membrane structure and its application i

1 MEMBRANE STRUCTURE AND ITS APPLICATION IN INDONESIA

MEMBRANE STRUCTURE AND ITS APPLICATION IN INDONESIA

By

Elisa Haryonugrohoi

ABSTRACT

Membrane structure, was developed in the mid-20th century. Currently, the application of

membrane structure in architecture is wider and more various in accordance with the

development of the architecture itself. Membrane structures are extremely economical to design

and manufacture, as long as it is covering a larger area. A smaller structure can prove to be less

cost effective. Due to the low weight of materials used in membrane structures, construction

costs and the time taken are kept low even when extensive areas need to be covered.

In Indonesia, the challenge of the use of membrane structure is slightly different than other

countries. Membrane structure is able to meet the requirement regarding to the local climate and

weather, but it still remains home work in term of planning and manufacturing. On the following

paper examines what Tian, Di, observed membrane material and membrane structure in

architecture. It gives an overview about the application of membrane structure with various types

of membrane structure, various types of membrane material, the technical demands which may

be vary by geography. Here taken Jakarta as a sampling of variant representing the membrane

structure which is most widely used among locations in Indonesia. This issue is addressed to

inspiring further study about material, membran engineering, structure planning, and

manufacturing of membran structure in Indonesia.

Key words:

Membrane structure, frame membrane structure, air-inflated membrane structure

INTRODUCTION

Soon or later, membrane structure will be applied in very wide range of construction in islands

country such as Indonesia, where shipment cost is critical. This paper describe literarture research


about types of membrane structure, types of membrane material, and architecture characteristic of

membrane structure. Based on this study, it explores the application of membrane structure for long

span roof and enclosed-building. It also examines the application of real construction cases which

was erected in some location in Indonesia. This paper will describe the advantages and

disadvantages of local resources in order to realizing a huge various challenge of membrane

structure.

1. VARIOUS MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

Membrane structure is a spatial structure made from tensioned membranes. They are made

from a process which uses materials such as PVC coated glass fabric, PVC coated polyester

fabric, PTFE membrane, ETFE membrane, and translucent polyethylene fabrics. They are

grouped under 3 major categories, which are tension/tensile membrane structure, frame

membrane structure, and air-inflated membrane structure or pneumatic structure. Membran

structure or tension roofs or canopies are those in which every part of the structure is loaded

only in tension, with no requirement to resist compression or bending forces.

1.1. TENSION AND SUSPENSION MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

The tension/suspension membrane structure represents the main stream of membrane

design and construction at this era. In this type of membrane structure, all membrane

surfaces will have a curve shape. There is no point of zero curvature so that the membrane

Fig 1. Olympia Stadium, Germany. 1972 Fig 2. Pampidou, Metz, France


surface represents more natural stream line and more smooth. Therefore this type of

membrane structure is usually most preferable by the designers because of its aesthetics.

The tension is induced in the membrane in addition to any self weight and live loads they

may carry, with the objective to ensure that the normally very flexible structural elements

remain stiff under all working loads.

Tension can be applied to the membrane by stretching from its edges or by pre- tensioning

cables which is supporting the membrane and hence changing its shape. In this case, the

level of pretension will determine the shape of membrane structure. (Fig. 1)

1.2. FRAME MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

This kind of membrane structure is composed by a self-stable frame structure covered with

membrane. The frame structure can be steel frame, steel space frame or space truss, then

working together to support all working loads. The design of this structural system is similar

than the usual frame structure. The only difference is that the membrane should be

calculated as a plane stress element so that the external loads are carried by tensile

stresses that are induced in the membrane surface only, called membrane stresses. (Fig. 2)

1.3. AIR-INFLATED MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

The air-supported or air-inflated membrane structure uses the air pressure that is blown

continuously inside the membrane structure to inflate the membrane until becoming stiff

to support its self weight and all other surface loads. Usually a pressure of approximately

Fig 3. Beijing Olympic Swimming Pool Fig 4. Tokyo Dome


3/1000 higher than the atmospheric pressure will be applied and should remain constant

during operation. To attain this condition, an automatic air pressure regulator should be

installed in order to ensure the maintenance of constant air pressure inside the membrane.

