The load bearing in the tension fabric structures can be generalised as follows:

1 The dead load of the architecture membrane structures is very much less than 50 n/m2.

2 Roof live loads are not relevant to tensile fabric structures but there are typically designed for normal loads.

3 Seismic load not applicable because of low mass.

4 Wind is the load for tensile fabric structures design. Fabric building must have suitable tension and curvature to resist wind load that cause the fabric to flutter.

5 Snow, sand and rain load also is a factor to consider in designing the tenisle fabric structures. High tension is require on the fabric structures to resist deflection to avoid ponding.

6 Point load like signboard which may affect the tensile fabric structures due to high defomability of the membrane structures. Heavy point load must general be supported on figid frame support.

Tension fabric structures may be designed by the designer and build approach or by engineering consultant with specilialized knowledge in this tensile fabric structures technology. Normally architects will provide general parameters and let the tensile membrane specialist to to provide details engineering and connection solution.

Building tensile fabric structures can become problematic when owners and constructors obtained too many quotations rather than to negociate with only one that is within reasonable bids price and budget (market price). Going for the lowest bid price is always a mistake practice when awarding to specialise contractor.

The success in awarding and building a good tensile fabric structures will very much depend on experience, qualification tensile membrane structures company, price and the characteristics of the project itself.

This is a preliminary method statement for fabric structures, and therefore the content is set out in a basic format.

The erection statement for architectural fabric structuresthat will accompany this project.

The erection statment for tensile fabric structures is significantly more detailsand comprehensive drawings.

1. Erect steel columns and lift beam / trusses into place;

2. Layout fabric membrane on large ground sheet;

3. Insert all edge cables into edge pockets of the fabric structures;

4. Fit membrane plates at the corner of the fabric structures;

5. Insert both valley cables into fabric pockets;

6. Roll fabric up into long cylinder on the ground;

7. Lift fabric onto upper framework with crane and boom lift;

8. Open fabric out using boom lifts – work performed from steel frame;

9. Clamp both short ends of fabric to steel work;

10. Attach fabric high points to curved steel arch via toggle endsof the tension fabric structures;

11. Do not fully tension membrane to design position;

12. Attach remaining toggle ends to steel work along curved arches on both sides;

13. Fit valley cables to steel work and adjust to design position of the tensile fabric design;

14. Lubricate toggle ends and tension to design position with hydraluics. Check load on each toggle end;

15. Tighten all lock-nuts;

16. Clean fabric structures fabric surface;

17. Touch-up steel work;

18. Clean site;

19. Obtain clients approval;

20. Leave site with the approval ;

21. If fabric is PTFE fibreglass, tensioning will proceed very slowly. In this case, the fabric may need to be re-tensioned again in 6 months after original installation.

link here

The demo of Kurvenbau lightweight structure design software Tess3D showing how the tensile fabric structures design process. How to develop the fabric structure from sketch to 3D structures. As part of the analysis where the sun shade, rain load, snow load and wind load serve as a important factor in the design development process of fabric structures.

Form finding in tensile fabric structures is the process finding a balance and reasonable geometry and suitable shape for a design because the fabric membrane is flexible.

Membrane used in fabric structures are structural element. Due to the fabric used in the tensile fabric structures the structural membrane under went changes of shape and form under wind load. Maintaining the tension and stability is always our challenge in form finding process.

This sketch provides by architects the basis for further conceptual design, i.e. to identify and fix the structural form will be revised for final form finding in tensile fabric structures.

The purpose of form-finding is to find out the shape that will not only satisfy the architect’s ideas, but also geometrically fit the boundary conditions and statically satisfy mechanics balance and buildable.

The result of the form finding concluded that the tensile fabric structures design is practical to build with the entire structural element correspondent to the transfer of load and stress with stability as a whole.

Pictures from forum of chinese steel construction in tensile fabric structures and tensile world.

Beijing’s National Swimming Center - The Water Cube

Seating capacity - 17,000
Gross floor area - 70,000m²
Structure - size 177×177x31m, there are 22,000 steel members and 12,000 nodes, is made of 6,500 tonnes of steel

There are 4,000 bubbles(ETFE cushions) with the maximum bubble diameter 7.5m

Design consortium
Architect - PTW Architects & China State Construction International Shenzhen Design Consulting Co.
Engineer - Arup & China State Construction Engineering Corporation

Client
Beijing State Owned Assets Management Co.

tensile fabric structures

tensile fabric structures

tensile fabric structures

tensile fabric structures

tensile fabric structures

tensile fabric structures

Pictures from forum of chinese steel construction in tensile fabric structures and tensile world.

Beijing National Stadium

Seating capacity - 80,000
Total site area - 204,278m²
Gross floor area - 258,000m²
Structure - 36km of unwrapped steel length
Height - 69.2m above pitch level

The steel roof, a single 330m long by 220m wide structure, weighing 45,000 tonnes

Design consortium
Herzog & de Meuron Architekten AG
Arup
China Architectural Design and Research Group

Client
National Stadium Co, Ltd

tensile fabric structures

tensile fabric structures

tensile fabric structures

tensile fabric structures

tensile fabric structures

tensile fabric structures