The Dilemma and Challenge of Membrane Structure Development in China

Membrane structure design faces the 'precision paradox', with three core challenges: First, membrane building materials are lightweight and sensitive to wind and snow loads, making it difficult to accurately simulate loads in complex wind fields using conventional models.For example, a Norwegian airport's membrane tore due to actual loads exceeding design by 30%；Secondly, it is necessary to balance aesthetics with stress uniformity. Overly pursuing beauty can easily lead to wrinkling.For instance, a certain landscape membrane structure in Shanghai had to be reworked because of 20% wrinkles；Thirdly, design parameters are prone to deviate from the actual environment, which exacerbates the difficulty of precision verification.

The inherent contradictions in material performance are the core bottlenecks of membrane structures, mainly reflected in three aspects: PTFE membranes have a nominal lifespan of 30 years but deteriorate easily after high-temperature processing for 10 years; PVC and ETFE membranes have reduced lifespans due to regional environmental influences; PVC membranes become hard and brittle with added flame retardants, and the cost of high-performance fireproof membranes doubles; ETFE membranes are only 1% of the weight of glass but have poor impact resistance.A landscape membrane structure in Shanghai had to be reworked due to excessive pursuit of unique shapes, with the membrane surface wrinkling up to 20%.

The practical difficulties of construction and maintenance run throughout the entire life cycle of membrane structures. The processing of membrane materials requires high precision, as even a cutting error exceeding 2 millimeters can lead to wrinkles at the seams, and a welding temperature deviation of 5°C can reduce the strength of the membrane material. The tension control during the installation phase is known as a 'millimeter-level test', where a stadium membrane structure suffered three tears in the membrane material due to an error in the tensioning sequence, resulting in direct losses of over one million.

The dilemma of membrane structures is essentially a game between flexible materials and the rigid demands of membrane architecture, requiring interdisciplinary collaborative innovation in material modification, intelligent monitoring, standard setting, talent cultivation, etc. Only with technological breakthroughs that balance performance contradictions and system perfection that clear industry barriers can they break free from the limitations of being "niche landscapes" and achieve broader development within the balance of safety and aesthetics.