High-performance materials in façade design - Structural membranes used in the building envelope

Modern materials are used throughout large building envelopes of today’s and tomorrow’s architecture. Freedom in form combined with the growing selection of materials make this application very popular. Material properties are presented and discussed to allow the specialist engineer to make the right decision when consulting owners and architects. Basic considerations and requirements can take the form of a checklist to make sure that all involved in the design process have the full background and understanding of this process. The presented case studies show a variety of solutions, including some typical material combinations. Clients will be convinced by what they see, and the examples provide an opportunity to further develop the subject, starting from a good base and understanding. The examples cover all common materials and methods, including ETFE, glass-PTFE, PVC polyester, glass-PTFE mesh as well as multi-layer insulated systems.