NDN Analysis Process

1. Build the model on NDN

2. Set properties
3. Shape Generate
4. Calculate Wind Pressure
5. Calculate the shape coefficients
6. Set the load cases
7. Run the analysis
8. Check member sizes
9. Check reactions/deflections/moments (structure behave)
10. Generate a report
11. Pattern

1. Build the model on NDN

1.1. If you have a drawing in .dxf, open NDN, select file > open, select the option dxf in file of
type and select your dxf file
1.2. Select Setup > Units > metric Defaults
1.3. If your model is in “mm, then select Setup > Units > Model Data > Model Units > Length >
mm and convert units to: Force > kN length > m and then click Convert and click Ok
1.4. To start from scratch, select Model Edit > Node > Add N. and enter the nodes by Cartesian
coordinates
1.5. To generate a beam, membrane, cables, etc. Model > Edit > Generate and choose the
element that you want to generate
1.6. Make sure that all nodes are connected, if they have to be, and select the same numbers of
segments for all element types that you are working with

2. Set properties
2.1. Fixed points: Property > Node DOF
Fixed: means that the node doesn’t move at all, they simulate fully fixed connections
between the structure to the ground or existing building. Those nodes are where you obtain
the reactions
Free: they can move freely.
Custom: For special attachments, customize them by changing translations and rotations to
0 or 1, according to the explanations on the software
2.2. Lift Off Process (Create layers “LIFT and LM” and assign points on the membrane and beam)
2.2.1.Lift Off Process
2.2.2. Use lift off process when you have different elements that are in contact to each other
and has transfer of loads between them, but they are not connected. Ie: membrane
against a beam
2.2.3. Model > Layer. Make a layer named Lift. Assign > Nodes and assign the nodes of the
element that would hit the other element. Ie the membrane
 2.2.4. Make a layer named LM. Assign > Nodes and assign the nodes of the element that
would be hit by another element. Ie the beam.
2.2.5. Nodes LM and nodes Lift don’t need to be aligned.
2.2.6. Property > Node DOF > Lift Off > Mark the box Lift Off Process > Lift > Select Layer Lift
> LM > Select Layer LM
2.2.7. Click Finish
2.3. Set the prestress (Membrane and cables) – If cable is continuous, apply the same force for
all of them.
2.3.1. Set the prestress
2.3.2.Property > Prestress > Work On > Membrane > Prestress > Force > Warp and Fill (set
the same prestress for both directions)
2.3.3.Assign > Select the membranes
2.3.4.Property > Prestress > Work On > Cable
If the cables are straight, enter any force for them, the software will find the exactly
force on them later.
If they are curved: Estimate > assign according with the curvature desired.
2.4. Prop Sets (Define material properties, sizes and end release)
2.4.1.Property > Prop Sets > Work On > Cables > Material > Library > Browser > Pattons-
materials-metric > Select the material > Finish > Assign
2.4.2.Section > Library > Browser > Pattons Metric Cables and Rope > Select the material >
Finish > Assign
2.4.3.Property > Prop Sets > Work On > Strut > Material > Library > Browser > Pattons-
materials-metric > Select the material > Finish > Assign
2.4.4.Section > Library > Browser > Select the Type of the material > Select the material >
Finish > Assign
2.4.5.Property > Prop Sets > Work On > Beam > Material > Library > Browser > Pattons-
materials-metric > Select the material > Finish > Assign
2.4.6.Section > Library > Browser > Select the Type of the material > Select the material >
Finish > Assign
2.4.7.End Release
2.4.7.1. Use end release option to apply pin connections
2.4.7.2. The pins are applied in the connections between members, in the end of the
segment.
2.4.7.3. Do not apply in the middle of continuous members
2.4.7.4. Utilize the explanation no the software to apply the right end releases
2.4.7.5. Keep in mind that they the degrees of freedom are in relation to the local
axis and not the global axis
2.4.8.Property > Prop Sets > Work On > Memb > Material > Library > Browser > Pattons-
materials-metric > Select the material > Finish > Assign
2.5. Orientation Node: Property > Orientation Node > Select Nodes and select 2 nodes that will
define the warp orientation of the fabric > assign
2.6. K-Node: Allows assignment of K-Nodes to define the local orientation of VERTICAL beam
elements.
Select the node to define the Y local axis of a member. Option to determine the orientation
of the member using vectors.
2.7. Unbraced length: Define the unbraced lengths of beams and strut elements to be used in
member sizing. That is the length to be considered in buckling resistance. (Check table)
3. Shape
3.1. In this section, the software form finds the natural shape of the structure based on the
geometry and prestress
3.2. Before starting, read: Dropbox\Engineering\NDN Software\NDN General Information >
Shape and Analysis Control Panels – 130209 and 14. File Handling - Full System Shaping
3.3. In shape label, there are 3 options:
Full System: the software will apply shape in all elements, it means that it will deform
beams. Use this option if you need beams moving during the shaping, otherwise the beam
will be locked in same position
Cable and Membrane: The software will apply shape in the cables and membrane only.
Membrane Only: The software will apply shape only in the membrane.
3.4. Record Coords: it will save the actual coordinates of the nodes. Always save that before
shaping the model. First, shape using the “Cable and Membrane” option, once it converged,
restore the shape and re shape as “Full System” (best practice)
3.5. Restore Shape: it will restore the saved coordinates that you saved in “Record Coords”
3.6. Click “Shape Generate” and follow the instruction in Shape and Analysis Control Panels –
130209

