The Design and Construction Process - Tensile Fabric Structures: Design, Analysis, and Construction - page 27

6. What are the restrictions on location or magnitude of reaction load on the
supporting structure or grade? (In many fabric structures, the horizontal
reactions are larger than the vertical ones.)
7. Fabric roofs, particularly those with mast support, may be rather tall. Are
there building code or other limitations on the height of the structure?
8. What are project fire safety requirements?
9. What is the expected lifetime of the fabric membrane?
10. What is the project budget?
Based on the parameters that are established, the architect and structural engineer
may proceed with schematic design. Determination of the overall form of the
membrane and its supporting elements cannot proceed without concurrent
consideration of its structural feasibility, economy, and elegance. The best form
generally results from close, creative, and open minded collaboration during the
schematic design phase. The products of the schematic design should include the
following:
1. Overall plan and elevation drawings. These views should indicate the
approximate geometry of primary workpoints and the configuration and
approximate sizes of supporting members.
2. Selection of fabric type (e.g. PTFE or PVC) and color, as required to satisfy
project daylighting, fire safety, and durability requirements.
3. Approximate seam layouts and locations of field splices. The seam layout
should reflect the visual goals of the design, predominant fabric stresses, and
economy of fabric material use. Field splices should reflect erection
equipment and logistics, cable layouts, and visual impact.
4. Determination of how the construction and the remainder of the design will be
contracted.
5. Definition of loading and applicable codes and standards.
2.3 Contract Documents
Depending on decision made earlier regarding how engineering work is to be
contracted, engineering contract documents may be prepared either by the structural
engineer contracted by the architect, or by the fabric roof contractor, in the event that
the contractor is selected by bid or negotiation prior to the contract document phase.
The purpose of the contract document phase work is to delineate the design of the