Membrane structure is a new type of building structure method developed in the middle of the 20th century. It is a kind of space structure method that many kinds of high tensile strength membrane materials and reinforced members (steel frame, steel column or steel cable) produce certain pretension stress to form a certain space shape through certain methods, and can accept certain external load.

Membrane structure, its new architectural form and outstanding force characteristics, is widely used in sports, culture and entertainment, transportation, industrial and agricultural buildings and landmark buildings.


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1.Commonly used materials in membrane structures


The most commonly used membrane structures in membrane structures are PTFE membrane and PVC membrane materials.


1、PTFE membrane


（1）PTFE membrane is a composite material made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) resin modified on a substrate made of very fine fiberglass fabric.

（2）Its characteristics are: high strength, good durability, fire resistance, flame retardance and self-cleanliness, and it is not affected by ultraviolet radiation. The number of life span are more than 20 years.

（3）Highly transparent and the light passing through the film material is naturally relaxed with no shadows or glares；

（4）The reflectivity of solar energy is 73%, so it absorbs less heat. Even under the condition of summer sun exposure, the interior of the building will not be affected too much.


2、PVC membrane


（1）PVC membrane material is a composite material made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) resin modified on the base fabric of polyester fiber.


（2）The strength and fire resistance of PVC membrane material compared with PTFE generally the life span is about 7~15 years.


（3）To solve the self-cleaning problem of PVC membrane, PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) is usually coated on PVC coating to form PVDF membrane.


二、Types of membrane structure


According to different structural methods, membrane structures can be divided into 3 types: frame membrane structure, inflatable membrane structure and tension membrane structure.


1、Frame membrane structure: The structural method of laying membrane on a frame of steel or other materials to form a roof or outer wall. The shape includes plane shape, single curved surface and hyperbolic shape represented by saddle shape.


2、Inflatable membrane structure：It is a structural method that air is filled into the room made up of membrane structure and maintains that the pressure of indoor air is always higher than that of outdoor air so that the membrane material is in tension to resist loads and external forces. One-layer structure and two-layer structure.


3、Tension membrane structure：It is a structural method by which the membrane material is tensioned on the structure by a cable. The outer surface of the membrane reaches the balance of internal and external forces by changing its curvature.

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