4. Calculate Wind Pressure

4.1. Utilize Pattons’ wind load calculation spreadsheet
4.2. Use AS 1170.2.2011, 1170.0.2002, 1170.1.2002 and all their supp and amdt
4.3. Determine wind region (AS 1170.2.2011 sec 3 pg 16 fig 3.1 (A))
4.4. Determine importance level (AS 1170.0. Supp 1.2002 CF2)
4.5. Determine design working life (AS 1170.0. Supp 1.2002 CF3)
4.6. Determine annual probability of exceedance (AS 1170.0.2002 pg 34 table F2)
4.7. Determine regional wind speed (Vr) (AS 1170.2.2011 sec 3 pg 14)
4.8. Determine wind direction multiplier (Md) (AS 1170.2.2011 sec 3 pg 15)
4.9. Determine terrain category (AS 1170.2.2011 sec 4 pg 18)
4.10. Determine terrain/height multiplier (Mz,cat) (AS 1170.2.2011 sec 4 pg 19)
4.11. Determine shielding multiplier (Ms) (AS 1170.2.2011 sec 4 pg 22)
4.12. Determine topographic multiplier (Mt) (AS 1170.2.2011 sec 4 pg 22)
4.13. Determine area reduction factor (ka) (AS 1170.2.2011 sec 5 pg 35)
4.14. Determine local pressure factor (kl) (AS 1170.2.2011 sec 5 pg 37)
4.15. Determine permeable cladding reduction factor (kp) (AS 1170.2.2011 sec 5 pg 40)
4.16. Determine service wind pressure (AS 1170.2. Supp 1:20102 sec c3 pg 14 C3.2)

5. Calculate the shape coefficients

5.1. Use AS 1170.2:2011 Appendix D to find which case resembles to the model
5.2. Consider the wind direction for all sides of the structure (0, 90, 180 and 270), if applicable

6. Load
6.1. The first load is ALWAYS the prestress and dead load. Load > Coefficients > Prestress
6.2. Change to LC 2, choose Wind or LL/Snow or Drag/Node Load
6.3. In Loads, enter with the pressure in kN/m²
6.4. For winds, enter the SERVICEABILITY wind pressure calculated in Item 8
 6.5. Load > Coefficients > Edit > enter the shape coefficient calculated in Item 9
6.6. Repeat the process for all Load Cases you need to apply

7. Run the analysis

7.1. Before running, clean the model (brush button), optimize bandwidth and save (there is a
button that does all this process in one click)
7.2. Analyse tab > Analysis
7.3. Follow the instruction in Shape and Analysis Control Panels – 130209

8. Check member sizes

8.1. Setup > Design Parameters > Building Code Australian > Apply factors > OK
8.2. Post process > Initialize Trials
8.3. Post process > Member Design > Beam (or any other element) > Trial Size (check if the trials
are the same you set previously) > Check
8.4. If they are under or over sized > Size > and size the members you want to change or go to
Library > and choose the size that you want
8.5. Check again
8.6. If it is all light green, or close to, go to Post Process > Update Model
8.7. Reshape it again (First restore shape and reshape it with the new member sizes)
8.8. Repeat Process 7
8.9. Repeat Process 8.3
8.10. If the members are still not satisfactory, repeat Process 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8 and 8.9
until they become satisfactory.

9. Check reactions/deflections/moments (structure behave)

9.1. Post Process > Display Results
9.2. In this section you can check the behaves of the structure when under loads. Check all the
forces and moments, slope/pounding, reactions and deflections.
9.3. Compare the max deflections with the suggested deflection limits in the building code (AS
4100-1998 - Steel Structure Appendix B page 169)

10. Generate a report

10.1. Export the reaction, deflection, moments/ etc Post Process > Excel Exports
10.2. If you are analysing per combinations. Use the building code AS 1170.0:2002 as
guide
10.3. Setup > Load Combinations > Reaction Load Combination > Add > Enter the factors
as per described in the building code
10.4. Export the reaction, deflection, moments/ etc Post Process > Excel Exports >
Combination
11. Pattern
11.1. Read 13. Patterning - Triangulation vs Squashing
11.2. The software patterns membranes in the current layer. So, if you have different
groups of membrane, separate them in different layers
11.3. Pattern > Setup > Seam Type Data > Read Data > Select Pattons Data. Add or edit any
different type of seam, pocket etc
11.4. Fabric Type > Dimensions > Enter with dimensions of the Roll and seams
11.5. Compensations > Enter the % of stretch on the material under prestress (this value
can be obtained in a biaxial test)
11.6. Pattern > Add Pattern > Auto Width. Select seam control if you want a specific
location of the seam. Follow the software instructions. This method just does full panels, so
the last one needs to be done with Semi Auto Method
11.7. Pattern > Add Pattern > Semi Auto > follow software instructions
11.8. If you want to do the squash process:
11.9. Pattern > Mesh Pattern > Remesh Pattern
11.10. Pattern > Delete > Pattern > All
11.11. Add Pattern > By Element > Poly > Select Panels as previous pattern
11.12. Pay attention with the warp orientation of the panels, you can readjust in
orientation button after generating a panel
11.13. Pattern > Squash > Go
11.14. Pattern > Review. If Shear Strain is less than 2 degrees, it is ok. If the Shear Strain is
too high, a new pattern has to be done with smaller panels
11.15. Pattern > Seam Type > assign the seams type, pockets, keder etc
11.16. Pattern > Output > Flattening Method > Squash (if have done the squash process, if
not, use triangulate) > Select Marking Plan > Write
11.17. Spline set to 0.1
11.18. Check if everything is right