Our company maintains stringent quality requirements for membrane structures, from the efficient design of the overall form to the execution of high?quality construction. Not only must we ensure full quality assurance, but we must also control every manufacturing process and project cycle. Based on years of installation experience accumulated by our construction teams and the materials they have used, whenever deformation occurs in steel for landscape membrane structures, we analyze the factors causing the deformation and adopt corresponding preventive measures. These are summarized in the following three points:

◆ Deformation caused by welding
During the heating stage, the weldment expands but is restrained by the surrounding cold metal, preventing free elongation and resulting in compressive deformation. When it subsequently cools to room temperature, its contraction is again restrained by the surrounding cold metal, generating welding stresses. The presence of welding stresses can cause deformation of the weldment.

Preventive measures: Control welding deformation primarily by adopting a reasonable welding sequence, appropriate welding methods, allowance?reserving method, reverse?deformation method, rigid?fixing method, proper assembly and welding sequence, and elimination of residual welding stresses.

◆ Deformation during transportation or storage

When steel for membrane structures is awaiting shipment, improper placement of support pads (e.g., non?vertical alignment of upper and lower dunnage) or settlement of the storage yard can cause the members to develop permanent bending or gradual deformation.

Preventive measures: Whether during transportation or on?site storage, special attention must be paid to the correct arrangement of support pads. Moreover, steel sections of various specifications, types, and shapes should be sorted before installation. Mechanical straightening is generally adopted – using a jack or other tools, supplemented by oxy?acetylene flame heating if necessary.

◆ Deformation caused by incorrect assembly
Many types of deformation can arise from improper assembly, such as the web and flange of a beam not being perpendicular to each other during assembly; the vertical member and base plate of a column not being vertical during assembly; misalignment and dimensional asymmetry resulting from incorrect assembly.

Preventive measures: Strict incoming inspection of materials is required. Additionally, inspection of finished products must be very rigorous – only materials with correct dimensions and specifications shall be used, and standardised installation techniques shall be implemented. Each assembly step must be fully rational; the assembly must meet dimensional requirements, the plate edges must be temporarily fixed, and every assembly point must fully comply with the required standards.

Recommendation: Special attention must be paid to the installation requirements for landscape membrane structures and the selection of materials. Ensuring the quality of the steel used in membrane structures is essential – it is all about overall safety.