Fabric structures are composed of actual fabric rather than meshes or films. Typically, the fabric is coated and laminated with synthetic materials for increased strength, durability, and environmental resistance.

Membrane Structures are highly popular in architectural design now a days. There is trend of using membrane structures. It satisfies both attractive architect's design as well as structural design.

Due to its light weight, earthquake force is neglected, whereas wind load is critical for the structure.

1. Cotton Canvas

This is oldest n commonly used fabric material for the making of tents and shades on old days. It can be a light cotton twill, light canvas, or heavy proofed canvas.

2. Polyesters

The property of strength, durability, cost, and stretch make polyester material the most widely used in fabric structures. Polyesters that are laminated or coated with PVC films are usually the least expensive option for longer-term fabrications.

Polyester fabrics are futher divided into 2 types.

A. Vinyl-laminated polyesters

A laminated fabric usually is composed of a reinforcing polyester scrim pressed between two layers of unsupported PVC film. For most fabric structure uses, however, it refers to two or more layers of fabric or film joined by heat, pressure, and an adhesive to form a single ply.

B. Vinyl-coated polyester

Vinyl-coated polyester is made up of a polyester scrim, a bonding or adhesive agent, and exterior PVC coatings. It is the most frequently used material for flexible fabric structures.

3. Fiberglass

Woven fiberglass coated with PTFE is also a widely used base material. Glass fibres are drawn into continuous filaments, which are then bundled into yarns. The yarns are woven to form a substrate. The fiberglass carries a high ultimate tensile strength, behaves elastically, and does not suffer from significant stress relaxation or creep. Because of its energy efficiency, high melting temperature and lack of creep, fiberglass-based fabrics have been the material of choice for stadium domes and other permanent structures. Fiberglass fabrics are further divided into-

• 1. Olefin / polyolefin fabric
• 2. Polyvinylidene fluoride woven
• 3. ePTFE woven

4. Blackout Fabric

Blackout fabric is a opaque material which consists of a laminate that sandwiches an opaque layer between two white exterior layers. Heating and lighting of a structure may be controlled because the fabric does not allow light to permeate the top or walls. The opaque quality also prevents stains, dirt, repairs, or slightly mismatched panels on the structure's exterior from being noticed from the inside.

• Types of Tensile Fibre and Structure
• Feature of Tensile Membrane
• Properties of Tensile Membrane
• Application of Tensile Membrane
• Advantages of Tensile Membrane
• Characteristics of Tensile Membrane Structure
• Types of Fabric Material for Tensile Structures
• Factors Affecting Performance of Membrane Structures