{"id":1034,"date":"2015-02-03T16:19:32","date_gmt":"2015-02-03T22:19:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dunwoody.edu\/blog\/?p=1034"},"modified":"2015-02-03T16:19:32","modified_gmt":"2015-02-03T22:19:32","slug":"construction-management-students-create-fabric-tension-structure-models","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dunwoody.edu\/news\/2015\/construction-management-students-create-fabric-tension-structure-models\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction Management students create fabric tension structure models"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"creating-fabric-tension-structures-1\"<\/a>Construction Management students in the Construction Materials & Methods 2 course recently created fabric tension structure models, some of which will be constructed on a larger scale later in the semester.<\/p>\n

Senior Instructor Jim Strapko says the project mimics what students will experience in industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith each new project, construction professionals are presented with opportunities to use materials and tools in novel ways to improve the construction process,\u201d he said. \u201cOne example is a fabric \u2018sail\u2019 system used to provide temporary enclosure for a pair of high-rise office towers currently under construction in the Minneapolis Downtown East project. A Dunwoody graduate, who is an assistant superintendent, is working on ways to more efficiently unfurl fabric strips to cover five stories of a building at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"fabric-tension-structure-team\"<\/p>\n

Students used basic structural concepts derived from tents and sailboats to create fabric tension structure models. The initial models were created using basic tools and materials like needle-nose pliers, side-cutters, awls, hammers, hot-melt glue guns, two-way stretch fabric, florist wire, T-pins, push-pins, and wood dowels.<\/p>\n

The students exceeded Strapko\u2019s expectations for the model project. \u201cThe Construction Management students were adept at model-building and showed a surprising sensitivity to aesthetic design,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The next phase is to design and build a mobile hard-shell structure with an optional fabric component. After completion of the concept and model phases, some of the designs will proceed to construction at a larger scale.<\/p>\n

The multiple-phase project gives students experience taking an idea from concept through completion.<\/p>\n

\"students-with-tension-structure-industry-professional\"<\/p>\n

Students benefitted from the experience and guidance of Bruce N. White, past editor of the international journal Fabric Architecture<\/i> and American Institute of Architects (AIA) member, who visited the class on multiple occasions to provide insight and feedback on the student\u2019s designs.<\/p>\n

Strapko invites more industry professionals to get involved in the project: \u201cStudents value the opportunity to interact with industry professionals especially in a lab environment,\u201d he said. \u201cThey like learning how to do things and getting feedback from experts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students are currently working on the concept phase of the hard-shell structure. The evaluation of drawings and models is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on campus (room to be determined). Larger scale construction of prototypes will follow during the final 10 weeks of the spring semester.<\/p>\n

Industry professionals interested in getting involved during any of the project phases can contact Jim Strapko at jstrapko@dunwoody.edu<\/a> or 612-381-3383.<\/p>\n