Tension Structures for Sun Protection

Tensile structures perform well as clear span structures, creating huge expanses of shade while making an impressive visual statement as fabric architecture. These tension membrane structures vary greatly in style, depending on the structural support elements that are used. Frame support, air support, cable net, cable and strut, geodesic dome structures and grid shells are all common to free span fabric structures, and each has its own influence on the final appearance. One of the more common structural techniques for these veritable tension structures utilizes steel supports in conjunction with tension cables to shape and support the fabric top. These designs have the added advantage of reducing wind and snow loads, as well as offering greater flexibility in design, than standard building materials.

Hendee’s creative architectural engineering utilizes a variety of space age outdoor fabrics for their stretched membrane structures, which include PVC coated polyester fabrics, PTFE coated glass fabrics, expanded PTFE fabrics, polyethylene coated polyethylene fabrics and ETFE foils. Selecting the best suited fabric for a specific tensioned fabric structure, assures superior textile architecture.

Fabric structures design requires a planning process similar to conventional building design, but because of their less bulky nature, they are generally prefabricated in a shop environment, making field installation quicker and easier than conventional construction.

 

Hendee Enterprises, Inc. | 9350 South Point Drive, Houston, TX 77054 | (713)796-2322 | sales@hendee.com
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