Structural Design of Membrane Structures Using ETFE Films Considering the Visco-Plastic Material Properties

Films are frequently used as materials of membrane structures in recent years. Material properties of them are different from the conventional coated fabric materials in various aspects. Films are stress-softening type material, and coated fabrics are stress-hardening type material on the other hand. Therefore the concept of safety factor of materials and whole structures should be established considering material properties. In this paper structural characteristics of film membrane structures are examined through showing some new projects in Japan.