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Video | 3skeng Steelwork Tool
Online Manual RFEM | Surfaces
Cutting Pattern for Membrane Roof
| Number of Nodes | 24 |
| Number of Lines | 21 |
| Number of Members | 16 |
| Number of Surfaces | 2 |
| Number of Load Cases | 4 |
| Total Weight | 0.140 tons |
| Dimensions | 66.6 x 35.55 x 16.53 feet |
| Program Version | 5.23.00 |
You can download this structural model to use it for training purposes or for your projects. However, we do not assume any guarantee or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the model.
![Basic Shapes of Membrane Structures [1]](/en/webimage/009595/2419502/01-en-png-png.png?mw=512&hash=6ca63b32e8ca5da057de21c4f204d41103e6fe20)
- Planar and geodesic cutting lines
- Flattening of double-curved surface parts of tensioned membranes or pneumatic cushions
- Definition of cutting patterns by using boundary lines which are not required to be connected
- Sophisticated flattening based on the minimum energy theory
- Welding and boundary allowances
- Uniform or linear compensation in warp and weft direction
- Possibility of different compensations for boundary lines
- Adaptable data organisation (any additional modification of input data is considered up to the final "weld")
- Graphical display of cutting patterns
- Statistical information about each cutting pattern (width, length, size)
- Option to automatically generate cutting patterns from cells
RF-CUTTING-PATTERN is activated by selecting the respective option in the Options tab in General Data of any RFEM model. After activating the add‑on module, a new object, "Cutting Patterns", is displayed under Model Data. If the membrane surface distribution for cutting in the basic position is too large, you can divide the surface by cutting lines (line types "Cut via Two Lines" or "Cut via Section") in the corresponding partial strips.
Then you can define the individual entries for each cutting pattern using the "Cutting Pattern" object. Here you can set boundary lines, compensations, and allowances.
Steps of the working sequence:
- Creation of cutting lines
- Creation of the pattern by selecting its boundary lines or using a semi‑automatic generator
- Free selection of warp and weft orientation by entering an angle
- Application of compensation values
- Optional definition of different compensations for boundary lines
- Different allowances (welding, boundary line)
- Preliminary representation of the cutting pattern in the graphic window at the side without starting the main nonlinear calculation
The nonlinear calculation adopts the real mesh geometry of planar, buckled, simple curved, or double curved surface components from the selected cutting pattern and flattens this surface component in compliance with the minimization of distortion energy, assuming defined material behavior.
In simplified terms, this method attempts to compress the mesh geometry in a press, assuming frictionless contact, and to find the state in which the stresses from flattening in the component are in equilibrium in the plane. This way, minimum energy and optimum accuracy of the cutting pattern are achieved. Compensation for warp and weft as well as compensation for boundary lines are considered. Then, the defined allowances on boundary lines are applied to the resulting planar surface geometry.
Features:
- Minimization of distortion energy in the flattening process for very accurate cutting patterns
- Application for almost all mesh arrangements
- Recognition of adjacent cutting pattern definitions to keep the same length
- Mesh application for main calculation
After the calculation, the "Point Coordinates" tab appears in the cutting pattern dialog box. In this tab, the result is displayed in the form of a table with coordinates and a surface in the graphical window. The coordinate table presents new flattened coordinates relative to the centroid of the cutting pattern for each mesh node. Furthermore, the cutting pattern with the coordinate system at the centroid is represented in the graphical window. When selecting a table cell, the respective node is displayed with an arrow in the graphic. In addition, the area of the cutting pattern is displayed below the node table.
Moreover, standard stress/strain results for each pattern are displayed in the RF‑CUTTING‑PATTERN load case in RFEM.
Features:
- Results in a table, including information about the cutting pattern
- Smart table relating to the graphic
- Results of flattened geometry in a DXF file
- Output of strains after flattening in order to evaluate the cutting patterns
- Results of strains after flattening for the evaluation of patterns
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Main Program
The new generation of 3D FEA software is used for the structural analysis of members, surfaces, and solids.
Add-On
The Form-Finding add-on finds the optimal shape of members subjected to axial forces and tension-loaded surface models. The shape is determined by the equilibrium between the member axial force or the membrane stress and the existing boundary conditions.
