Application Area

Tensile Structure for Sport Complex

Modern sports complexes have been redesigned as a result of tensile structures, allowing for massive unobstructed areas and structures to be housed at low cost. Instead of the heavy steel trusses in standard stadiums, tensile systems are made up of tensile membranes (such as PTFE-coated glass fiber) that expand beyond the height required for conventional construction, creating a vertical and horizontal membrane that prevents internal support columns. This ensures athletes and spectators sightlines clear from football pitches, tennis courts, or swimming pools. The materials are lightweight and provide for unique and sweeping architectural designs that would be impossible with conventional concrete and masonry, let alone so expensive.

The most important benefit to athletic facilities is the control of natural light. Tensile fabrics have translucent features which allow a high share of diffused sunlight to pass through the playing surface, lessening a need for artificial lighting during the day and providing a lower-profile and more natural scene for competition. This helps to mitigate the harsh and high-contrast shadows that can disrupt a player’s vision or broadcast quality. If you’re developing outdoor complex, the tensioned “shade sails” of cantilevered canopies are designed for essential UV coverage for spectators watching out in the stands, and the aerodynamic form of the roof can help eliminate wind loads and maximize ventilation, allowing for indoor air freshness and temperature control.