Isogeometric Analysis and Design of Membrane Structures
Due to the interaction of shape and bearing behavior, the design cycle of membrane structures is an iterative process. Formfinding analysis tries to find the optimal solution for both the aesthetic and technical demands of a structure. In engineering practice, the processes of design and analysis are performed in two entirely separate software environments.
Isogeometric analysis (IGA) aims at a combination of those environments by using NURBS-functions from CAD as a basis for analysis. In Isogeometric B-Rep Analysis (IBRA), a full B-Rep description is utilized and the B-Rep edges can be provided with full mechanical properties.
A membrane element and an embedded B-Rep cable element have been developed for the design and analysis of membrane structures in the IGA context.
NURBS basis functions portray double curved shapes of architectural membranes in an optimal way for both design and analysis. Analysis can be performed directly from the CAD model in high accuracy with very few degrees of freedom and therefore low computational efforts.
NURBS basis functions portray double curved shapes of architectural membranes in an optimal way for both design and analysis. Analysis can be performed directly from the CAD model in high accuracy with very few degrees of freedom and therefore low computational efforts.
Examples for the Isogeometric Analysis and Formfinding of Membrane Structures
Geometrically non-linear analysis of a circular membrane with edge cable under radial load with different parametrizations: (a) untrimmed, (b) trimmed, (c) trimmed and coupled https://mediatum.ub.tum.de/?id=1293388 [Philipp2016] 
Formfinding of the Sternwellenzelt by Frei Otto https://mediatum.ub.tum.de/?id=1293388 [Philipp2016]
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