(Fig. 3 and fig. 4)

2. VARIOUS TYPE OF MEMBRANE MATERIALS1

2.1. PVC

Basically, the composition of the PVC membrane is a kind of high-strength fibers such as

polyamide, polyester or polyvinyl fabric as base material, then coated with Poly-vinyl-

chloride (PVC). For this type of membrane surface coating generally takes longer by using

poly-vinyl-di-fluoride (PVDF) or acrylic in order to improve its self- cleaning performance

and increase its durability. Mostly membrane structure in Indonesia, used PVDF membrane.

(Fig.5, fig.6)

2.2. PTFE

PTFE membrane is fiber glass base with a surface layer of poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene, PTFE.

It is no need to give any treatment on this type because the PTFE surface layer itself has a

very stable chemical properties. In general, the PTFE has the strength, endurance, and the

ability to be self-cleaning. It is better than the type of PVC membrane (PVDF), but is more

expensive. PTFE coated high translucency fabric is a dynamic tensile material unmatched

1 Supartono, FX., Zhongli,Li., Xiujhiang, Wang. (2011). Membrane Structure: A Modern and Aesthetic Structural

System. Seminar dan Pameran HAKI 2011.

Fig 5. Tenggarong Stadium Fig 6. Pasar Kapitan, Palembang


for its aesthetics and durability making it ideal for large scale roof and tensile membrane

structures. PTFE coating is chemically inert and capable of withstanding a wide range of

temperatures in any climate. The low-surface adhesion properties of the material result in a

fabric membrane which is easily cleaned by rainwater and is immune to UV radiation.

2.3. ETFE

ETFE membrane composition types consist of a thin layer of ethylene-tetra-fluoro-ethylene.

Because fineness, ETFE membrane is much more transparent (transparency rate ≈ 90%)

than the two types of membranes that to some extent can replace glass as a transparent

roof. However, because there is no basis in the fabric structure this type of membrane, EFTE

have lower strength. Therefore, this membrane is usually not used for the tension

membrane structure but is more applicable in the frame membrane structure or air-

supported membrane structure.

2.4. ePTFE

ePTFE membrane is composed of PTFE as a base fabric and further reinforced with PTFE

coating so that it becomes pure PTFE-based material.

This type of membrane is more flexible and has better pliant than other membrane

materials and more transparent than regular PTFE membrane (transparency rate ≈ 40%). In

addition, the membrane material can be recycled so it can be considered as sustainable

Fig 7. Norway pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010, using

ePTFE.

Fig 8. Millenium Dome, Greenwich, UK, using PTFE,

80,000 sqm, with 364m of diameter. 2011


materials. ePTFE membrane has been used in the Norway Pavilion at the Shanghai World

Expo 2010. (Fig. 7)

3. ARCHITECTURE CHARASTERISTIC OF MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

3.1. LARGER SPAN

In 1985 a tennis court with a height of 15m and 45.2m span was built in the International

Sports Expo in Japan. In the same year, The Calgary Stadium was built in Canada, which is

36.5m in height, 112m in span and 11,150 m² in covered area. In 1988, the Tokyo Dome was

built, which is 201m in span and 56.19m in height. The Georgia Stadium built in Atlanta, US

has a major axis of 235m, has a minor axis of 186m and is 79.24m in total height. Based on

pertinent data, it is speculated that the larger the span of a building, the better the

application of membrane structure will embody its economy. 2

3.2. UNIQUE

Membrane structures which break through the structural form of traditional building, is

easily manipulated into various types of shapes and is rich in color. Therefore they are easily

formed into night scenes with the coordination of light. This brings modern beauty to

people. What is more, in combination with technological progress, membrane structures

are known for use in hi-tech modern buildings; the buildings in 21st century.3

Membrane structures are used as artwork, monuments, interior elements, or ornaments

for color choice and flexibility as shown on figure 9.

2 Brown, G.Z. and Dekay, M. (2001). Sun, Wind and Light: Architectural Design Strategies. 2nd (ed.). New York:

John Wiley. 3 Tian, Di. (September 2011) Membrane Materials and Membrane Structures in Architecture. The University of

Sheffield, School of Architecture.

