Applications and examples of tensile structures

To illustrate some of the properties and uses of tensile fabric structures, a series of examples have been selected, covering various design fields architecture, interior design and art. 

9 Glazed roof lights at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, to allow the penetration of direct sunlight (a) general view (b) rooflight detail (photos John Chilton). 

Previously, the largest roof of this type, elhptical in form, was that used to cover the 240 m x 193 m clear span Georgia Dome in Atlanta, USA, completed in 1992 (Terry, 1994). Flowever,m this case the PTFE/glass fabric panels have more pronounced double curvature and are supported by a deep hypar tensegrity cable dome tensioned within a perimeter concrete ring beam (Rgs 7.11 (a) and (b)). 

A spectacular example of a ridge and valley textile structure, 320 m in length, covers the central concourse of Denver Airport Terminal (1994) and is intended to mirror the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in the distance (Brown, 1994). This is a double-layer membrane used to improve the thermal and acoustic performance of the space (Berger, 2000, pp. 220-221). It is particularly employed to reduce the impact of aircraft engine noise on the interior. As Fig. 7.12 shows, here the distinct contrast between the bright membrane (bright, even though it is double-layer) and the duller surfaces at concourse level can clearly be seen, as discussed previously in Section 7.6.2. 

11 (a) The 240 m X 193 m dear-span Georgia Dome in Atlanta, USA, completed in 1992 (b) internal cable dome support (photos John Chilton). 

---