Tensile membrane or fabric roof [RMT11]

Glossary for gem taxonomy

Authors: Luke Allen, Andrew Charleson, Svetlana Brzev, and Charles Scawthorn

This online Glossary explains around 400 terms contained in the GEM Building Taxonomy v 2.0 and nearly 700 images.

The terms have been listed in alphabetical and numerical order. Text description of each term is accompanied by illustrations (photos and/or drawings) where possible.

We welcome contributions in the form of photographs or images, illustrating glossary terms. If you have any questions you can also contact us at buildingtaxonomy@globalquakemodel.org

Details: Written by: admin; Category: terms; Published: 13 March 2023; Hits: 500

The roof is made of fabric, including tensile membrane, inflatable fabric structures, and other types of fabric sheet roof.

A tensile membrane roof is made of stretched fabric, usually stretched in two directions to form a tensioned surface. Examples of tension membranes include polyester coated with PVC and glass fibre coated with teflon.

An inflatable roof uses fabric chambers pressurized with air to form a self-supporting structure.

Also included is any other type of fabric roof not inflatable or stretched like a tensile membrane, and includes plastic sheet, tarpaulin, canvas sheeting.

RMT11_Canada_Brzev_2

Canada Place in Vancouver, Canada is an example of tensile fabric roof structure (S. Brzev)

RMT11_Canada_Brzev_1

An example of a fabric roof (S. Brzev)