Fascination Tensile Structures

The perfect combination of functionality and aesthetics

tensile

structures

02 03

Modern technology with proven materials

In addition to the use of form, the selection of the right material

is of essential importance to the success of the project. Irre-

spective of whether its technical textiles (coated or uncoated

fabric) or technical plastics (ETFE foils) – when choosing the

material, the planned use, service life of the construction as

well as later maintenance costs should all be considered. Buil-

ding regulations, structural requirements and illumination of the

covered area are also to be taken into account.

Whatever your requirements, the team from CENO TEC will pro-

vide you with the perfect solution from one source.

“Through the economical use of high-quality materials and by exploiting the structural properties of spatial

systems, light, portable buildings can be created without significant dead weight. The construction is limited

to the absolute necessities.”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frei Otto

Tensile Structures – the perfect combination of functionality and aesthetics

Page Contents

2 Table of contents

3 Fascination in membrane construction

4 - 9 Translucent construction with technical textiles 10 - 15 Transparent construction with ETFE foils

16 - 17 Full Service – from design to construction 18 Ceno Tec expertise

Visual simplicity, fascinating spatial

and light effects, unconventional, cur-

ved shapes and expressiveness – all

these characterise constructions fea-

turing technical textiles. Virtually no

other form of construction offers such

individuality and design opportunities.

Textile roofs allow large areas to be co-

vered without the need for supporting

columns or large spaces to be enclosed.

No other architecture creates such wide

spans with such a minimal use of mate-

rials and energy.

fascination t e n s i l e structures

04 05

Technical textiles are characterised by

high transparency and flexibility as well

as a low surface weight combined with

extremely high tensile strength. They

are not only a crucial design element,

but are a structurally indispensable part

of the overall construction thanks to the

pre-tensioning applied. When combined

with reinforcing features such as cab-

le structures and steel constructions,

membranes can be used to create an

almost unlimited number of surface

shapes.

Thanks to their high tensile strength (five times greater

than steel), coated fabrics can be used to create support-

free constructions with wide spans. Polyester fabrics are

available with either a plastic coating or glass fibre with

PTFE (Teflon®) or silicon coating.

Due to their high material flexibility, both plastic-coated

polyester fabric or high-quality PTFE fabric with a flexible

fluoropolymer coating are ideally suited for creating conver-

tible or temporary constructions.

Glass-fibre fabric with a PTFE (Teflon®) coating is particu-

larly noted for its durability, non-combustibility and the fact

that it is virtually self-cleaning.

The differences are illustrated in the table on page 7.

Translucent construction with technical textiles


fascination tensile structures

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A comparison of technical textiles

All advantages at a glance:

• Individual shape and colour

• Low material costs

• Short planning, manufacturing and

assembly time

• Support-free roofing for large areas

• Temporary and portable constructions

possible

• Enclosed structures possible using

thermally insulated and soundproofed,

• multilayer membrane constructions

• Savings on lighting

• Long lifespan

• Excellent heat protection – high reflec-

tivity

• Excellent resistance to earthquakes

Polyester fabric PTFE – coated class fibre fabric PTFE - glass mesh fabric PTFE fabric with fluoropolymer coating

Basic fabric Polyester Glas Glas PTFE

Coating material and surface finish

Plastic Acrylic, fluoropolymer and PVDF coating PTFE PTFE/ETFE foil Fluoropolymer

Gesamtgewicht (g/qm) von 800 – 1450 ca. 800 - 1550 ca. 680 – 1050 1080

Tensile strength (N/5 cm) 3000/3000 – 9800/8300 4200/4000 – 8000/7000 Approx. 4000-5000 4000

Flex resistance Good Adequate Adequate Very good

UV resistance Good Very good Very good Very good

Stain resistance Good Very good Good Very good

Translucence Approx. 5-15% Approx. 8-15% Approx. 20-65% 19-38%

Colour Standard white, colour selection possible

After bleaching: white – limited colour selection on request

After bleaching: White White

Fire classification

DIN 4102 B1 flame retardant

EN 13501-1B – s2, d0

DIN 4102 A2 Non-combustible

(with reservations)

DIN 4102 B1flame retardan

EN 13501B – s1,d0


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project examples

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In modern architecture, transparent

constructions utilising ETFE foils are

gaining in importance due to their high

translucence and UV resistance. They

are used in membrane construction in

thicknesses of 0.05 to 0.25 mm. Ideal

applications include sectors where the

conventional approach would often be to

use glass (swimming pools, water parks,

atriums, skylights, zoos, greenhouses

and palm houses etc.). In addition to op-

timal daylight conditions, they can also

promote plant growth and facilitate na-

tural tanning in enclosed spaces. By par-

tially coating the foils, it is also possible

to produce a shading effect.

