Introduction
  
TensiNet is a European project funded by the European Commision for three years. The consortium of TensiNet consists of 22 participating organisations with representatives from 9 EU member states. The membership forms a complementary group representing multi-disciplinary industries (coater and weaver, manufacturer, producer, engineering and architecture offices), universities and other associations. Within the thematic network the partners will make the knowledge of their specific domain available and will exchange and share know-how between different disciplines. TensiNet will assemble, structure and analyse existing data and integrate this expertise in knowledge bases.
  
The Tensile Structure industry has the following problems in Europe  
There is insufficient transfer of multi-disciplinary know-how between architects, engineers, the construction industry and research institutes.  
Basic knowledge about Tensile Structures is not widespread.  
Common reference data is unavailable. There are no uniform guidelines for design and construction of these structures in Europe.  
There are a number of unanswered scientific questions about the material and the structural behaviour of Tensile Structures.  
The Aim of TensiNet is to  
Exchange and share basic and multi-disciplinary knowledge by collecting and structuring this data in knowledge bases.  
Disseminate basic knowledge about Tensile Structures technology to a wider field of potential end-users. This basic knowledge will be provided in workshops, publications and information packages adaptable for various external interested parties.  
Provide specific knowledge, detailed engineering data, example projects with technical comments and for the various disciplines common reference data and best practice guidelines.  
Identify gaps in current knowledge and stimulate scientific research in those areas to enhance the competitiveness of European industry.  
Working Groups of TensiNet  
TensiNet is co-ordinated by Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). These Network activities are clustered around three dedicated Working Groups:  
  
WGARCH: Architectural Design, dealing with the subsections Urban Planning (cities' environment, social integration...), Life-cycle Assessment (basics for understanding of Tensile Structures, building physics in general, maintenance) and Acoustics of membrane structures  
WGENG: Engineering and Construction, dealing with the subsections Structural Design (formfinding, loadings, dimensioning,...), Construction Technologies (erection procedures, detailing, certification procedures,...) and Software Tools (Formfinding, structural analysis, computational fluid mechanics)  
WGMAT: Material, dealing with the subsections Characteristics (specific properties, building physics, fire, safety,...), Connection Details (membrane joints, welding, edges, corner,...) and Measurement and Testing (biaxial behaviour, creep durability...)  
The partners of TensiNet meet regularly in these Working Groups. They collect and structure data related to the field of Tensile Structures. This data will be assembled in reference knowledge bases. These databases are the crucial tool to develop useful guidelines and to communicate to various end-user groups. These databases are linked to the web site of TensiNet in such a way that the databases are accessible from every Internet computer in the world.  
Support by the European Commission  
  
TensiNet is funded by the EC within the 5th Framework Programme (1998-2002). The Workprogramme is GROWTH (Promoting Competitive and Sustainable Growth).
Start Date: 01.03.2001
End Date: 01.03.2004