Introduction [European design guide for tensile surface structures]

The European Design Guide for Tensile Surface Structures was the key outcome from the EU-funded (Contract G1RT-CT-2000-05010) Thematic Network, TensiNet, which brought together 22 partners (including academic researchers, designers, material manufacturers, fabricators and testing laboratories) from 9 different countries. The publication presented state-of-art knowledge and research in the area of tensile surface structures to provide recommendations to designers, in the absence of comprehensive national or European design guidance in this area. As one of the Scientific Co-ordinators for TensiNet, Chilton was responsible for directing the working groups and, in particular, for producing the chapter on Internal Environment, which includes findings from his own research. He also co-authored the Introduction chapter of the book with the joint editor Brian Forster (pp17-24). The research into the thermal performance of tensile surface enclosures (including multi-layer and insulated envelopes) is ongoing