Online Manuals

The FEA software RFEM allows for modeling and structural analysis of general plate, shell, and member structures. It is also possible to analyze combined structures as well as solid elements and objects with contact properties.

This user manual describes the modeling, calculation, and result evaluation features related to the structural analysis.

The frame & truss analysis software RSTAB allows for the modeling and calculation of general frame, beam, and truss structures. The powerful computation kernel enables linear or nonlinear determination of internal forces, deformations, and support reactions.

This user manual describes the modeling, calculation, and result evaluation features related to the structural analysis.

RFEM dialog boxes are shown for images of dialog boxes that are identical to RFEM.

RFEM and RSTAB are powerful programs, helping structural engineers meet requirements in modern civil engineering. This short introduction will help you with the first steps and familiarize you with the most important functions of the software.

In this tutorial, we would like to inform you about the essential features of the RFEM program. The first part shows how to create the structural objects and loads, combine the loads, perform a structural analysis, check the results, and prepare the data for printing. The US codes are used as standards.

In this tutorial, we would like to inform you about the essential features of the RFEM program. In the first part, a model was defined and a structural analysis was carried out. Now, the second part deals with the concrete design of slabs, walls, beams, and the column. ACI 318-19 is used as a standard.

In this tutorial, we would like to inform you about the essential features of the RFEM program. In the first part, a model was defined and a structural analysis was carried out. After performing the concrete design in the second part, the third part now deals with the design of steel members. AISC 360-16 is used as a standard.

The Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on allows you to represent the construction process of the model in the RFEM 6 program. In this way, you can add, remove, or adjust structural objects to the individual construction phases. Furthermore, you can use the add-on can to determine the sequence of the load application and the way how the load cases are combined within the construction stages.

The Warping Torsion add-on (7 degrees of freedom) allows you to consider the cross-section warping as an additional degree of freedom in the global calculation of members in RFEM and RSTAB. Input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the FEA program RFEM and the framework program RSTAB.

This manual describes the Warping Torsion add-on (7 degrees of freedom) for the programs RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.

For some structures, the long-term effects, such as creep, shrinkage, and aging, can influence the distribution of internal forces. This time-dependent material behavior can be determined using the Time-Dependent Analysis (TDA) add-on, which is available in the RFEM 6 program.

The influence of the time-dependent material behavior is currently only taken into account for member elements, and creep effects for the material concrete.

The Form-Finding add-on finds the optimal shape of members subjected to axial forces and tension-loaded surface models. The shape is determined by the equilibrium between the member axial force or the membrane stress and the existing boundary conditions.

The resulting new model shape with impressed force conditions is made available as a universally applicable initial state for further calculation of the entire structure.

The Geotechnical Analysis add-on allows for a finite element analysis of soil solids with the suitable material laws in RFEM 6. By integrating Geotechnical Analysis into the FEA software, the soil-structure interaction can be represented computationally completely in the overall model.

With the Geotechnical Analysis, it is possible to determine the stresses and deformations of a soil solid. The input and result evaluation are integrated in the user interface of the RFEM 6 program.

This manual describes the Geotechnical Analysis add-on for the RFEM 6 program.

Dynamic analyses in RFEM& 6 and RSTAB& 9 can be performed in several add-ons.

• The Modal Analysis add-on is the basic add-on, performing natural vibration analyses for member, surface, and solid models. It is a prerequisite for all other dynamic add-ons.

• The Response Spectrum Analysis add-on allows you to perform a seismic analysis using the multi-modal response spectrum analysis.

• The Pushover Analysis add-on can be used to determine the maximum nonlinear response of a structure to seismic loads.

• The Harmonic Response Analysis and Time History Analysis add-ons are still under development. Details on the planned content can be found in the following chapter.

This manual describes the dynamic analysis add-ons for RFEM 6 and RSTAB& 9.

The Building Model add-on allows you to define and manipulate a building by means of stories. The stories can be adjusted in many ways. Information about the stories and also the entire model (a center of gravity) is displayed in tables and graphics.

This manual describes the Building Model add-on for the RFEM 6 program.

The Stress-Strain Analysis add-on performs a general stress analysis by calculating the existing stresses and comparing them with the limit stresses. Strains for surfaces and solids can also be determined.

During the stress analysis, the maximum stresses of solids, surfaces, and line welds (RFEM only), as well as members are determined. The governing internal forces are also documented for each member and each surface. Furthermore, there is the option of an automatic section or thickness optimization including the update of the sections or surface thicknesses modified in RFEM/RSTAB.

