Prof.

G G Schierle, PhD, FAIA

Design of Fabric Structures
Session T33, Thursday, 04/30, 2 – 3:30 PM
Acknowledgements/Credits

This presentation includes book excerpts of

Structure and Design

https://titles.cognella.com/structure-and-design.html/
Design of Fabric Structures

Saddle shape Wave shape Arch shape Pont shape

Anticlastic Stability

• Two stressed strings stabilize a point in space

• Two sets of strings form a stable surface

• Without prestress, convex fiber gets slack,

causing instability

• Flat fiber deform greatly under load,

causing instability

• Triangular panels are flat & unstable (AVOID)

Prestress
Prestress (PS) effect on a string
F = force, P = load,  = deflection
1 Without prestress top link resists all
Assume: =1
2 With prestress  = 1/2
Top link increase: F=PS+P/2
Lower link decrease: F=PS–P/2
3 Stress / strain diagram f/
A without prestress
B with prestress
C Prestress reduced to PS = 0
D Prestressed string after PS = 0

Cable nets need about 50% prestress

Fabric structures need about 30% prestress
http://www-classes.usc.edu/architecture/structures/papers/GGS-Yin.pdf
Minimal Surface
Criteria:
• Minimum surface area
• Equal stress throughout
• Equal +- curvature at any point

Governing Equations (Schierle 1977*)

*First published 1977 in
Journal of Optimization Theory
and Applications

F1/F2 = A/B

Y = F1(X/S1)K/F1+ X tan 
Y = F2(Z/S2)K/F2
K= F1+F2
3: small deflection Principal curvature
Good
Flawed
Fiber orientation

4: large deflection Straight generating line

Fabric Properties
Type Makeup Common use Tensile strength Fire rating UV light resistance Translucency Durability
++ incombustible ++ very good
+ low flammability + good
0 none
Coated fabric* Polyester fabric Permanent + mobile 40 to 200 kN/m + + 0 to 25 % 15 to 20 years
PVC coating Internal + external 228 to 1142 lb/in

Coated fabric* Glass fiber fabric Permanent 20 to 160 kN/m ++ ++ 4 to 22 % > 25 years
PTFE coating Internal + external 114 to 914 lb/in

Coated fabric Glass fiber fabric Permanent 20 to 100 kN/m ++ ++ 10 to 20 % > 20 years
Silicone coating Internal + external 114 to 571 lb/in

Laminated fabric* Fine mesh fabric Permanent 50 to 100 kN/m ++ ++ 35 to 55 % > 25 years
Laminated with Internal + external 286 to 571 lb/in
PTFE film

Foil PVC foil Permanent internal 6 to 40 kN/m 0 + Up to 90 % 15 to 20 years

Temporary external 34 to 228 lb/in internally

Foil* Flouro-polymer Permanent 6 to 12 kN/m ++ ++ Up to 96 % > 25 years

foil Internal + external 34 to 69 lb/in
ETFE

Coated or PTFE fabric Permanent + mobile 40 to 100 kN/m ++ ++ 15 to 40 % > 25 years

uncoated fabric* (good qualities Internal + external 228 to 571 lb/in
for sustainability)

Coated or Flouro-polymer Permanent + mobile 8 to 20 kN/m ++ ++ Up to 90 % > 25 years

uncoated fabric* fabric Internal + external 46 to 114 lb/in

* Self-cleaning
 Structure
Maximum spans
Design stress (tensile strength / 4) Assuming:
Tensile strength Design stress Live load LL = 20 psf
400 pli 100 pli Safety factor Sf = 4
600 pli 150 pli Span/sag ratio L/f = 10
Fabric breaking strength Max. span
800 pli 200 pli
600 pli (lb/in) ~ 60 ft
1200 pli 300 pli 800 pli ~ 80 ft
1200 pli ~120 ft

Costs
Type Cost / sq. ft
Prefab PVC $15 to $20
Custom
PVC $30 to $60
PTFE Teflon-coated fiberglass $60 to $180
Note:
costs exclude foundations
 Design / Analysis
Radial load
Edge cable tension T=Rp

w Symmetric suspension
Horizontal reaction H = w L2/(8f)
Vertical reaction R = w L/2
Max fabric tension T = 1.35 w L
w Asymmetric suspension
Vector method
h
f RR Total load W=wL
H
RL f Fabric tensions TR TL
L/2 Horizontal reaction H
L Vertical reactions RL RR

H
RR TR
W= w L

TL
RL
 Lateral Load
Seismic (not critical)
V = Cs W
V = seismic base shear
Cs = Seismic coefficient
W = mass (dead load)
Example (V / ft2, Cs = 0.2, w = 1 psf)
V = 0.2 x1 V = 0.2 psf

Wind (critical)
Velocity
• 90 mph (most USA)
• 150 mph (Golf coast)
Gust factors (G= 0.85 for rigid structures)
G ~ 1.5 for fabric structures
LDG: Lateral Design Graph Example (V per ft2, p = 20 psf)
Sample: 100’ x 50’ x 20’ V = p G = 20 x 1.5 V = 30 psf
Thermal
While fabric has low R-values
Thermal reflection is very good

Lighting
Daylight sunny days ~75000 lux
Daylight overcast ~25000 lux
10% translucent fabric ~2500 - 7500 lux
Typical office lighting ~1000 lux

Acoustics
• Thin fabric provides little sound insulation
• Micro-perforated foils absorb sound
(suspended under structural fabric)
• Form may be used to control acoustics
• Anticlastic forms disperse sound
• Synclastic forms focus sound
Edge conditions
Edge beam Edge arch Edge cable

Surface conditions
Point shape Arch shape Wave shape Saddle shape
Edge Conditions
Edge Cable (tension)

