College Engineering
BSc. Program in: Architecture Building Materials and Construction-III
Alternative construction systems and
Lecture – 3 details
Alternative construction systems and details
➢ "Alternative building" refers to construction
methods that differ from ordinary.
➢ Concrete frame construction is probably the
most common kind of construction system
used in the world today. As the name
suggests, this has a skeleton of concrete, that
is covered with a skin(blocks, glass,
aluminum…).
Alternative construction systems and details
➢ Alternative construction systems
✓ Tensile structures
✓ Pre-Engineered Structures
✓ Wood Framed construction
✓ Steel frame structures
✓ Space frames
✓ Precast concrete construction
✓ Earthen architecture
✓ Bamboo construction
Tensile structure/Tensile Architecture
➢ Is a construction of elements carrying only tension and
no compression or bending.
➢ Theoretically, the tension member transmitting a direct
tension between two points in a structure Tensile
membrane structures used as roofs as they can
economically and attractively span large distances.
➢ Tensile Structure Systems is a boutique firm specializing
in the creative design of fabric architecture, roof
systems, canopies and dynamic shade sails.
➢ Tensile membrane structures may also be used as
complete buildings, with a few common applications
being sports facilities, warehousing and storage
buildings, and exhibition venues.
Alternative construction systems and details
➢ The start using of Tensile Fabrices was practiced
since thousand of years.
➢ However, in 1960th the German Architect Frei Otto
practiced well about the technique of enclosure
Fabrices as the main Stream of architecture .
Alternative construction systems and details
➢ 1957 Frei Otto establishes Center for Lightweight
Construction (later Institute for Lightweight
Structures)
Types of tensile fabrics
Types of tensile fabrics:
1. Structural coated fabric
2. Mesh fabric
1.STRUCTURAL COATED FABRIC
• The central base is woven cloth
• Both sides have technical coating
And well approving
• Color
• Water proof
• Require technical characteristics
✓ Uv resistance
✓ Flam resistance
Types of tensile fabrics
2. MESH FABRIC
Due to the openness of its meshes
• Mostly used for shading
• Light diffusing fabrics
EXTERNAL USE FABRICS
-PVC coated polyester
-PTFE coated glass cloth/consists of a woven fiberglass and are coated with a
PTFE/ a thermoplastic polymer/ resin
-Silicon coated glass cloth
Required performances of modern tensile
➢ Required performances of modern tensile fabrics are:
✓ Advanced strength
✓ Aesthetics
✓ Easily cleaning
✓ Possibility of solar shading
✓ Acoustics
✓ Printability
Fundamental Tensile Forms
Fundamental Tensile Forms
Synclastic: Curved toward the same side in same directions.
Anticlastic: Curved in opposite ways/in two directions
Fundamental Tensile Forms
Anticlastic curvature
Fundamental Tensile Forms
Fundamental Tensile Forms
Fundamental Tensile Forms
General principles of tensile structures
➢ is important to know how the structural behavior of
flexible elements like cables, membranes and cable
nets are different from the conventional structures.
➢ Fortunately, most of the materials commonly used in
construction, including natural and man-made yarns
and textiles, have good tensile strength, though brick,
stone and unreinforced concrete are notable
exceptions. This means that even highly flexible
elements with negligible bending stiffness, such as
chains, cables, ropes, yarns and woven fabrics, can be
used effectively in the most efficient structures, those
stressed in pure tension.
Detailing for fabric architectural structures
➢ Membrane materials have to be joined to form the
roof. There are several techniques available, including:
stitched ,glued, laced, clamped or welded.
Detailing for fabric architectural structures
Detailing for fabric architectural structures
Detailing for fabric architectural structures
Straight Edge
Detailing for fabric architectural structures
Fabric Edge
Detailing for fabric architectural structures
Fabric Edge
Detailing for fabric architectural structures
Other Details
Detailing for fabric architectural structures
❖ The external towers adopt shuttle-shaped columns, which
consist of three main chords made of steel tubes connected by
diaphragm plates.
Detailing for fabric architectural structures
Gathering Plate
Detailing for fabric architectural structures
Detailing for fabric architectural structures
Advantages of Tensile Structures
❖ Shelter of environment (sun, rain, wind)
❖ Translucency in general, possibilities to design light effects
❖ Light weight & Durable
❖ Endless form possibilities, catching character
❖ Short building time, off site manufacturing of structure, less site
interruption time
❖ Large spans
❖ Recyclability and Eco friendliness
❖ Adaptability to exciting building technologies (steel, glass,
cement, stone)
❖ Simplicity of maintenance & Easy repair or replacement
Thank you
12/19/2023 31
Assignments
#1 Propose a plaza at any convenient location in AASTU that having
a tensile structure which noted as a landmark for the campus
including material specifications.(20mx20m space).
Mode of delivery:
➢ A model (1:100 or 1:50 scale)
➢ Floor Plan
Date of submission: Dec 27/2023