Fig 9. Sail-Sculpter, Belgia


3.3. REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Membrane material is relatively good in transmission of light. It has a light transmittance of

approximately 7% to 20%, thus full use can be made of natural light. During the daytime,

without any artificial lighting provided, it can completely satisfy the needs of various

athletic contests. In addition, membrane material with a reflective index of light over 70%

can form a soft scattering of light in a room with sunlight in order to make people feel

comfortable and dreamlike.4

3.4. SPEED OF CONSTRUCTION

The tailoring of diaphragms, the manufacturing of steel cables, steel structures etc. are

finished in factories, and can be used in combination with lower reinforced concrete

structures or structural components. Only linkage, installment, positioning and stretch-

drawing of steel cables, steel structures and diaphragms are carried out on the construction

site, thus the installment of construction on site is relatively easy, quick and convenient.

3.5. SAFETY AND RELIABLE

Membrane structures are light-weight and its earthquake resistance is relatively good. Soft

membrane structures can tolerate of a huge amount of displacement and overall collapse

of building is uncommon. In addition, membrane material is generally a flame-retardant

material. The fire hazard is minimal.

3.6. EASILY BE MADE INTO REMOVABLE STRUCTURE, EASY TO TRANSPORT

Membrane structure is light and easy to install so, it is suitable to exhibition and stage-

performance. It takes only 6-8 hours to errecting about 200 sqm. (Fig 10, fig.11) The

erection period of long span structure may be reduced significantly by utilizing a proper

mobile crane.

4 Ibid 3


3.7. BROAD SCOPE OF APPLICATION

From the perspective of location, membrane structures are from Alaska to Saudi Arabia.

The scale of the structures range from small one-man tents and garden pieces to large

buildings that cover with thousands even hundreds of thousands squared meters of area.

Some have even imaged conceived a small city make of membrane structures. It was

utilized from ceiling application to facade, from garden-dressing to long span roof structure.

4. BASIC PROPERTY OF MEMBRANE MATERIAL

Membrane structures are extremely economical to design and manufacture, as long as it is

covering a larger area. A smaller structure can prove to be less cost effective. Due to the low

weight of materials used in membrane structures, construction costs and the time taken are

kept low even when extensive areas need to be covered. Membrane structures are extremely

eye catching and can often form the point of focus for a building. For the commercially minded

building owner, membrane structures are such that they can be imposed with advertising logos

or signage to promote a product, service or business. Membrane structures are also eco-

friendly, helping the business owner further their green credentials, membrane structures are

often used to build “sustainable” buildings as people forever look for more ways to improve and

protect the environment

4.1. COMPOSITION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBRANE MATERIAL

Fig 10. TATA booth at IIMS 2013, Kemayoran, Jakarta. Fig 11. Tensile shade for wedding party


Fig 12. PVDF profile

The development of membrane structures is closely related to research on and the

application of membrane structure. From early examples such as PVC, PTFE to the later

ones such as ETFE membrane material, the development and application of each new type

of membrane material has sharply impacted upon the development of membran structures.

Contemporaneously, the application of construction membrane comprises two categories

of membrane; a coating fabric and a thermoplastic compound.

4.2. COATING FABRIC MEMBRANE

Coating fabric membrane material is a type of composite material and is generally

composed of a substrate, coating and

surface course. A substrate is weaved

through various textile fibers which

determine the properties and structural

mechanics of the membrane. Coating and

surface course can protect the substrate,

and are designed to be self-cleaning, protect against pollution, and durable. Examples of

Common coating fabric membrane materials include glass fiber membrane materials made

from Teflon coating (generally called PTFE membrane material) and glass fiber membrane

material made from PVC coating (generally called PVC membrane material). PVC membrane

material is cheap and is divided into several colors such as white, red, blue and green. It is

applied broadly. Soft membrane material with good tensilit is easy to make and to stretch,

thus it is easily adaptable to tailoring errors. However, its durability and self-cleaning

properties are poor. Its properties will change due to outward movement of the coating

mold-increasing agent and ultraviolet effects so that its surface gradually turns yellow and

sticky over time. Moreover, dust and dirt in air are attached to membrane surfaces and

stain the surface and thus reducing light transmittance. Thus, its service life is decreased. In

order to improve the durability and self-cleaning of this type of membrane material, a PVF


or PVDF surface course can be added to the surface of coating (Fig 12.). PTFE membrane

material has good durability and does not turn yellow or moldy in the atmospheric

environment. Additionally, rainwater will flow away after forming water drips on the

surface as it has good self-cleaning properties. (Fig. 13)

