Contex-T

contex-T - textile architecture '''

textile structures and buildings of the future

Introduction

contex-T is an Integrated Project dedicated to SMEs within the Thematic Priority 3 Nanotechnologies, Materials and Production of the European Commission 6th Framework Program. This project brings together a consortium of 29 partners from 10 countries and covers a four year period (August 2006 - August 2010). Each partner has been carefully selected for its expertise and knowledge in the field. This has resulted in a multi-disciplinary group where high-tech SMEs, research institutes and universities integrated their activities to develop a new generation of multifunctional textile materials which will reshape the complete value chain of textile architecture.

The Contex-T project aims at transforming the traditional resource-driven textile industry into a knowledge based, sustainable and competitive industry by creating breakthrough innovation in the high-tech area technical textiles for construction. Because this area is a driver for innovation it will create significant spill-over to other important textile technological areas such as, but not limited to, protective clothing, automotive textiles, textile for transportation & packaging, fibre reinforced structural elements, upholstery materials, etc.

It addresses the development of radically new concepts and new knowledge in multi-functional technical textile materials using nanotechnology, nano-structured materials. Following a holistic approach, this project aims at developing a breakthrough in textile architecture, lightweight textile reinforced structures and tension fabric structures industry. The approach does not only comprise the development of new materials but also addresses the intelligent use of the materials in the applications. The technology, which will be developed in this project, will lead to textile buildings of the future, which will combine creativity and aesthetics with multi-functional, resource-conserving materials utilization, short construction periods, long life and low costs and will lead to a new building technology for safe, healthy and comfortable shelters.

Project At A Glance

A 4-year project funded by the European Commission
Duration: September 2006 - August 2010
Overall Budget: €10 million
Members: 29 partners
Project Co-ordination:
Jan Laperre (Centexbel, Belgium) / Monique Thienpont (Bexco, Belgium)

Main objectives

The three main objectives of the Contex-T project are:

• development of new lightweight building using textile structure with a lifetime of up to 60 years which meet the highest requirements on noise reduction, acoustic absorption, thermal insulation, light transmission and reflection,
  

• develolment of safety, healthy and economic buildings offering comfort and a safe shelter for its inhabitants and
  

• easy and fast construction of customized structures and buildings

Activities

Development of new membranes with

• improved thermal insulation and moisture management
  

• control of transparency with different types of radiation
  

• optimised acoustic properties
  

• easy cleaning properties
  

• optimised fire safety properties
  

• integrated power harvesting via solar cells
  

• on-site stiffening of membranes

Developments for supporting structures

• reducing degradation due to corrosion by replacing steel cables by textile cablesl
  

• solving joining problems
  

• lightweight and fire-safe textile reinforced composites
  

• stability of structural systems
  

Architectural and construction aspects

• optimised flexible and integrated design
  

• design of intelligent kinetic structures
  

Expertise

• Connectors
  
• Supporting structures
  
• Membrane
  
• Cables and ropes
  
• Architects and design
  
• Service provider

Partners

Acciona http://www.acciona.es/

ASM http://www.asm-poland.com.pl/

ATP Composites http://www.atp-pultrusion.com/

BBRI - Belgian Building Research Institute http://www.bbri.be

Bexco http://www.bexco.be

Canobbio http://www.canobbio.com

Centexbel http://www.centexbel.be

D'Appolonia http://www.dappolonia.it/

DITF Denkendorf - ITV http://www.itv-denkendorf.de/

DITF Denkendorf - MR http://www.ditf-denkendorf.de/mr

H.E.F. Group http://www.hef.fr

Huntsman http://www.huntsman.com

IASO http://www.iaso.es

IFTH - Institut Français Textile - Habillement http://www.ifth.org

IMMG - Institute of Mechanics of Materials and Geostructures http://www.immg.gr

Interscience http://ww.intersciencecomms.co.uk

ISIM - National R&D Institute for welding and material testing http://www.isim.ro

Labor Blum http://www.labor-blum.de/

Mattes & Ammann http://www.mattesammann.de

Messe Frankfurt / Techtextil http://www.messefrankfurt.com http://www.techtextil.com

Nordifa http://www.nordifa.se/

PE International http://www.pe-international.com

Polymade ITT http://www.polymade-itt.de/

Polymage http://polymage.fr

Sioen http://www.sioen.com

SP - Technical Research Institute of Sweden http://www.sp.se

Spiraltex http://www.spiraltex.com

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 http://www.univ-lyon1.fr

VUB - Vrije Universiteit Brussel http://www.vub.ac.be

Wagner Tragwerke http://www.germanarchitects.com

Additional Information

Project website: http://www.contex-t.eu
First press release (April 2007) 1
Second press release (May 2009) 2
Promotion viedo'': Innovationin Textiles - contex-T 3
Photo Gallery'' 4

Links

Technical Textile http://techtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/de/aussteller/willkommen/erleben.html
Material Vision http://material-vision.messefrankfurt.com/global/de/home.html
Tensinet http://www.tensinet.com/
Cordis- The gateway to European research and development http://cordis.europa.eu/home_en.html
6th Framework Programme http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp6/index_en.cfm