Fabric and Geo Textiles

Fabric Structures

Tensile structures where a membrane is stretched to form a 3D surface for roofs, shading, or decoration.

Alternative Name for Fabric Structures

Sometimes described as "modern tents."

Components of Fabric Structures

Structural fabric (woven base cloth coated on both sides) held in position by tension forces from a structural framework or cabling system.

Advantages of Fabric Structures

Quick to construct, relocatable, and suitable for temporary uses.

Origins of Fabric Structures

Traced back over 44,000 years to the Ice Age and the Siberian Steppe.

Early Fabric Structures

Simple shelters made of animal skins draped over sticks.

Why Fabric Structures Developed

Emerged in regions with scarce materials or where mobility was necessary, often due to low rainfall.

Evolution of Tents

Over centuries, tents became symbols of recreation and frivolity.

Fabric Structures in the 19th and 20th Centuries

Inspired by advances in structural engineering and functional aesthetics.

Frei Otto

Architect who pioneered research into structural principles of modern fabric buildings.

Early Fabric Materials

Simple membranes from animals or plants.

First Structural Fabric

Cotton was the first material with significant structural strength.

Common Modern Fabric and Industry Materials

PVC-coated polyester and PTFE-coated glass.

Purpose of Fluorinated Polymer Lacquers (PVDF)

Enhances "cleanability," adds protection, and extends the lifespan of PVC-coated polyester.

Lifespan of PVC-Coated Polyester

15-20 years (or 5 years less in high-sunlight areas).

Advantages of PTFE-Coated Glass

Strong, durable, self-cleaning, low maintenance, with a lifespan of 30-50 years.

New High-Performance Materials

Include silicone-coated glass, woven PTFE fiber, ETFE foil, laminated open weave grids, and insulated/phase change materials.

Characteristics of Tensile Fabrics

Available in various thicknesses, strengths, colors, and translucencies.

Hypar (Anticlastic) Structure

Tensile membrane structures with two opposing curvatures for stability, often saddle-shaped with two high and two low points.

Conic Structure

Non-freestanding tent with a single pole supporting the entire structure, secured with stakes.

Barrel Vault Structure

Simple single-curvature shell formed by a series of arches placed side by side.

Inflatable Structure

A structure made of thin, flexible materials that are inflated with gas.

Membrane Structure

A structure with a thin, flexible surface that carries loads primarily through tensile stresses.

Main Types of Membrane Structures

Tent structures and pneumatic structures.

Key Components of Tensile Fabric Structures

• A structural frame (e.g., poles, masts, cables).

• A membrane cover (e.g., PVC-coated polyester, ETFE film, PTFE-coated fiberglass).

Tensile Fabric Types: Cotton

• One of the earliest architectural fabrics.

• Inexpensive but has lower tensile strength, prone to staining and shrinkage.

• Short lifespan but flexible, making it suitable for small temporary structures.

Tensile Fabric Types: PVC Polyester

• Most commonly used architectural fabric.

• Inexpensive, strong, and translucent, with a lifespan of 15-20 years.

• Often coated with PVDF for better cleanability but reduced weldability.

• Criticized for environmental impact due to plasticizers.

Tensile Fabric Types: PVC Nylon

• Similar to PVC polyester but with higher elasticity.

• Used for air-supported and air-inflated structures.

• Excellent strength, waterproof, flexible, transparent, and durable.

Tensile Fabric Types: Silicone Glass

• Transparent, durable, and fire-resistant fabric with low toxicity.

• Has an anticipated lifespan of 50 years.

• Not weldable.

Tensile Fabric Types: PTFE Glass (Teflon-Coated Glass)

• Stronger and more durable than PVC polyester, lasting over 30 years.

• More expensive and inelastic, requiring precise patterning.

• Initially cream-colored but turns white in sunlight.

• Self-cleaning and considered the highest quality for tensile structures.

Tensile Fabric Types: ETFE Foil

• Transparent, lightweight alternative to glass.

• Can be used in single or multi-layer (up to 5 layers) configurations to form large cushions.

Tensile Fabric Types: PTFE-Coated Glass Cloth

• High-performance fabric with a woven glass fiber base and PTFE coating.

• Resistant to weather, UV radiation, and extreme temperatures.

• Non-stick surface, easy to clean, and aesthetically versatile.

Tensile Fabric Types: Double-Layer Fabrics

• Composed of two layers with different properties.

• Used for insulation, shading, dynamic facades, acoustic performance, and tensile structures.

Tensile Fabric Types: Phase Change Materials (PCMs)

• Materials that regulate temperature by absorbing and releasing heat at specific phase transitions.

• Used in building envelopes, textiles, and interior elements for energy efficiency.

Tensile Fabric Types: Steel-Reinforced FEP

• Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene material with high thermal stability and low friction.

