Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Three-Dimensional Planning According to BIM Method

The structural analysis software provided by Dlubal Software can be integrated seamlessly into the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process.

The large number of interfaces ensure the data exchange of digital building models with RFEM or RSTAB.

Efficient due to BIM | Dlubal Software

Further Information

Data Exchange Between Autodesk Revit Structure and RFEM

Structural Analysis Programs by Dlubal Software and BIM

It is very important for Dlubal Software to provide options for planning in compliance with BIM. Numerous interfaces implemented in the structural analysis programs RFEM and RSTAB facilitate data exchange with commonly used software (such as CAD programs) and make it easy and comfortable.

The following overview shows a range of the interfaces integrated in RFEM and RSTAB by default.

Web Service and API

The new API technology Web Services allows you to create your own desktop or web-based applications by controlling all objects included in RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9. By providing libraries and functions, you can develop your own design checks, effective modeling of parametric structures, as well as optimization and automation processes using the programming languages Python and C#.

More About Web Service and API

Interface to TEKLA Structures

There are three ways to exchange data between RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 and Tekla Structures: Frame models can be transferred based on files in both directions via the stp interface. An analysis model generated and carried out in Tekla Structures can be transferred to RFEM/RSTAB via a direct interface. Physical models can be exchanged and aligned in both directions via another direct interface.

Tekla Interface in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8

Integration in Autodesk Revit

The direct bidirectional interface in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 to Autodesk Revit leaves nothing to be desired: A structure created in RFEM/RSTAB can be visualized in Revit and prepared for the design engineer; in the same way, it is possible to calculate and design a Revit model in RFEM/RSTAB. Even subsequent modifications in both the Revit and the RFEM/RSTAB model can be easily aligned.

Revit Interface in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8

Integration in Autodesk AutoCAD

In addition to data exchange using DXF files, RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 supports direct exchange with AutoCAD by Autodesk. This interface uses the latest .NET technology. You can start the data exchange directly in RFEM/RSTAB.

AutoCAD Interface in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8

RFEM 5 Interface to Nemetschek Allplan (*.asf)

Using the ASF files, the reinforcement determined in RF‑CONCRETE can be exported and displayed in Allplan in the form of reinforcement contours and FEA reinforcement color images.

Furthermore, the company Allbau Software GmbH provides an Allplan2Dlubal plugin, which is used to automatically generate a plate-member model from the Allplan model for use in the Dlubal structural analysis software.

RFEM 5 Interface to Nemetschek Allplan

RFEM 6 Interfaces to Rhino & Grasshopper

The bidirectional interface RFEM 6 - Rhino allows you to transfer various line types as well as surfaces (plane, rotated surface, and NURBS).

The bidirectional Grasshopper interface allows you to export and import model data, load cases and combinations, as well as the loads themselves.

Interfaces to Rhino & Grasshopper in RFEM 6

SAF Interface

RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 support the data exchange using the Structural Analysis Format (SAF). The structural analysis programs offer both import and export. SAF is a file format based on MS Excel, which is intended to facilitate the exchange of structural analysis models between different software applications.

More Information About SAF Format

Data Exchange with Dietrich's (*.ifc)

With the IFC interface as well as the "CAD/BIM Model," you can import IFC files and convert them to member and surface elements. This import has been optimized in cooperation with the company Dietrich's so that the corresponding cross-sections and materials are assigned automatically for member elements.

Data Exchange with Dietrich's in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8

Interface to SketchUp with the 3skeng Steelwork Tool

With the program 3skeng Steelwork in SktechUp, it is possible to export IFC files based on "Structural Analysis View". This view contains the structural system with member hinges and cross-section as well as material properties.Use "File" → "Import" to import the IFC file. For more detailed information, see the SHK Engineering and Consulting GmbH & Co. KG website.

Product Interface for Steel Structures (*.stp)

For transferring pure member structures, the DSTV product interface for steel structures has been implemented. Thus, you can exchange data between RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 and the programs such as "Bentley ProStructure 3D," "Tekla Structures," "Bocad," "Intergraph Frameworks," "Graitec Advance Steel," "Cadwork," and many others.

DSTV Interface in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8

Microsoft Excel

For further processing or preparation of table values, RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9 provides a direct connection to Microsoft Excel. Thus, you can export the tables of RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9 individually or all at once directly into an Excel spreadsheet. Furthermore, the import is possible in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 (in preparation for RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9).

MS Excel Interface in RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9

DXF Format (*.dxf)

The DXF file format is one of the most common data exchange formats available in the CAD area. DXF files can be imported as well as exported.

DXF Interface in RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9

IFC Interface in RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9

The IFC interface (Industry Foundation Classes) is divided into several areas, the so-called Views. Also, there are various versions of the IFC format. Version 4.0 is supported for both the import and the export. The older version 2x3 is only supported for the import. Regardless of the exchange direction, it is possible to process the StructuralAnalysisView as well as the ReferenceView (Coordination View).

When importing the ReferenceView, the individual IFC objects can be converted into the RFEM-native elements. The cross-section and material descriptions can be adjusted using the conversion tables. The export in the ReferenceView allows you to display the structure in IFC viewers and CAD programs. StructuralAnalysisView allows you to transfer the structural model including loading.

Connection to ConED

ConED has a bidirectional interface to RFEM 5. It can be used to calculate ceiling systems, deep beams, floor slabs, and entire buildings from ConED. Adjustments of any kind can still be made in RFEM 5 before the user initiates the calculation. The calculation results are read from the database via the COM interface and are imported in ConED.

