Advances in mechanical properties of coated fabrics in civil engineering

Abstract

Membrane structures are widely used in large span spatial structures due to excellent mechanical behavior and beautiful forms. Mechanical properties of coated fabrics are an important basis of design, analysis, and construction of membrane structures. This paper gives an overview of the research advances in mechanical properties of coated fabrics. First, the basic mechanical indexes of coated fabrics and corresponding test methods are presented. Then, the existing constitutive relations for coated fabrics are discussed. Finally, the effect of environment and other factors on the mechanical properties of coated fabrics are studied. In addition, the future trends on the mechanical behavior of coated fabrics are given, which can be references for design and analysis of coated fabrics in civil engineering.