Performance Evaluation of an Installed Insulated Tension System

1. Performance Evaluation of an Installed Insulated Tension System M.J. Augustyniak, T.D. McCoy, T.M. Connell and S. Gellin

2. Dedmon Center, Radford University, Radford, VA USA • Original Construction • Built 1987 • Air supported fabric with liner • Fabric coverage: Gym – 4800 m2 • Pool – 560 m2

3. 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

5. 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

6. Properties of New Insulated System • Top layer: PTFE coated fiberglass • Bottom layer (liner): PTFE coated fiberglass; special vapor barrier for pool

7. 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

8. Gym: Thermal Performance

9. Gym: Lighting

10. Gym: Acoustical Performance Conventional Construction vs. Tensotherm Roof (Occupied)

11. Pool: Lighting

12. 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!

13. Thank you!