However, PTFE membrane material is more expensive and is stiffer. Thus, the folding

&rolling of material during transportation and construction can lower its strength, the

convenience of construction of the membrane material is poorer, and consequently refined

calculations are required during design and tailoring processes.

Substrates of membrane material are weaved into using glass fiber or polyester fiber yarn.

Glass fiber has a certain flexible capacity and a higher elastic modulus and strength than

polyester fiber, however it gradually becomes smaller. Therefore it does not age well nor

does it have a long service life.

However, due to its brittleness, glass fiber should be processed precisely, treated properly

and carefully. It should be borne in mind that humid and hot environments an impact on its

mechanical property. Polyester fiber, on the other hand, has a longer life, deformation and

it is easy to install. However, long-term tension and ultraviolet light will gradually result in

ruffles on the membrane surface. Perception and light transmittance are both affected over

time.

4.3. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Fig 13. PTFE profile


As the structure of the system, the choice of the membrane should consider the overall

physical properties. In the design process, aspects of the physical properties of the building

includes several aspects such as weather resistance, optical property, acoustic property,

thermal property, and fireproof property, should be fully understood. Appropriate material

should be selected to obtain the value of architecture, economics, and the optimal

conditions.

4.4. WEATHER RESISTANCE

Membrane material, as the covering system of building, is often directly exposed to the

external atmospheric environment. Thus it is affected by natura phenomena such as

daylight, temperature variation, rain wash and dust erosion.

Thus, the appearance and color, brightness and strength of the material all gradually

deteriorate over time. The weather resistance of membrane material is a comprehensive

index that outlines its years of service, its aging resistance, self-cleaning ability and intensity

attenuation.

Coating materials such as PTFE and PVDF on the surface of membrane material stem this

process. Both are inert materials, thus their chemical properties relating ultraviolet

protection, aging resistance and corrosion resistance are better than those of PVC coatings.

In general, the service year of a PVC membrane material with coated PVDF surface course is

over 25 years while the service year of PVC membrane material with coated PVDF surface

course is 10 to 15 years. Therefore, membrane material can be broadly used in permanent

buildings.5

At present, weather aging experiments are often undertaken to evaluate the weather

resistance of a membrane material. Generally speaking, tests investigating the effect of

natural climate aging and of artificial weathering aging are conducted. Laboratory tests

often adopt artificially accelerated climate aging experiments, referred to as Xenon lamp

5 Kaltenbach, F. (2004). Translucent Materials: Glass, Plastics, Metals. Basle: Birkhäuser.


aging experiment. The light source of the xenon-arc lamp is adopted to continuously

illuminate the membrane while temperature, humidity, radiant energy, rainfall cycle and

time are controlled to imitate and strengthen principal environmental factors such as light,

heat, oxygen, moisture and rainfall. In natural climate conditions the speed of aging of a

sample and the differences of a sample’s tensile strength under radiant energy over the

course of time is regarded as an indicator of weather resistance.

4.5. OPTICAL PROPERTY

The optical properties of membrane material refer to of the effects of membrane material

on light of various different wave bands, including such properties as reflection,

transmission, absorption and scattering. Different membrane materials display large

differences in reflection, absorption and transmission of light in each wave band. In general,

membrane material has relatively good light transmission. Light transmittance of natural

light of fabric membrane material can reach 20%. However, in double-membrane buildings,

built in accordance with relatively high thermal heat-insulation properties, light

transmittance reaches 4% to 8%. However, the light transmittance of ETFE can reach 95%,

which exceeds that of clear glass.6

Inside membrane structure buildings transmission light produces uniformly diffused light.

