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The equilibrium structure and lateral stress profile of fluid bilayer membrane patches are investigated using the Dissipative Particle Dynamics simulation technique. Although there are no attractive forces between the model amphiphiles, they spontaneously aggregate into planar bilayers under suitable conditions of concentration and amphiphile architecture. Pure bilayers of single-chain and double-chain amphiphiles are simulated, and the amphiphile architecture and interaction parameters varied. We find that a strong chain stiffness potential is essential to create the lamellar order typical in natural lipid membranes. Single-chain amphiphiles form bilayers whose lamellar phase is destabilized by reductions in the tail stiffness. Double-chain amphiphiles form bilayers whose rigidity is sensitive to their architecture, and that remain well-ordered for smaller values of their tail stiffness than bilayers of single-chain linear …