Walls made of Shade Cloth?

[PocoJoe]

I am considering using conventional shade cloth (5.8 oz/sq yd, uv blocking, typically used as roof for shade) as a wall for an EMT shade structure.

Of course, the walls need to do two jobs: Block the direct sun (for shade in the morning and evening) and in high winds, afford some wind protection and blockage of blowing playa dust.

By the end of the burn, my mesh roof (probably 40 percent blockage) is quite dusty, and less light gets through as the holes get plugged, but I haven't tried using these tarps as a wind stopper.

Has anyone actual experience?

Thanks

Joe

[Rusted Iron]

Our camp has used it as walls. Usually about 40%. It tends to trap heat in the corners, at least the higher percentages does. Not perfect but we will keep using it.

[Token]

And yes, it will help with the wind by taking off the edge and diffusing it.

It will do absolutely nothing for the dust.

[some seeing eye]

Keep in mind that the side shade cloth panels are sails. When the wind is hitting them broadside it is going to exert a force compared to a tarp or a solid wall approximately multiplied by the shade percentage. Search my posts for "wind load" for the equation. That can lead to all kinds of frame failures.

[PocoJoe]

Thank you

[Jackass]

I wrap 3 sides of my 3/4" emt shade structure with shade cloth, been doing it that way for 8 years now, it's never been a problem...

[Canoe]

Great idea - if you address the wind load.
And, the higher the wind velocity, the less the holes act as holes for wind, so a 40% becomes more and more like a solid wall.

I'm told, and it makes sense, that the huge tarps of cam release more wind pressure at higher wind velocities due to having larger openings than shade cloth. But then it's not providing as much shade.

Some don't do 'walls' straight down to the ground, but out at an angle. This also leaves a gap at the corners to let wind pressure out.

You've got hot air that shade won't address, but of course shade blocks direct solar radiation. But shade walls also block heat radiating from the sun baked ground. One of the reasons Monkey Huts are so effective.

It will do absolutely nothing for the dust.

sshhhh

[Jackass]

All of these excessive calculations and theories drive me nuts. Put the structure up the way you think it should be, make it secure and see what happens. If you've given it some critical thought and used sound materials and logic, it usually stands.

Several years ago a girl who camped with us brought a 16ft playadome made out of vinyl and plastic. Reading eplaya on the matter scared the shit out of her, so she had made and brought probably 10x 40"candycane rebar stakes. They couldn't be pounded all of the way in, so they were left sticking out at least 12"-18". Those rebar stakes were dangerous, partially useless and completely overkill.

Quit scaring people with "load calcs", I've seen 3-man chickenshit coleman tents with 9/16" rebar in 6 locations sticking out over a foot with orange construction caps on it. It's completely and utterly unnecessary , and ridiculously overkill. Dangerous for those that must navigate near or around that tent...

10" basic tent stakes and all of the crap they put inside the tent would have been more than enough to keep that tent secure and grounded throughout the event and then some.

[Ratty]

I have to agree. I have a carport set out clam style. (Flat topped roof with the legs left off of one side.)

The top and back have a custom sewed tarp.

One side has a end-cap coverlet made of jersey material. It bowed in too much in the wind so I sewed some nylon straps across it.

The front has choices. Either a tarp or a panel from a 'screen room' structure. When I get their I'll know which to use according to which way we face.

You can sew some straps on a Howdy Duty sheet and it'll be fine.

[Ratty]

Can't add pictures at this time. Oh well.

[Token]

If you've given it some critical thought and used sound materials and logic, it usually stands.

And there in lies the truth of Playa entertainment.

80K people

40% are virgins per the census from ‘17

8 x 4 —> 32K fresh souls.

Critical thought and logic dictates that on average 1 in 4 are as gifted at survival as a fence post.

34 / 4 —> 8,000 clueless souls trying to pound 4’ candy-cane rebar into the Playa with a hair dryer.

Life is fucking fantastic!

I’m here to antagonize the 8K.

[Token]

Can't add pictures at this time. Oh well.

Did you have all that on day one of your very first burn?

[Jackass]

You shoulda seen the poor bastards who got roped into driving and then later pulling out those candy canes , they got worked!

Luckily they were noobies and needed that experience in order to further develop their characters for the week.

[Strata]

I have used shade cloth walls on both Costco carports and EMT conduit shade structures. What I do is anchor them only at the top on the shade structure, and about half way up the nearest set of poles. I also make sure they are loosely anchored. So in strong wind they yield to the wind and flap around, rather than blowing the shade structure down.

[LowePro]

Yes, done it, it works fine. The shade cloth cuts down on the wind and dust gusts somewhat and side shade is nice.