Tensile structures use strong fabric or cables under tension to support large interior spaces without intrusive support beams. They can be used for permanent or temporary structures, from stadiums to tents, and can be made from various materials. The structure’s shape is determined by mathematical principles, and it must remain in constant equilibrium with gravity. Tensile structures can last for decades without maintenance and have been used in construction since prehistoric times.
A tensile structure is held together by a strong fabric or a network of wires or cables. The tension to which these elements are subjected supports the entire structure. No heavy looms are needed, and the materials are relatively light, so they’re easier to access on construction sites. With fewer materials required than other forms of construction, a large interior space can be built without the need for intrusive support beams and frames. Such a structure can take on a dome, modeled on geodesics, or be cone- or saddle-shaped.
This principle is used to build many types of permanent or temporary structures. Buildings as large as stadiums and airport terminals have been constructed using tension-based structural systems. Shopping centers have also incorporated them and a tensile structure can also be used for large tents, to build protective covers and shelters, and to cover stages. Fabric structures can span spaces up to 150 feet (45.72 m) in diameter without support, and tension-cable supported structures can span even more space.
The type of fabric used depends on the applications, but different types are suitable for use in a tension structure. Some include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene plastic, and PVC glass fabric. Each is suitable for certain applications and meets specific durability and fire requirements. Many of these materials are also recyclable, adding to the environmentally sustainable characteristics of tension-supported structures.
In addition to the dome, the tensile structure can be cone-shaped or saddle-shaped. Several mathematical principles are used in structural design, including Gaussian curvature. Curvature itself can be measured specifically, and a negative value refers to a saddle shape, while a positive number indicates there is a curve with a peak. In terms of its physical properties, a tensile structure is pulled and all its elements are in constant equilibrium with gravity. Breaking any small part, such as a wire or sheet of fabric, will cause a chain reaction that will lead to the collapse of the structure.
A tensile structure can comprise the majority of a building or be added to existing buildings as roof sections, lobbies or outdoor canopies. The structure can last for decades without maintenance. Design principles related to construction in tension have existed since prehistoric times. Renowned architectural engineers have revolutionized the concept creating well-recognized structures in major airports and stadiums around the world.
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