Slide 1

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 2

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 3

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 4

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 5

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 6

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 7

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 8

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 9

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 10

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 11

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 12

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 13

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 14

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 15

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 16

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 17

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 18

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 19

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 20

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 21

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 22

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 23

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 24

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 25

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 26

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 27

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 28

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 29

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 30

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 31

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 32

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties


Slide 33

Seminar
on
Architectural & Constructional
Textiles

-Ravindra Kumbhar

Introduction
•

•

The Construction & Architectural textiles segment
comprises of textiles or composite materials used in the
construction of permanent and temporary buildings as well as
structures.
Replacement of traditional materials
- Wood
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Steel

Introduction
What made this possible???
 Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics
(High tenacity Polyester, Aramid, Kevlar, Glass, Carbon fibres etc)
- High Strength & High Modulus fabrics
- Hydrophobicity
- Rot and fungi Resistance
 New material with Composites (cross linking resins)
• High strength to weight
• High stiffness to weight
• Extreme flexibility
 Development of new & Improved Polymer Coatings
- increases the properties and performances of the fabric

Introduction
Coated fabrics as “Envelopes” for
• Airports
• Stadiums
• Sports halls
• Exhibitions and Display halls
• Storage bases – Industrial & Military Supplies
Coated Fabric resists extremes of
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Biological attack
- Wind, rain & snow

Area of interest

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Architectural Membranes

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Hoardings & Signages

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles
Scaffolding Nets

Material : HDPE filament

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Awnings & Canopies

- vinyl-laminated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester
- acrylic-coated polyester
- vinyl-coated polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed acrylic
- painted polyester/cotton
- solution-dyed modacrylic

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Tarpaulins

- HDPE Tarpaulin Fabric
- Laminated PVC tarpaulins
- Polyester mesh fabrics

Products used in Architectural & Construction Textiles

Floor & Wall Coverings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Material Properties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

High Strength to weight ratio
High Stiffness to weight ratio
Light Translucency
Fabric UV resistance
Flame retardancy
Water repellency
Resistance to sunlight & temperature
Resistance to rot & biological attack
Resistance to Wind, Rain and Snow

• Durability & Sustainability
– the service life of fabric membrane structure: 15 to 30 years with PVC, PTFE, PVDC & ETFE
textiles
– The typical life expectancy of a semi permanent PVC structure is 15-20 years plus

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Design Creativity & Efficiency
- Unlimited range of forms & shapes

• Solar Protection
- Specialty textiles offer a range of
UV & solar protection options for
both humans & buildings

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Energy Efficiency
In comparison to traditional building materials, textiles are more energy
efficient in terms of:
- The textile production process
- Fabrication & installation of membrane systems
- The ability to use natural lighting instead of artificial lighting, with the use
of translucent fabrics

• Cost Efficiency
-Fabric structures offer a number of cost efficiencies in terms of:

- Economy & efficiency of materials used
- Speed of installation
-Re-deployability of fabric structures

PROPERTIES OF ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION TEXTILES
Why to use Architectural Textiles?
• Fire Safety
- Architectural textiles range from non-combustible (PTFE)
to low combustible (PVC/PVDF)

• Recyclability
- PVC textiles are now fully recyclable with major textile manufacturers
- At the end of a fabric structures life, deconstruction is far simpler than more
traditional structures.
- The deconstruction process is also much simpler & more conducive to the re-use
& recycling of building components.

MEMBRANE STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL &
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
There are three types of membrane structures
Films: Films are transparent polymers in sheet form without coating or
lamination.
Films are less expensive and durable than textiles.
e.g. Clear vinyl, polyester or polypropylene

Meshes:

Meshes are porous fabrics, such as woven polyester, that are lightly
coated with vinyl. Knitted meshes are made of high density polyethylene,
polypropylene, or acrylic yarns.
Meshes are used as shelters from wind and Sun, however they cannot provide
adequate protection from rain.