Edge Arch (compression)

Edge Beam (bending)

Edge Cable – tension UCB Canopy

Stage canopy
 Raleigh Arena North Carolina (1953)
Architect: Novicki and Deitrick
Edge Arch / Ring – compression
Engineer: Severud Elstad Krueger
Edge arch / cable roof

EFL portable classroom (1968)

Architect: G G Schierle
Engineer: Nick Forell
Edge arch / anticlastic Fabric

Sony Center Berlin

Architect: Helmut Jahn
Engineer: Ove Arup
Edge ring / radial cables and fabric
 Horticultural Center
Gallaway Gardens, Georgia
By ODC
Edge Beam – bending

Dining Pavilion
Saddlebrook Florida
By Helios Industries

Note:
Edge beams facilitate groupings
 Saddle shapes Wave shapes
Surface conditions
 Arch shapes

Stayed Masts Dish Ring Puncture

Point shapes

Propped Masts Eye Loop Radial

Saddle shapes
Expo ‘64 Lausanne
Architect: Saugey / Schierle
Engineer: Froidevaux et Weber

26 restaurant pavilions:
 Featured Swiss regional cuisines
 Symbolizing sailing and mountains
 Design example
B
Assume:

Wind pressure p = 30 psf

A A
Allowable fabric stress Fa= 200 pli

Available canvass stress Fa= 50 pli

Section B-B B Wind load (normal to fabric)

L=120’
T = p R = (30)(100) T = 3000 #

Fabric stress per inch

f = 3000/12 f = 250 pli

f=12’ Fabric NOT OK 250 > 200 > 50

Cable net was required

 Assume: Same allowable stress
B Gravity load w = 20 psf
Graphic method
Total Load
W = w L = 20 (120’) W = 2400 #
A A Horizontal reaction H = 3000 #
Vertical reaction RL= 2400 #
Fabric tension
T T = 3720 #
B
Fabric stress (#/in)
L=120’
f = 3720#/12” f = 310 pli
Gravity load not OK 310>200>50
w = 20 psf
H
Cable net was required
RL
H=3000#
h=40’

f=12’
T=3720# W= 2400#
f RL=2400#
Wave shapes

Computer model
San Diego
Convention Center
Architect: Arthur Erickson
Engineer: Horst Berger
Fabric design: Horst Berger

Concrete pylons at 60’ support

ridge, valley, and guy cables that
span 300’ between pylons

Translucent Teflon coated fiber

glass fabric provides daylight

Ridge cables support gravity load

Valley cables support wind uplift
Guy cables support
Flying buttresses
Denver Airport
Architect: Fentress
Photo: David Benbennick
Denver Airport
Photo: David Benbennick
Sony Center Berlin
Architect: Helmut Jahn
Engineer: Ove Arup

• Truss compression ring ø 335’

• Flying buttress mast supports
top tension ring
• Radial guy cables support mast
• Radial roof cables hold fabric
• Translucent fabric
Arch shapes
Study model

EFL portable classroom (1968)

Architect: G G Schierle
Engineer: Nick Forell
Size: 30’x40’
First twin fabric with thermal insulation

Theater pavilion Armonk (1968)

Architect: G G Schierle
Engineer: Nick Forell
Size 60’x80’ - capacity 600
Longest span fabric roof 1968
fabric tensile strength 720 pli
Skating Rink Munich
Architect: Ackermann
Engineer: Schlaich / Bergermann
Prismatic arch truss supports
translucent PVC fabric on wood
slats and cable net
Arch truss (L=328’)
detail
Stayed Masts Dish Ring Puncture

Propped Masts Eye Loop Radial

Point Shapes
Sea-World Pavilion Vallejo
Architect: G G Schierle
Engineer: ASI, Advanced Structures Inc
 Details
Fabric pattern seam
Twin fabric @ high stress
Prestress turnbuckle
Webbing holds fabric

Fabric corner
high stress
Twin fabric @

Ground anchor
Mast top
 Erection

Layout

Erection Color lighting

German Pavilion
Expo 67 Montreal
Architect: Gutbrod & Otto
Engineer: Leonhardt & Andrae

Translucent fabric for natural

lighting suspended from cable
net on 3-D adjustable hangers.
Prefab panels assembled on
site with lacing.
 Balance Forces
Balanced

Unbalanced
 Design Process
Stretch Fabric models

Stretch fabric models for

form-finding and testing

Stretch fabric design / testing model

 Design Process
Computer Aided
• Form-finding
• Analysis
• Pattern design

Computer
Computermodel
model

CAD patterns by triangulation

Load shape
dotted lines
Optimization
Edge & surface curvature
(Schierle, 1971)

Usual optimum L/f = 10

L = span
L
f = sag

f
Watts Towers
Cultural Center (2002)
Architect: Ado / Schierle
Engineer: ASI

Removable fabric and cable truss

Stadium Oldenburg Germany Anticlastic fabric panels suspended
Architect: Kulla, Herr und Partner from cantilever cable trusses
Engineer: Schlaich Bergermann
Form-finding model Grid Shell Mannheim, 1975
Architect: Mutschler / Otto
Engineer: Ove Arup
Grid shell of 50 cm square, 50 mm
twin slats form rhomboids in space;
covered with translucent fabric.
Millennium Dome London
Architect: Richard Rogers
Engineer: Buro Happold
anticlastic
fabric
Curved wall to resist wind
Speaker

Prof G G Schierle, PhD, FAIA

USC - School of Architecture
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0291

thank you

T 213-740-4590
F 213-740-8888
schierle@usc.edu
http://www.usc.edu/structures

https://titles.cognella.com/structure-and-design.html/