Design of Tensiles Architecture
The design of the Tensile Architecture is a challenging task because the design should satisfy the structural requirements of the membrane surface. The well designed tensile fabric structure can carry the self load and takes care of the live load in the most cost effective manner. The tensile fabric structure has a unique feature to sustain the large span without any intermediate load. As far as stability is concerned the structure always maintain the curve equally in the opposite direction. This gives the structure the three dimensional stability
TensileShades, an exclusive infrastructure in Kolkata, maintains a team of architects and structural engineer who can make a well balanced light weight sustainable tensile fabric structure.
Key steps in tension fabric structure design
- Determining parameters and objectives of the structure
- Shapes and Form
- Components of a structure
- Engineering
Initially, the design depends on the purpose and objective of the shade. Then the boundaries need to be determined. The membrane means the fabric can either be fixed to the wall or any columns or newly developed post. The tensile architecture should full fill the weather protection, architectural look, privacy maintenance etc. Usually the fabric forms a curved edge or catenary curve. The connection points require either steel cable or high tension webbing to carry the loads. The catenary curve is created by CAD design.
The tensile membrane structure needs sophisticated design, and it requires flexibility also. So the entire design has to be done by the software which can produce 3D view also. The 3D view is required to inspect the perfection of the design from different angles. The amount of fabric can also be determined from the design and the requirements of the other components can also be measured.
There are 4 basic tension membrane structure used in the industry.
- Mast Supported
- Repeated Pattern
- Point Supported
- Cantilevered Supported
Mast Supported mean the structure should have a single post at the centre and it maintains the balance of the structure. There is a ring in the centre that connects the fabric to the central support of the mast.
In this structure, there is no mast at the centre. An exterior frame along with the periphery of the entire design maintains the fabric support at different edge point. This design generally forms an irregular space that can be called as a free form structure.
This type of structure can also create a clear span structure where there are masts along the perimeter. Theses parallel masts support the tension of the fabric from the different sides.
Cantilever Supported design also creates a clear span. It maintains the tension of the fabric from a single side. Sometimes the cross arches or any other form of support can be added to maintain the internal load of the system.
TensileShades, being a Kolkata based solution provider, always tries to provide an innovative, high quality and sustainable design in tensile fabric structure. The strategy of the company is to maintain the highest possible standard in terms of design and materials, as well.