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NDN is a comprehensive FEM software package developed specifically for the Tensile Membrane Engineering Professional. It provides the engineer with everything he needs for the design, and optimization of membrane and steel structural systems. It is a single package that contains model building, analysis, post processing, member sizing, and patterning. It is the most comprehensive software available in the world for the Tensile Membrane industry. It is easy to learn, has a lightning fast matrix solver and video game style graphics that are second to none. The program automatically loads your structure, automatically sizes the steel members, and automatically produces the patterns to any desired fabric width.
Office contact details: Martin Brown Director of Engineering - Tensile Structures Fabritec Structures USA-Shade & Fabric Structures, Inc. 8505 Chancellor Row Dallas, TX 75247 +1 972 354 6543 mbrown@usa-shade.com Personal contact details Martin Brown 2816 N Creekwood Dr. Grapevine, TX 76051 Tel: +1 817 442 8270 Mob: +1 214 587 4933 +1 817 948 5204 martinbrownmanly@hotmail.com
Fig 2. Screen image in the Model Environment. There is a main pull down menu on the upper left side, shortcut buttons on the upper right side, main control panel down the right side, environment tabs at the lower left, and display controls at the lower right.
3 Setup: The Setup Environment allows the user to define file locations, libraries, units, graphic controls, preferences, default properties, design parameters, fabric type, seam styles, etc.
Model: The Model Environment is the largest part of the system. It contains everything that is required to easily build and manipulate models in 3D. It is organized into eight different menu areas: File. Build. Edit. Adjust. Layer. Query. Utilities. Tools. For file access, I/O, etc. Reads and writes native data files, DXF files etc. Used for generation of groups of element meshes, copying, mirroring, etc. Used for editing the model on an element by element, node by node basis. Allows adjustment of the model, stretching, moving, etc. Defines and manages the layers, blocks, etc. Used to provide information to the user, distances, quantities, etc. Contains house keeping algorithms, renumbering, etc. Provides construction tools, intersections, projections, etc.
Shape: The Shape Environment is used to form find the equilibrium shape of the membrane and cable system. It operates on either the membrane components alone or on the full system as directed by the user. Also as directed by the user, it can solve for shapes controlled by a defined stress field or a defined force density. All element types can be actively and simultaneously used during shape generation including beams, struts, geodesics, etc. thus allowing endless possibilities.
Fig 5. Shape Environment is used to form find the equilibrium shape of the membrane system.
Property: The Property Environment is used to define all the detailed properties required for full FEM analysis. Properties can be entered manually or conveniently pulled from libraries.
Load: The Load Environment is used to generate the load data for the externally applied loads such wind, snow and live load. It contains time saving commands and algorithms for automatic loading of the models.
Fig 6. Wind coefficients are automatically generated in the Load Environment based on model geometry and building code requirements.
6 Analysis: The Analysis Environment performs the large deflection FEM analysis based on Stiffness Method. The matrix solver is a highly optimized proprietary sparse solver. It is not limited by bandwidth and uses minimum memory. It has been tested by NASA and shown to actually be the fastest matrix solver available today. It is lightning fast, able to solve models with 10,000+ elements in one or two seconds. The user can execute the analysis either manually, load cases by load case, or automatically run all load cases at once.
7 Post: The Post Process Environment allows the user to examine and graphically display analysis results, such as deflections, member forces, bending moments, etc. It also generates custom reports to whatever level of detail is required. It performs automatic member sizing for cables, rods, and circular hollow sections using either British, Australian, or USA design codes. Further, it performs structural checks of pipe to pipe welded connections.
Fig 9. Screen image of the beam design area in the Post Processor. Member sizes are labeled with both text annotations and a color legend.
Fig 10. Screen image of membrane stress displayed in the Post Processor.
8 Pattern: This section performs the membrane patterning. Patterns can be defined individually by the user or generated automatically to a given fabric width. They are mathematically flattened either by geometrical triangulation methods or thru highly accurate minimum energy analysis, depending on the precision required.
Seam allowances (i.e. adds and subtracts), cut lines, etc. are automatically added to the patterns. Corners are automatically trimmed. Bolt hole marking can also be automatically transferred onto the patterns at the direction of the user. Output from the patterning module is in the form of both text files and DXF files. The output includes the original nodes and worklines from the model, the triangulation used for flattening, seam allowances, bolt hole layouts, curve fit perimeter, numerical data, etc.
Fig. 14. Seam styles are defined on the 3D model while in NDN. Appropriate adds and subtracts are then automatically applied to the patterns.
Fig. 15. Typical patterning output transferred into AutoCad thru a DXF file. In addition to the basic pattern and original nodes, the data also contains curve fit edges, seam allowances (adds and subtracts), match lines, bolt hole layouts, index marks, etc.
10 Element Type Library: The element type library is extensive, allowing almost limitless modeling possibilities. There are twelve element types in all as described below.
Strut
Elastic - Carries tension Elastic - Carries tension or compression. or compression. Non-elastic. Expands or contracts to maintain constant tension. Elastic - Carries tension only. Non-elastic. Expands or contracts to maintain constant force density. Elastic - Carries tension only. Elastic - Carries tension only. Elastic - Carries tension only. Elastic - Carries tension only. Elastic - Carries tension only.
Detached Cable
Jack
Expands or contracts to Expands or contracts to predefined length. predefined length. Pulls nodes into geodesic path on membrane. Elastic - Carries axial force, shear, moment and torsion. Non-elastic. Expands or contracts to maintain constant prestress. Elastic - Carries tensile only. Inactive.
Geodesic
Beam
20
30
Elastic - Carries axial force, shear, moment and torsion. Elastic - Carries tensile only. Elastic - Carries tensile only.
31
32
11 NDN is currently used by many of the leading tensile membrane designers, engineering consultants and fabricators world wide.