can reduce energy consumption in a building. The natural light from the translucent surface reduces requirements for artificial lighting, the reflectivity of the skin reduces heat gain, and the radiation of waste heat from the warm fabric surface to cool sky results in an energy-efficient building in warm climates. In cold climates, a second skin or liner is often used, often with glass fiber insulation in the cavity to further reduce heat loss.In general, as permanent structures, tensioned fabric technology is underutilized. There are many projects or parts of projects that could employ this system.

This reprint of the 1985 architectural classic discusses a technology that offers an important alternative to conventional construction, having unique properties that make it useful for certain applications. Due to improvements in materials, structural analysis, and environmental control, these structures can often be considered permanent buildings.The membrane is the principal structural component of a tensioned fabric structure. Under certain circumstances, a tensioned fabric structure can reduce energy consumption in a building. The natural light from the translucent surface reduces requirements for artificial lighting, the reflectivity of the skin reduces heat gain, and the radiation of waste heat from the warm fabric surface to cool sky results in an energy-efficient building in warm climates. In cold climates, a second skin or liner is often used, often with glass fiber insulation in the cavity to further reduce heat loss.In general, as permanent structures, tensioned fabric technology is underutilized. There are many projects or parts of projects that could employ this system.

Tensile surface structures are the visual expression of an intensive rethinking of the topic of building envelopes by designers. Advances in design methods, materials, construction elements and assembly and erection planning in the field of lightweight construction are enabling ever more exacting applications of tensile structures with envelope and structural functions, especially in roofing over large clear spans without internal support. However, the particular mechanical characteristics of the materials used in the construction of textile structures demand consideration of the question of "buildability". This book provides answers by discussing the fundamental influence of material manufacture and assembly in deciding the most suitable type of building or structure and its detailing in the design process. The fundamentals of material composition, manufacturing process, patterning and the behaviour of flexible structural systems are all explained here, as well as their use as structural and connection elements, and special attention is given to the erection of wide-span lightweight structures. The erection equipment is described, as well as the lifting and tensioning process and the construction methods used to erect the characteristic types of tensile structures, illustrated with a selection of example projects. Forword by Werner Sobek.

Fabric Structures in Architecture covers the varying ways textiles and their properties are used in building construction, with particular focus given to tensile structures. The text begins with the fundamental principles of textiles, including the origins of fabric architecture, then progressing to a discussion of the modern textiles of today. It covers relevant textile materials and their properties, including coatings and membranes. In addition, a range of design considerations are discussed, with detailed information on installation and failure modes. A series of case studies from around the world accompany the discussion, illustrating the applications of textiles in architecture. Offers key coverage of the fundamental principles, from the origins of fabric architecture to modern textile Provides analysis of relevant textile materials and their properties, including coatings and membranes Contains expert insights in to the applications of textiles in architecture, presenting a series of relevant case-studies from around the world