Solutions for Wind-Induced Fabric Structure Failures with Case Studies in the United States Air Force

Abstract

This case study examines seven wind-induced fabric structure failure incidents involving 57 aircraft sunshades or aircraft maintenance structures at air bases across the globe between 2011 and 2019. The failures were identified with the assistance of the Air Force Safety Center, the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, and by interviews conducted by the author. The structures were a fabric on frame construction with size ranging from 740 to 1,200 m2 (7,965 to 12,917 ft2). The frames were made from either steel or aluminum. The majority of the structures were installed on existing airfield concrete parking aprons, with the remainder installed on soil. The majority of the structures examined failed under wind speeds between 80 and 145 km/h (50 and 90 mph), below design wind limits in most cases. The primary causes of the failures were determined to be that the structures were procured as a commodity and not as a facility, design errors, and failure to properly maintain the structures. The objective of this paper is to characterize Air Force fabric structure failure mechanisms and to develop recommendations that will improve the safety and integrity of fabric shelters used for a broad range of government and private sector applications.