The light has no shadow, no dazzle and no significant direction, thus it is gentle and

uniform. During daylight hours, it will satisfy the light requirements of various indoor

activities. Therefore, membrane structures are especially applied to buildings that demand

higher lighting specifications, such as sports facilities, exhibition halls and patios. In

addition, during the night, the surface of buildings with membrane structures can give off a

soft light, which can be advantageous in terms of adverting and in increasing the ease with

which buildings are identified.

6 Ibid 5


When interior lighting is used, lamps should be kept at a proper distance from membrane

surface to prevent the heat given off by lamps from searing the membrane surface.

4.6. ACOUSTIC PROPERTY

The acoustic properties of membrane material are similar to its optical properties and

include reflection (reverberation) and transmission loss properties for the various

frequencies of sound waves. Reverberation and sound absorption properties

comprehensively determine the quality of audio and the soundproof properties of buildings

with membrane structures. Single-layer membrane material has poor acoustic properties

and can result in strong echoes and weak sound absorption. In addition its soundproof

volume is also lower than that of a general palisade structure.

With respect to the vibration of sound waves, membrane material fabrics have very strong

reflectivity which increases the noise level inside buildings with membrane structures.

Buildings with inner concave, in particular, such as air supported membrane structures or

arch supported membrane structures, the ceiling can collect the reflection of sound waves

to further impact upon the indoor acoustic environment. However, this relatively poor

sound insulation capacity determines that membrane structures are not applied to building

facilities that demand high noise reduction.

In general, corresponding architectural measures need be taken to improve the acoustic

environment of buildings with membrane structure. For example, the addition of a light and

poly-porous bottom cloth to the membrane can effectively reduce reflection of sound wave

and increase attenuation of transmission of sound waves. Perhaps an acoustic screen which

is hung on the ceiling of membrane structure can increase the absorption of sound waves.

Changing the curved shape of ceiling so that direction of reflection is changed will also have

an impact. Furthermore, specialized sound-absorption membrane lining can apparently

lower reverberation to increase sound absorption. This has produced good results in the

Georgia Dome and New Denver National Airport where such lining has been applied.


However, when choosing these technical solutions, we must fully consider the impact of

these methods on the performance of the membrane structure in relation to lighting, and

fireproofing, for example.

4.7. THERMAL PROPERTY

The thermal insulation performance of buildings with membrane structures is poor, and at

present widely used membrane materials cannot limit the impact of internal environment

very well. The heat transfer coefficient of single-layer membrane material is large, and

refrigeration-consumption is also high.

Therefore, it is only applied to open buildings or in areas with warmer climate. When the

thermal insulation property of a building is required to be high, two-layer or multi-layer

membrane structure can be adopted. In general, there should be a 25-30cm air buffer

between two membranes.

Cold condensed dew inside the membrane surface is also a problem that needs to be

considered. When a membrane structure is applied to buildings with larger sources of

interior humidity such as swimming pool or a botanical garden for example, damp air easily

turns into dew on contact with the internal surface of membrane. Therefore, measures

such as indoor ventilation, installation of a cold condensed water drain or air circulation

system should be taken.

4.8. FIREPROOF PERFORMANCE

Membrane has a good fireproofing performance. The substrate of membrane material is

itself non-inflammable or flame retardant. Glass fiber is non-combustible material while

polyester fiber is non-flammable material.

When membrane material is applied in half-open buildings such as the grandstand tent of

stadium, the awning of public facilities and architectural art sketches and in temporary

structures, fireproofing safety need not be taken into consideration. However, when

membrane material is applied in a roof system of totally enclosed and permanent buildings,


as the fireproofing of a membrane material in terms of fire-proofing, smoke volume,

toxicity and structural collapse should be comprehensively considered in order to judge its

fire-proofing performance compared to traditional fire-resistant and fire-proofing methods.

In enclosed buildings, utilization of PVC membrane material simply cannot be denied.