Main Program
Structural engineering software for a finite element analysis (FEA) of planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, members (beams), solids, and contact elements
Add-On Module
Form-finding of tensile membrane and cable structures
Add-On Module
Generation of cutting patterns for tensile membrane structures
Add-On
The Structure Stability add-on performs stability analysis of structures. It determines critical load factors and the corresponding stability modes.
Add-On
The Nonlinear Material Behavior add-on allows you to consider material nonlinearities in RFEM for example, isotropic plastic, orthotropic plastic, isotropic damage).
Add-On
The Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on allows for considering the construction process of structures (member, surface, and solid structures) in RFEM.
Add-On
The Stress-Strain Analysis add-on performs general stress analysis by calculating the existing stresses and comparing them with the limit stresses.
Add-On
The Steel Design add-on performs the ultimate and serviceability limit state design checks of steel members according to various standards.
Add-On
The Aluminum Design add-on performs the ultimate and serviceability limit state design checks of aluminum members according to various standards.
Main Program
The modern 3D structural analysis and design program is suitable for the structural and dynamic analysis of beam structures as well as the design of concrete, steel, timber, and other materials.
Add-On
The Structure Stability add-on performs the stability analysis of structures. It determines critical load factors and the corresponding stability modes.
Add-On
The Stress-Strain Analysis add-on performs a general stress analysis by calculating the existing stresses and comparing them to the limit stresses.
Add-On
The Steel Design add-on performs the ultimate and serviceability limit state design checks of steel members according to various standards.
Add-On
The Aluminum Design add-on performs the ultimate and serviceability limit state design checks of aluminum members according to various standards.
Add-On
The Torsional Warping (7 DOF) add-on allows you to consider cross-section warping as an additional degree of freedom when calculating members.
Add-On
The Multilayer Surfaces add-on allows you to define multilayer surface structures. The calculation can be carried out with or without the shear coupling.
Add-On
The two-part Optimization & Costs / CO2 Emission Estimation add-on finds suitable parameters for parameterized models and blocks via the artificial intelligence (AI) technique of particle swarm optimization (PSO) for compliance with common optimization criteria. Furthermore, this add-on estimates the model costs or CO2 emissions by specifying unit costs or emissions per material definition for the structural model.
Add-On
The Concrete Design add-on allows for various design checks according to international standards. You can design members, surfaces, and columns, as well as perform punching and deformation analyses.
Add-On
The Timber Design add-on performs the ultimate, serviceability, and fire resistance limit state design checks of timber members according to various standards.
Add-On
The Masonry Design add-on for RFEM allows you to design masonry using the finite element method. It was developed as part of the research project titled DDMaS – Digitizing the Design of Masonry Structures. The material model represents the nonlinear behavior of the brick-mortar combination in the form of macro-modeling.
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Add-On
The Steel Joints add-on for RFEM allows you to analyze steel connections using an FE model. The FE model is generated automatically in the background and can be controlled via the simple and familiar input of components.
Add-On
The Torsional Warping (7 DOF) add-on allows for considering cross-section warping as an additional degree of freedom when calculating members.
Add-On
The two-part Optimization & Costs / CO2 Emission Estimation add-on finds suitable parameters for parameterized models and blocks via the artificial intelligence (AI) technique of particle swarm optimization (PSO) for compliance with common optimization criteria. Furthermore, this add-on estimates the model costs or CO2 emissions by specifying unit costs or emissions per material definition for the structural model.
Add-On
Concrete Design add-on allows for various design checks of members and columns according to international standards.
Add-On
The Timber Design add-on performs the ultimate, serviceability, and fire resistance limit state design checks of timber members according to various standards.
Add-On
The Time-Dependent Analysis (TDA) add-on allows you to consider the time-dependent material behavior of members. The long-term effects, such as creep, shrinkage, and aging, can influence the distribution of internal forces, depending on the structure.
Add-On
In RFEM, the Geotechnical Analysis add-on uses properties from soil samples to determine the soil body to be analyzed. The accurate determination of soil conditions significantly affects the quality of the structural analysis of buildings.
Add-On
The Building Model add-on for RFEM allows you to define and manipulate a building using stories. The stories can be adjusted in many ways afterwards. The information about stories and the entire model (center of gravity) is displayed in tables and graphics.