Theater Curtain Weight

• Jun 4, 2010

• #2

msquared48

Structural

Aug 7, 2007

14,745

Remember that it's not just the material, but the weights that are inserted in the bottom to keep it vertical.

In lieu of going to a fabric store, getting a sample and weighing it (lining too), I would assign 1 psf times the height and fabric length, applied accross the length of the rod, plus the extra lead weights.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

• Jun 4, 2010

• #3

BAretired

Structural

Nov 16, 2008

10,868

The weight varies according to the supplier. Check out these links:

http://www.acoustic-curtains.co.uk/velvetvelourcurtains.html

http://www.showworksonline.com/t-stage-curtains.aspx

BA

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

• Jun 5, 2010

• #4

msquared48

Structural

Aug 7, 2007

14,745

BP is correct.

Another good site to investigate is

http://www.mainstage.com/default.asp?id=61

In looking at some of the fabrics, 1 to 1.5 psf is not unreasonable. Coupling that with the pleating and 3 to 5 psf is the range. Depending on the height of the curtain, you could be looking at 100 to 150 plf to the rod.


Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

• Jun 5, 2010

• #5

hokie66

Structural

Jul 19, 2006

22,717

Don't forget that it is a curtain. It can be gathered all together, maybe even at midspan.

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

• Jun 5, 2010

• #6

racookpe1978

Nuclear

Feb 1, 2007

5,983

Would dynamic loads (accelerating the curtain, stopping it, "jerking it" when the rollers sticks ....) be much smaller than the static weight alone?

Or big enough to add as a separate "live load" like on a roof or crane rail?

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

• Jun 5, 2010

• #7

hokie66

Structural

Jul 19, 2006

22,717

The main dynamic load I see would be teenage boys using the curtain to exhibit their climbing prowess to teenage girls. Or vice versa.

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

• Jun 5, 2010

• #8

msquared48

Structural

Aug 7, 2007

14,745

Keep it clean Hokie. Keep it clean...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

• Jun 6, 2010

• #9

bridgebuster

Active member

Jun 27, 1999

3,969

Years ago I was resident engineer for renovation of an abandoned theatre. During the project a production company made a Nightmare on Elm Street video there. Prior to their arrival a production assistant called to ask me if the curtain opened - I was able to raise it - but it was
F-----G heavy!

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

• Jun 7, 2010

• #10

vandede427

Structural

Aug 13, 2008

344

design it like you would a folding partition. 250plf is what i use if i don't have any info.

design for the distributed load, and for it to be bunched up and any point along the span.

 

Upvote 0 Downvote

• Jun 7, 2010

• #11

ToadJones

Structural

Jan 14, 2010

2,299

Most importantly, when designing, be sure to "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain".

 

Upvote 0 Downvote