Software for Form-Finding and Cutting Patterns of Tensile Membrane Structures

The structural analysis software RFEM 6 allows you to calculate membranes together with the supporting structure (for example, cables). This will save you a lot of effort and time.

You can model the membranes as general surfaces as well as quadrangle surfaces. The quadrangle surfaces are general four-sided surfaces whose boundary lines do not have to lie in one plane. This allows you to model surfaces with anticlastic and synclastic curvature that are important for membrane structures.

There are membrane and membrane orthotropic surface types available for the design. In the case of the membrane orthotropic type, you can define different stiffness properties, depending on the direction (in the warp and weft directions). Furthermore, RFEM provides you with the option to model and design connection plates, fittings, and so on. Does that sound right up your alley? Then find out more here:

Is your project not yet in optimal shape? The Form-Finding add-on for RFEM 6 finds an optimal shape of members subjected to axial forces and surface models subjected to tension. The shape is determined by the equilibrium between the member axial force or the membrane stress and the existing boundary conditions. This results in a new model shape with an active force condition. You can use this as a universally applicable initial state for further calculation of the entire structure.

Not everything is always linear – you know that for sure. Dlubal Software is also addressing this problem. The Nonlinear Material Behavior add-on for RFEM 6 allows you to consider material nonlinearities in RFEM.

There, you have the option to couple surfaces with the stiffness types "Membrane" with the material models "Isotropic | Nonlinear Elastic" and "Isotropic | Plastic". This allows you to simulate the nonlinear strain behavior of ETFE foils, for example. Do you want to find out more? Then come this way, please:

Does your project require the analysis of membrane, cable, shell, and beam structures? That's no problem for the Dlubal structural analysis programs. For all requests that go beyond the main program, we can recommend add-ons and additional modules. You can find them, for example, in the Steel Structures , Aluminum and Lightweight Structures, as well as Concrete Structures industries.

Correct cutting patterns are particularly important for membrane structures. The RF‑CUTTING‑PATTERN add-on module for RFEM 5 gives you a helping hand in this case. It calculates and organizes cutting patterns for membrane structures. For this, boundary conditions of the cutting patterns on curved geometry are determined by boundary lines and independent planar cutting lines or geodesic cutting lines. Finally, the flattening process is performed according to the minimum energy theory.

Do you aim to design a primary structure of membrane or cable structures? Then the frame & truss analysis software RSTAB 8 is the right choice for you. For the form-finding and structural design, you can use Easy by technet, for example. RSTAB has a special connection to it.

Easy determines the internal forces and dimensions the membrane for you. We then recommend transferring the data to the structural analysis software RSTAB for the design and, if necessary, the stability analysis of your project.

Stiffnesses can have a considerable influence on the forces in the membrane. Therefore, the cross-sections optimized in RSTAB are transferred to Easy for a recalculation. If the design was successful, the structural frame & truss analysis software RSTAB also serves as a tool for the graphical and tabular documentation of the structural analysis.

As in the case of membrane and cable structures, the following also applies to structural analysis software: Flexibility is always good. Therefore, the Dlubal structural analysis software can be integrated seamlessly into the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process. Use a large number of interfaces to exchange data of digital building models with RFEM or RSTAB.

The Webservice provides you with a programmable interface. You can use it to read and write data from or to RFEM and RSTAB.

Regardless of whether you are planning a solid or a light-weight construction project: We are always at your side. Because customer service is a fundamental pillar of the Dlubal Software company philosophy. We also offer you all the support you need in your daily work. Have a look around. There is a lot to discover!