Until recently, almost all ETFE film structures that have been erected is the cushion type because there are problems at lower allowable strength under elastic range and viscosity behaviour such as creep and relaxation of ETFE films under long-term stresses. But the number of tension type structures is currently increasing. This paper proposes the stretch fabrication of ETFE film to verify the applicability of ETFE films to tensile membrane structures. First of all, to investigate the possibility of application on tensile membrane structures, the stretch fabrication test is carried out, and it is verified that it is possible to increase the yield strength of the film membrane structures. After simulating the experiment also carries out an analytical investigation, and the effectiveness of the elasto-plastic analysis considering the viscous behavior of the film is investigated. Finally, post-aging tension measurement is conducted at the experimental facilities, and the viscosity behavior resulting from relaxation is investigated with respect to tensile membrane structures.

Most of the structural forms in which ETFE film is used are the cushion(pneumatic membrane structures) and tension type(tensile membrane structures), which have been generally accepted to be the most efficient forms. Tensile membrane structures are pulled outward from the exterior to introduce initial stress. And such structures offer the advantage of a natural shape formed by tensile stress and eliminate the need for blast air. Recently, the number of tension type structures is increasing. However, there are problems of creep and relaxation of ETFE films under long-term stresses. In this paper, the stretch fabrication method is proposed for stretching the film into the plastic region during initial tensioning as a way to increase its strength. And its effectiveness is confirmed by investigating experimental and analytical test using ETFE films.