Airport Tensile Fabric Structures / Valet Parking Shelters

Airport Tensile Fabric Structures / Valet Parking Shelters

Tensile fabric structure design, engineering, manufacture, installation, project management.

The company was started back in 2004 but the management has over 30years’ experience in coated fabric technology, coated fabric welding, design and building of specialized fabrication equipment, structural engineering,

Arc-Can Shade Structures are suppliers of equipment and materials for the O2 arena, Heathrow Terminal Five canopies, design and prototype work on Valet Parking Shelters for Stansted Airport.

Tensile Fabric Structures - a BIG difference!

Examples of fabric structures abound…………….

Tents, umbrellas, canopies, awnings, marquees and garden gazebos to name but a few, and they all utilise tension in the fabric to maintain shape and to provide stability.

These structures have lightweight frames and often require intermediate spars or struts to create the tension in the fabric, but none can be described as architectural due to their temporary nature and their susceptibility to high winds, heavy rain or snow.

To produce an architectural structure using a fabric membrane requires much higher tension and the structure has to be designed, just as a normal building, to withstand all reasonable weather conditions prevailing at the site.

Engineering Shade Structures

One way to avoid producing utilitarian, over engineered structures is to create patterned membranes that have complex curves – cones, barrel-vaults or hypars are good examples – and the opposing curves give the membrane stability without the need for intermediate structural support.

Once double curvature is introduced the membrane acts more like a solid object and is less affected by high winds, will not sag under snow loads or pool during heavy rain.

Materials have to be carefully selected to ensure that they do not tear under load, fold or create tension lines; they must not be affected by adverse weather conditions, support the growth of mould or age prematurely.

The structure itself is engineered to match the imposed loads and foundations have to be sufficient to anchor the structure to the ground.

Arc-Can Shade Structures

Arc-Can shade structures are professionally engineered for long life and come with a ten year warranty. 

• Steelwork is offered in mild steel which has been hot zinc sprayed and then powder
  coated in one of a wide range of colours
• Stainless steel steelwork is also available with a satin finish
• All cables, tensioners and fittings are in marine grade polished stainless steel
• Membranes are made from only the highest quality pre-tensioned and lacquered PVC coated fabrics—UV protection 100%
• Porous grades are made from HDPE knitted monofilaments with lock stitch for
• stability - UV protection from 90 to 98% depending on colour.

  Download our Catalogue