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

Structural Analysis of Tensile Membrane, Cable, Shell and Beam Structures

The structural analysis programs RFEM and RSTAB provide various options for form‑finding and cutting patterns of tensile membrane structures, such as form‑finding and analysis of cable, shell and beam structures.

Both programs perform the calculation according to the large deformation analysis.

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.

Main Program RFEM 6

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.

Form-Finding Add-on for RFEM 6

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.

Nonlinear Material Behavior Add-on for RFEM 6

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.

RF-CUTTING-PATTERN Add-on Module for RFEM 5

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.

Main Program RSTAB 8

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 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 facade of the stadium emits light in various colors and thus makes the whole arena building very special.
Customer Projects | 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.

+49 9673 9203 0

info@dlubal.com

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Manual (PDF)

Doctoral Thesis on Membrane Structure Design According to FEA

This PhD thesis by Rostislav Lang deals with the design and analysis of membrane structures using FEA software.

Download Thesis

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The best I have used

"RFEM is the best I have used. I have experience with RISA, STAAD, ETABS, Visual Analysis, and others. In the tensile/fabric structure world, I've tried NDN, Forten, etc. Once you get used to RFEM's interface, it has no comparison to the others. Even with typical structures, it's much easier."