What Are the Different Types of Fabric Structures?

What type of fabric structure is right for you? 

The question has more parts than you may have realized. Should you choose tensile or tension? Which materials are the best to use? What sort of frame should you opt for? 

This guide will take you through the types of fabric structures and help you choose your best option.

What Is a Fabric Structure?

There is evidence to indicate that fabric shelters were used as long as 55,000 years ago, during the Ice Age. Humans likely used animal skins draped over sticks to help provide shelter and protection from the elements. 

Today, fabric structures are much more advanced than those in the early days. They are used in a variety of settings, such as military dwellings, urban shelters and even iconic big-top circus tents.

While portability has always been a defining feature of fabric structures, more recent adaptations have embraced the possibilities of permanence. Modern fabric structures are composed of membrane materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) suspended via tension or stretched over metal frames. 

Types of Fabric Structures

Modern fabric structures belong to two main categories — tensile structures that use flexible materials for their framework and rigid frame structures that stretch membrane fabric over solid metal frames.

Tensile Fabric Structures

Tensile structures fall into three classifications:

• Membrane tensioned structures: Structures in this classification suspend stretched membrane fabric with cables attached to solid structures like masts or poles.
• Mesh tensioned structures: These structures use a mesh of cables to support the membrane fabric rather than stretch it.
• Pneumatic structures: Also known as air-supported structures, these create the tension to support their membrane fabric with internal air pressure.

These structures are quick to install, and with proper treatment, their fabric coverings can hold up against weather and UV damage. Depending on the materials they use, they can also allow in diffused natural light, saving on lighting costs during daylight hours.

While membrane and mesh tensioned structures use cables and solid elements for support, a pneumatic structure’s only structural component is its fabric. That minimalism makes it quick and easy to install. However, it also means the structure must be airtight, requiring constant climate control to retain a consistent temperature.

Tension Fabric Structures

These structures can be temporary, semi-permanent or permanent, and they are subject to the same codes as conventional permanent buildings. Building structures that are strong, durable and reliable requires the proper materials:

• Hot-dipped galvanized steel: This process coats steel in molten zinc to create a corrosion-resistant coating. Whereas inline galvanization loses some of its interior protective coating during welding, hot-dip galvanization occurs after the steel has already been cut and welded.
• High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC): HDPE is a thermally non-conductive fabric that minimizes heat transfer inside and outside the structure. PVC fabric is known for its longevity and durability. Additional UV protection and fire-retardant options can add years of life to these fabrics.

With steel’s durability, membrane fabric’s resilience and diligent and comprehensive engineering, they can withstand seismic conditions, high wind and snow.

This type of fabric structure can have either a bent or open web truss design. While bent web trusses are sometimes less expensive and more quickly fabricated, structures that use an open web truss offer several advantages:

• Efficient design
• High load-bearing strength
• Unobstructed access to mechanical systems

Open web trusses also allow the best hot-dip galvanization coverage and provide a larger surface area for welding.

4 Main Benefits of Fabric Structures

In addition to the advantages discussed above, fabric structures offer four significant benefits over traditional buildings:

• Portability: While your fabric structure can be permanent or temporary, you can typically relocate, expand or remove even permanent versions. The lightweight fabric coverings make them easy to transport should your needs change. Whether you have plans for a temporary project or anticipate future layout changes, fabric structures offer the versatility you require.
• Durability: Hot-dip galvanized steel and properly treated fabric make these structures exceptionally durable. Membrane fabric’s high strength-to-density ratio stands up to even harsh weather and continuous UV exposure, and extra treatments can further protect against cracks and abrasions. The hot-dip galvanization process gives remarkable corrosion resistance. Fabric structures with steel frames also follow the same codes, requirements and certifications as other steel buildings.
• Cost-Efficiency: Fabric structures provide both initial and ongoing savings. In addition to their faster construction and installation, they also offer lower operating costs. These structures’ fabric covers let in more natural light than traditional buildings, minimizing your need for artificial lighting. Low heat transference also makes a fabric structure more energy-efficient even when they require heating or cooling.
• Customizable: You can design fabric structures to your specific size requirement. You can also customize the number of entrances, whether the structure is open or closed, the type of foundation, the fabric color and more. You can insulate your structure and add HVAC systems, ventilation and solar panels. You can even add more natural light with windows and skylights. 

Choosing the Best Type for Your Business or Application

You can use fabric structures for anything from concert venues to equipment storage to livestock housing. When you’re considering which type of fabric structure might be best for you, finding the best design will depend on:

• Site condition: Different jurisdictions have different building codes you’ll need to think about. However, considering environmental concerns are an essential part of evaluating your site in any area. Consider the amount of snow, wind and seismic loading your site will face to determine the type of structure you’ll need.
• Building use: Your structure may have different design requirements depending on its intended use. Cold storage structures need high-quality insulation to help regulate the temperature. Facilities for crop storage should focus on proper ventilation, and those intended for livestock housing require adequate air and light.
• Building enclosure: Consider whether your structure will be open or fully enclosed. Evaluate how many entrances it needs, how large they should be and where you should position them. Storage facilities need adequate vehicle clearance for loading and unloading items. Structures intended for temporary housing should be fully enclosed, while those used as shelters for wait lines, drive-through testing or emergency response should be open-ended.

Find Your New Fabric Structure With Calhoun Super Structure

With all the variety and options that fabric structures offer, it can be challenging to know where to start. Luckily, Calhoun Super Structures is here to help you through the process.

Simply connect with us and tell us what you need, and we’ll dig into your request. Once we’ve put all the pieces together for you and offered you the final quote, we’ll send our engineers out to review your site. They’ll use our unique 3D Nonlinear FEA site-specific review to create a building customized to your site’s requirements.

Contact a Calhoun representative or request a free custom quote today.