Description

Prepared by the Task Committee on Tensioned Fabric Structures of the Special Structures Committee of the Metals Committee of the Technical Activities Division of the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE Tensile Fabric Structures: Design, Analysis, and Construction summarizes 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 structures; mechanical, lighting, and thermal properties of membrane materials; fire safety and durability of membrane materials; shape determination and analysis; fabrication and erection process, attachment to supporting structures; and structural design and aesthetics. This report will provide practical guidance to structural engineers, architects, and builders of tensile membrane structures.