Software for Form-Finding and Cutting Patterns of Tensile Membrane Structures

The structural analysis software RFEM 6 allows you to calculate membranes together with the supporting structure (for example, cables).

The membranes can be modeled as general surfaces as well as quadrangle surfaces. The quadrangle surfaces are general four-sided surfaces whose boundary lines do not have to lie in one plane. This allows you to model surfaces with anticlastic and synclastic curvature that are important for membrane structures.

The membrane and membrane orthotropic surface types are available for the design. In the case of the membrane orthotropic type, you can define different stiffness properties, depending on the direction (in the warp and weft direction).

RFEM also provides the option to model and design connection plates, fittings, and so on.

• Main Program RFEM 6

The Form-Finding add-on for RFEM 6 search for the optimal shape of the members subjected to axial forces and the surface models subjected to tension. The shape is determined by the equilibrium between the member axial force or the membrane stress and the existing boundary conditions. The resulting new model shape with impressed force conditions is made available as a universally applicable initial state for further calculation of the entire structure.

• Form-Finding Add-on for RFEM 6

The Nonlinear Material Behavior add-on for RFEM 6 allows you to consider material nonlinearities in RFEM.

There is the option to couple surfaces with the stiffness types "Membrane" with the material models "Isotropic | Nonlinear Elastic" and "Isotropic | Plastic." This functionality enables the simulation of the nonlinear strain behavior of ETFE foils, for example.

• Nonlinear Material Behavior Add-on for RFEM 6

For structural analysis and design of membrane, cable, shell, and beam structures, we recommend the add-ons and add-on modules of the Steel Structures, Aluminum and Lightweight Structures as well as Concrete Structures industries.

• Steel Structures
• Aluminum and Lightweight Structures
• Concrete Structures

The RF‑CUTTING‑PATTERN add-on module for RFEM 5 calculates 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 for RFEM 5

The structural frame & truss analysis software RSTAB 8 designs the primary structure of membrane or cable structures. Form-finding and structural design can be performed, for example, in Easy by technet, to which RSTAB has a special connection.

In Easy, the internal forces are determined and the membrane is dimensioned. After the transfer to the structural analysis software RSTAB, the design and, if necessary, the stability analysis are carried out.

Since the stiffnesses can have a considerable influence on the forces in the membrane, the cross-sections optimized in RSTAB are transferred to Easy for recalculation. The frame & truss analysis software RSTAB is also used as a tool for the graphical and tabular documentation of the structural analysis after the successful design.

• Main Program RSTAB 8

The structural analysis software provided by Dlubal Software can be integrated seamlessly into the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process. The large number of interfaces ensures the data exchange of digital building models with RFEM or RSTAB.

The web service (programmable interface) can be used to read or write data from/to RFEM and RSTAB.

Customer service is a fundamental pillar of the Dlubal Software company philosophy. We provide any necessary support you need to complete your daily work.

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• Structural Analysis Models to Download