• Used in electrical insulation and non-stick coatings.

Tensile Fabric Types: Solar Shading Fabrics

• Control sunlight effects such as glare, heat gain, and UV radiation.

• Used for window treatments, shading systems, facade cladding, and skylight covers.

Tensile Fabric Types: Metal Mesh Fabric

• Interwoven metal wires (usually stainless steel or aluminum).

• Provides durability, transparency, ventilation, and aesthetic appeal.

• Used for facade cladding, sunscreens, interior design, and architectural accents.

Tensile Fabric Types: Active Membranes

• Responsive systems that adapt to environmental conditions using smart materials and sensors.

• Used in adaptive shading, kinetic architecture, and smart facades.

Tensile Fabric Types: Acrylic Fabric

• Synthetic textile known for its lightweight, warmth, and quick-drying properties.

• Used in apparel, outdoor furniture, carpets, and industrial applications.

• Prone to pilling and static electricity.

Tensile Fabric Types: Linen

• Natural fabric made from flax, used in interior decor and furnishings.

• Breathable, soft, and neutral-toned.

• Commonly found in curtains, upholstery, bedding, and table linens.

Tensile Fabric Properties: High Tensile Strength

Tensile fabric structures have the ability to withstand significant stress without collapsing.

Tensile Fabric Properties: Flexibility and Elasticity

Vital attributes of tensile fabrics to create the dramatic, swooping shapes characteristic of tensile architecture.

Tensile Fabric Properties: UV Resistance and Weather Resistance

• Resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light and extreme weather is crucial to ensure that fabrics retain their original appearance and do not degrade over time.

• Coatings are applied to the fabric base cloth to enhance the resistance to sunlight and weathering.

Tensile Fabric Properties: Light Transmission and Diffusion

Tensile structure fabric materials are unique because they allow natural light to gently permeate their surface, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere within the space below.

Advantages of Tensile Structures

• Quicker Installation

• Bright, Natural Diffused Daylighting

• Flexible Design Aesthetics

• Low Maintenance

• Lightweight Nature

• Energy Efficient

• Tensile Structures Need Less Materials

• Prefabrication Saves Time, Materials, and Energy

Disadvantages of Tensile Structures

• Insufficient Durability

• Poor Fire Resistance

• Poor Sound Insulation Effect

• Environmentally Sensitive

• Requires Regular Maintenance

• Complex Design & Engineering Risks

• Limited Insulation Properties

Architectural Fabrics Definition

The term ‘architectural fabrics’ generally refers to structural fabrics used to form tensile surfaces, such as canopies, roofs, and other forms of shelter.

Architectural Fabrics Characteristics

Architectural fabrics are generally held in position by tension forces imposed by a structural framework, a cabling system, internal air pressure, or a combination.

Architectural Fabrics Structure

• Typically, the membrane is formed by a fabric consisting of a woven base cloth, coated on both sides with an impermeable polymer, and sometimes a durable topcoat.

• Variations include open weave fabrics and transparent foils.

Geotextiles

Any permeable textile material used with foundation, soil, rock, or earth to increase stability and decrease wind and water erosion.

Composition of Geotextiles

• Historically made from natural plant fiber

• Typically made from synthetic polymers such as:

  • Polypropylene

  • Polyester

  • Polyethylenes

  • Polyamides

Durability of Natural Fiber Geotextiles

Natural fibers decompose over time, limiting their durability.

Durability of Synthetic Polymer Geotextiles

Synthetic polymers do not decay under biological and chemical processes but are petrochemical-based, raising environmental and health concerns.

Functions of Geotextiles

• Block debris or separate aggregates.

• Provide drainage and filtration by allowing water to pass through.

• Increase reinforcement.

• Provide protection.

Derivation of Geotextiles

• Defined as permeable textile materials used in combination with soil or civil engineering materials.

  • ‘Geo’ (Greek for earth)

  • ‘Textiles’ (fabric materials)

History of Geotextiles

• 5th and 4th millennia BC – Used in construction as described in the Bible (Exodus 5:6–9).

• Ziggurat in Dur-Kurigatzu (Agar-Quf) and Great Wall of China used natural fiber reinforcements.

• Babylonians (3000 years ago) used woven mats and plaited ropes for reinforcement.

Woven Geotextiles

Manufactured from synthetic materials, woven together for greater tensile strength.

• Function: Restrict soil particles but allow liquid and gases to pass through.

• Typically used in:

  • Road construction

  • Embankment construction

Nonwoven Geotextiles

Made of 100% polypropylene staple fibers, formed into a random network for dimensional stability. Provide containment and erosion control.

Geomembrane Durability

• Technical expertise is required to choose the correct type and thickness for a project.

• Selection is based on:

  • Depth of the containment

  • Geotechnical conditions of the site