Form-finding describes the determination of an axially loaded shape, which is in equilibrium with the boundary conditions.
The form-finding process displaces the FE nodes of membranes and cables in space until the previously defined prestress is in equilibrium with the boundary elements. The resulting shapes utilize the used material extremely efficiently and are unique in terms of the force applied. In addition to a multiply curved membrane roof geometry subjected to tension in 3D space, this algorithm also allows you to determine the optimum element arrangement of a vault subjected to compression.
The form-finding analysis is possible in RFEM using the Form-Finding add‑on.
The program searches for the optimum element arrangement for objects subjected to tensile and compressive loads. This new force-based geometry is available with the active prestress for further calculation and cutting pattern determination.