A static analysis setting (SA) specifies the rules according to which load cases and load combinations are calculated.
Base
The Main tab manages the settings for the structural analysis and elementary calculation parameters. The options are explained in detail in the # extbookmarkmanual|basis|RFEM 6 manual#.
To perform the form-finding, select the analysis type is large defomation analysis . The approach according to Newton-Raphson is preset for the large deformation analysis. You can leave the maximum number of iterations at 100 and the number of load levels should be 1.
Basic Settings
The Basic Settings tab manages the basic specifications for the calculation. The options are described in detail in the RFEM 6 manual .
Form-Finding
The Form-Finding tab manages special entries for the form-finding process.
Settings
Number of Iterations for Form-Finding
You can specify in how many iterations the form-finding calculation should apply the prestress to the elements with the previously defined value. When this limit is exceeded, the program stops repeatedly, applying the prestress with the start value during the form-finding calculation. In fact, increasing the allowable iterations can lead to better convergence.
Precision and Tolerances
Speed of Convergence
The speed of convergence that controls the calculation stability can be adjusted. The form-finding calculation applies the absolute stiffness to the membrane surfaces, but the user can increase the stiffness by defining a value lower than 1. This results in slower convergence, but higher calculation stability.
Options
Integrate Preliminary Form-Finding
The option to integrate the preliminary form-finding is also available in the settings. The preliminary form-finding displaces the FE surface elements by using the simple linear force-density method. Thus, the path between the initial position and the target position is usually reduced for the actual iterative form-finding process. That being the case, a certain amount of computing time is saved, and the global form-finding process is faster.
