The sturdiness of a tensile structure is not only central to maintaining its impressive look, but its functionality as well. While a tensile structure contains a number of important elements, joints are of key importance when it comes to maintaining a structure that is both attractive and safe.
In this blog from ARC Structures, we explore the importance of sturdy tensile structure joints for tensile structures – noting the different types of structure joints found within tensile structures, key points on maintenance, and the impact on maximising safety.
Get in touch today to secure a safe, sturdy solution from ARC.
The Different Types of Tensile Structure Joints
Generally, the joints used to construct tensile membrane structures can be grouped into several key categories: surface-to-surface, surface-to-edge, corners, and field support connections. These joints aid load transferring, adjustability, and precision, while also maximising durability and maintaining a structure’s aesthetic.
Here is a breakdown of each main category:
Surface-to-Surface Joints
Surface-to-surface joints are made from a surface on one body that roles and slides on the surface of a second body, connected by a contact point. In the majority of cases, the contact point between two bodies is anti-parallel.
Edge-to-Face Joints
Edge-to-face connections connect the edge of one body with the main faces on another selected surface. Often used to connect a structure’s vertical components, care must be taken to carefully align the two pieces of this joint, as misalignment can lead to a lipped edge or compromised strength.
Edge-to-face joints come in a number of varieties, each suited to differing structural contexts, e.g.:
- Glued edge-to-face joints
- Fastened edge-to-face joints
- Biscuited edge-to-face joints
- Splined edge-to-face joints
Corner Joints
Corner joints join two pieces of material at a right angle, resulting in a L-shaped formation. They can be used across a range of contexts, but are especially useful for tensile structures that involve the joining of sheets of metal and tubular material.
Field Support Joints
A field joint refers to a welded connection between two pipeline sections. In many cases, metal pipelines are laid down and smaller, individual pipeline sections are placed in designated pipeline supports. These are then combined using a single or double joint segment, before being welded together securely.
Safety Concerns of Tensile Structures
As with all large structures, wear and tear over time may compromise the safety of an installation. Since tensile fixtures rely so heavily on their structural elements for shape and sturdiness, effectively maintaining these elements is vital to keeping your structure safe.
Factors such as adverse weather conditions, manual tampering and general wear and tear may cause the loosening of joints or other structural elements. Not only might this result in the structure becoming unstable or falling, but it may also result in loose nuts and bolts becoming detached and posing a hazard to surrounding structures and passers-by.
To reduce the likelihood of safety challenges, regular maintenance and inspections should be conducted to ensure that all of a structure’s elements remain secure.
How to Maintain a Tensile Structure
To maximise the safety of your structure, it is important to conduct regular maintenance and inspection to ensure that any faults or weaknesses can be remedied. While annual maintenance may be sufficient for many projects, a tensile structure may require more frequent maintenance depending on its location and use.
For example, structures built in areas prone to adverse weather may require more regular maintenance. In addition, tensile structures erected in environments such as schools that might see greater interference from external objects may wish to increase the frequency of routine maintenance to optimise safety.
Here are some steps to take to maintain your tensile structures:
- Within maintenance procedures, checks on structural elements such as joints are essential.
- During an inspection, a joint should be cleaned of any debris that may cause wear or compromise performance.
- Following cleaning, any structural issues or damage should be repaired to ensure effective working.
Some maintenance providers may even apply paints or coatings that maximise lifespan and reduce the likelihood of future damage.
Depending on the materials your tensile structure is made from, maintenance specialists may also look out for issues associated with a particular material. For example, when inspecting a structure with a steel frame, an inspector may check for structural issues commonly associated with steel. These might include:
- Corrosion – steel structures may show signs of corrosion as a result of exposure to moisture, salt, acids and other external factors. A corroding structure may begin to develop rust, which weakens the structure. Keeping an eye out for corrosion on joints, nuts and bolts is a key element of effective maintenance.
- Fatigue – often a product of intense loading alongside wear and tear, can lead to cracks and failure – so it’s important to keep an eye out for this during inspection.
- Welding Defects – these result in cracks, porosity and incomplete fusion – all of which can result in the weakening and failure of joints and should be checked for during inspection.
- Deformation – steel structures can become deformed for a number of reasons, such as overloading and impact. Regular maintenance will detect and remedy signs of deformation, leading to replacements if required.
Find out more about how to maintain your tensile structure in our detailed guide >.
Sturdy Tensile Architecture from ARC Structures
Joints hold everything together, so you need to ensure these components are as sturdy as possible for your tensile structure. This ensures a safe and long-lasting build that will continue to add value to your property for years to come.
At ARC Structures, we specialise in creating innovative, visually interesting tensile fabric structures and canopies, built to your specifications and in line with your brief and your budget. We are on hand to help extend the lifespan of your structure with bespoke maintenance solutions. To speak to one of our team about our range of products and tensile structures, get in touch today.
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