Analysis & Design Software for Tensile Membrane Structures

Structural Engineering Software for Tensile Membrane Structures

The structural analysis software RFEM allows for form‑finding, structural analysis, and determination of cutting patterns of tensile membrane and cable structures.

The calculation is performed according to the large deformation analysis. When determining the cutting patterns, user‑defined intersection lines and compensation dimensions are considered.

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

Wind Simulation and Wind Load Generation

The RWIND Simulation stand-alone program is recommended for complex structures. This program simulates wind flows around any structure 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 Membrane Structures

RF‑FORM‑FINDING searches for shapes of structures subjected to tension or compression, such as membrane and cable structures. 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

Consideration of Nonlinear Material Laws

The RF-MAT NL add-on module allows for consideration of nonlinear material behavior in RFEM.

It offers the option to couple surfaces with the stiffness types "Membrane" and "Membrane-Orthotropic" with the material models "Isotropic nonlinear elastic 2D/3D" and "Isotropic plastic 2D/3D" (RF-MAT-NL add-on module required). This functionality enables the simulation of the nonlinear strain behavior of, for example, ETFE foils.

RF-MAT NL Add-on Module

More Add-on Modules for Tensile Membrane Structure Designs

For structural analysis and design of tensile membrane structures or their substructures, find more useful add‑on modules under the Steel Structures as well as Aluminum and Light-Weight 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 of 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 of 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 of Tensile Membrane Structures

Membrane Roof Structure on the Banks of the Elbe in Dresden, Germany

Every summer, movie nights and other events take place on the banks of the Elbe in Dresden. Over 200,000 visitors throughout the summer attend more than 55 films and concerts, complete with national and international artists.
Customer Projects of 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 of Tensile Membrane Structures

"Four-Season-Arch" Luxury Camping Tent, USA

The Under Canvas company provides a unique opportunity for all-inclusive adventure glamping (glamorous camping). Established in 2009, the company has grown to include multiple luxury glamping resorts and customized events all over the country.
Customer Projects of 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 of Tensile Membrane Structures

CanopyMarqui Luxury Camping Tent, USA

Under Canvas began in 2009 with the opening of an all-inclusive glamping adventure package. It has since grown to include eight luxury glamping resorts and a customized event offering, bringing the glamping experience to life everywhere in the country.
Customer Projects of 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 of Tensile Membrane Structures

Open-Air Theater Grandstand Roof Structure in Sömmersdorf, Germany

An impressive roof structure was constructed over the Passion Play open-air theater in Sömmersdorf, Franconia (Germany). The self-supporting spatial steel structure includes a PVC membrane roof covering the 14,908 ft² auditorium. Only four foundations in total support the entire roof structure.
Customer Projects of 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 of 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 of 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 of 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 façade of the stadium emits various colors of light, thus making the whole arena building very special.
Customer Projects of 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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Dlubal Software is a member of the TensiNet Association .

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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Versatile Software and Great Service

"ACS Production chose RFEM in order to have a versatile software that allows us to design our tensile membranes alongside our steel, timber, or aluminum structures in a single user environment.

The software’s capabilities and user-friendly interface are a real advantage over the competition. What’s more, the customer support’s dedication, modernness, responsiveness, and skillset ensure that each and every one of our projects is properly realized."