This manual describes the Stress-Strain Analysis add-on for the programs RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.

The Optimization & Costs/CO₂ Emission Estimation add-on consists of two parts: On the one hand, you can use it to determine an optimal parameter layout for parameterized models, based on the user-defined optimization criteria. For this purpose, the artificial intelligence technology (AI) of particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used. On the other hand, you have the option to estimate the costs and CO₂ emissions of a model by specifying the unit costs and emissions for the materials used in the model.

This manual describes the features of the add-on for the programs RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9. The explanations refer to RFEM, but also apply to RSTAB.

The Multilayer Surfaces Add-on allows you to define the layer structure of any material models. In the case of orthotropic materials, the individual layers can be rotated by an angle ß, and thus it is possible to consider different stiffnesses in one direction. The Multilayer Surfaces add-on is completely integrated in the user interface of the FEA program RFEM.

This manual describes the Multilayer Surfaces add-on for the RFEM 6 program.

The Concrete Design add-on allows you to design reinforced concrete members and surfaces according to various design standards. It is possible to perform the ultimate limit state and serviceability limit state design checks. The input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the structural FEA software RFEM and the frame & truss analysis software RSTAB.

This manual describes the Concrete Design add-on for RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9. In RSTAB, you can only design members and member sets, not surfaces.

The Steel Design add-on allows you to design steel members according to various design standards. Cross-section resistance checks, stability analyses, and serviceability limit state design checks can also be performed. The input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the structural FEA software RFEM and the frame & truss analysis software RSTAB.

This manual describes the Steel Design add-on for the RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 programs.

The Timber Design add-on allows you to design timber members according to various design standards. Cross-section resistance checks, stability analyses, and serviceability limit state design checks can also be performed. The input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the structural FEA software RFEM and the frame & truss analysis software RSTAB.

This manual describes the Timber Design add-on for the RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 programs.

The Aluminum Design add-on allows you to design aluminum members according to various design standards. It is possible to perform cross-section resistance checks, stability analyses, and serviceability limit state design checks. The input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the structural FEA software RFEM and the frame & truss analysis software RSTAB.

This manual describes the Aluminum Design add-on for the RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 programs.

The "Steel Joints" add-on allows for the analysis of connections on the basis of an FE model. The design checks are carried out for various connection types for rolled and welded cross-sections. The input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the structural FEA software RFEM.

This manual is currently in preparation.

The Masonry Design add-on activates special material models that have been developed for calculating masonry structures. This allows you to consider the masonry material in an FEM analysis.

In the calculation, internal forces and deformations are determined on the basis of stress-strain lines derived from the standardization. This means that the design is based on the standard.

This manual describes the Masonry Design add-on for the RFEM 6 program.

Web service is a programmable interaction system for RFEM/RSTAB. With the help of this technology, RFEM/RSTAB provides a server service that can be reached locally or via a network. It is possible to send requests and get responses from RFEM/RSTAB with this client-server communication.

This manual describes the web service technology for the programs RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.

The RSECTION program determines the section properties of any thin-walled and solid cross-sections and performs a stress analysis.

This user manual describes the functions for modeling, calculation, and result evaluation.

RWIND 2 is a program (digital wind tunnel) for the numerical simulation of wind flows around any building geometries with determination of the wind loads on their surfaces. RWIND 2 is available as a Basic and Pro version.

RWIND2 can be used as a stand-alone application or together with RFEM and RSTAB for a complete structural analysis and design.

This manual describes the modeling of a stadium roof made of membranes in RFEM 6. Since the model consists of several segments, creating the individual segments is shown. Each segment consists of a main structure (a column, a stiffening element, cables) and a secondary structure (a membrane).

This manual describes the topics of the webinar "Model Optimization Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in RFEM 6." First, we will show you how to define global parameters. These parameters are then used in formulas to determine numerical values. Next, it is described how the defined parameters can be optimized. Finally, the procedure of estimating costs and CO₂ emissions is shown.

The Cutting Pattern add-on is still under development.

The aim is to calculate and organize cutting patterns for membrane structures. The boundary conditions of the cutting patterns on the curved geometry are determined by boundary lines and independent cutting lines. The flattening process is performed according to the minimum energy theory.

RFEM provides various interfaces to other software. They allow you to exchange model data between different programs, for example. This manual describes various options for data exchange.

This manual is currently in preparation.

