1.

Type of Structure –TENSILE WITH ARCHES

A scale limit was soon reached in traditional tensile building beyond which it was difficult to proceed without a
stronger support structure, but a jump in technology in the 1960s led to a new type of super-tent with superior
spanning capabilities.

Tensile structures, however, are lightweight to begin with, and gravity plays a less important role in Consequently,
multi-layered nets with membrane liners can be made very large with respect to the tensile strength of the cables.
Super-tents mark a turning point in new tent architecture, as fabric structures become environments in their own
right that participate in the landscape.
PLAN AND SECTION

2.Chemical Research Centre, Italy

2.Construction Techniques
• Fabric structures suit laboratories because they are flexible and provide natural daylighting
• Whereas the fabric roof of the latter is suspended from four kingposts, like a circus big top, that of
the former is supported by lattice arches.
• In all tensile structures, the membrane must be supported by masts, by some other nearby
structure, or by arches, as is the case here, where six triangulated, compression- loaded arches of
tubular steel rise from an oval plan and transmit the loads to the footings,
• The size of the arches increases from the two ends to achieve a maximum height of 15m in the
middle, and inclines outward away from the central, highest arch to receive five stabilizing cables
that run lengthwise.
• These cables are contained within the PVC-coated polyester fabric roof and are secured to the
lattice arches by means of downward-pointing tubular steel pyramids.
• Between the arches, the fabric assumes a gently curved, anticlastic saddle shape that terminates
above the ground floor to leave room for windows around the perimeter. These have generous
views to the outside to counteract any feeling of being smothered by the enclosing translucent
fabric (the uniform quality of daylight under fabric structures can prove monotonous, and even
stifling, in its lack of contrast).
• At this research laboratory, the strips below the projecting lattice arches are covered by semi-
transparent PVC, which lets broad bands of sunlight penetrate the interior to give welcome relief
from the uniformity of the light, as well as affording glimpses of the sky.
• The internal structures are conventional, in-situ concrete blocks with concrete infill, Tapered steel
brackets support elegant steel balconies that give access to a two-storey building.
DETAILS
Reference Book -New Tent Architecture-Thames & Hudson RITHIK CYRIL | SEM- XB | ABC