What is an inflatable membrane structure?

In today's architectural landscape, a practical architectural form is quietly changing our traditional understanding of space. It's the inflatable membrane structure. Imagine a giant "air bag" that can cover an entire stadium or warehouse without the support of traditional beams and columns. This is the intuitive image that an inflatable membrane structure brings to mind. So, how exactly is it constructed?

An inflatable membrane structure relies on air pressure differences to support the membrane and form a stable architectural space. Its operating principle can be simply described as "blowing up a giant, structured balloon." There are two types of inflatable membrane structures.

Air-supported membrane structure: This is the most common form. By continuously pumping air into the enclosed membrane space, the internal air pressure is slightly higher than the external atmospheric pressure. This slight pressure difference is sufficient to support the massive membrane roof, resist the loads of wind and snow, and secure it to the ground through an anchoring system. People and vehicles enter and exit through revolving doors or airlock gates to maintain stable internal air pressure.

Air-rib membrane structures: This method involves inflating multiple tubular or arched membrane "ribs" with high-pressure air. These inflatable "ribs" serve as a skeleton, upon which the membrane material is laid, forming the main structure. It does not require maintaining internal air pressure throughout the entire space.

The exceptional performance of inflatable membrane structures is largely due to their core material. The specialized material used for the inflatable membrane we often refer to is PVC-coated fabric. This composite material is typically woven from high-strength polyester or glass fibers into a base fabric, which is then coated or calendered with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) on both sides, and then treated with special treatments such as PVDF or PVF.

This structure gives it unparalleled properties:

High Strength: The internal fiber base fabric provides extremely high tensile strength, enabling it to withstand significant tension. Durability: The PVC coating and surface treatment provide excellent resistance to UV rays, aging, and acid and alkali corrosion, with a service life of up to 15-25 years.

Flexibility and Self-Cleaning: The material itself is soft and easy to stretch and form. The PVDF surface layer exhibits a "lotus effect," allowing rainwater to wash away and keep the surface clean, reducing maintenance costs.

Fire Retardancy: High-quality PVC-coated fabrics can meet B1 flame retardancy standards, effectively improving building safety.

Excellent Light Transmittance: The membrane material itself has varying light transmittance (typically between 5% and 20%), allowing for natural daylight to be utilized during the day, saving significant energy and creating a bright and soft indoor lighting environment.

These properties make PVC-coated fabrics an ideal partner for inflatable membrane structures.

With advances in materials science and intelligent control technology, future inflatable membrane structures will become even more intelligent, energy-efficient, and multifunctional.

Inflatable membrane structures represent a combination of cost-effectiveness and superior performance. They are one of the best solutions for large space requirements. It is not just a building, but also a flexible, efficient and environmentally friendly way of creating space.