Abstract:

There are several advantages of using a textile structure in architecture and construction. Fabric structures give freedom to architects to design various shapes and appearances. Depending on the application the fabric may require different properties. This paper reviews the application and scope.

Keywords: Architectural and Construction Textiles

Introduction:

Textiles are employed in many ways in the construction of buildings, both permanent and temporary, dams, bridges, tunnels and roads. A closely related area of use is in geotextiles by the civil engineering sector.

Temporary structures such as tents, marquees and awnings are some of the most obvious and visible applications of textiles. Textiles are also widely employed in the course of construction operations themselves, in uses as diverse as safety netting, lifting and tensioning ropes and flexible shuttering for curing concrete.

Materials used:

Nonwoven glass and polyester fabrics are already widely used in roofing applications while other textiles are used as breathable membranes to prevent moisture penetration of walls. Fibres and textiles also have a major role to play in building and equipment insulation.

Where these used to be exclusively made from proofed heavy cotton, a variety of lighter, stronger, rot-, sunlight and weatherproof synthetic materials are now increasingly required. A relatively new category of architectural membrane is coming to prominence in the construction of semi permanent structures such as sports staid, exhibition structures and other modern buildings.

Textiles for architecture and construction should be resistant to deformation and extension under tension and to wind and water. The fabric must be waterproof, impermeable to air and wind, and resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage. It should also to be resistant to degradation from long-term exposure to sunlight and acid rain. Depending on the application, the fabric may need to transmit or reflect different levels of light. These requirements can be met by applying special coating to base fabrics.

Synthetic fibres allowed development of high performance fabrics with properties such as good strength, hydrophobicity, rot and fungi resistance which are essential properties of fabrics to be used as building and construction materials. Coated fabrics are now widely being used as the envelope of large building constructions such as airports, stadiums, sports halls, exhibitions and display halls, and storage bases for industrial and military supplies. The fabric resists extremes of sunlight, temperature, biological attack, wind, rain and snow.

Base Fabrics

Base fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibres and form the carrier layer which provides the necessary strength to the structure. Although aramid and carbon fibres have excellent properties, they are rather expensive to use in these types of construction extensively. The most widely used materials are high tenacity polyester, fiberglass and nylon. Use of synthetic materials allowed lower backing fabric weight compared to conventional canvas fabric made of natural fibres.