Snow Induced Ponding of Toyota Pavilion Canopy, Montage Mountain, PA

摘要

The tensioned fabric canopy roof covering the audience seating at the Toyota Pavilion performing arts center in Montage Mountain, PA failed from snow induced ponding during a snow storm in February 2007. A new fabric membrane was fabricated and installed prior to the opening of the summer season in June of 2007. Tensioned fabric membrane structures are unique in their capability to carry very high loads in relation to their self weight. This is due in part to the large deflection behavior of these structures that renders them relatively insensitive to specific load distributions. This same characteristic causes tensioned membrane roof structures to be uniquely vulnerable to ponding, typically snow induced. The Toyota Pavilion canopy structure had exhibited a vulnerability to ponding in previous winters and was scheduled to undergo modifications to improve its resistance. The paper reviews the ponding phenomena, the replacement of the tensioned fabric membrane, and the changes implemented to mitigate future ponding of the membrane roof.