Structural Analysis & Design Software for Cable and Tensile Structures

Structural Analysis & Design of Cable and Tensile Structures

Design your cable and tensile structures or their substructures with the structural analysis and design software RFEM and RSTAB. You can calculate the cables with prestress or without prestress.

In RFEM, you can use the RF-FORM-FINDING add-on module to search for the shape of the cable structure before performing the calculation. In addition, it is possible to combine the cables with member, surface, and solid elements.

3D Finite Element Analysis and Design

Structural engineering FEA software RFEM is the basis of a modular software system. RFEM is used to define structures, materials, and loads for planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells and members. The program also allows you to create combined structures as well as model solid and contact elements.

Structural FEA Software RFEM

Structural Frame & Truss Analysis

The structural frame analysis and design software RSTAB contains a similar range of functions as RFEM, with special attention to beam, frame and truss structures. Therefore, it is very easy to use and for many years it has been the best choice for structural engineers.

Frame Analysis Software RSTAB

Wind Simulation & Wind Load Generation

Use the stand-alone program RWIND Simulation for complex structures. This program simulates wind flows around any structures by means of a digital wind tunnel.

The generated wind loads acting on these objects can be imported to RFEM or RSTAB.

More About RWIND Simulation

Form-Finding of Cable and Tensile Structures

The RF-FORM-FINDING add-on module for RFEM searches for shapes of cable and tensile structures. The shape is calculated by the equilibrium between the cable forces 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

More Add-on Modules for Cable and Tensile Structure Designs

For structural analysis and design of cable and tensile membrane structures or their substructures, find more useful add‑on modules under the Steel Structures as well as Aluminium and Light-Weight Structures industry. If you would like to perform dynamic analyses, use the add-on modules for dynamic and seismic analysis.

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 | Cable and Tensile 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 | Cable and Tensile Structures

Guyed Mast for Wind Performance Measurements in Andalusia, Spain

Removable guyed masts are used not only for telecommunications purposes, but also for collecting wind data in order to evaluate the profitability of a planned wind farm.
Customer Projects | Cable and Tensile 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 | Cable and Tensile Structures

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

The signature feature of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City is the glazed atrium that connects the main entry to both performance venues. The glass façade and the glass skylight are supported entirely by the cable structure. The design was conceived as similar to a cello’s strings.
Customer Projects | Cable and Tensile 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 | Cable and Tensile Structures

Pylon Bridge across Agger River in Lohmar, Germany

Since 2013, a new S‑shaped pylon bridge has meandered across the Agger River near Lohmar, a town in West Germany.
Due to its curving shape, the bridge, which reflects the course of the river, is perfectly integrated into the landscape.
Customer Projects | Cable and Tensile Structures

Suspension Bridge in Pitigala, Sri Lanka

A very special project was carried out in Pitigala, Sri Lanka in 2013. A suspension bridge was designed, calculated, and built by 30 students of the university team known as "Engineers Without Borders".
The 11.8-foot-long bridge across the Bentara River with was constructed with pure manpower.
Customer Projects | Cable and Tensile Structures

New Vessel - "Alexander von Humboldt II" Sailing Ship

In October 2011, the sailing ship "Alexander von Humboldt II" started service and has been conquering the seas ever since.
The ship, operated by German Sail Training Foundation (DSST), is a barque rigged with three masts. The masts and the hull consist of steel.
Customer Projects | Cable and Tensile Structures

Skywalk Allgäu Treetop Walk in Scheidegg, Germany

Skywalk allgäu is a path leading through the treetops of the Allgäu Alps in Southern Germany.
The steel and timber structure of the path about 3,281 ft above sea level consists of cable-stayed and suspension bridge constructions.

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

Tensinet logo

Dlubal Software is a member of the TensiNet Association .

Manual (PDF)

PennDOT Certificate

PennDOT-Logp

RFEM 5 has been tested and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) as a universal structural analysis software for government projects.