Find a variety of structural membrane structures and cable net structures to download, which you can use for training purposes or for your projects.
Software for Form-Finding and Cutting Patterns of Tensile Membrane Structures
Calculation in RFEM
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.
Form-Finding of Membrane, Cable, Shell, and Beam Structures
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.
Consideration of Nonlinear Material Laws
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.
Add-ons and Add-on Modules for Structural Analysis of Membrane, Cable, Shell, and Beam Structures
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.
Cutting Patterns of Tensile Membrane 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.
Calculation in RSTAB
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.
Interfaces for Data Exchange
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.
Support and Learning
Customer service is a fundamental pillar of the Dlubal Software company philosophy. We provide any necessary support you need to complete your daily work.
Models to Download

Cutting Pattern of Membranes and Cable Elements
Cable and tensile membrane structures are regarded as very slender and aesthetic building constructions. The partly very complex double-curved shapes can be found using suitable form-finding algorithms. One possible solution is to search for the form via the equilibrium between the surface stress (provided prestress and an additional load such as self-weight, pressure, and so on) and the given boundary conditions.

Automatic Preliminary Form-Finding of Membrane Surfaces
Activating the "Show Preliminary Form-Finding" option in the shortcut menu leads to an automatic preliminary form-finding according to the saved form-finding properties when you change the structure of membrane surfaces. This interactive graphics mode is based on the force density method.
- Is it possible to perform the form-finding of membranes without considering the semi-rigid supporting structure?
- How is it possible to make factorized combinations of a dead load in the context of form‑finding?
- Is it possible to export the form-finding results? For example, in a DXF file?
- How do I activate form-finding of a membrane surface?
- Although I have modeled two identical structural systems, I obtain a different shape. Why?
- It seems that the members stay not deformed after my RF‑FORM‑FINDING calculation. What did I wrong?
-
Can I export my cutting pattern?
- How do I model a tent roof with two cone tips?
- How do I model a suspended membrane roof structure with line supports?
- I would like to calculate and design "flying structures." What do I need for this?
Associated Products