Optimizing Indoor Sports and Recreation with Cutting- Edge Fabric Facilities
By Dan Dalzell
From state-of-the-art hockey rinks, indoor soccer fields and concert venues, facility safety and durability are top of mind for organizations. To provide an optimal, temperate environment for athletes and attend - ees, indoor sports and recreation facilities require expansive dimen- sions, quality lighting, and effective ventilation. These buildings are commonly composed of wood or metal, but often take about one year to install and pose higher material costs. With reduced material costs and a shorter installation timeframe of under six months, fabric structures offer a higher return on investment over traditional indoor recreation facilities. And, while fabric structures are cost-efficient, they can also be customized to provide customers with a tailored, innovative recreation facility that will last for years to come. Fabric for Facilities Indoor fabric sports facilities are ideal for a wide range of athletic and commercial uses, because these activities can be held regardless of high winds, harsh temperatures, and heavy rain or snow falls. How- ever, it is the strong fabric itself that makes this possible. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) fabric is crafted with an effective film for in- creased UV-resistance, flexibility, seam strength, corrosion-resistance, and longevity. For sports and recreation facilities, another quality fabric option is polyvi- nyl chloride (PVC). PVC is an amorphous material containing halogens, such as chlorine and fluorine. These elements add a chemical resistance to the fabric, to defend the structure against potential corrosion. These heavy-weight, quality materials also offer sound control, which promotes a distraction-free environment. Furthermore, the natural light- ing from the fabric cover provides a brighter interior than traditional wood or metal sports facilities. This reduces the need for more artificial lighting during the day, resulting in lower energy costs and increased sustainability. Additionally, skylights and solar panels can easily be added to the building, for even more natural light and energy efficiency. Engineered to Last When it comes to sports and recreation facilities, there may be need for minor repairs. As such, fabric structures offer a keder panel sys - tem – meaning that assemblers can repair individual strips of fabric, rather than having to replace the entire roof. The individual keder panel system is a custom-made aluminum extrusion, mounted at each truss section. The fabric keder panels are secured through the aluminum ex - trusion and tensioned at both ends – ensuring the fabric does not touch the framework for a quieter environment and no risk of wear.
CC series 52x112 Rec Tenniscourt Front
CC series 52x112 Rec Tenniscourt Top
Additionally, fabric sports facilities can be engineered using a site-spe- cific 3D finite non-linear analysis – a precise assessment that models the true shape of the fabric under a load. This analysis considers the snow, rain, wind, and seismic conditions at the facility’s site, allowing for an effective foundation design. Indoor sports facility maintenance and repair costs can be quite an in- vestment, especially for wooden and metal buildings. Fabric structures require minimal initial investment and low operation costs, providing an increasingly cost-efficient option for organizations that is engi- neered to last. Long-Term Solution A durable, long-lasting sports and recreation facility starts with qual- ity framework. Implementing stainless steel cables and hot-dip gal- vanizing (HDG) – submerging fabricated steel into a bath of molten zinc – can help. HDG prevents the pitting, rust and damage that most facilities, like hockey rinks, often endure from poor ventilation and extreme weather. Fabric structures are simple to install, yet carefully engineered to stand the test of time. Fabric buildings are engineered to uphold the same standards as tradi - tional wood and steel sports and recreation buildings. However, they
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csengineermag.com
November 2021
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