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Performance Evaluation of an Installed Insulated Tension System. M.J. Augustyniak , T.D. McCoy, T.M. Connell and S. Gellin. Dedmon Center, Radford University, Radford, VA USA Original Construction Built 1987 Air supported fabric with liner Fabric coverage: Gym – 4800 m 2
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Performance Evaluation of an Installed Insulated Tension System M.J. Augustyniak, T.D. McCoy, T.M. Connell and S. Gellin
Dedmon Center, Radford University, Radford, VA USA • Original Construction • Built 1987 • Air supported fabric with liner • Fabric coverage: Gym – 4800 m2 • Pool – 560 m2
Problems • High energy consumption (air conditioning, supporting the air supported roof) • Poor acoustics in the gym; could not use as a multi-use facility • Condensation on the pool liner, causing dirt stains
New Build Requirements • State code required a level of insulation not met by old system (R = 12) (0.47 W/m2-°K) • New insulated system will maintain the natural daylight • In gym, air supported system replaced by a truss support structure with the insulated fabric system as cladding; flexibility required to protect roof supports
Properties of New Insulated System • Top layer: PTFE coated fiberglass • Bottom layer (liner): PTFE coated fiberglass; special vapor barrier for pool
Properties of New Insulated System (continued) • Inside: Aerogel blanket • - Lightest solid material on earth • - Hydrophobic • - Lowest thermal conductivity of any • solid • - Translucent • - Stable properties • - Made from silica • - Re-usable
Gym: Acoustical Performance Conventional Construction vs. Tensotherm Roof (Occupied)
Conclusions • Energy costs significantly reduced • Lighting more than adequate • Acoustic performance in gym allows for multi-function usage • Fabric can now compete with conventional roofing systems in cold weather climates!