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2024-02-13

Aluminum and Lightweight Structures

I would like to design an aluminum structure. Is it possible to use RFEM or RSTAB for this?


Answer:

Both RFEM and RSTAB provide solution: There are numerous European and international standards as well as add-ons available for both programs that can facilitate your daily design work of aluminum and lighweight structures.

Main Programs RFEM and RSTAB

The main programs RFEM and RSTAB are used to define the model with its properties and actions. In addition to spatial beam structures, such as scaffolding or frame structures, you can also model membrane structures with RFEM. Thus, RFEM is the more versatile variant—especially if you work in other areas, such as solid construction.

Available Standards

  • EN 1999 (Eurocode 9)
  • ADM (US standard)
  • GB 50429 (Chinese standard)

Add-ons for Aluminum and Lightweight Structure

Design add-ons supplement the functionality of the main programs. Use the Aluminum Design add-on to perform the ultimate and serviceability limit state design, as well as the stability analysis according to the standards listed above. The Torsional Warping (7 DOF) add-on allows you to also perform lateral-torsional buckling analysis with up to seven degrees of freedom.

The design checks can be carried out for a large number of standardized and parameterized cross-sections. Lightweight structures often includes special cross-sections, such as extruded sections. You can define it with the program RSECTION and use it for the design in RFEM or RSTAB.

In the case of membrane and cable structures, the Form-Finding add-on facilitates your task to determine the shape of member and surface models subjected to axial forces.

In case of any questions about the Dlubal solution for aluminum and lightweight structures, our sales team will be happy to assist you.


Author

Mr. Vogl creates and maintains the technical documentation.