High Tunnel Arch Rain Shelter
High Tunnel Arch Rain Shelter
A tall, open-sided arched tunnel designed primarily for rain protection rather than climate control. The curved galvanized steel frame supports a single layer of plastic film over the roof only, while the sides and ends remain fully open — keeping crops dry during rain while maintaining natural ventilation and light exposure close to open-field conditions. With eave heights of 2.5–4m and ridge heights of 4–6m, the interior offers ample headroom for manual cultivation and small machinery. An economical, mid-scale rain-shelter solution for vineyards, berry farms, and vegetable operations where disease pressure from rainfall is the primary concern.
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Key Highlights
· High curved arch tunnel (eave 2.5–4m, ridge 4–6m) — ample interior space for workers and small machinery
· Roof-only film covering with fully open sides — 100% overhead rain protection plus unobstructed natural ventilation
· Curved roof sheds rain and snow efficiently; open sides reduce wind load on the frame
· Hot-dip galvanized steel frame, 275g/m² zinc coating, 15+ year service life — economical mid-scale rain-shelter solution
· Roof-only film covering with fully open sides — 100% overhead rain protection plus unobstructed natural ventilation
· Curved roof sheds rain and snow efficiently; open sides reduce wind load on the frame
· Hot-dip galvanized steel frame, 275g/m² zinc coating, 15+ year service life — economical mid-scale rain-shelter solution
Product Overview — Tall, Open, and Built for Rain Protection
The PONSUNO High Tunnel Arch Rain Shelter is a purpose-built rain-protection structure that uses a continuous curved arch roof spanning 6–12m — wide enough to cover multiple crop rows and tall enough (4–6m ridge height) for workers to stand upright and small equipment to operate. Unlike a greenhouse, its sides and ends are intentionally left open. There is no insulated envelope, no heating system, and no attempt to trap heat. The sole purpose of the roof film is to intercept rainfall before it reaches the crop canopy — reducing fungal disease pressure, preventing fruit cracking, and extending harvest windows in wet climates.
- Structure & Materials. The load-bearing frame uses hot-dip galvanized steel with a 275g/m² zinc coating. The roof is formed by bending steel pipe (typically 25–60mm diameter) to a single continuous arch profile, with arch spacing of 1–4m depending on span and local loads. Vertical or slightly curved side posts support the arch at the eaves, providing the high eave height (2.5–4m) that defines the high-tunnel form. Gutters are optional — many high-tunnel rain shelters rely on the curved roof to shed water directly to the ground on both sides, simplifying the structure and reducing cost. All connections are bolted with galvanized hardware; no field welding required.
- Rain Protection & Ventilation — The Core Function. The roof film provides 100% overhead rain interception. Raindrops strike the film and run down the curved surface to the eaves, where they fall outside the crop footprint — the canopy, leaves, and fruit stay dry even during heavy downpours. This directly reduces the incidence of fungal diseases (such as downy mildew, botrytis, and anthracnose) that spread through splashing water and prolonged leaf wetness, and prevents fruit cracking in rain-sensitive crops like cherries, table grapes, and tomatoes. Because the sides are fully open, air circulates freely through the structure — humidity does not build up as it does in an enclosed greenhouse, and the crop microclimate remains close to ambient conditions. The combination of overhead rain protection and unobstructed side ventilation is the defining advantage of this structure type.
- Space & Mechanization. The high eave and ridge heights create a voluminous interior that supports a wide range of cultivation practices. Workers can prune, thin, and harvest while standing upright — no crouching required. Small tractors, utility vehicles, and self-propelled sprayers can enter through the open ends. The wide span (6–12m) accommodates multiple crop rows, rolling benches, or container growing systems. This makes the high-tunnel rain shelter suitable for medium-to-large operations that need equipment access and multiple-row coverage within a single, economical structure. Structural Performance. The curved arch roof distributes wind and snow loads efficiently across the frame. Snow slides readily on the curved surface, reducing accumulation. Wind resistance is up to 130 km/h with standard specifications, and reinforced options are available for high-wind regions. Because the sides are open, wind passes through the structure rather than pushing against a solid wall — this actually reduces wind load on the frame compared to an enclosed greenhouse of the same dimensions.
- Trade-Offs. Three considerations. First, because the sides are open, the structure provides no frost protection or season extension — it is a rain shelter, not a greenhouse. Second, the fixed roof film provides continuous overhead shading (approximately 10–15% light reduction), which may affect light-sensitive crops in marginal regions. Third, without gutters, rainwater dripping from the eaves can wet the outer crop rows if the span is not wide enough or if rows are placed too close to the edge — proper row layout is important.
- Covering & Integrated Systems. Roof covering is standard 150–200 micron PE/PO/EVA film (anti-fog, anti-drip, UV-stabilized). Side walls are open by default, with optional roll-up film panels or insect netting for additional protection. End walls are open by default, with optional film-covered end walls with personnel doors. Optional add-on systems include internal/external shading (30%–85%), drip or spray fertigation, and basic environmental monitoring. Heating and active cooling are not standard features, as they contradict the open-sided design philosophy.
Who It's For. Medium-to-large vineyards and berry farms in regions with high rainfall and fungal disease pressure; vegetable growers producing rain-sensitive crops (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers) in wet climates; operations needing equipment access and multiple-row coverage within a single economical structure; and growers who want rain protection without the capital cost and energy consumption of a fully enclosed greenhouse.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Structure Type | High tunnel arch rain shelter |
| Roof Profile | Single smooth curved arch roof |
| Span Width | 6m / 8m / 10m / 12m — customizable |
| Length | 30m – 100m — customizable |
| Eave / Shoulder Height | 2.5m / 3.0m / 3.5m / 4.0m — customizable |
| Ridge Height | 4.0m / 4.5m / 5.0m / 5.5m / 6.0m (varies by span) |
| Bay / Arch Spacing | 1m / 2m / 4m (per span & load) |
| Main Frame Material | Hot-dip galvanized steel, 275g/m² zinc coating |
| Arch Pipe Diameter | 25mm / 32mm / 40mm / 50mm / 60mm (per span & load) |
| Side Post | Galvanized steel pipe, matching arch diameter |
| Gutter | Optional (standard design relies on roof runoff to ground) |
| Roof Covering | 100–200 micron PE / PO / EVA film (anti-fog, anti-drip, UV-stabilized) |
| Side-Wall | Fully open (standard) / optional roll-up film / insect netting |
| End-Wall | Fully open (standard) / optional film with personnel door |
| Light Transmission | 85% – 90% (film roof, new condition) |
| Natural Ventilation | Unobstructed side ventilation (open sides) + optional roll-up panels |
| Mechanical Cooling | Not standard (open-sided design; optional fan system available) |
| Heating System | Not standard (no heat retention with open sides) |
| Shading System | Optional internal / external motorized shade net (30% – 85%) |
| Irrigation & Fertigation | Optional drip / spray system with automated dosing |
| Environmental Monitoring | Optional temperature / humidity / rain sensor with data logging |
| Snow Load Resistance | 0.25 – 0.40 kN/m² (curved roof sheds snow well) |
| Wind Load Resistance | Up to 130 km/h (open sides reduce wind load; reinforced options available) |
| Door | Optional end-wall personnel door (1.0m × 2.0m) |
| Foundation | Ground anchors / concrete footings / post-in-ground |
| Frame Service Life | 15 – 20 years (with proper maintenance) |
| Film Service Life | 3 – 5 years (depending on film grade and climate) |