- Conventional structures tend to be stabilized by the action of gravity on their mass holding them in compression. A tensile structure is a structure that is stabilized by tension rather than compression. For example, a piece of fabric is pulled in opposite directions. In practice, structures tend to carry both tension and compression, and it is the degree to which a structure is intentionally tensioned to stabilize it that determines whether it is considered a tensile structure. Tensioning is usually achieved with wire or cable, opposed by compression elements such as masts, and held in place by foundations, ring beams, ground anchors, and so on. Tensioning can also be achieved through inflation.
- Structures with tension elements include fabrics structures, tensile structure hardware, and suspension bridges, wire rope, wire rope fittings.