tensile structure
TEN-sul STRUK-chur
ˈtɛnsaɪl ˈstrʌktʃərListen
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Dictionary meaning
a construction category in which load-bearing capacity is achieved through components under tension rather than compression or bending; includes cable-supported roofs, membrane structures, and tensegrity forms; tensile structures are distinguished by their ability to span large distances with minimal material, their distinctive aesthetic of curved, flowing surfaces, and their requirement for precise engineering of pre-tension forces; notable examples include the Munich Olympic Stadium roof by Frei Otto, the Denver International Airport terminal roof, and contemporary fabric canopies used for stadia, airports, and cultural buildings worldwide
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