This manual describes the topics of the webinar "Steel Structure Analysis in RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9". First, it shows how to model a truss bridge. Using this example, it describes how to apply loads and load combinations, and then a stability analysis as well as design according to Eurocode 3 using the Steel Design add-on is carried out.

In the manual for the Steel Design add-on, you can find detailed explanations of all the add-on options.

The manual describes all steps in RSTAB 9. However, all explanations also apply to RFEM 6.

This manual describes the topics of the webinar Modeling and Design of Timber Structures in RFEM 6.

First, it shows how to model a hip rafter in RFEM 6 and to apply loads, as well as how to perform timber design according to Eurocode 5. Finally, it explains creating a printout report and using parameters and user-defined scripts.

In the manual for the Timber Design add-on, you can find detailed explanations of all the add-on options.

This manual describes the topics of the webinar "Modeling and Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures in RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9".

Using an example of a building ceiling, it is explained how to perform reinforced concrete design according to Eurocode 2. Furthermore, the result documentation in the printout report is explained.

In the manual for the Concrete Design add-on, you can find detailed explanations of all the add-on options.

This manual describes the topics of the webinar "Masonry Design of Using Finite Element Method in RFEM 6".

This webinar shows you how to model masonry structures in RFEM 6 and how to calculate them using the nonlinear orthotropic material model.

This manual describes the topics of the webinar "Stability and Warping Torsion Analyses in RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9".

In the webinar, a stability analysis of a staircase tower is carried out. It explains when and why a warping torsion analysis with 7 degrees of freedom is necessary. Furthermore, special attention is given to how you can create and combine local imperfections in RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.

In the manual, all steps are carried out in RFEM 6, but the same also applies to RSTAB 9.

This manual describes the topics of the webinar "Modeling and Design of Solid Elements in RFEM 6".

In the webinar, a splice with bolts is modeled. It explains how you can define the contact between solids and perform a stress-strain analysis. Furthermore, the utilization of welds is also considered.

The program RFEM allows you to enter and analyze structures, materials, and loads for planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, members (beams), solids and contact elements.

The RWIND program is a separate application that is used externally to determine load cases and wind loads for the RFEM or RSTAB models. The software uses a numerical CFD model to apply a fluid-mechanics simulation of the flow around objects in a wind tunnel.

The RF-CONCRETE Surfaces add-on module performs ultimate and serviceability limit state designs of reinforced concrete surfaces according to various standards. The allowable maximum and minimum reinforcement ratios for the different types of structural components and a user-defined basic reinforcement are considered as well.

The manual also describes the module extensions RF-CONCRETE Deflect and RF-CONCRETE NL

The RF-CONCRETE add-on module allows you to perform ultimate and serviceability limit state designs of reinforced concrete members according to various standards. Optionally, you can check whether the fire resistance design according to EN 1991-1-2 is fulfilled.

The manual also describes the module extension RF-CONCRETE NL.

The add-on modules RF-STEEL EC3 (for RFEM) and STEEL EC3 (for RSTAB) can carry out all characteristic ultimate limit state, stability, deformation, and fire resistance designs for steel members according to Eurocode 3. Country-specific regulations are taken into account by various National Annexes. This manual describes the add-on modules of the two main programs, summarily called "RF-/STEEL EC3".

The manual also addresses the module extensions RF-/STEEL Warping Torsion, RF-/STEEL Plasticity, and RF-/STEEL Cold-Formed Sections.

The add-on modules RF-JOINTS (for RFEM) and JOINTS (for RSTAB) combine the connection modules for member elements in a single user interface. Currently, the steel categories Column Base, Pinned, Rigid, Tower, DSTV, and Sikla, as well as the timber categories Steel to Timber and Timber to Timber are implemented. This manual describes the special features of each individual add-on module.

The RF-/LIMITS add‑on module analyses the load bearing capacity of members, member ends, nodes, nodal supports, and surfaces by means of a defined ultimate load capacity.

The extendable library covers timber fasteners (SIGHA, Sherpa, WÜRTH, Simpson StrongTie, KNAPP) as well as steel fasteners (standardised joints in steel structures according to EC 3, M‑connect).

The RF-MOVE Surfaces add‑on module for RFEM creates load cases on the basis of various positions of moving loads such as vehicles on bridges.

In addition, it is possible to create an enveloping result combination.

Dlubal Software supports the building information modeling by means of BIM (Building Information Modeling) using the BIM interfaces with Autodesk Revit and Tekla Structures. These interfaces are integrated into RFEM and RSTAB by default.