With online group training, you can enhance your professional knowledge, and you will ensure that your investment in the software pays off to the maximum.
Online Training on Tensile Membrane Structures Using Structural FEA Software RFEM and Add-on Modules RF-FORM-FINDING and RF-CUTTING-PATTERN
In this training, you learn the calculation options of the structural FEA software RFEM with regard to the analysis of tensile membranes structures.
Using practical examples, you will learn the associated functions and modeling options in RFEM, RF-FORM-FINDING, and RF-CUTTING-PATTERN.
Open questions can be discussed.
Time Schedule
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What is form-finding?
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Spanned cable structures
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Mechanically pre-stressed membranes
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Pneumatically pre-stressed membranes
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Structural analysis of the shape-found models
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Determination of dimensions for production
Notes
A reliable internet connection is required to participate.
During the training, each participant can ask questions via chat at any time.
After the event, each participant will receive the models, video recordings, and materials presented in the training for download. This allows you to follow the entire training step by step again and try everything out in the program by yourself.
To take part in the online training, the participant will receive the login information in due time.
After completing the training, each participant will receive a certificate.
Dipl.-Ing. (BA) Andreas Niemeier, M.Eng.
Head of Product Engineering
Mr. Niemeier is responsible for the development of RFEM, RSTAB, RWIND Simulation, and in the area of membrane structures. He is also responsible for quality assurance and customer support.
In RFEM, there are a file‑based and a direct DXF interface. The file-based DXF interface allows you to export the data in a DXF file that is transferred directly into an open AutoCAD file. In the interface dialog box, you can select which data are to be exported (results as isolines, result values, or finite element mesh with boundary and integration lines).
The form-finding process in RF-FORM-FINDING displaces the corner nodes of FE elements of a membrane surface in space until the defined surface stress is in equilibrium with the boundary conditions. This displacement is independent of the element geometry. In the case of elements with four corner nodes, the free displacement may cause spatial drilling in the element plane and thus exceed the validity limits of the calculation; therefore, triangular elements are generally recommended for form‑finding systems. Triangular elements remain independent of the corner node displacement and stay within the calculation limitations.
During the form-finding process, the slip modulus of a substructure is also taken into account when searching for the equilibrium state. You can also consider large deflections of supporting trusses or pure bending deformation of the edge beams when determining the membrane shape.
The RF-FORM-FINDING add-on module determines equilibrium shapes of membrane and cable elements in RFEM. In this calculation process, the program searches for such geometric position where the surface stress/prestress of membranes and cables is in equilibrium with natural and geometric boundary conditions. This process is called form-finding (hereinafter referred to as FF). The FF calculation can be activated in RFEM globally in the "General Data" of a model, "Options" tab. After selecting the corresponding option, a new load case or a calculation process called RF-FORM-FINDING is created in RFEM. An additional FF parameter is available for defining surface stress and prestress when entering cables and membranes. By activating the FF option, the program always starts the form-finding process before the pure structural calculation of internal forces, deformation, eigenvalues, etc., and generates a corresponding prestressed model for further analysis.
With the Camera Fly Mode view option, you can fly through your RFEM and RSTAB structure. Control the direction and speed of the flight with your keyboard. Additionally, you can save the flight through your structure as a video.
The result tables show in color whether the internal forces are positive or negative, as well as showing the relation to the extreme values. The result tables of the design modules use color scales to represent the respective design ratios. This way, the governing locations are apparent immediately.
The Ponding load type allows you to simulate rain actions on multi-curved surfaces, taking into account the displacements according to the large deformation analysis.
This numerical rainfall process examines the assigned surface geometry and determines which rainfall portions drain away and which rainfall portions accumulate in puddles (water pockets) on the surface. The puddle size then results in a corresponding vertical load for the structural analysis.
For example, you can use this feature in the analysis of approximately horizontal membrane roof geometries subjected to rain loading.
Compared to the RF-FORM-FINDING add-on module (RFEM 5), the following new features have been added to the Form-Finding add-on for RFEM 6:
Specification of all form-finding load boundary conditions in one load case
Storage of form-finding results as initial state for further model analysis
Automatic assignment of the form-finding initial state via combination wizards to all load situations of a design situation
Additional form-finding geometry boundary conditions for members (unstressed length, maximum vertical sag, low-point vertical sag)
Additional form-finding load boundary conditions for members (maximum force in member, minimum force in member, horizontal tension component, tension at i-end, tension at j-end, minimum tension at i-end, minimum tension at j-end)
Material types "Fabric" and "Foil" in material library
Parallel form-findings in one model
Simulation of sequentially building form-finding states in connection with the Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on
The Form-Finding add-on finds the optimal shape of members subjected to axial forces and tension-loaded surface models. The shape is determined by the equilibrium between the member axial force or the membrane stress and the existing boundary conditions.
Structural engineering software for a finite element analysis (FEA) of planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, members (beams), solids, and contact elements
The Nonlinear Material Behavior add-on allows you to consider material nonlinearities in RFEM for example, isotropic plastic, orthotropic plastic, isotropic damage).
The Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on allows for considering the construction process of structures (member, surface, and solid structures) in RFEM.
The Time-Dependent Analysis (TDA) add-on allows you to consider the time-dependent material behavior of members. The long-term effects, such as creep, shrinkage, and aging, can influence the distribution of internal forces, depending on the structure.
In RFEM, the Geotechnical Analysis add-on uses properties from soil samples to determine the soil body to be analyzed. The accurate determination of soil conditions significantly affects the quality of the structural analysis of buildings.
The Building Model add-on for RFEM allows you to define and manipulate a building using stories. The stories can be adjusted in many ways afterwards. The information about stories and the entire model (center of gravity) is displayed in tables and graphics.
The two-part Optimization & Costs / CO2 Emission Estimation add-on finds suitable parameters for parameterized models and blocks via the artificial intelligence (AI) technique of particle swarm optimization (PSO) for compliance with common optimization criteria. Furthermore, this add-on estimates the model costs or CO2 emissions by specifying unit costs or emissions per material definition for the structural model.
The Multilayer Surfaces add-on allows you to define multilayer surface structures. The calculation can be carried out with or without the shear coupling.
The Concrete Design add-on allows for various design checks according to international standards. You can design members, surfaces, and columns, as well as perform punching and deformation analyses.
The Timber Design add-on performs the ultimate, serviceability, and fire resistance limit state design checks of timber members according to various standards.
The Masonry Design add-on for RFEM allows you to design masonry using the finite element method. It was developed as part of the research project titled DDMaS – Digitizing the Design of Masonry Structures. The material model represents the nonlinear behavior of the brick-mortar combination in the form of macro-modeling.
The Steel Joints add-on for RFEM allows you to analyze steel connections using an FE model. The FE model is generated automatically in the background and can be controlled via the simple and familiar input of components.