Tensile surface structures have been used in both permanent and temporary
constructions. Using a light, flexible fabric as most important component, these structures have
already displayed a great versatility in forms and uses as well as a high material performance and
low self weight.
Key in using a prestressed fabric is the double curved surface, being it either synclastic or
anticlastic. To achieve these shapes using a flat fabric, the complex shapes are approximated by a
finite number of flat panels, called cutting patterns. Generating and producing these cutting
patterns however requires a lot of expertise, is often very time consuming and requires the need to
connect the different panels together, such as welding or stitching. Finding a method that
facilitates temporary double curved structures by eliminating the need for a thought out cutting
pattern, would greatly simplify the design process and broaden the use of fabrics in architectural
applications.
During this preliminary research, we tested a very stretchable fabric material (Sioen F5637) to
derive its material characteristics. Afterwards we designed a simple double curved structure, which
starts from a single flat piece of this material, and modelled the transition from an untensioned,
flat piece of fabric to a three dimensional pretensioned curved surface computationally to check
the concept’s feasibility. Finally, the results from the computational model were verified with a
small-scale prototype.
This paper gives an overview of the structure's design process and discusses both the advantages
and limitations of using high straining fabrics in real life architectural
applications.
