Giant Air‑supported Membrane Structure Goes Operational in Guangzhou Science City

According to Science and Technology Daily, a supersized air‑supported membrane structure, jointly developed by Science City (Guangzhou) Urban Renewal Group Co., Ltd. and China Communications Urban Investment Holding Co., Ltd., has entered service, with relevant information made available on 27 August.

Spanning 190 metres in length, 93 metres at its widest point and standing 30 metres high, the structure covers a projected floor area of 14 200 square metres. Built for an urban‑renewal construction site in Huangpu District, it forms a fully enclosed covering over a large‑scale deep‑foundation excavation zone.

Engineered to withstand winds equivalent to a category‑14 super typhoon, the membrane boasts fire‑retardant properties and natural light transmission. It permits continuous site operations even under heavy rain and strong wind conditions. Field tests show the enclosure can suppress dust generation by over 90 per cent and cut noise levels by more than 60 per cent, mitigating environmental disturbances to surrounding residential communities.

The large‑span air‑supported membrane represents one of the largest irregular polygonal facilities of its kind deployed for urban‑renewal works across China. It keeps construction activities isolated from adjacent neighbourhoods while allowing work progress to move forward at pace. Site operators will maintain routine monitoring of membrane tension, internal air pressure and material integrity throughout the construction cycle. Further practical data will be accumulated from this installation to inform future large‑scale air‑membrane engineering schemes for comparable urban‑renewal projects.