When you start RF-PUNCH, the materials and surface thicknesses defined in RFEM are already preset. If still necessary, you can select the nodes that you want to design manually or graphically.

Furthermore, it is possible to take into account openings existing around the relevant area with risk for punching shear. Those openings are either already known from the RFEM model or can be specified additionally in RF-PUNCH so that the model's stiffness won't be affected. Moreover, it is possible to define those openings subsequently in the graphic by using rectangular or circular openings.

As parameters of the longitudinal reinforcement, the number and direction of layers as well as the concrete cover are defined by surface, separately for the plate's top and bottom sides. A further input table allows you to define all additional details for the punching shear points, such as the settings for the perimeter to be considered, the available longitudinal reinforcement and the punching shear reinforcement.

To provide a clear overview, RF-PUNCH always displays the plate with the corresponding punching shear point. Furthermore, it is possible to start the design program developed by HALFEN-DEHA, a German producer of shear rails, in the final input table. In this way, all information set in RFEM can be transferred quickly and easily for further use.

RF-PUNCH can determine the punching load automatically, based on support forces, specified concentrated loads or axial forces of the connected members. It is also possible, however, to enter user-defined specifications. When designing according to DIN 1045-1, you can influence the shape and creation of perimeters. This can be useful in case you want to check existing punching shear designs with the same arrangement of perimeters, or to restrict the maximum size of the final perimeter because of structural reasons or in order to avoid collisions with other perimeters. As RF-PUNCH is integrated in RFEM, all punching shear nodes are known in the surface. Therefore it is possible to carry out an interference check of the determined perimeters with the perimeters of the adjacent columns.

Subsequent to the calculation, RF-PUNCH displays the punching shear designs in clearly arranged tables together with all result details in order to ensure traceability. The provided and the allowable shear stresses for the design shear resistance of the plate as well as various perimeters and reinforcement ratios are represented in detail. Where necessary, a clarifying note is indicated.

Another results table lists the required longitudinal or punching shear reinforcement for each node that has been analyzed. A graphic describing the results is available, too. All displayed design results can be clearly represented with values in the workspace.

Furthermore, it is possible to integrate all results tables and graphics into the global RFEM printout report. In this way, a clearly arranged documentation is guaranteed.