 | About Tension Structure | | | A tension structure is a construction of elements carrying only tension and no compression or bending. Most tension structures are supported by some form of compression or bending elements, such as masts, compression rings, or beams.
Tension structures are highly stable and they combine and balance forces of rigid elements (poles, arches, etc.) with the versatility and adaptability of flexible elements (tarpaulins and cables).
Tension membrane structures are most often used as roofs as they can economically and attractively span large distances.
Tension membrane structures are most often used as roofs as they can economically and attractively span large distances. | | | |
 | Architectural Design | | | A different method of designing is needed if you’re designing tension structures, as “form” and “structure” act as a unit. The result of this combination should coincide or approach – as much as possible – the natural flow and balance of the forces that act across the surface covering. Tension structures designers combine the application of scale models or models with the advanced software support for better surface analysis and for better cutting patterns for roof making. | | | | | | | | | Materials | | | Technical development due to research and manufacture of artificial materials has led to obtain lightweight membranes with a better mechanical (resistant to traction and shear) and chemical (resistant to ultraviolet rays) efficiency. |
| | History
| | | Tension structures have long been used in tents, where the guy ropes provide pre-tension to the fabric and allow it to withstand loads.
Russian engineer Vladimir Shukhov was one of the first to develop practical calculations of stresses and deformations of tension structures, shells and membranes. Shukhov designed eight tension structures and thin-shell structures exhibition pavilions for the Nizhny Novgorod Fair of 1896, covering the area of 27,000 square meters. A more recent large-scale use of a membrane-covered tension structure is the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, constructed in 1958.
Antonio Gaudi used the concept in reverse to create a compression-only structure for the Colonia Guell Church. He created a hanging tension model of the church to calculate the compression forces and to experimentally determine the column and vault geometries.
The concept was later championed by German architect and engineer Frei Otto, whose first use of the idea was in the construction of the German pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. Otto next used the idea for the roof of the Olympic Stadium for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
Since the 1960s, tension structures have been promoted by designers and engineers such as Ove Arup, Buro Happold, Walter Bird of Birdair, Inc., Frei Otto, Eero Saarinen, Horst Berger, Matthew Nowicki, Jorg Schlaich, the duo of Nicholas Goldsmith & Todd Dalland at FTL Design & Engineering Studio and David Geiger.
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.
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