NJIT eTD::njit-etd1999-039::Rios, Jairo::"Design and engineering of a tensile fabric structure"

Fabric structures are designed in an iterative process between architect and engineer, analysis input and output, and detail and patterning. There are three main steps in designing a fabric structure: shape finding, loading, and patterning/ detailing.

Shapefinding consists of finding the shape of the fabric where the fabric forces are in equilibrium. This type of structure is geometrically nonlinear which require iterative analysis to converge on a unique solution.

The loading of the structure is similar to that of any conventional structures. The departure is in the major effects that suction and ponding have on fabric surfaces.

Usually the details of a fabric structure are left exposed as an architectural element. The construction of the actual fabric requires the patterning of the fabric strips, that are heat welded or clamped together to form the shape of the structure. This initial "skin" can then be prestress to counteract the forces that it is subjected to.

Title:	Design and engineering of a tensile fabric structure
Author:	Rios, Jairo
Document Type:	Thesis
Department:	Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Degree:	Master of Science
Major:	Civil Engineering
Advisory Committee:	Spillers, William R. Saadeghvaziri, M. Ala Dauenheimer, Edward G.
Thesis Date:	1999, May
Keywords:	Building, Iron and steel Membranes (Technology) Structural analysis (Engineering)--Data processing Computer-aided engineering
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	Fabric structures are designed in an iterative process between architect and engineer, analysis input and output, and detail and patterning. There are three main steps in designing a fabric structure: shape finding, loading, and patterning/ detailing. Shapefinding consists of finding the shape of the fabric where the fabric forces are in equilibrium. This type of structure is geometrically nonlinear which require iterative analysis to converge on a unique solution. The loading of the structure is similar to that of any conventional structures. The departure is in the major effects that suction and ponding have on fabric surfaces. Usually the details of a fabric structure are left exposed as an architectural element. The construction of the actual fabric requires the patterning of the fabric strips, that are heat welded or clamped together to form the shape of the structure. This initial "skin" can then be prestress to counteract the forces that it is subjected to.
Complete Thesis:	njit-etd1999-039 (65 pages ~ 2,463 KB pdf)
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