Prepared by the Air-Supported Structures Standards Committee of the Codes and Standards Activities Committee of the American Society of Civil Engineers

Air-Supported Structures, Standard ASCE 17-96, provides minimum criteria for the design and operation of air-supported membrane structures that are either independent or attached to another structure. Requirements for materials, ancillary systems, and components are discussed, as is the need for testing by qualified testing agencies. This standard also explains the determination of specified loads in accordance with the applicable building code and the method of analysis used to determine the load effect on each element of the structure.

Topics include: materials and physical properties; cables and reinforcing; membrane seams; mechanical joints; building systems; fire protection; entrances and exits; plumbing and electrical systems; control and monitoring systems; loads and load combinations; analysis and design requirements; member design strengths; erection and inflation; and operation, maintenance, emergency safety procedures, and systems.