As for the membrane structure buildings which are composed of frames and membrane materials, the frames for gable type roofs are common structural method and the structural calculation of such structure is relatively easy. An experienced architect can do this calculation as long as the target is smaller than a certain size.
On the other hand, large-sized membrane structure buildings need to be checked for safety owing to their lightweight properties, and such safety check includes testing of the displacement taking the seismic force dynamically, structural analysis for the dome shape, and so on.
In order to form a curved surface specific to membrane structures, an architect needs to draw a development diagram considering the characteristics of the soft membrane material of a certain width, the membrane material needs to be processed (such as a junction process) at a factory and installed to the frame safely and securely on site. Therefore, a design considering the characteristics of the membrane structure is essential.
The wind-resistance design is a major aspect in the membrane structure design, and the safety concerning the wind resistance needs to be checked comprehensively, including the consideration on how the stress concentration on the fittings of the membrane surface that receives wind pressure should be distributed or how the fittings should be reinforced, due to that the thickness of the membrane material is uniform.
Based on the perspectives like these, the Membrane Structures Association of Japan conducts technical reviews (optional rating) when it receives a request for review from a client, designer, or other stakeholders. These stakeholders can apply for our technical review when they wish to hear judgments or advices from a third party from the technical standpoint with respect to the membrane structure buildings/workpieces, membrane materials, membrane structure of the building, and other membrane-structure-related concerns.
1. Technical review committee
The members of the designated performance evaluation committee should also be members of this committee. This committee aims to issue technical review documents within approximately 1 month.
3. Application process
Please call us. We will then discuss to determine the date and time for the preliminary consultation.
| 1. Preliminary consultation | Discuss the documents, experiments, etc. needed to conduct a review with us. |
|---|---|
| 2. Application for review | Submit an application form with the commission fee (bank transfer is acceptable). Basically we will not return the commission fee after we accept it. |
| 3. Technical review | Prepare necessary documents and go through the review. We expect the review will be conducted once or twice. |
| 4. Preparing the review report | The committee prepares the technical review report and the technical review comments. |
| 5. Issuance of review report | If the committee requests additional documents, the review report will not be issued until such documents are submitted to the committee. |
4. Stage-by-stage review
If you wish to seek advices stage-by-stage for the proposal competition or other purposes, you can apply for the stage-by-stage review using the following steps, adopting the items to be discussed separately based on Article 14 of the technical review service clause.
- Preliminary consultation
Discuss the scope of the review. (Identify the target scope of the review within the entire plan, and identify the stage of the plan for which you need advices.)
- Technical review
Prepare necessary documents and go through the review. We prepare the technical review report and the technical review comments within the range of submitted documents and explanations from you.
- Preparing the review report
he committee prepares the technical review report and the technical review comments. Based on the nature and the stage of the technical review, these documents should be marked as “Basic plan”, “Unofficial”, etc.