The structural behaviour of architectural fabric structures - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:25, 16 November 2020

2020-11-16T08:25:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:25, 16 November 2020
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	* The thermal behaviour of spaces enclosed by fabric membranes.		* The thermal behaviour of spaces enclosed by fabric membranes.

−	[[Category:Design]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Design]]

Editor at 18:38, 9 April 2019

2019-04-09T18:38:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:38, 9 April 2019
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	{\|		{\|
−	\|[[File:Anticlastic_surface.png\|link=File:Anticlastic_surface.png]]	+	\| [[File:Anticlastic_surface.png\|link=File:Anticlastic_surface.png]]
−	\|[[File:Synclastic_surface.jpg\|link=File:Synclastic_surface.jpg]]	+	\| [[File:Synclastic_surface.jpg\|link=File:Synclastic_surface.jpg]]
	\|}		\|}

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	This software can also be used to generate patterns for automatically cutting the fabric panels to create the form required.		This software can also be used to generate patterns for automatically cutting the fabric panels to create the form required.

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

	* Anticlastic.		* Anticlastic.
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	* Polyvinyl chloride PVC.		* Polyvinyl chloride PVC.
	* Principles of enclosure.		* Principles of enclosure.
		+	* PTFE.
	* Structural principles.		* Structural principles.
	* Tensile structures.		* Tensile structures.

Editor at 14:54, 21 August 2017

2017-08-21T14:54:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:54, 21 August 2017
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	* Principles of enclosure.		* Principles of enclosure.
	* Structural principles.		* Structural principles.
		+	* Tensile structures.
	* Thermal behaviour of architectural fabric structures.		* Thermal behaviour of architectural fabric structures.
	* The history of fabric structures.		* The history of fabric structures.

Designing Buildings at 09:44, 28 December 2016

2016-12-28T09:44:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:44, 28 December 2016
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	So the greater the curvature and the greater the pre-tensioning of the fabric, the less it will distort under load.		So the greater the curvature and the greater the pre-tensioning of the fabric, the less it will distort under load.
−
−

	= Structural design =		= Structural design =

Designing Buildings at 09:44, 28 December 2016

2016-12-28T09:44:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:44, 28 December 2016
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	This process was initially carried out using relatively simple mathematical techniques and model making using wire frames and soap films to determine optimum forms, sometimes described as ‘minimal surfaces’.		This process was initially carried out using relatively simple mathematical techniques and model making using wire frames and soap films to determine optimum forms, sometimes described as ‘minimal surfaces’.

−	[[File:~~Soap film~~.png]]	+	[[File:Soap_film.png\|link=File:Soap_film.png]]

−	It is only relatively recently that it has been possible to model the non-linear, dynamic behaviour of architectural fabrics (in which a change in one part ~~effects~~ all other parts and vice versa) using specialist form-finding software. This allows designers to vary the elements, boundary conditions and geometry of the design and rapidly determine the most efficient structural solution.	+	It is only relatively recently that it has been possible to model the non-linear, dynamic behaviour of architectural fabrics (in which a change in one part affects all other parts and vice versa) using specialist form-finding software. This allows designers to vary the elements, boundary conditions and geometry of the design and rapidly determine the most efficient structural solution.

−	This software can also be used to generate ~~cutting~~ patterns for automatically cutting the fabric panels to create the form required.	+	This software can also be used to generate patterns for automatically cutting the fabric panels to create the form required.

	= Find out more =		= Find out more =

Designing Buildings at 08:13, 5 December 2016

2016-12-05T08:13:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:13, 5 December 2016
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	This process was initially carried out using relatively simple mathematical techniques and model making using wire frames and soap films to determine optimum forms, sometimes described as ‘minimal surfaces’.		This process was initially carried out using relatively simple mathematical techniques and model making using wire frames and soap films to determine optimum forms, sometimes described as ‘minimal surfaces’.
		+
		+	[[File:Soap film.png]]

	It is only relatively recently that it has been possible to model the non-linear, dynamic behaviour of architectural fabrics (in which a change in one part effects all other parts and vice versa) using specialist form-finding software. This allows designers to vary the elements, boundary conditions and geometry of the design and rapidly determine the most efficient structural solution.		It is only relatively recently that it has been possible to model the non-linear, dynamic behaviour of architectural fabrics (in which a change in one part effects all other parts and vice versa) using specialist form-finding software. This allows designers to vary the elements, boundary conditions and geometry of the design and rapidly determine the most efficient structural solution.

Designing Buildings at 10:46, 4 December 2016

2016-12-04T10:46:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:46, 4 December 2016
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	* Anticlastic.		* Anticlastic.
		+	* Architectural fabrics.
	* Carbon fibre.		* Carbon fibre.
	* ETFE.		* ETFE.

Designing Buildings at 08:39, 4 December 2016

2016-12-04T08:39:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:39, 4 December 2016
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	Doubly-curved surfaces can be tensioned without distorting their form, as the opposing curvatures balance each other at every point on the surface. Tensioning the fabric reduces its elasticity so that it will distort less when subsequently loaded, such as under wind load or snow load.		Doubly-curved surfaces can be tensioned without distorting their form, as the opposing curvatures balance each other at every point on the surface. Tensioning the fabric reduces its elasticity so that it will distort less when subsequently loaded, such as under wind load or snow load.

−	In addition, the geometry of the curvature itself means that any extension of the fabric under load results in a relatively smaller deflection than would be apparent in a ~~flat~~ fabric.	+	In addition, the geometry of the curvature itself means that any extension of the fabric under load results in a relatively smaller deflection than would be apparent in a flatter, or less curved fabric.

