Fabric Architecture Introduction Architecture is the science and art of designing and constructing buildings.

As a science it uses systematic knowledge regarding (i) materials for construction (ii) techniques of building and (iii) methods of environmental control. The architecture of any region is the resultant of evolutionary changes brought about during thousands of years. Today there are many elements of architecture evolved through centuries OF science and technology to suit the climate, materials, spiritual values and social norms. A form of modern architecture may have to be evolved synthesizing these features to provide a cultural continuity to the building art. With sustainability as the most important issue in architecture today designers are not only focusing on the use of environment friendly materials but also on their method of construction for reaching green status. Since the 1960s, tensile structures have been promoted by designers and engineers such as Ove Arup, Buro Happold, Walter Bird of Birdair, Inc., Frei Otto, Eero Saarinen etc. Fabric structures are architecturally innovative forms of constructed fibers that provide end users a variety of aesthetic freeform building designs. Custom-made fabric structures are engineered and fabricated to meet worldwide structural, flame retardant, weather-resistant, and natural force requirements. The major benefits were its minimal impact on the environment, its ability to enclose large spaces with little material aid and of their aesthetic quality. When it comes to materials and fabric structures, the three basic components to be considered are: the structural members, the membrane and the perimeter tensioning system. The structural system is primarily made of steel but aluminum and wood are being considered more often. These materials all have many recyclable attributes and can be specified to be manufactured locally to the site. Most tensioned fabric structures are designed, engineered and fabricated by form finding which means they are designed to be not only structurally efficient but manufactured and installed with little to no waste and energy. Architectural fabric is considered one of the lightest building materials and can create the largest building envelope. Properly designed fabric structures may have little impact on the ground with smaller concrete foundations for compression loads and the use of utility cable anchor technology for tension loads. Most fabric structures are composed of actual fabric rather than meshes or films. Typically, the fabric is coated and laminated with synthetic materials for increased strength, durability, and environmental resistance. Among the most widely used materials are polyesters laminated or coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and woven fiberglass coated with polytetrafluoroethylene. Some commonly used fabrics and their importance: Cotton canvas - The traditional fabric for fabric structures in light cotton twil, light canvas, or heavy proofed canvas. Polyesters - Strength, durability, cost, and stretch make polyester material the most widely used in fabric structures. Polyesters that are laminated or coated with PVC films are usually the least expensive option for longer-term fabrications.

Laminates generally consist of vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester meshes (called scrims or substrates), while vinyl-coated polyesters usually have a high-count, high-tensile base fabric coated with a bondable substance that provides extra strength. Vinyl-laminated polyesters A laminated fabric usually is composed of a reinforcing polyester scrim pressed between two layers of unsupported PVC film. With an open-weave or mesh polyester scrim, the exterior vinyl films bond to themselves through the openings in the fabric. Heavier fabric scrims, however, are too tightly woven to allow the same bonding. In this case, an adhesive is used to bond the exterior films to the base fabric. A good chemical bond is critical to both prevention of delamination and development of seam strengths. Vinyl-coated polyester Vinyl-coated polyester is the most frequently used material for flexible fabric structures. It is made up of a polyester scrim, a bonding or adhesive agent, and exterior PVC coatings. The scrim supports the coating (which is initially applied in liquid form) and provides the tensile strength, elongation, tear strength, and dimensional stability of the resulting fabric. Vinyl-coated polyester is manufactured in large panels; a proper seam will be able to carry the load requirements for the structure. Topcoatings - Most fabrics used for fabric structures have some form of topcoating applied to the exterior or coating to make cleaning easier. Topcoating provides a hard surface on the outside of the material, forming a barrier that aids in preventing dirt from sticking to the material, while allowing the fabric to be cleaned with water. As the material ages, the topcoating will eventually erode, exposing the fabric to dirt and making it more difficult to clean. The thicker the topcoating, the longer it will last. However, coatings that are too thick will embrittle and crack when folded. There are several commonly used topcoatings:

