The form-finding function can be activated in the General Data dialog box, Options tab. Prestresses (or geometrical requirements for members) can be defined in the parameters for surfaces and members. The form‑finding process is performed by calculation of an RF‑FORM‑FINDING case.
Steps of the working sequence:
- Creation of a model in RFEM (surfaces, beams, cables, supports, material definition, and so on)
- Setting of required prestress for membranes and force or length/sag for members (for example, cable)
- Optional consideration of other loads for the form-finding process in special form‑finding load cases (self‑weight, pressure, steel node weight, and so on)
- Setting of loads and load combinations for further structural analyses
