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.

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.

Standard ASCE/SEI 55-16 provides minimum criteria for the analysis, design, and performance of membrane-covered cable and rigid member structures and of air-supported structures, collectively known as tensile membrane structures.

n this book, readers will be introduced to the fascinating world of Membrane Structures. The readers will find this book to be a practical guide and reference providing them a clear view and understanding of the Membrane Structures. The book explores the principles, basic shapes, form finding, surface materials, support structures, drawing details and installation of the tensile structures.This book should be used as an introduction and reference on how to Design Tensile Structures using the method of Form Finding.This book was written in collaboration with Raham Zarfam - PhD in Structural Engineering, Carlos Talavera - Architect, Thomas Van Dessel - M. Eng. and Caglar Ozturk - Architect.

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

Provides structural engineers with the knowledge and practical tools needed to perform structural designs for wind that incorporate major technological, conceptual, analytical and computational advances achieved in the last two decades. With clear explanations and documentation of the concepts, methods, algorithms, and software available for accounting for wind loads in structural design, it also describes the wind engineer's contributions in sufficient detail that they can be effectively scrutinized by the structural engineer in charge of the design. Wind Effects on Structures: Modern Structural Design for Wind, 4th Edition is organized in four sections. The first covers atmospheric flows, extreme wind speeds, and bluff body aerodynamics. The second examines the design of buildings, and includes chapters on aerodynamic loads; dynamic and effective wind-induced loads; wind effects with specified MRIs; low-rise buildings; tall buildings; and more. The third part is devoted to aeroelastic effects, and covers both fundamentals and applications. The last part considers other structures and special topics such as trussed frameworks; offshore structures; and tornado effects. Offering readers the knowledge and practical tools needed to develop structural designs for wind loadings, this book: Points out significant limitations in the design of buildings based on such techniques as the high-frequency force balance Discusses powerful algorithms, tools, and software needed for the effective design for wind, and provides numerous examples of application Discusses techniques applicable to structures other than buildings, including stacks and suspended-span bridges Features several appendices on Elements of Probability and Statistics; Peaks-over-Threshold Poisson-Process Procedure for Estimating Peaks; estimates of the WTC Towers’ Response to Wind and their shortcomings; and more Wind Effects on Structures: Modern Structural Design for Wind, 4th Edition is an excellent text for structural engineers, wind engineers, and structural engineering students and faculty.

This book offers a well-structured, critical review of current design practice for tensioned membrane structures, including a detailed analysis of the experimental data required and critical issues relating to the lack of a set of design codes and testing procedures. The technical requirements for biaxial testing equipment are analyzed in detail, and aspects that need to be considered when developing biaxial testing procedures are emphasized. The analysis is supported by the results of a round-robin exercise comparing biaxial testing machines that involved four of the main research laboratories in the field. The biaxial testing devices and procedures presently used in Europe are extensively discussed, and information is provided on the design and implementation of a biaxial testing rig for architectural fabrics at Politecnico di Milano, which represents a benchmark in the field. The significance of the most recent developments in biaxial testing is also explored.