The Use of PVC Materials: The World's First Tensile Membrane Structure

In 1973, the architectural world witnessed the birth of a revolutionary structure: the University of La Verne Sports Science and Athletics Pavilion.

As the world's first permanent membrane structure, it utilized the then-innovative PVC-coated fabric membrane. Its roof consisted of five cones of coated fabric projecting upward at different angles. The building is a striking landmark of the University of La Verne.

The Use of Membrane Structures

Before the University of La Verne Sports Science and Athletics Pavilion, human use of membrane structures actually dates back thousands of years. The earliest membrane structures were tents made of natural branches and animal skins.

The development of modern membrane structures began in the mid-20th century. In 1917, an American named Lanchester proposed using newly invented electric blowers to inflate membrane fabric to serve as a field hospital, but this proposal remained at the conceptual stage. In 1946, Walter Baird built a 15-meter-diameter circular inflatable radome for the US military to protect radar from the elements, marking the first practical use of membrane structures.

In 1967, German architect Otto designed the West German Pavilion at the Montreal International Exposition in Canada, using a lightweight, transparent organic woven sheet as its roof structure, marking the commercialization of membrane structures.

At the 1970 Osaka World Exposition in Japan, the quasi-elliptical American Pavilion (140 x 83.5 meters) featured an air-supported membrane structure, using PVC-coated fiberglass fabric for the first time. This was the world's first large-span membrane structure and marked the beginning of the membrane structure era.

A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Architectural Technology

The membrane structure of the University of La Verne athletic hall utilizes Saint-Gobain's Sheerfill Teflon-coated fiberglass architectural membrane. This material represented the highest level of membrane technology at the time.

Membrane structures typically consist of a variety of high-strength membrane materials and reinforcing members. Prestressed internally is generated in a specific manner to create a specific spatial shape, serving as a covering structure and capable of withstanding external loads. Compared to traditional building materials, membranes offer properties such as lightness, high strength, light transmittance, and self-cleaning.

Membrane is a flexible structure that can only resist tension, not compression or bending. It relies on changes in the curvature of the membrane surface, which redistributes internal forces and generates stiffness to resist external loads perpendicular to the curve.

The roof of the University of La Verne Sports Arena is composed of five cone-shaped coated fabrics projecting upward at different angles, offering a significant span and tensile strength.

This design not only meets functional requirements but also creates a stunning architectural aesthetic.

Properties and Advantages of PVC-Coated Fabric

The PVC-coated fabric used in the University of La Verne Sports Arena is made of a polyester filament cloth base coated with polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC).

This membrane, a Class C membrane material, features high strength, high elasticity, and aging resistance.

The characteristics of PVC-coated fabric make it well-suited for membrane structures. Compared to traditional Class A membranes (glass fiber cloth base coated with polytetrafluoroethylene resin), PVC-coated fabric is more affordable and easier to manufacture. Although PVC is not as durable as Teflon, with a typical lifespan of around 15 years, the University of La Verne Athletic Fieldhouse has exceeded all expectations—it requires no maintenance and remains as pristine today as it did back then, over 40 years later.

Core Advantages of Membrane Structures

The rapid growth and popularity of membrane structures stems from their many advantages.

The lightweight nature of membranes makes them suitable for spanning large spaces, creating expansive, column-free, long-span structures.

The membrane material used in membrane structures weighs only about one kilogram per square meter.

Low maintenance is another major advantage of membrane structures. The University of La Verne Athletic Fieldhouse's maintenance-free service for over 40 years is a testament to this.

This is closely related to the membrane's self-cleaning properties—rainwater washes away the surface to keep it clean.

Membrane structures can also reduce energy costs. The membrane's translucency and high reflectivity allow for abundant natural light, reducing costs for artificial lighting and air conditioning.

Membrane structures are also environmentally friendly and require a short construction period. The membrane materials are cut, assembled, and the steel structure and cables are all manufactured in the factory. Only assembly is required on-site, making construction simple and time-efficient compared to traditional buildings.

Conclusion

Today, membrane structures are ubiquitous around the globe. From the "Super Tent" at the University of La Verne in the United States to the Osaka Expo Exhibition Hall in Japan, and the new Guangzhou Baiyun Airport terminal in China, membrane structures continue to push the boundaries of architecture with their unique advantages.

They break the mold of purely linear architectural styles. With their unique and graceful curved forms, they offer a refreshing and refreshing blend of simplicity, clarity, strength, and softness, strength, and beauty.