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Theater Curtain Weight

Theater Curtain Weight

Theater Curtain Weight

(OP)
Does anyone know how much in psf a typical high school theater curtain weighs?  It looks like the velour kind in the existing theater we are remodeling.

RE: Theater Curtain Weight

Remember that it's not just the material, but the weights that are inserted in the bottom to keep it vertical.  

In lieu of going to a fabric store, getting a sample and weighing it (lining too), I would assign 1 psf times the height and  fabric length, applied accross the length of the rod, plus the extra lead weights.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto:  KISS
Motivation:  Don't ask

RE: Theater Curtain Weight

BP is correct.  

Another good site to investigate is http://www.mainstage.com/default.asp?id=61

In looking at some of the fabrics, 1 to 1.5 psf is not unreasonable.  Coupling that with the pleating and 3 to 5 psf is the range.  Depending on the height of the curtain, you could be looking at 100 to 150 plf to the rod.  
 

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto:  KISS
Motivation:  Don't ask

RE: Theater Curtain Weight

Don't forget that it is a curtain.  It can be gathered all together, maybe even at midspan.

RE: Theater Curtain Weight

Would dynamic loads (accelerating the curtain, stopping it, "jerking it" when the rollers sticks ....) be much smaller than the static weight alone?

Or big enough to add as a separate "live load" like on a roof or crane rail?

RE: Theater Curtain Weight

The main dynamic load I see would be teenage boys using the curtain to exhibit their climbing prowess to teenage girls.  Or vice versa.

RE: Theater Curtain Weight

Keep it clean Hokie.  Keep it clean...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto:  KISS
Motivation:  Don't ask

RE: Theater Curtain Weight

Years ago I was resident engineer for renovation of an abandoned theatre. During the project a production company made a Nightmare on Elm Street video there. Prior to their arrival a production assistant called to ask me if the curtain opened - I was able to raise it - but it was
F-----G heavy!

RE: Theater Curtain Weight

design it like you would a folding partition.  250plf is what i use if i don't have any info.

design for the distributed load, and for it to be bunched up and any point along the span.

RE: Theater Curtain Weight

Most importantly, when designing, be sure to "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain".  

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