Fabrics: Fabric structures are by far most widely used membrane structures. Fabrics
are typically coated or laminated with synthetic materials to improve strength and
environmental resistance

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Fabrics must be
-

Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
Resistant to wind and water
Waterproof
Impermeable to air and wind
Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
Resistant to degradation (long term exposure to sunlight & acid rain)

Base Fabrics:
•

•
•

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides
the necessary strength to the structure.
Aramid and Carbon fibres have excellent properties but expensive to use in construction
extensively
High-tenacity Polyester, Fiberglass and Nylon are most widely used

FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
 Polyester fabric - High strength, low stretch, durable, least expensive
 Nylon fabric - More durable than polyester, more stretch and higher cost than
polyester
 Glass fabric – Resist stretching, reflects a high percentage of the Sun’s heat
and keep the interior of the structure cool. Do not burn or smoke.
- Continuous filament yarns are preferred over staple fibre yarns due to inherent
strength and elongation resistance
Base fabric can be;
 Woven
 Knitted
 Non-woven
Woven structures are usually the design of choice for fabric rigidity and dimensional
stability for many applications. Generally simple weave patterns such as plain weave
and low harness twills are used

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Laminating: Vinyl films over woven or knitted polyester or nylon meshes



Most economical
Good tear resistance

• Coating: Plastic material or synthetic rubber
Polyester fabric is tensioned before and during the coating








Waterproofness
Protects the base fabric from sunlight and weathering degradation
Coating claims to improve dimensional stability
Higher tensile strength
Higher flex resistance
Higher abrasion resistance
Longer life

•

Double Coating - Water and chemical resistance

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Common polymer coatings are
-

PVC (polyvinyl chlofide)
PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride)
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

-

PVDF (polyvinyledene fluoride)

• Polyester fabrics are usually coated or laminated with PVC
films
• Fibreglass fabrics are usually coated with PTFE for durability

COATING AND LAMINATING
• Importance of Top Finish
•

Without the top finish the PVC coated fabric begin to attract dirt and lose its
aesthetic benefit

•

Pyurethane topcoating for - “self cleaning”

•

PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) - applied as a thin liquid to the surface of the PVC
coated fabric. PVDF polymer has better UV resistance

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION















High tensile strength
Adequate elongation
High melting point
Waterproofness
Toughness
Resistance to rot and fungi
Resistance to weathering effects and aging
Wet and dry dimensional stability
Resistance of coating to high and low temperatures
Flame resistance
Abrasion and tear resistance
Low weight
Flexibility
Good adhesion of the backing fibres to coating

PROPERTIES OF COATED FABRICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION
•

For constructional and architectural coated fabrics resistance to fatigue and time
related fatigue becomes very important.

•

One of the most important properties of coated fabrics for buildings is the residual
strength
THICKNESS

BREAKING LOAD
WARP
BREAKING ELONGATION

WEFT

TEAR STRENGTH
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100

Fig: Residual properties of PVC coated Polyester
fabric after eight years of use in air structure

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Membrane structures can be
divided into four categories;
–
–
–
–

Tents
Clear-span structures
Air structures
Tensile structures

(Membranes can also be categorized
as temporary or permanent)

Tents:
• Pole tents: Fabric is draped or
hung rather than tensioned

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Tension Tents: Tension tents
include various tensile structures

• Tensile Tents: Tensile tents have
tensioned fabric that provides
clear span and do not require
guys

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES
• Clear-Span Structures
-

-

Clear space beneath the fabric
Free of poles and other supporting
elements
Can accommodate doors, flooring,
insulation, electricity
More permanent than Tents & Less
permanent than air or Tensile
Structures

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Tension Structures
• metal pylons
• tensioning cable
• wooden or metal frameworks
are used to support the fabric.

-

Fabric carries most of the load
relatively minimal rigid support
system is required

APPLICATIONS OF COATED FABRICS IN BUILDING STRUCTURES

Air Structures
Air-supported structures can be built in
two ways
 Air pressure inside the Envelope
- Provides tensioning
- Maintains Required configuration &
stability

 Air-inflated ribs (air beams) supports
the structure

FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE AND CEMENT

 Cement based matrix
 Inherently brittle
 Failure under impact loading

 Fibre Reinforcement
 Increases the toughness or tensile properties
of basic matrix
 Decreases cracking of concrete
Fibres with moduli lower than the cement matrix - Cellulose, Nylon, Polypropylene
Fibres with moduli higher than the cement matrix - Glass, Carbon, Kevlar
High modulus short fibres may require bonding to avoid pull-out

TEXTILES FOR ACOUSTIC AND HEAT INSULATION

Absorbant textile materials : carpets, textile wall
coverings and curtains
•
•
•

To improve audibility
To preserve the natural quality of sound
To prevent transmission of undesired sound

•

Teflon fiberglass composite materials are used for noise reduction

•

Housewrap materials for thermal insulation
- reduce thes flow of air into and out of the house, cutting heating and cooling
energy costs.

Case study

Properties