Membrane

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Contents 1 Material analysis 1.1 Traditional uses 1.2 Emerging uses / trends 1.3 Finish and aesthetic qualities 1.4 Surface forms / shapes 1.5 Cost analysis 2 Material properties 2.1 Primary structural use 2.2 Material performance 2.3 Dimensional and opening restriction 2.4 Acoustic property 2.5 Manufacturing process and assembly 3 Environment and Life Safety 3.1 Environmental impact 3.2 Flammability rating 3.3 Coefficient of friction 4 References 4.1 Notes 4.2 Student contributions 5 See also 5.1 Similar materials 5.2 Building references 6 External links 6.1 Additional resources 6.2 Leading manufacturers

Material analysis

MasterFormat Number: 13 31 23

Traditional uses

• Canopies, Long-Span Exhibit Hall Roofs, Retail & Entertainment Complexes, Casino Entrances & Themed Designs, Amusement Parks, Pedestrian Walkways

Emerging uses / trends

• Greater use of membrane systems as permanent space enclosing structures, Transparent Thermal Insulation, Installations that exploit solar energy, Barrel Vaults & Domes

Finish and aesthetic qualities

• Most membranes utilize fabrics rather than meshes or films. The fabrics are coated and/or laminated with synthetic materials for greater strength and environmental resistance. The most widely used materials are woven polyester cloths coated with polyvinyl chloride, and woven fiberglass coated with either PTFE or silicone. Coatings are available in a wide range of colors; however, specifying a non-standard color increases cost.

Surface forms / shapes

• The membrane form is limitless, and depends on the structural support, which may include tube and node assembly, mast-support, cables, timber, or steel. The use of membranes has to be planned in conjunction with the load-bearing structure. Membranes are defined in form and character by the methods used to structure and connect them.

Cost analysis

• Price / SqFt: $65-$250

Material properties

Primary structural use

• Absorption and tension.
• Walls, Ceilings & Roofs, Canopies, Space Enclosures

Material performance

• Most tensile structures utilize fabrics rather than meshes or films. The fabrics are typically coated, and/or laminated with, synthetic materials for greater strength and environmental resistance. The most widely used materials are woven polyester cloths coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and woven fiberglass coated with either polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or silicone.

Dimensional and opening restriction

• Membranes are textiles and are sewn or adhered together, making the dimensions and sizes limitless. Ranging anywhere from small canopies to column-free long-span spaces.

Acoustic property

• Absorption and reverberation.

Manufacturing process and assembly

• Membranes are technical textiles, and include mesh fabrics, wovens, and non-wovens. Natural, mineral, metallic, or synthetic fibers may be used. The fabrics are woven or tightly knitted to highly controlled specifications to give the fabric strength, visual consistency, and measurable properties of stretch and strength. The fabric is then laminated or coated to give it color, strength, and waterproof properties. The coating also allows adjoining panels of fabric to be seamed by a high frequency welding. A top coating is often applied as well, to improve the appearance of the material, extend its life, and to allow the material to be readily cleaned or washed. Different types of top coatings include acrylic solutions, PVDF solutions, and PVF film laminations.

• Membranes used in building construction are load-transmitting surfaces that have to be capable of being tensioned and adopting three-dimensionally curved forms.

Environment and Life Safety

Environmental impact

• Tensile structures generally use light colored roofs which reduce urban heat islands; they use very small amounts of material for large spans; they allow for natural ventilation using the Venturi effect and they provide translucency for natural daylighting. PVC polyester, expanded PTFE, polyolefin fabrics and ETFE foils can be recycled by the supplier for lower grade applications.
• Maintenance : Many membrane projects utilize PTFE, because of the non-stick properties of the Teflon coating, the membrane is immune to chemical attachment by pollutants. Dust, dirt, ash, etc, that settles upon the Teflon-coated membrane can be washed off with water.
• Durability : Coated membranes have an excess of 30 years life cycle.
• Environmental : Membrane materials are lightweight, requiring less energy for material transportation and building construction. Membranes typically transmit 20% of daylight without the heat gain of traditional glazing. HVAC costs are lower compared to other glazing.
• Depending on the coating used to treat the membrane, certain environmental concerns may arise:

PTFE/Teflon – inert, ages well, does not emit toxic gases

PVC – harmful substance

Urethane/Acrylic – far less environmental impact than PVC

Silicone – few health and environmental concerns, inert, does not emit toxic gases.

Flammability rating

• Class 1

Coefficient of friction

• .5-.9, depending on the coating. PTFE has lowest coefficient of friction

References

Notes

Student contributions

• Susan Shaw, Spring 2008
• Heather Patnode, Fall 2005

See also

Similar materials

• Structural glass
• Stretch Ceiling

Building references

• Denver International Airport
• Sony Center, Berlin
• Marriott Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
• Herman Miller Showroom, Louisianna
• Hilton Dallas Lincoln Center, Dallas, TX

External links

Additional resources

TensiNet

Barrisol

Leading manufacturers

Birdair

Rubb

Barrisol