After a fire is lit, PVC membrane material is burned through in the third minute and twelfth

second to form an open hole corresponding to the size of contact surface of flame. Thanks

to this hole, heat, smog and gas can be automatically excluded. This open hole remains

until the fire is extinguished. Early occurrence of the hole results in the emission of heat &

smoke from the building and postpones the collapse of the steel structure, which is

beneficial for staff in public places as more time is given to evacuate. In comparison, PTFE

membrane material only crazes at the joint of membrane surface in the third minute and

35th second after fire is lit, and finally comes off in chunks along the joint. It is found from

test analysis of interior membrane buildings that the volume of CO and CO2 from PTFE

membrane material is at least over double that of PVC membrane material. PTFE

membrane material also produces the toxic gas HF at a level that exceeds critical

concentration while PVC membrane material when burned through does not show

evidence of HF. Therefore, it is concluded that the fire-proofing performance of PTFE

judged by membrane material in accordance with certain standards does not conform to

the practical reaction of membrane structure under fire hazard; therefore PVC membrane

material is better.7

Maintaining the stability of the framework of membrane structure in the case of damage of

membrane surface is one another noticeable issue connected to the fireproofing of

membrane structure. In a membrane structure the membrane material is force-carrying

material. Therefore, regardless of whether the membrane material is burnt through or

7 Ibid 5


comes off, it is always the first part to be damaged. When the membrane material loses

tension because it is damaged, the framework of membrane structure should not collapse.

5. STUDY OF TENSION MEMBRANE APPLICATION IN INDONESIA

5.1. DEFORMATION AND GEOLOGY JAKARTA

When wrinkle of the membrane surface to be a problem on the stability and performance of

membrane structure that surpassing the threshold deformation due to decreasing the

foundation, then this issue becomes important. Jakarta area, where currently many

applications of membrane structure, is taken as case study about deformation.

Physiographic region extending from Serang Jakarta to Cirebon, an alluvial sediments

transported by the rivers that empty into the Java Sea as Tarum Ci, Ci Manuk, Asem Ci, and

Ci Punagara. In addition, sediment of lava from Mount Gede, Mount Pangranggo, and Mount

Tangkuban Prahu cover this zone in the form of volcanic alluvial fan (alluvial fan sediments)

in particular bordering Bandung zone. Thus, the Jakarta area is geographically located at 5 ⁰

19'12 "-6 ⁰ 23'54" south latitude and 106 ⁰ 22'42 "-106 ⁰ 58'48" have the geological

conditions are divided into 5 categories8 as follows:

5.1.1. The organic clays; marsh sediments with a thickness of 2-26m, 1-5 conical pressure

Kg/cm²

5.1.2. The silty sand; sediment embankment beach 2-10m thick, conical pressure of 10-20

Kg/cm².

5.1.3. The silty clay and clay silt; stream and beach sediment 40-250m thick.

5.1.4. Clay sand and sandy clay; elderly river sendiment and with 3-18 thick of plains overflow

of flood, on the top of sandy clay.

5.1.5. Sandy clay and sandy silt falls; was weathering of volcanic Alluvian fan 4-30m

The whole plains region of Jakarta consists of Alluvial sediments at the time Pleistocent 50 m

thick. Southern part consists of the alluvial layer that extends from East to West in the

8 Dinas Pertambangan DKI Jakarta. (1998)


distance 10 km Southern coast. Underneath are layers of older sediments. Strength of the

soil in the Jakarta area followed a similar pattern to the achievement of a hard layer in the

northern part of the region at a depth of 10 m - 25 m. Getting to the hard surface of the

shallow Southern is between 8 m - 15 m. Should be a concern that the West Jakarta soil

surface decreased by 5-15mm per year. So, to determine the type of foundation of large-

scale application of membrane structures required testing CPT (cone penetration test) /

sondir, or drilling soil samples by following the procedures of ASTM D 1587-83 "Standard

Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils".

Some structures were erected on the top of roof at urban area. In this case, the load should

be taken into account to the roof structure as case on Fresco Dining project (Fig. 14).

5.2. SURFACE RESISTANCE AGAINST AIR POLLUTION

Until now, there has been no in-depth study of the impact of membrane surface abrasion

due to the air pollution. In Indonesia, undiscovered cases of eroded material damage

caused by air pollution membranes. This is because the average age of the membrane

Fig 14. ‘Fresco Dining’ by Agung Sedayu, public facility along the beach,

Jakarta

Fig 15. The CEO, functioned as top-roof

restaurant. Jl. TB Simatupang Jakarta

Fig 16. D’Cost Restaurant, Semarang


Fig 18. Air pollution damages the marble

surface

Fig 17. Acid rain erodes stone.

construction is still under 10 years old. However, considering structure of the membrane in

urban applications with a high air pollution, the membrane material is indicated damage

occured in the long term. As is known, the life time of the membrane was set 30 years.

