Fabric Building Design

[FWilson]

I am looking for some continuing education in the design of fabric structures, just basics to allow me to understand what vendors are telling me. Any ideas, any location? I am not finding anything.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Pretty niche area. However, I do know there is a book out there that delves extensively into this. Sorry - no clue about name, author, etc....

 

[dik]

and some really interesting case file... there have been a few collapses...

Dik

 

[stillfan]

The FSA or IFAI hold conventions with classes that will provide you CEC. The website is

http://www.ifai.com/.

 

[stillfan]

What type of fabric structures are you looking at? Air inflated,Tensioned, architectural, temporary, or permanent? I myself work with tensioned fabric structures and would be happy to help you with any questions you may have. The ASCE has just released a new book ASCE 55-10 that may help you with any code related questions.

There have been collapses but there have been conventional framed buildings that have also failed under the same conditions. You only hear about the fabric structures failing because they are excellent structures for clear span needs, ie; open sport stadiums, making them a high profiled failure as opposed to someones' home. There are several structures out there that have been standing for 20+ yrs.

Think of it this way Toyota's braking system failed does that mean that a Cadillac brake's will? You get what you pay for.