PCV-Coated Webbing is Used to Add Tensile Strength to Vinyl Fabric Structures.

PVC, commonly called "vinyl", can be made softer and more flexible by the addition of plasticizers, the most widely used being phthalates, thus offering a strong, flexible, weather resistant, and attractive finish for fabrics used in signs, banners, tents, transportation, and many other applications. PVC is a "thermoplastic" which means that it can be repeatedly heated, softened, and rehardened. This property makes the material highly suitable for various methods used to weld two PCV-coated surfaces together.

Project Description

            Domes for Haiti is a grass roots disaster relief project that addresses the immediate need for hurricane and earthquake resistant transitional shelter in Haiti. We are committed to sending as many pre-fabricated portable geodesic dome shelters as possible to Haiti in time for Hurricane season. The domes are 17’ in diameter and 9’ high in the center. They are anchored into the ground using rebar and cement. Each dome can house from 10 to 20 kids. We are making the frames from 1” EMT conduit pipe struts bolted together in 35 overlapping joints. The dome covers will be fabricated using recycled vinyl fabric from billboards or seconds from manufacturers. When properly anchored, this two frequency geodesic dome design has been known to withstand up to 150mph winds. It can be assembled in two hours with two people using simple adjustable wrenches. While these domes are designed to be transitional shelters, with a little adaptation they could become semi-permanent homes.

                Our focus is to procure as many in kind donations as possible from manufacturers and suppliers in the USA so that the majority of the funds raised for this project can go to hire Haitian workers at a livable wage to prep sites and assemble the domes. We are working to empower the Haitian people to rebuild their own communities by bringing the tools they need to do the work and the housing they need to shelter their children. We are looking for donations of tools ( listed below) which AFYA Foundation will be sending along with our dome kits to Port Au Prince where Grassroots United will be providing basic logistical and ground support for our two person team. We are currently networking with like-minded experienced aid workers to locate and scout out a site to build a model community based on sustainable living practices such as composting latrines, solar power, water catchmit systems and an agricultural base.

More photos of inside view of tensile structure and fabric structure in the area of a salt mine under cut.

Big Top tensile structures are designed by in-house Computer Aided Design (CAD) team and are manufactured in our state-of-the-art facility in Florida, USA.

Big Top's mobile membrane structure system is relocatable by cranes or wheels and has been used for military aircraft hangars and flightline sunshades, construction shelters, marine buildings, temporary building structures for storage and more. GSA pricing is available for military and government buyers. Check Clear Span, Big Top tension membrane structures up to 166 feet wide for more information and call today toll free 1-800-277-8677 or 850-584-7786.

Project update: Portable Hangars by Big Top

Recently, Big Top Manufacturing has installed two hangars in Louisiana. Please check our website for portable hangars information. Online quote request available.

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