Grommets in Tyvek

[digrat]

I made a nice big Tyvek tarp for myself a few months back, and used brass grommets in each of the corners. I reinforced the corners with another layer of Tyvek and added some tape, then grommetted.

So here are my questions:
1. I think this would weaken the fabric less than sewing--no "postage stamp" effect. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
2. This seems like it would be more or less equal weight than adding a Tyvek loop and anchoring it with tape. Can you think of why a loop would be better to use than a grommet?
3. What are the downsides of using grommets that I'm not thinking of?

[storm1]

good questions.
i just posted looking for advise on making the anchor points on tyvek tarp beaks.

[digrat]

My grommets have been holding just fine, but I figured I'd pull on the collective knowledge of the group before I make another tarp the same way.

[MedicineMan]

I've seen those grommets
How many total setups have they been through?
What is the harshest wind they've endured?
I'd say the physicists will chime in shortly but if it were me I'd add the reinforcing tape then do a spiderweb network of sewing lines radialy from the corner...at the corner the loop would attach so when its pulled it pulls more of the total tarp.
A grommet is a hole, hole=missing material--would have to be inherently weeker; however the grommet itself is metal and stronger but in itself presents an edge to 'cut' through the fabric toward the corner.....just an amateurs thougts!

[digrat]

How many total setups have they been through?

Maybe a dozen. This is the improved version from the first one that tore out on the first hang--I didn't reinforce the corners with double tyvek.

What is the harshest wind they've endured?

Since my anemometer is too heavy to pack with me... I'd say relatively strong gusts but nowhere near heavy winds.

I'd say the physicists will chime in shortly but if it were me I'd add the reinforcing tape then do a spiderweb network of sewing lines radialy from the corner...at the corner the loop would attach so when its pulled it pulls more of the total tarp.

I'm still hesitant to stitch through the tyvek. Perhaps long thin lines of tyvek tape would reinforce just as well?

A grommet is a hole, hole=missing material--would have to be inherently weeker; however the grommet itself is metal and stronger but in itself presents an edge to 'cut' through the fabric toward the corner.....just an amateurs thougts!

Yeah, that's why I'm going back and forth on this. If I don't fasten my loops properly, then they'll either tear the tyvek or pull right out. If I don't apply my grommets properly they either tear the tyvek or pull right out. I'm just not sure which is the lesser of two evils. From what I've seen, not many folks here use the grommets, but I wonder what the reasoning is. (Although not many here use tyvek for a tarp either, and I think that may have something to do with it since sil is easier to sew.)

[MedicineMan]

We need a chemical engineer to chime in because crazier things have happened that a glue exists that acts like pvc when it chemically bonds....then again maybe it would just melt!