Membrane structure is renowned to be the “21st Century Architecture” because of the simple and elegant curve surface sculpt and the excellent characteristics in such functions as optics, mechanics, heat preservation, fire resistance, water proof, self-cleaning surface, and so on. Membrane structure projects are the high-tech engineering, which are composed of architecture, structural mechanics, fine chemistry, material science and computer science. Membrane structure project has a history of more than 50 years with a promising and prosperous future. In China, the theory and practice of membrane structure is just starting underway. Currently, the established major membrane structure project, taking the roof membrane structure of Shanghai Gymnasium for example, which can contain 80,000 people, located in Xuhui District, are usually designed and manufactured by foreign companies and all the membrane structure materials are imported stuff.
→ The major application of membrane structure is such circumstance as follows: (1)Sports and exercise equipments: stadium, gym and so on (2) Culture and entertainment equipments: museum, music square, mini-type of the green land in the park, amusement park and so on (3) Commercial public infrastructure: shopping mall, department, exhibition hall and so on (4) Transportation establishment: airport lounge hall, hangar, railway station, bus stop, gas station, parking space, toll station and so on
→Architecture membranestructure materials in common use include as followings: (1) PTFE：compounded with PTFE layer and fiber glass grass roots. PTFE membrane materials are high quality with high price as well.
(2) PVC：compounded with PVC layer and polyester fiber grass roots. PVC membrane materials are widely used with reasonable price.
(3) PVC with added layer：with polyvinyl fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinyl chloride (PVDC) covered on the surface of PVC membrane materials. The function is superior to the pure PVC membrane materials with the price a bit higher than that of pure PVC membrane materials.
→Characteristics of membrane structure:
◇ Acoustics characteristic the general membrane structure is almost transparent under 60 Hz frequencies. For special sound absorptive requirement, the membrane structure assembled with FABRASORB equipment is available, which is more effective to absorb sounds than glass.
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Heat preservation characteristic membrane structure with single layer has the common point in heat preservation with the brick, which is prior to the glass. Similar to the structures built by other materials, within the internal of membrane structure, the inner temperature can be adjusted by other methods. For instance: adding heat preservation layer within the internal of membrane structure, using the air conditioner for heat preservation and so on.
◇ Fire resistance characteristic now the widely used membrane structure is able to meet the need for fire resistance perfectly, which has excellent functions for impeding the burning and resisting the high temperature. It has superior to the international criteria in many countries, such as France, German, America, and Japan.
◇ Mechanic characteristic the PVC membrane structure of the medium intensity has the thickness of only 0.61 mm. The intension of stretching is equivalent to the half of the steel. The PTFE membrane structure of the medium intensity has the thickness of only 0.8mm. While its intension of stretching has reached the level of the steel. The elasticity modulus is comparably low, which attributes to the formation of complex curve surface.
◇ Optics characteristic the material of membrane structure can filtrate most of ultraviolet radiation and protect the inner articles against fading. It can transmit 25% natural light. The transmitted light will produce symmetrical diffusive light within the membrane structure, without shadow or dizzy light. It has good character to display different colors. At night, with the common effect of the light from the surroundings and the inner illumination, the enjoyers may have euphoria by the natural and soft brilliance on the surface of membrane structure.
◇ Self cleaning characteristic Outside the structure, the PTFE or PVC with special process creates a self-cleaning surface, for the rain drop may combine into little stream falling down the surface of the membrane structure and maintaining a "clean as new" look and translucency throughout the life of the fabric. Inside the unique geometric patterning creates an optical illusion of much larger, open and free space.