Compared to 2010 data, in 2011 air quality of Jakarta jumped dramatically. From the graph,

it can be 30-40 per cent, it means that air pollution increased dramatically. Even though the

declining trend in 2001-2010. Particles like dust that 70% of motor vehicle, then 90% of the

hydro-carbon vehicles, but if the majority of sulfur dioxide industry. Increased air pollution is

triggered by an increase in the number of motor vehicles.9

Hence, triggers membrane damage that can potentially lower the service, should be

concerned by the membrane industry.

Acid rain that damage buildings has been recorded at many cases as shown on figure 17 and

18. But so far, there has been no scientific report of damage on PVC caused by acid rain. Acid

rain forms when nitrogen and sulfur oxides in air dissolve in rain. This forms nitric and

sulfuric acids. Both are strong acids. Acid rain with a pH as low as 4.0 is now common in

many areas. Acid fog may be even more acidic than acid rain. Fog with a pH as low as 1.7 has

been recorded. That’s the same pH as toilet bowl cleaner. Acid rain dissolves limestone and

marble. This can damage buildings, monuments, and statues.10

5.3. AVAILABILITY OF STAINLESS STEEL CABLE

9http://www.voaindonesia.com/content/tingkat-pencemaran-udara-di-jakarta-meningkat/1418769.html

10 https://sites.google.com/site/earthscienceinmaine/effects-of-air-pollution


Membrane structures built close to coast need to use steel construction with special

treatment. In addition to the painting process according to ISO Standard 03-2408-1991-F on

Procedures for Metal Painting, in certain cases need to apply the method of 'sandblasting'

SA 2.5. Galvanized cable is the answer to degradation of cable performance due to

oxidation. However, stainless steel cable is not yet available in the local market. Therefore,

cable immersion into the zincromat paint considered necessary to prevent oxidation.

5.4. TOWARDS LONG SPAN MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

Membrane structures manufacturers in Indonesia, generally born of the steel construction

industry. On the other hand, the structure and architectural consultants that implement the

membrane structure can still be counted on the fingers. While many wide span building

construction built using conventional construction made; concrete and steel. Tendon cables

to withstand large tensile load is already available in the market, however, the availability

of the connection plate and ending membranes for wide scale project and long span

structure, needs multidicipline plan. In terms of planning, Indonesian Load Regulation does

not explain the wind load that must be taken into account against the membrane structure.

However, IBC Building Code sets minimum wind load is 90 MPH for the calculation of the

membrane structure. In the future, there needs to be cooperation between steel industries

and experts of membrane structure to realize structures such as shown on figure 19 and

figure 20.

Fig 19. Modeling membrane structure Fig 20. Detail of top roof at Millenium Dome


5.5. AS A ROOF FOR ENCLOSED / WALLED-BUILDING

Application membrane structure for enclosed-building has not been available in Indonesia.

However, it is big challenge and huge opportunity as well. Considering the advantages such

as weather resistance, optical properties, fireproof, and the price is rational, then it is worth

considering as a membrane structure for roofing enclosed-buildings. The use of membrane

structure can save energy consumption for lighting. In architecture perspective, diffused

light resulting interior lighting produces an exciting effect. The transparency and the ability

to shape light within a structure is acknowledged as one of the advantages of certain

membrane materials. As such the architects using membrane structures are often thinking

about how they can design and shape the light. Glass incorporated into the membrane

structure is able to partially control heat and light within the interior of the building.

As its deficiencies in terms of strength and fireproofing qualities render the use of film

problematic, as a building material it has significant potential. Currently, highly transparent

membrane materials have been developed and a sufficient level of performance is achieved

it greatly change the fate of membrane-structure buildings. However, several significant

questions have been identified that remain unanswered. For example, when transparent

membrane materials are used to construct closed spaces what kind of heat load is

produced? What mechanical systems or construction methods need to be created in order

to efficiently address this heat load? What is the appropriate response to heat radiation in

more open spaces? Nonetheless, the development of transparent roof membranes remains

appealing because they afford great flexibility insofar as that they can be easily manipulated

to fit curved spaces.