PVF film PVF lamination is made up of polyvinyl fluoride. It consists of a film layer laminated to the PVC fabric during the manufacturing process. The result is a thicker fabric that can resist weather and chemical agents better than competing fabrics. Its self-cleaning ability repels such things as acid rain, graffiti, and bird droppings. They are often used in industrialized areas, desert regions, and coastal zones. Acrylic topcoating This is the most economical and widely available topcoating used. Its sprayon application provides a glossy finish and a resistance to UV degradation. Because the coating is thin, the material is both easy to fabricate and is reparable by high frequency or hot air welding. Acrylic topcoats are ideal for fabric structures, and can be found on products used as tradeshow pavilions, temporary concert halls, and portable warehouses. PVDF These kind of topcoating is composed of a mix of fluorine, carbon, and hydrogen. The combination of the fluorine and carbon provides superior resistance to UV degradation and chemical damage than that of the acrylic topcoat. PVDF coated fabrics also maintain color longer than do those coated with acrylic. These coated fabrics are flexible, resist cracking, are easily handled, and generally have a life span of 15 to 20 years depending upon environmental conditions. PVDF is chemically grafted to the PVC and polymers used, which reduces the color choices.

Fabric properties When discussing fabric properties for use on a structure, there are several terms that are commonly used:

Tensile strength It is the basic indicator of relative strength. It is fundamental for architectural fabrics that function primarily in tension. Tear Strength - is important in that if a fabric ruptures in place, it generally will do so by tearing. This can occur when a local stress concentration or local damage results in the failure of one yarn, which thereby increases the stress on remaining yarns. Adhesion strength - is a measure of the strength of the bond between the base material and coating or film laminate that protects it. It is useful for evaluating the strength of welded joints for connecting strips of fabric into fabricated assembly. Flame retardancy does not have the same meaning as flameproofing. Fabric that contains a flame-retardant coating can withstand even a very hot point source. However, it can still burn if a large ignition source is present.

Fabric structures Fabric can achieve far greater spans than conventional building materials, with minimal supporting structure. Greater translucency and dynamic, organic shapes bring the feeling of outside inside, as well as providing shade and protection from the weather. Tensile structures generate live loads instead of the static loads of traditional roofing materials and modern architectural fabrics offer increased stability and longevity often more than those of other conventional roofing methods. Advantages of using fabric There is an economy of cost per square metre, strength and longevity with fabric when compared with concrete and steel construction. The significant cost saving is the reduction in installation time required, as the support structure and fabric membrane is pre-fabricated and assembled on site. Tensile fabric shapes breathe life and excitement into a building by blending steel construction with organic forms. Tensile fabric structures provide shade and weather protection using low maintenance materials, reducing UV transmission and controlling solar gain. Features & Benefits of Fabric Unique building medium. Lightweight and flexible - fabric interacts with and expresses natural forces. Tensile fabric structures are an environmentally sensitive medium. Tension is the most efficient way of using any material, it utilizes the material at maximum efficiency rather than just the material at the extremes of the cross sectional form, as in bending and compression loads. Fabric structures have higher strength/weight ratio than concrete or steel. Most fabrics can be recycled. A fabric structure can be designed for almost any condition, heavier fabrics and more 3 dimensional forms will cope with extreme wind and snow loads.

Tensioned fabric structures Tensile fabric structures are those in which every part of the fabric is in tension. The fundamental rule for stability is that, a tensioned fabric structure must curve equally in opposite directions, this gives the canopy its 3-dimensional stability. This is often referred to as 'double curvature' or an 'anticlastic form' and mathematically it is known as a hyperbolic paraboloid. The complex 3dimensional form of a canopy is achieved not by elastic fabric, which is stretched into position but by a cutting pattern where strips of material with non-parallel sides are sewn or welded together. The fabric is cut and bonded together to make its final 3-dimensional shape. Pre-tension is the most efficient way of resisting live loads such as snow, wind etc. A tensile fabric structure, once it is tensioned, can take a large amount of applied weight and the fabric is extraordinarily tight. If something is thrown onto the fabric, it will bounce off. These imposed loads or live loads are therefore appropriate when the designer wishes to use the minimum amount of material for either functional or aesthetic reasons. Common misconceptions about Fabric Structures It is commonly believed that fabric structures cannot cope in heavy weather conditions A fabric structure can be designed for almost any condition - heavier fabrics and more 3dimensional forms will cope with extreme loads, climatic and atmospheric agents. It also is commonly believed that fabric is stretchy or elastic in nature The tensile characteristic nature of fabric structures keep it inert from high winds and heavier loads. They also tend not creep under heavier loads and are a potentially long lasting roofing method.

