• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2016

Until recently, almost all ETFE film structures that have been erected is the cushion type because there are problems at lower allowable strength under elastic range and viscosity behaviour such as creep and relaxation of ETFE films under long-term stresses. But the number of tension type structures is currently increasing. This paper proposes the stretch fabrication of ETFE film to verify the applicability of ETFE films to tensile membrane structures. First of all, to investigate the possibility of application on tensile membrane structures, the stretch fabrication test is carried out, and it is verified that it is possible to increase the yield strength of the film membrane structures. After simulating the experiment also carries out an analytical investigation, and the effectiveness of the elasto-plastic analysis considering the viscous behavior of the film is investigated. Finally, post-aging tension measurement is conducted at the experimental facilities, and the viscosity behavior resulting from relaxation is investigated with respect to tensile membrane structures.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.85-92
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• 2014

Most of the structural forms in which ETFE film is used are the cushion(pneumatic membrane structures) and tension type(tensile membrane structures), which have been generally accepted to be the most efficient forms. Tensile membrane structures are pulled outward from the exterior to introduce initial stress. And such structures offer the advantage of a natural shape formed by tensile stress and eliminate the need for blast air. Recently, the number of tension type structures is increasing. However, there are problems of creep and relaxation of ETFE films under long-term stresses. In this paper, the stretch fabrication method is proposed for stretching the film into the plastic region during initial tensioning as a way to increase its strength. And its effectiveness is confirmed by investigating experimental and analytical test using ETFE films.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2009

ETFE is the abbreviation of Ethlene Tetra Fluoro Ethlene, a sort of colorless and transparent granules. The advantage of ETFE film has chemical resistance, anti-stick property, very lightly material. The thickness of ETFE film is used to from 50 ${\mu}m$ to 300 ${\mu}m$ and have superior ability of daylight transmission and elongation, while the strength is lower than of fabric membrane. The tensile strength of ETFE film changes from 40Mpa to 60Mpa and the tensile strain at break can get to about 300-400%. The mechanical characteristic test of ETFE film is described in this paper. The tensile strain at break, the tensile strength and the stress-strain curve are obtained from the test. And then it was analyzed stress-strain characteristic by temperature and mechanical characteristic by cycling load.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2010

ETFE is the abbreviation of Ethylen Tetra Fluoro Etylene, a sort of colorless and transparent granules. The advantage ETFE film has daylight transmission and chemical the resistance and The thickness of ETFE film is used to from $50{\mu}m$ to $300{\mu}m$ and tensile strength of ETFE film changes from 40MPa to 60MPa and the tensile strain at break can get to about 300-400%. In this paper, ETFE film carried out the tensile proprieties, such as the tensile strain at break, the tensile strength are examined.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2016

The Membrane structure has a number of problems in the application of a fireproof code based on general buildings codes. Thus, the fireproof code of membrane structure is necessary to activate the construction of the membrane structure. Because it requires a systematic classification of fire retardant and flame proof performance of membrane material. Fire retardant and flame proof tests are conducted on membrane materials mostly used in current construction to propose the fire and flame retardant performance criteria of membrane materials. Fire and flame retardant tests results, PTFE membrane material with the glass fiber fabric have a limit-combustible performance. PVDF membrane material with the polyester fabric does not ensure the fire retardant performance, but this membrane material has the flame retardant performance of a thick fabric. Also, ETFE does not ensure the fire retardant performance, but this membrane material has the flame retardant of a thin fabric.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2016

Membrane structures can be used to create diverse lightweight structural forms using ductile membranes made of coated fabric. Using membrane structures, it is possible to construct large covered spaces relatively quickly and economically, and hence, they are being applied within various applications. The structures are light-weight, transparent, flexible in their application, economical and easy to maintain, and as such, their usage is being expanded. However, despite their prevalence, the standard for membrane material performance in terms of fire safety is still inadequate, and the development of membrane materials with excellent flame resistance performance is being demanded. This study determined flame resistance performance of architectural membranes, including PTFE, PVDF, PVF and ETFE film membranes, through flammability testing and incombustibility testing.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2010

Membrane structures are now used in various ways throughout the world with the merits of free shape, lightness, durability, sunlight transmittance and homogeneous material. The development of new membrane material opened up new possibility for the design of new building structures. Recently it was mainly used PVC, PVF, PVDF, PTFE, ETFE membrane for using the roofing material of membrane structures. Some problems of architectural membrane have fire proofing, lack of strength, tear resistance, durability and elasticity. For the estimation of this problems, it will be tested the basic mechanical properties of membrane material about tensile strength, tearing resistance and repeated loading behavior. Elastic modulus is 337.30~1257.63N/$mm^2$, and strain is 17.90~26.91%.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.75-82
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• 2009

This paper investigates the variation of post-buckling behaviours of spatial structures after sizing optimization with linear assumptions. The mathematical programming technique is used to produce the optimum member size of spatial structures against external load. Total weight of structure is considered as the objective function to be minimized and the displacement occurred at loading point and member stresses of structures are used as the constraint functions. The finite difference method is used to calculate the design sensitivity of objective function with respect to design variables. The post-buckling analysis carried out by using the geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis code ISADO-GN. It is found to be that there is a huge difference between the post buckling behaviours of the initial and optimized structures. Therefore, the stability of optimized spatial structures with linear assumption should be throughly checked by appropriate nonlinear analysis techniques. Finally, the present numerical results are provided as benchmark test suite for future study of large spatial structures.