European Design Guide for Tensile Surface Structures











The European Design Guide for Tensile Surface Structures is a product of over three years work by the members of TensiNet - A Thematic Network for Upgrading the Built Environment in Europe through Tensile Structures, which was initiated on 1 March 2001. This guide and the other activities of TensiNet were funded by the European Commission, under the Competitive and Sustainable Growth (Growth) Programme of Framework Programme 5.







The tensile surface structure business has grown considerably in the last 15 years and is predicted to grow further. Such structures are becoming bigger and more sophisticated. More clients are interested in using them but they are still considered to be special – a new technology. If tensile surface structures do not figure widely in the design vocabulary of European architects, engineers, urban planners, building owners and national authorities, their application will continue to be constrained. Therefore, there is a need for people to be better informed about the general behaviour and the advantages and disadvantages of using tensile surface structures in relation to more conventional buildings. For instance, the internal environment is seen as a key issue - how do such enclosures behave and to what functions are they suited? There is also the question of maintenance. How do these structures differ from ‘normal’ buildings? These issues are covered in the design guide. It is a generally held view that Europe needs a code for Tensile Surface structures and this design guide is a valuable and necessary step to a pan-European Normative document. Once an EN is available the industry becomes respectable and clients’ confidence should increase. In turn, that should lead to more business for constructors and designers. Nevertheless, this European Design Guide for Tensile Surface Structures is not intended to be a European standard. However, as a ‘state-of-the-art’ report it is a step in that direction.





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