Furthermore, unlike glass for example, they required minimal secondary members.

However, the future development of transparent membrane materials depends upon the

resolution of the issues outlined above.


Active and passive control against temperature and lighting can be obtained by engineering

actions. However, for overall comfortable needs integrated planning.

Enclosed-building that directly utilizes the elements of membrane materials is known as a

‘membrane-structure building’. Either a cable frame or a skeleton frame can form the

structure that sustains the membrane. It is possible for a structure on a small scale to

consist of the membrane itself as the structural material. However, such a process is not

possible on a larger scale structure because the membrane is not strong enough. If used on

a large scale construction it is essential for the membrane to be strengthened somehow or

used in conjunction with a frame.11 An architect, who is used to working on traditional

structures, may find it helpful to use a skeleton-frame membrane structure when

constructing a membrane structure. This is because the membrane is able to be extended

over steel, wood or even a reinforced concrete frame in order to shape the space.12

6. CONCLUSION

Each structure has diffrent challange depends on the location. Application of membrane structure

can be optimum as far as steel and aloy industry, tension membrane manufacture, and engineer

equip and facilitate the design implementation. Local building norms should be set or adopted from

other well-established norms where needed. Membrane structure can be the answer to

construction which requires light-weight and easy to ship to any island through out Indonesia.

Regarding to safety, it is important to consider using membrane frame structure with horizontal

parameter rather than tension membrane structure since the soil is in-stabil such as many parts of

Indonesia. Although, various geology structures will directly influence the sub-structure design and

remains suitable to preference type of membrane structure.

It is theorized that the use of membranes as structures were used over 30,000 years ago for the

tents used by Nomadic tribes. Since these times, the technology involved with membrane structures

11

Smith, P.F. (2001). Architecture in a Climate of Change – a Guide to Sustainable Design. London: Architectural Press. 12

Herzog, T. (1996). Solar Energy in Architecture. Munich: Prestel.


has been ever increasing. These days, membrane structures are now as safe and durable as

traditional buildings. This is due in part to the materials that form them. Synthetic fibers and glass

fibers are now utilized and coating materials have enabled the structures to contain both water and

fire resistant qualities. Advancements have been made and there are many advantages to using

membrane structures including their qualities of transparency, low weight and their ability to be

applied to frames for large scale spaces. For instance, it is now possible to cover a large space that

would not be possible with traditional techniques with just one sheet of membrane material.

However, it must be recognized that membrane materials are not simply suited for all projects. If

just one thin sheet is used then it will be difficult to adequately protect it from tearing as well as

being difficult to provide insulation for heat and sound.

Application of membrane structure for long span structure and enclosed-building may involve

experts in civil work, building physics, and workmanship which have been avaliable in Indonesia.

References: 1. Wikipedia, Tension. 2. Wikipedia, Curvature 3. Tian, Di. (September 2011) Membrane Materials and Membrane Structures in Architecture.

The University of Sheffield, School of Architecture. 4. Supartono, FX., Zhongli,Li., Xiujhiang, Wang. (2011). Membrane Structure: A Modern and

Aesthetic Structural System. Seminar dan Pameran HAKI 2011. 5. Smith, P.F. (2001). Architecture in a Climate of Change – a Guide to Sustainable Design.

London: Architectural Press. 6. Kaltenbach, F. (2004). Translucent Materials: Glass, Plastics, Metals. Basle: Birkhäuser. 7. Herzog, T. (1996). Solar Energy in Architecture. Munich: Prestel. 8. Dinas Pertambangan DKI Jakarta. (1998) 9. Brown, G.Z. and Dekay, M. (2001). Sun, Wind and Light: Architectural Design Strategies. 2nd

(ed.). New York: John Wiley. 10. Askwith, Andrew. (2010). Notes On Tensile Structure Design.

i Architect, alumni of Department of Architecture, Petra Christian University, live in Jakarta. A membrane structure manufacture. [email protected]

membrane structure and its application i

Documents