Transparent construction with ETFE foils


An overview of the properties and advantages of ETFE structures:

• Especially high light transmitting capacity of approx. 90% in

the visible wavelength range

• (from 400 – 700 nm/UV)

• High UV transmissibility, depending on the material thick-

ness

• Good thermal insulation: U values, depending on the number

of foil layers

• G value between 0.10 and 0.85 depending on the design and

alignment of the ‘tyres’

• Low weight of foil cushions, thereby facilitating light, intrica-

te substructures

• Very good mechanical properties: High tensile strength/tear

resistance and hail resistance

• Flame retardant – ETFE foils burn off without dripping

• Low maintenance costs due to anti-adhesive surface with

self-cleaning effect

• Interesting design options offered by printing, e.g. shading

without additional construction

• Long service life of at least 25 - 35 years

• Cost savings in comparison with conventional transparent

roof constructions

• High recyclability


12 13 Transparent construction with ETFE foils

ETFE foil roofs are individually designed

to meet the structural requirements of

the building. To achieve a thermal insu-

lation effect, foil cushions with multi-

chamber systems are used.

U values :

• 1.51W/(m²K)

• 0.78W/(m²K)

Project-specific verification by a

hygrothermal analysis for Düsseldorf/

Duisburg.


Structures using multi-layer ETFE foils

As the foils are not fabric-reinforced, ETFE is primarily created

in the form of pneumatic cushions in a two or multi-layer design –

depending on the desired insulation value. These ‘tyres’ maintain

their form with permanent air support. The span of the individual

cushions can be up to 4.5 metres without requiring any additional

supporting structure. However, additional cable net reinforce-

ment allows for considerably larger spans. The air support and

controls can be largely automated.

Individual concepts enable the optimal design to be developed for

every project.

ETFE (Ethylen-Tetrafluor-Ethylen)

Base material Fluorpolymer

Total weight (g/m²) 175 (bei 100 μm)

Tensile strength (N/mm²)Longitudinal direction 51-58

Lateral direction 53

UV-resistance very good

Stain resistance very good

Translucence approx. 90 %

Colourhighly transparent,

printing and dyeing possible

Fire classification

DIN 4102 B1 flame retardant

EN 13501-1 / B-s1,d0


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project examples


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Scope

• Expert advice and support in the plan-

ning phase

• Provision of the testable statistical cal-

culation

• Creating the design plans

• Prefabrication of the entire structure,

the membrane and all accessories whi-

le maintaining the highest quality stan-

dards

• Delivery free to the construction site

• Complete installation from the top edge

of the foundations

• Service and maintenance

In all phases of the membrane construction, from the initial draft

to assembly, the experienced Ceno team of architects, engineers

and project managers will provide you with advice and practical

support.

You will benefit from our comprehensive experience in planning,

execution and installation, thereby ensuring that the realisation of

your idea doesn’t become an adventure but is a superior, aesthetic

structure.

Full-service membrane structures

Full service membrane construction


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Quality guarantee

Together the Ceno clothing operation in Greven and the Sattler clothing

operation in Rudersdorf form a multi-site organisational unit. An expe-

rienced and qualified team of approximately 200 employees, state-

of-the-art manufacturing and processing technologies in a production

facility greater than 14,000 m2 in area as well as efficient project and

quality management guarantee consistently high quality standards.

Since 2004, the entire Group has been certified in accordance with DIN

ISO 9001:2000 and DIN ISO 14001:2004.

Other product areas

In addition to textile architecture, Ceno Tec enjoys great success

with membrane constructions in many other areas including:

• Flood protection systems

• Mobile noise protection barriers

• Hall cladding

• Biogas storage tanks

• Membrane structures for booth construction and interior architec-

ture (illuminated ceilings, room dividers etc.)

With Ceno Tec as a prominent partner for success

CENO TEC has a global reputation for

creating membrane structures of all sizes

and is one of the pioneers in this sector.

The origins of the company can be traced

back to Carl Nolte, a traditional compa-

ny that was processing textile fabrics as

long ago as 1875. Since 1996, Ceno

Tec has been an independent subsidia-

ry of the international company Sattler

AG which had its headquarters in Graz,

Austria. Sattler AG is one of the major

heavy-duty textile producers and coating

operations in Europe. The Sattler Group

is not only a European market leader in

sun protection fabrics but also manufac-

tures high-strength coated textiles for a

wide range of applications (including tex-

tile architecture).

fascination tensil e structures

the sattler group

Ceno Membrane Technology GmbH Am Eggenkamp 14

48268 Greven, GermanyTel +49 2571 969 0Fax +49 2571 3300

[email protected]

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Fascination Tensile Structures