Supporting framework Open & Closed Systems An open system has a fabric perimeter supported by an integral cable. The loads can be substantial on open systems therefore they require larger foundations than a closed system. Open systems are considered the most sculptural form of tensile structure. The open system support structure can be edge masts, corner tri-pods masts or central masts with 'push-ups'. A closed system structure consists of rigid members around the edge and closed systems require smaller foundations. In a closed system the fabric edge will be supported continuously by a 'keder' fed into an extruded section, normally fabricated from aluminium.

Pros and cons of open and closed system structures Open system structures tend to move in heavy weather conditions. Trying to join rigid walls to a free standing open system structure requires a flexible jointing system between roof and walls can be considered as untidy and unpleasant.

However controlling water is much easier in a closed system as is its simple boxy framework lends itself well to integral drainage. The masts, tripods and booms of the supporting structure can be used as down-pipes in order to allow water to be led away without other visible appendages. Controlling water from an open system structure is more complex and requires the addition of guttering (as with a conventional building) however this can look unsightly and loses the advantage of the beautiful free form provided by fabric. Alternatively, the addition a foam-filled cylindrical dam attached to the edge of the fabric can direct water towards a desired location ideally a membrane plate.

Steps to be considerd while assembling supporting framework Care must be taken not only to provide a path for the load to easily flow into the support structure but to allow flexibility in the connection for displacement and rotation. During the installation process the whole structure will probably experience loads greater than those during its working life span. This is because of the uneven loads imposed as the structure is assembled and tensioned. Some fabrics can develop creep or elongation due to the type of weave or coating on the weave, heat and moisture. This should be considered during analysis and has a direct effect on the connection system. Creep will induce a loss of pre-stress tension in the fabric, which will in turn mean that it can develop ponds of water on its surface and will flap in the wind. This loss of tension is dangerous for the stability of the structure and if not regularly maintained will lead to a failure of the structure. Connections from the fabric to the support system should always be adjustable. An open system structure looks best when used as an independent stand-alone statement. If walls are required these need to be designed separately using the tensile structure as a primary roof. If an open system structure is to be joined to a building then care needs to be taken with loadings. Often the building will need to be reinforced to take the pre-stress load. Fabric structures, being mainly fabric and cables, have little or no internal rigidity therefore they must rely on their form and internal pre-stress to perform the same function.To resist these loads we have to put equal loads into the fabric for it to remain stable, this is called the prestress. The significant changes in their geometry means they are non-linear even though the fabric remains more or less stable. If properly designed this is a desirable quality that increases their ability to carry load as they deform from the effect of live loads. Fabric Structures are more capable in this respect due to their very high strength weight ratio than equal spans of concrete or steel.

Key design factors

Determine the loads that will be exerted on connecting buildings and/or ground

Calculate and locate foundation pads Locate services adjacent to foundations and re-route if required Management of rainwater/ rainwater run-off Find out whether there is a need for add-ons such as lighting, protection or bird netting

Fabric structures and sustainability Five areas, at a minimum, must be addressed: Renewability, recycled content and recyclability, pollution, energy usage and durability. Renewability: A fabrics content can be replaced biologically within an understood time frame. Fibers are made from plant-based resins rather than petrochemicals. Recycled content and recyclability: Fabrics are good that are produced from recycled polyester, polyethylene, cotton, wool, etc. and more energy is required to recycle than to produce nonrecyclable fabric. Pollution: Fabric dyes can be toxic. Energy use: Like most everything, fabric production uses energy. Durability: Durability IS green. If a product seldom needs replacement, energy to produce it is minimized and the earth wins out with reduced landfills, among other outcomes. Large span buildings with fabric structures