Tensile Mesh Barriers and Facades – Unpacking the Key Design Considerations

Session Synopsis

Developed in Germany in the 1990s, tensile mesh is a metal mesh fabric of stainless-steel cables formed into a filigree net of diamond shaped openings. Noted for its unique capacity to create striking façade barriers of openness and transparency, the material finds use in a range of applications, including as anti-throw barriers on pedestrian bridges, as greenery trellis structures, and even as zoological enclosures. To get the best out of this versatile material, specifiers need to be aware of several key considerations. They need to understand, for example, that tensile mesh needs to be held in place with a level of pre-tension to ensure it resists deflection; that its form is largely dictated by the boundary structure that accompanies it; and that, when working with tensile mesh, the pathways to compliance vary from project to project.

In this presentation, our speakers discuss these matters and more. Citing real world examples, they outline the key design considerations for those working with tensile mesh.

Key Learning Outcomes

At the end of this presentation, you should be able to:

• Outline the attractions and benefits of tensile mesh, as used in façade barriers.
• Identify the principles of lightweight structures using tensile mesh and the basics of how mesh barriers and facades work.
• Explain how boundary conditions, also referred to as mating structures, impact the final form of mesh barrier installations.
• Outline the complexities associated with achieving compliance for mesh barriers and façades and explain the best ways to do so.
• Identify best practice design for façade and barrier applications using tensile mesh.

(PC 18 PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, PC 28 PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, PC 43 DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION, PC 45 DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION)

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