MUCH TO LEARN YOU STILL HAVE…

MY YOUNG PADAWAN…
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!
- Master Yoda

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

 TENSILE STRUCTURES

PLANET TATOOINE

PRIYAMI MAHESHWARI | RENJIN CHERIAN | HARSHA MANDAYAM

>> BASIC CONCEPT
• A tensile structure is a construction of elements carrying
only tension and no compression or bending .
• Most tensile structures are supported by some form of
compression or bending elements, such as masts (as in the
Millennium Dome), compression rings or beams.
• Tensile membrane structures are most often used as roofs
as they can economically and attractively span large
distances

MILLENNIUM DOME, LONDON

SAHARA MALL, SHARJAH

SAHARA MALL, SHARJAH

>> HISTORY

• The concept was later pioneered by German architect and

engineer Frei Otto, who first used the idea in the construction of
the German pavilion at Expo '67 in Montreal

• Steady technological progress has increased the popularity of

fabric-roofed structures.

• The low weight of the materials makes construction easier and

cheaper than standard designs, especially when vast open spaces
have to be covered.
GERMAN PAVILION AT EXPO 1967 , MONTREAL
>> DIY TENSILE STRUCTURE
>> DIY TENSILE STRUCTURE
>> DIY TENSILE STRUCTURE
>> DIY TENSILE STRUCTURE
>> DIY TENSILE STRUCTURE
>> DIY TENSILE STRUCTURE
>> MATERIALS
Uncoated fabrics
• Simple woven fibers
• Canvas, nylon
Coated fabrics
• High strength woven fibers w/ coatings to prevent UV– &
environmental degradation and improve weather resistance.
• PVC–coated polyester: relatively short service life
• PTFE–coated glass fiber: high strength, long service life
Foils
• PVC– and ETFC– foil

>> EDGE CONDITIONS

Rope Edge
• A cable running in a sleeve and connected to a rigid structure at both
ends
Hard Edge
• A continuous connection to a rigid structure through clamping plates
w/ or w/o prestressing devices.
>> MEMBRANES

• Common materials for doubly-curved fabric structures are Teflon

coated fibre glass and PVC coated polyester. These are woven
materials with different strengths in different directions

• Other structures make use of ETFE (Ethylene TetrafluoroEthylene)

SEA LINK , MUMBAI
RAILWAY BRIDGE, NAGPUR
 ALWAYS PASS ON WHAT
YOU HAVE LEARNED
- Master Yoda

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU