TENSILE SURFACE STRUCTURES - A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CONSTRUCTION OF FLEXIBLE STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS CABLE AND MEMBRANE CONTRUCTION

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.

DI Dr. techn. Michael Seidel is lecturing in membrane structures at the Institute of Architecture and Design of the Technical University Vienna. As consultant engineer he has a wide range of experiences in planning and realising membrane and cable structures.

Foreword.
Preface.
1 Introduction.
1.1 The importance of manufacture and erection.
1.2 Ambition, aim and scheme of the book.
2 Materials for tensile surface structures.
2.1 Introduction.
2.2 Structural composition and manufacture.
2.3 Material behaviour of coated fabrics.
2.4 Fabrication of coated fabrics.
2.5 Methods of jointing surfaces.
2.6 Methods of transferring force at the edge.
2.7 Corner details.
3 Construction of tensile surface structures.
3.1 Introduction.
3.2 Construction management.
3.3 Erection equipment and machinery.
3.4 Erection procedure.
3.5 Construction.
3.6 Control of the forces in flexible structural elements.
4 Summary and outlook.
References.
Illustration acknowledgements.
Projects (1989-2007).