The Shanghai Expo Axis is renowned as the world’s largest continuous cable-supported tensile membrane structure. Its roof stretches an astonishing 843 meters in length, with a maximum span of 97 meters, covering an area of 65,000 square meters. Composed of 69 PTFE membrane units, each panel can reach up to 1,780 square meters, equivalent to about four standard basketball courts. Despite being only 1 mm thick, the membrane achieves a designed tensile strength of 5 tons per meter, ensuring a lifespan of over 30 years.
A Complex Structural System
The Expo Axis membrane relies on an intricate tension network:
- 31 external masts
- 19 lower anchor points
- 18 connection points with the Sun Valleys
Together, they create a stable, continuous tension system reinforced by 13 functional cables. The design leverages free-form geometry and structural mechanics to withstand Shanghai’s typhoon conditions. Only in winds exceeding Force 10 does the membrane exhibit controlled displacement. To further improve stability, the system integrates valley cables, stabilizing cables, and internal masts.
PTFE Material: Advantages and Properties
Physical Performance
PTFE-coated fiberglass membranes are:
- Flame-retardant and UV-resistant
- Highly weatherproof and self-cleaning
- Reflective with approx. 15% translucency, reducing solar heat and enabling natural lighting
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Compared with traditional materials, PTFE membranes weigh ten times less, cutting foundation costs by over 50%. Their lightweight properties enable large column-free spaces while maintaining seismic and structural resilience.
Integration with the Sun Valleys
Functional Synergy
Six enormous Sun Valleys, rising 41.5 meters, feature single-layer glass curtain walls with 10,600 nodes and 60 km of steel rods. They channel daylight into underground spaces while harnessing thermal uplift for natural ventilation.
Rainwater Recycling
The valleys collect rainwater in 7,000-ton reservoirs, later purified for landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, and microclimate regulation. This system saves over 50% of mains water annually.
Advanced Sustainability Technologies
Innovative Climate Control
The Expo Axis uses Huangpu River water (70%) and geothermal pumps (30%) for all air conditioning. River cooling in summer and geothermal heating in winter reduce energy consumption by 20% versus conventional systems. A 250-kilometer underground pipe network delivers year-round thermal efficiency.
Natural Ventilation and Shading
The membrane’s shading effect lessens cooling loads. In spring and autumn, natural ventilation reduces energy use by over 50%. LED lighting and curved video displays further optimize energy efficiency.
Societal and Engineering Significance
As a permanent landmark, the Expo Axis handled 23% of Expo Park’s foot traffic (peaking at 185,000 visitors daily). Its combination of PTFE membranes and sustainable technologies set a new benchmark for balancing architecture with the environment.
The project overcame over 10,000 steel structure nodes and more than 70,000 design drawings, advancing China’s membrane structure standards and proving that tensile structures can move from experimental concepts to mature engineering systems. Today, the Shanghai Expo Axis inspires large-scale public architecture worldwide.
Interesting Story Behind This Tensile Membrane Structure
The stunning tensile membrane structure of the Shanghai Expo Axis wasn’t just a feat of engineering — it carried with it an unexpected ambition from its contractor, Jieol Group. As one of the key players behind this world-class project, Jieol’s team faced complex challenges, from managing over 10,000 steel nodes to ensuring the membrane’s precise tension across 65,000 square meters of roof area.
What makes the story even more intriguing is what happened after the project’s completion. Jieol’s project manager, inspired by the success and the praise their team received, shared with colleagues a bold vision: to bring the same level of innovation and craftsmanship to Southeast Asia. He declared that Jieol would aim to surpass all well-known tensile structure companies in the Philippines by creating a replica of the Expo Axis design — tailored for local conditions but equally iconic.
This ambition wasn’t just about competition; it reflected Jieol’s drive to export its expertise and redefine the standards for tensile membrane architecture across borders. Today, that vision continues to shape Jieol’s approach as they pursue landmark projects throughout the region, blending technical mastery with architectural beauty.
