Software for Form-Finding & Cutting Patterns of Membrane Structures

Structural Analysis of Tensile Membrane, Cable, Shell and Beam Structures

The structural analysis programs RFEM and RSTAB provide various options for form‑finding and cutting patterns of tensile membrane structures, such as form‑finding and analysis of cable, shell and beam structures.

Both programs perform the calculation according to the large deformation analysis.

Calculation in RFEM

The structural analysis software RFEM designs membranes together with the supporting structure (for example cables).

Membranes can be modeled as general and quadrangle surfaces. The quadrangle surfaces are general quadrilateral surfaces whose boundary lines do not have to rest in one plane. Therefore, it is possible to model surfaces with anticlastic and synclastic curvature, which is characteristic for the membrane structures.

For the design, the surface types Membrane and Membrane-Orthotropic are available. It is possible to define different directional stiffness properties (in the warp and weft direction) for the surface type Membrane‑Orthotropic.

In addition, RFEM provides an option to model and design the connection plates, fittings, and others.

Structural FEA Software RFEM

Form-Finding of Membrane and Cable Structures

RF‑FORM‑FINDING searches for shapes of structures subjected to tension or compression, such as membrane and cable structures, shells, and so on. The shape is calculated by the equilibrium between the surface stress (specified prestress and additional load such as self‑weight, pressure, etc.), and the given boundary requirements. The prestressed model is afterwards used as the initial state for all subsequent calculations.

RF-FORM-FINDING Add-on Module

Cutting Patterns of Membrane Structures

RF‑CUTTING‑PATTERN generates and organizes cutting patterns for membrane structures. Boundary conditions of the cutting patterns on curved geometry are determined by boundary lines and independent planar cutting lines or geodesic cutting lines. The flattening process is performed according to the minimum energy theory.

RF-CUTTING-PATTERN Add-on Module

Calculation in RSTAB

In the frame & truss analysis software RSTAB, it is possible to design the primary construction of membrane and cable structures. Form-finding and framework design may be carried out in the engineering software Easy by Technet. The modular program system Easy performs especially the geometrically nonlinear calculation of membranes and pneumatic cushions. RSTAB has a special connection to this design program used for light framework structures.

The internal forces are determined in Easy by Technet where the membrane is also dimensioned. Then, it is necessary to import the data to the structural analysis program RSTAB by Dlubal Software in order to perform the design and stability analysis.

Since the stiffnesses may affect the forces in a membrane significantly, the cross-sections optimized in RSTAB are returned to Easy for recalculation during the iterative process. After the design, RSTAB can also be used as a tool for documentation of the structural analysis including tables and graphics.

Structural Frame Analysis Software RSTAB

Add-on Modules for Structural Analysis of Cable and Membrane Structures

In addition to the RF-FORM-FINDING and RF‑CUTTING‑PATTERN add‑on modules for RFEM, you can find more useful add‑on modules for structural analysis of cable, membrane, shell, and beam structures under the Steel Structures, Aluminum and Light-Weight Structures, and Concrete Structures industry.

Interfaces for Data Exchange

The structural analysis software provided by Dlubal can be seamlessly integrated into the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process. A variety of interfaces allows you to exchange data from digital building models with RFEM or RSTAB.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Support and Learning

Customer service is one of the fundamental pillars of the Dlubal Software company philosophy. We also offer you all the support you need for your daily work.

Customer Projects | Tensile Membrane Structures

Recreational Area Tension Membrane Structure in Châteauneuf-de-Galaure, France

The engineering company ACS provided the full project structural analysis and design, including the fabric membrane and frame structure.
Customer Projects | Tensile Membrane Structures

Tennis Court Tension Membrane Roof in Belin-Béliet, France

The Belin-Béliet (department of Gironde) municipality tennis club, founded in 1976, completed a new tennis hall in July 2019. This project was made possible due to a subsidy provided by the French Tennis Federation along with the support of the municipality.
Customer Projects | Tensile Membrane Structures

Tensile Structure for "International Circus Festival of Italy"

For twenty years, the Circus Festival in Latina has been thrilling audiences with the world’s most talented artists. The International Circus Festival of Italy, founded by Giulio Montico and operated by the Montico family, has been recognized globally since the first performance. The circus tent built in Latina has made it possible to appreciate the quality of the many artists performing there.
Customer Projects | Tensile Membrane Structures

Stadium La Montura, Chile

A roof made of steel and fabric membranes was designed for the football stadium in San Bernardo, a city in the south of Santiago. The elegant, curved design in lightweight construction now also covers the standing area.
Customer Projects | Tensile Membrane Structures

Bus Station Roof Structure in Halle (Saale), Germany

The architectural highlight of the Halle (Saale) bus station includes stylish canopies over the bus platforms. The continuous lights integrated at the roof edges are a real eye-catcher, especially at night.
Customer Projects | Tensile Membrane Structures

"Mitoseum" Entrance Structure in Kleinwelka Dinosaur Park, Germany

The entrance structure to Kleinwelka Dinosaur Park near Bautzen, Germany has a total height of 72 ft and resembles mitosis. Mitosis is a type of cell division and the origin of life. The bionic structure consists of 1,389 steel tube members assembled together at 269 joints.
Customer Projects | Tensile Membrane Structures

Oxigeno in San Francisco de Heredia, Costa Rica

A unique project called "Oxigeno" is currently under construction in San Francisco de Heredia, San José, Costa Rica. The recreational and commercial space, which measures almost 1,345,489 ft², offers the visitor a relaxing shopping atmosphere in harmony with nature.
Customer Projects | Tensile Membrane Structures

New Construction for a Bus Station in Aarau, Switzerland

A unique structure which roofs the main bus station in the Swiss town of Aarau was built at the end of 2013.
The canopy has a cloud-like shape and contains the largest single-chamber cushion in the world. It has a volume of 63,920 ft³ and a roofed area of 11,517 ft².
Customer Projects | Tensile Membrane Structures

Wall Façade of Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany

Allianz Arena is a soccer stadium in Munich, Germany, which hosted the opening match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The translucent exterior facade of the stadium emits light in various colors and thus makes the whole arena building very special.
Customer Projects | Tensile Membrane Structures

Rainforest Biome of Eden Project in Cornwall, United Kingdom

The Eden Project is a complex of two biomes and outdoor gardens with plants from many diverse climates and environments.
The biome is a steel frame structure with cladding panels consisting of triple-layered membrane cushions made of ETFE foil.

Contact Dlubal

Do you have any questions about our products or need advice on selecting the products needed for your projects?
Contact us via our free e-mail, chat, or forum support or find various suggested solutions and useful tips on our FAQ page.

(267) 702-2815

info-us@dlubal.com

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Manual (PDF)

Doctoral Thesis on Membrane Structure Design According to FEA

Master thesis Rostislav Lang

This doctoral thesis by Rostislav Lang deals with the design and analysis of membrane structures using FEA software.

Download Thesis

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The best I have used

"RFEM is the best I have used. I have experience with RISA, STAAD, ETABS, Visual Analysis, and others. In the tensile/fabric structure world, I've tried NDN, Forten, etc. Once you get used to RFEM's interface, it has no comparison to the others. Even with typical structures, it's much easier."