The design, analysis and construction of tensile fabric structures

Abstract

Coated fabrics and foils, used for architectural applications, are presented in the first part of this chapter. The current fibres and coatings available on the market are described in detail according to their performance, the advantages/ disadvantages and current applications in architecture. The second part is focused on the most common typologies of tension structures, the design process and the comparison with conventional roofing forms. The main physical and digital techniques for form-finding, static and dynamic analysis, patterning and manufacturing are described in detail.