Introduction

In the space structures as a whole are becoming lighter, and even lightness has become a fashion in aesthetics. A common phenomenon is that tension structures are becoming more and more popular as these structures extend architects’ imagination due to cables’ lightness, unlimited length and versatility. The combination of tension structures with roof material, such as glass and membrane, expresses the sense of transparency of space and lightness of forms. The chapter summarizes the basic roles cables playing in three basic structural types. They are: Pure cable net forms, Cable-stayed forms and Linear arrays of basic cable-stayed forms. Other applications may be feasible in the combined types. In ‘pure’ cable net forms, only cables are structural components. In order to apply prestress and avoid the water drainage problem, special shape, such as saddle has to be designed. Cable-stayed forms are similar to cable net forms.