Our Strength is in Our Structure

Calhoun Super Structure

What’s the art and science behind fabric structures to make sure they last for years and years? You’ve seen them at airports, industrial sites, or warehousing facilities. They make for great office buildings and stunning shopping mall terraces too. But what’s the secret that guarantees the strongest, most reliable fabric building?

1. Validate the Strength of the Fabric Structure

The best fabric structure professionals employ 3D nonlinear finite element site-analysis (FEA) to predict the performance of a building subject to specific snow loading and weight on the fabric cover, amongst other environmental factors. The application of 3D FEA simulates a structure’s behavior on exposure to strong winds, fatigue, thermal dynamics, rainfall, seismic activity, or snow. The analysis must be site-specific to address environmental factors as well as end-user requirements. The best engineers utilize accurate, predictive structural analytics, which gives them the confidence to build safe and reliable fabric structures. See what else the best fabric structure professionals do by reading more here: http://bit.ly/2x6Snix and see why #ourstrengthisinourstructure #engineering

Calhoun Super Structure

To build a fabric building storage facility that’s right for your needs, it’s important to take stock of environmental and site conditions as well as the required performance of the building. Here are some fundamental considerations that impact the design of fabric buildings used for storage:

BUILDING CONTENTS. Are you storing corrosive material? If so, make sure that the fabric building features corrosion-resistant materials, both for their framing and their cladding.

HANDLING CONDITIONS. Does the stored material need to be in a climate-controlled space? Passive ventilation systems such as louvered openings are economical solutions, while mechanical HVAC systems offer more climate-control.

ACCESSIBILITY. Consider the delivery requirements of your facility. Do trucks or front-end loaders need access to the building, or is the off-loading process handled externally? It’s easier - and safer - to engineer doors and openings into straight sidewalls.

For other things to consider such as snow loads and wind exposure for your specific site, check out Calhoun's engineering process here: https://lnkd.in/dw-6282

Calhoun Super Structure

You have probably driven by, or walked right into, a fabric structure without even knowing it. Fabric structures have come a long way from “tents”, not only from their sheer size and resilience to the elements, but also due to the way they are engineered. In many ways, a fabric structure is superior to wood, concrete, or steel counterparts. The fabric tarp covering resists corrosion as does the hot-dip galvanized steel frame. They can be built to nearly any dimension, in configurations limited only to the builder’s imagination. They allow light to pass through, creating an almost luminescent experience during the daytime, and can withstand strong winds, snow and ice, as well as the heat from the summer sun. Less costly to manufacture and maintain, and a life as long as any metal or concrete building, fabric structures are also quick to assemble and can serve a variety of purposes from livestock structures to commercial storage or public shade facilities. Read more: https://bit.ly/2uLHx0f

Calhoun Super Structure

Some great pointers from our dealer partner @CobraStructures. Making choices isn't always easy but with the right expert advice you can make better informed decisions. See here: https://bit.ly/2MljIDM

Calhoun Super Structure

Help educate the public about the value and necessity of public works projects such as waste and recycle management, snow removal, and the implementation of transportation stations and shade shelters #NPWW