CABLE TENSILE

FABRIC STRUCTURE
By ART
 INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME (ILO)
• Recognize the concept of tensile
structure and identify its
components.

• Create architectural design solutions

within realistic constraints such as
economic, environmental, cultural,
social, ethical, health and safety and
sustainability in accordance with
architectural design studies.

Fig. Fabric Shade

• Develop a basic understanding of Canopy
structural form of fabric structures
for conceptual design.

• Apply a solution that will allow

fabric structures to be considered in
design of buildings.
Tensioned Fabric Structure

• A structure where the exterior

shell is a fabric material spread
over a framework. The fabric is
maintained in tension in all
directions to provide stability.

Fig. The O2, formerly known as the Millennium Dome by Richard Rogers
Tensile Structure
• Tensile structures are those in which every part of
the structure is loaded only in tension, with no
requirement to resist compression or bending forces.

Fig. credits to Fabric Architect,

LLC-Custom Fabric Structures (for
people who want “one of a kind”
protection from the elements.
Tensioned Membrane Structure
• Tensile membrane structure is most often used as
roof, as they can economically and attractively span
large areas.

Fig. credits to structureflex.com


Fig. credits to Fabric Architect
ADVANTAGES
-Unique designs
-Lightweight and flexible
-Environmentally sensitive
-High strength weight ratio.
Common Misconceptions
• Fabric structures cannot take
heavy weather conditions.
FALSE!
• Fabric is elastic and stretches.
Fabric has a strong tensile
strength and will creep
(stretch very slightly) only a
few percent over 20 years.
DISADVANTAGES
-Little to no rigidity
-Loss of tension is dangerous
in mobility
-Thermal values limit use
Types of Structure with Significant
Tension Members
LINEAR STRUCTURES
1) Suspension Bridges
2) Draped Cables
3) Cable-stayed beams or trusses
4) Cable trusses
1
3 2

4
Types of Structure with Significant
Tension Members
3-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURES
1) Bicycle Wheel (can be used as
roof in horizontal orientation)
2) 3D Cable Trusses 4
3) Tensegrity Structures 3
4) Tensairity Structures

2
 Types of Structure with Significant
Tension Members
1
SURFACE-STRESSED STRUCTURES
1) Prestressed Membranes
2) Pneumatically Stressed Membranes
3) Gridshell
4) Fabric Structure
3 2

4
 Types of Fabric Structures

1) Saddle Roof
2) Mast Supported
3) Arch Supported Point supported
4) Point Combinations
5) Combination
Materials of Tensile Fabric Architecture
1) Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) coated polyester.
- For external use (coated fabric).
- Less expensive, 15 to 20 years life span and easy to erect

2) Silicon coated glass.

-For internal use (mesh fabric).
-Higher tensile strength, brittle (subject to damage from flexing)
and has 30 years life span.

3) PTFE (Poly Tetra Fluro Ethlede) TEFLON coated glass.

-For external use
-Similar to silicon glass, less brittle.
 Components
Fig. credits to the owner.

Connection to concrete/steel foundation pillar.

 Components
Bale Ring, Membrane/Base Plate & Membrane

-Membrane plates accept

centenary cables and pin
connection hardware.

-Bale Rings were used to

control stresses in fabric
roof.

-Membrane Forms the

enclosure of the building.
Connections maybe tight.
Components
PVC type membrane
Components
PTFE type membrane
(Teflon coated glass)
FABRIC DETAIL AT RIDGE CABLES
FABRIC DETAIL AT COMPRESSION POST
 Drainage

Rain chain – beautiful

and functional Steel downspout. Hot-dip
alternative to galvanized finish.
traditional downspout.
Thermal Behavior of Architectural Fabric
Environmental Impact -Longer life cycle of
materials.

-Materials can be re-used in

form.

-Most materials are

completely recyclable

-Less impact on site.

-Less construction debris

after demolition.
REFERENCES

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsapp/BT/DOMES/SEOUL/s-struc.html

www.architen.com

Membrane Structure: A Modern and Aesthetic Structural System

By FX Supartono, Li Zhongli & Wang Xiujiang

Tensile Fabric Structures by Richard Luxemburg

THANK YOU CREATURES!
~ART