Whether it be as translucent sheets, broadly stretched membranes, and inflated foil cushions or in graceful, organic curves, architecture today is utilizing plastics in the most disparate forms and for a wide variety of purposes. Innovative technical developments are constantly improving its material properties; at the same time, there is a growing new awareness of its potential as a construction material. While plastics used to be employed primarily as an inexpensive variant on traditional building materials, they are increasingly regarded in the construction world today as a serious and viable alternative, be it as supporting structures, roofs, facades, or elements of interior design and decoration. Thanks in large part to this inherent self-sufficiency, plastics are currently enjoying an unprecedented surge in popularity, even among the international architectural avant-garde – as multiwall sheets or corrugated, fiber-reinforced panels, or as filling between glass panes. And the new generation of ecological bioplastics also pays tribute to the debate on sustainability, ridding plastics of their lingering reputation as environmental offenders. From the history of plastics and membranes in architecture to their material properties and requirements in construction and design, the Plastics and Membranes Construction Manual cuts to the chase, providing the kind of solid and comprehensive overview of the subject that readers have come to expect from the Im DETAIL series. Selected project examples round off the reference work and make it indispensable for the day-to-day life of the professional planner and for every architecture library.

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

Textiles, polymers and composites are increasingly being utilised within the building industry. This pioneering text provides a concise and representative overview of the opportunities available for textile, polymer and composite fibres to be used in construction and architecture.The first set of chapters examine the main types and properties of textiles, polymers and composites used in buildings. Key topics include the types and production of textiles, the use of polymer foils and fibre reinforced polymer composites as well as textiles and coatings for tensioned membrane structures. The second part of the book presents a selection of applications within the building industry. Chapters range from the use of textiles in tensile structures, sustainable building concepts with textile materials, innovative composite-fibre applications for architecture, to smart textile and polymer fibres for structural health monitoring.With its distinguished editor and team of international contributors, Textiles, polymers and composites for buildings is an important reference for architects, fabric manufacturers, fibre-composite experts, civil engineers, building designers, academics and students. - Provides a concise and representative overview of the opportunities available for textile, polymer and composite fibres to be used in construction - Provides an insight into how high-tech textiles already influence our daily lives as well as potential applications in modern buildings - Features a thorough discussion of technical characteristics and requirements of textiles used for buildings and construction

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.

The use of fibrous materials in civil engineering, both as structural reinforcement and in non-structural applications such as geotextiles, is an important and interesting development. Fibrous and composite materials for civil engineering applications analyses the types and properties of fibrous textile and structures and their applications in reinforcement and civil engineering.Part one introduces different types of fibrous textiles and structures. Chapters cover the properties of natural and man-made fibres and of yarns, as well as an overview of textile structures. Part two focuses on fibrous material use in concrete reinforcement, with chapters on the properties and applications of steel fibre reinforced concrete, natural fibre reinforced concrete and the role of fibre reinforcement in mitigating shrinkage cracks. In part three, the applications of fibrous material-based composites in civil engineering are covered. Chapters concentrate on production techniques and applications such as reinforcement of internal structures, structural health monitoring and textile materials in architectural membranes.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Fibrous and composite materials for civil engineering applications is a standard reference for fabric and composite manufacturers, civil engineers and professionals, as well as academics with a research interest in this field. - Explores the development of fibrous materials in civil engineering, both as structural reinforcement and in non-structural applications such as geotextiles - Key topics include short fibre reinforced concrete, natural fibre reinforced concrete and high performance fibre reinforced cementitious composites - A standard reference for fabric and composite manufacturers, civil engineers and professionals, as well as academics with a research interest in this field

This book explores membrane materials as a means of translating natural and renewable resources into a more flexible, dynamic, and reactive architectural skin. It represents the first time that energy-saving design has been addressed systematically in relation to lightweight building systems and tensile membranes. Understanding of the energetic behavior of membranes and foils used as a building envelope is a fundamental theme, as it is the integration of flexible photovoltaics in membranes, as well as the exploitation of water and wind resources. A theoretical, methodological framework for consciously designing the membrane life cycle is presented. The authors cross-cut and combine exploration of climate-based design methodology and life cycle thinking strategies. Both active and passive systems are investigated, referring to alternative productive resources like sun, wind, and water. Case studies are brought forward in the book’s second half, highlighting energy lightness for an increasingly dematerialized architecture and addressing inherent issues. Four main research and development paths are presented, the first two focusing on advancements in façade materials and Photovoltaic systems applicable to membrane architecture, the third referring to fog and dew harvesting and the fourth dealing with the future frontier of flexible transparency and designs for well-being through a passive solar system.