	[[File:Progressive_deformation_of_curved_element_under_load.jpg\|link=File:Progressive_deformation_of_curved_element_under_load.jpg]]		[[File:Progressive_deformation_of_curved_element_under_load.jpg\|link=File:Progressive_deformation_of_curved_element_under_load.jpg]]

−	So the greater the ~~degree of~~ curvature and the greater the pre-tensioning of the fabric, the less it will distort under load.	+	So the greater the curvature and the greater the pre-tensioning of the fabric, the less it will distort under load.

Designing Buildings at 08:35, 4 December 2016

2016-12-04T08:35:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:35, 4 December 2016
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	* Carbon fibre.		* Carbon fibre.
	* ETFE.		* ETFE.
		+	* Fabric structures.
	* Polyvinyl chloride PVC.		* Polyvinyl chloride PVC.
	* Principles of enclosure.		* Principles of enclosure.

Designing Buildings at 10:53, 3 December 2016

2016-12-03T10:53:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:53, 3 December 2016
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	= Architectural fabrics. =		= Architectural fabrics. =

−	Typically, fabric structures are formed using PTFE coated glass, or PVC coated polyester, although there is an increasingly wide range of other materials available. For more information see The development of structural membranes.	+	Typically, fabric structures are formed using PTFE coated glass, or PVC coated polyester, although there is an increasingly wide range of other materials available. For more information see: The development of structural membranes.

	The fabric itself it generally very thin, approximately 1mm thick. It has very little compressive strength, but very high tensile strength. Woven glass fabrics are stronger in tension than steel. Different types of membrane are available depending on the use, longevity and tensile strength required.		The fabric itself it generally very thin, approximately 1mm thick. It has very little compressive strength, but very high tensile strength. Woven glass fabrics are stronger in tension than steel. Different types of membrane are available depending on the use, longevity and tensile strength required.
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	* Type 5: 9,000 N/5cm		* Type 5: 9,000 N/5cm

−	Individual pieces of fabric may be welded, heat sealed, glued or sewn to form larger panels. Steel cables may be attached to the perimeter of the panels, to pull them into their desired positions.	+	Individual pieces of fabric may be welded, heat sealed, glued or sewn together to form larger panels. Steel cables may be attached to the perimeter of the panels, to pull them into their desired positions.

	= Structural form =		= Structural form =
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	A synclastic surface (or a dome shape), is a surface in which the two axes of the surface curve in the same direction, that is the centres or curvature are on the same side of the surface.		A synclastic surface (or a dome shape), is a surface in which the two axes of the surface curve in the same direction, that is the centres or curvature are on the same side of the surface.

−	Synclastic surfaces are typically created by inflation (sometimes referred to as air-supported structures). Air pressure within the ~~dome~~ maintains the form of the surface when it is tensioned. The is similar to blowing up a balloon, but the pressure is very low so that it is generally not noticeable to occupants.	+	Synclastic surfaces are typically created by inflation (sometimes referred to as air-supported structures). Air pressure within the enclosure maintains the form of the surface when it is tensioned. The is similar to blowing up a balloon, but the pressure is very low so that it is generally not noticeable to occupants.

	[[File:Air_supported_structure.jpg\|link=File:Air_supported_structure.jpg]]		[[File:Air_supported_structure.jpg\|link=File:Air_supported_structure.jpg]]
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	== The effect of curvature ==		== The effect of curvature ==

−	Doubly-curved surfaces can be tensioned without distorting their form, as the opposing curvatures balance each other at every point on the surface. Tensioning the fabric reduces its elasticity so that it will distort less when subsequently loaded, such as under wind load, snow load ~~etc~~.	+	Doubly-curved surfaces can be tensioned without distorting their form, as the opposing curvatures balance each other at every point on the surface. Tensioning the fabric reduces its elasticity so that it will distort less when subsequently loaded, such as under wind load or snow load.

	In addition, the geometry of the curvature itself means that any extension of the fabric under load results in a relatively smaller deflection than would be apparent in a flat fabric.		In addition, the geometry of the curvature itself means that any extension of the fabric under load results in a relatively smaller deflection than would be apparent in a flat fabric.

−	[[File:~~Progressive deformation of curved element under load~~.jpg]]	+	[[File:Progressive_deformation_of_curved_element_under_load.jpg\|link=File:Progressive_deformation_of_curved_element_under_load.jpg]]

	So the greater the degree of curvature and the greater the pre-tensioning of the fabric, the less it will distort under load.		So the greater the degree of curvature and the greater the pre-tensioning of the fabric, the less it will distort under load.
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	= Structural design =		= Structural design =

−	~~Computer modelling~~ techniques ~~are~~ used to design and analyse the stressed skin of fabric structures and to determine the optimum structural shape.	+	A range of techniques can be used to design and analyse the stressed skin of fabric structures and to determine the optimum structural shape.

	This process was initially carried out using relatively simple mathematical techniques and model making using wire frames and soap films to determine optimum forms, sometimes described as ‘minimal surfaces’.		This process was initially carried out using relatively simple mathematical techniques and model making using wire frames and soap films to determine optimum forms, sometimes described as ‘minimal surfaces’.

−	It is only relatively recently that it has been possible to model the non-linear, dynamic behaviour of architectural fabrics (in which a change in one part effects all ~~others~~) using specialist form-finding software. This allows designers to vary the elements, boundary conditions and geometry of the design and rapidly determine the most efficient structural solution.	+	It is only relatively recently that it has been possible to model the non-linear, dynamic behaviour of architectural fabrics (in which a change in one part effects all other parts and vice versa) using specialist form-finding software. This allows designers to vary the elements, boundary conditions and geometry of the design and rapidly determine the most efficient structural solution.

	This software can also be used to generate cutting patterns for automatically cutting the fabric panels to create the form required.		This software can also be used to generate cutting patterns for automatically cutting the fabric panels to create the form required.