Form-Finding Loads

The form-finding loads are defined using the corresponding object loads. You can define area loads, member loads, and solid loads.

Area loads and member loads have the Form-Finding load type. For solid loads, select the Gas load type.

For objects that are divided, but actually connected in the model, there are also member set loads, surface set loads, and solid set loads. The concept of these loads corresponds to that of the regular loads, so they are not listed again explicitly.

Member Loads

Member loads of the Form-Finding load type can be defined geometrically or as a force.

Member Loads - Geometric Definition Type

The Geometric definition type allows you to define the shape using the following options:

• Length (L_c)
• Unstressed length (L_mfg)
• Sag (S)
• Maximum vertical sag (S_max | Load direction Z_L)
• Low-point vertical sag (S_low | Load direction Z_L)

For all geometric loads, there is the option to define them relatively or absolutely. You can switch between the absolute and relative definitions by clicking the symbol. In the case of a relative definition, the designation of the load includes the abbreviation rel.

The definition of internal forces can be set to tension or compression for all geometric loads. Please note that due to this definition, cables can only absorb tension. For a beam member, in contrast, a shape can be found under tension or even compression.

Member Loads - Force Definition Type

The Force definition type allows for shape definition using the following options:

• Average force in member (T_avg)
• Maximum force in member (T_max)
• Minimum force in member (T_min)
• Horizontal tension component (F_x)
• Tension at i-end (T_i | Member start)
• Tension at j-end (T_j | Member end)
• Minimum tension at i-end (T_min,i | Member start)
• Minimum tension at j-end (T_min,j | Member end)
• Force density (FD)

Surface Loads

Surface loads can have the form-finding definition of force or stress. You can select between the Standard Method and the Projection Method . Furthermore, the form-finding definition of sag is available in the standard method.

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It is important to mention that to apply an orthotropic surface prestress, the Specific axes option should be set in the Edit Surfaces dialog box and the input parameters of the surfaces should be adjusted accordingly.

Surface Load - Standard Method

The Standard Method describes a vector that can move freely in space up to the target position.

Surface Load - Standard Method

With the definition of the sag, it is possible to specify the deflection of a membrane and thus, above all, to model cushions. You specify how far the surface can be deflected and the associated force definition is automatically determined iteratively. You just need to define a ratio of the forces in n_x and n_y.

The sag can be related to the following imaginary planes:

• Base
• Coordinate system
• Surface

The base refers to the surface itself. The base plane is used. In the case of a curved surface, these are usually the supported edges.

The coordinate system refers to a defined coordinate system. The governing factor here is the Z-axis (or the W-axis for a rotated coordinate system). The sag is measured as a sag from the surface to the axis.

The sag can also be defined with reference to another surface.

Various models are shown in the following modeling.

Surface Load - Projection Method

The Projection Method can be defined orthogonally or radially in RFEM 6.

For a comparison of the orthogonal and radial projection methods, check the following model file.

The surface loads are defined as follows:

Comparison of Orthogonal and Radial Projection Methods

Number	Load Distribution	Force Definition [kN/m]	Force Definition [kN/m]	Shape	Reason
1	Orthogonal	nx = 2	ny = 2	Circular	same prestress in X and Y
2	Orthogonal	nx = 2	ny = 10	Elliptical	higher prestress in Y
3	Orthogonal	nx = 10	ny = 2	Elliptical	higher prestress in X
4	Radial	nr = 2	nt = 2	Circular	same prestress in r and t
5	Radial	nr = 2	nt = 10	Circular, strong cone	higher prestress in t
6	Radial	nr = 10	nt = 2	Circular, weak cone	higher prestress in r

Surface Load - Orthogonal Projection Method

The orthogonal projection method describes a vector that is partially movable in space and fixed on the global XY coordinates.

Surface Load - Radial Projection Method

The radial projection method describes a vector that is partially movable in space and fixed on the defined radial axes and tangential axes.

For the radial projection method, it is necessary to define the axis. You can easily snap two points in your model using the button. This is usually a vertical axis at the center of your conical membrane.

Solid Loads

Solid loads of the Gas load type can be defined using various gas behaviors.

Solid Loads - Gas Load Type

The Gas load type allows for the shape definition based on the following gas behavior:

• Resulting overpressure (p_o)
• Overpressure increment (Δ_po)
• Resulting volume (V)
• Volume increment (Δ_V)

The terms are defined as follows:

Gas Solid

Abbreviation	Description
p	Gas pressure
pp	Gas initial (atmospheric) pressure
po	Gas overpressure
Δpo	Gas overpressure increment
pa	Current gas pressure (corresponds to pp without the initial state / construction stage)
V	Gas Solid
Va	Current gas volume
ΔV	Volume increment
T	Gas temperature
Tp	Initial gas temperature