Importance of material properties in fabric structure design & analysis

Abstract

Coated woven fabrics are used in state-of-the-art structures yet broad assumptions are made in both material testing and analysis. Design is not codified and relies heavily on experience and precedent. Increasingly architects are moving away from conventional fabric forms, often utilising lower levels of curvature and new materials. The result is less efficient, highly stressed structures which may be more sensitive to (poorly quantified) fabric material properties. This paper considers the importance of material properties and structural geometry in the design and analysis of tensile fabric structures. Three typical tensile forms (conic, hypar & barrel vault) have been considered. Recommendations are given on the types of structure that are sensitive to variability in material properties, and 'rules of thumb' are proposed for the efficient design of fabric structures.