SDNF Interface (*.sdnf)

The SDNF interface (Steel Detailing Neutral Format) by Intergraph is used for the data exchange with Intergraph Frameworks or Tekla Structures. Thus, the structural data in the form of nodes and members with the corresponding materials and cross-sections, but without support conditions, can be imported into RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 and exported from RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8.

Bentley ISM Interface (*.ism.dgn)

Due to the implementation of the ISM interface in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8, it is possible to exchange models with ProSteel, ProConcrete, and other Bentley applications. The interface works in both directions. The core of the ISM technology is the ISM Viewer V8i, which can be obtained free of charge from Bentley.

Among other things, it is possible to export surface components, such as walls and slabs or even sections with variable cross-sections, to ProSteel and ProConcrete. A useful additional feature of the ISM Viewer is the output option in a 3D PDF document.

Bentley-ISM Interface in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8

RFEM 5 Interface to GLASER -isb cad- (.geo, .fem)

This interface controls the interaction with the Glaser program by isb cad: You can import the GEO files into RFEM 5 and export the results of the concrete surface design as FEM files. The imports include single lines and arcs, surfaces as slabs (circumferential geometry), centroidal lines of walls, center points of columns, openings, surface loads, line loads, and free rectangular loads, line loads, and concentrated loads. The top and bottom reinforcement is exported in FE mesh or grid points, optionally the additional reinforcement and shear reinforcement only.

RFEM 5 Interface to DICAD STRAKON (*.cfe)

Within the data exchange, RFEM 5 supports the structural and reinforcement program STRAKON by DICAD. Imported are the structural data, such as nodes, lines, materials, surfaces, openings, and nodal and line supports. The reinforcement including the boundary lines of the surfaces is exported. Each surface is exported individually.

CIS/2 Structural Frame Scheme (*.stp)

The CIS/2 format by NIST is often used for data exchange in English-speaking countries. In addition to the structural data of member structures, RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 allows you to import the information about loads, load cases, load combinations, and result combinations.

RFEM 5 Interface to CADKON (*.esf)

The ESF format (Engineering Structural Format) allows for data exchange with the CADKON program by ABStudio. It is possible to export both planar surfaces with a constant thickness and any existing openings as well as the used materials from RFEM 5 to an ESF file.

Text Format (*.000)

It is possible to import text files in the format *.000 (structure) and *.001 (loading) into RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 (format of the older Dlubal program PLATE).

SCIA Engineer (*.xml)

To exchange data with the structural analysis program SCIA Engineer, the import of XML files has been implemented in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8.

SCIA Engineer Interface in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8

cadwork Interface (*.stp)

The interface in RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 allows to export models to the CAD program cadwork and to import the cadwork models. In addition to the model geometry, it is also possible to transfer the information about cross-sections, materials, supports, and rigid couplings.

Dlubal Webinar: Data Exchange Between cadwork and RFEM 5

SEMA Interface

This interface allows you to transfer 3D structures created with the software SEMA for timber structures and framing. A SEMA model can be transferred to RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 using the DXF or the DSTV(STP) file format; DSTV does not only include the structural geometry, but also the information about cross-sections, materials, supports, and rigid couplings.

Dlubal Webinar: Data Exchange Between SEMA and RFEM 5

Interface to Advance Steel (*.smlx)

The SMLX export (Steel Markup Language) allows you to transfer member structures from RFEM 5 or RSTAB 8 to Advance Steel. In addition to the model geometry, the corresponding cross-sections, materials, and member eccentricities can be transferred.

Interface to Hilti PROFIS Engineering Suite

This direct bidirectional interface allows for the data exchange between RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 and Hilti PROFIS Engineering Suite.

Usually, the RFEM/RSTAB support loads are transferred to Hilti PROFIS Engineering Suite and then the design of dowels and anchor plates is performed. The results of the dowel design can be imported into RFEM/RSTAB as comments.

Dlubal webinář: Data Exchange Between Hilti PROFIS Engineering Suite and RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8

Interface to IDEA StatiCa

It is possible to export members, cross-sections (made of steel or concrete) and internal forces from RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 for design in IDEA StatiCa. The data is synchronized in IDEA StatiCa when the RFEM/RSTAB model changes.

Background Layers

Background layers are used to simplify the modeling process and can be underlain in the work window of RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9 to facilitate the input of graphical objects.

Background Layers in RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9

VCmaster Interface

This interface can be used to export a printout report from RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 to VCmaster (processing calculations and texts) by the company Veit Christoph GmbH and continue editing there.

RTF Interface

If you want to further edit a printout report of RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8 with MS Office, you can convert it, including the graphics, into an RTF file.

Add-on Modules RF-COM (for RFEM 5) and RS-COM (for RSTAB 8)

These programmable interfaces are based on the COM technology. They allow you to program your own input macros or post-processing programs.

RF-COM/RS-COM Add-on Module for RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8

RF-LINK Add-on Module

After the successful installation of RF‑LINK, the following interfaces are additionally available for the import in RFEM 5:

Standard Acis Text Format (*.sat)
Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (*.igs, *.iges)
Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (*.stp, *.step)

RF-LINK Add-on Module for RFEM 5

Customer Projects About BIM

BIM Project, New Plant in Graben-Neudorf

SWE-Eurodrive GmbH & Co. KG, a German family-owned company operating in the area of drive technology, is expanding its plant at Graben-Neudorf until 2019. The existing plant, with a size of 1,184,030 ft², will be almost doubled...
Customer Projects About BIM

Bahá’í Temple of South America in Santiago, Chile

An extraordinary structure was built in Chile: "Temple of Light", one of eight Bahá'í temples in the world.
The shape of the temple resembles a nine‑petalled blossom of a lotus flower. The building has a diameter of about 111.5 ft and a height of 98.4 ft.
Customer Projects About BIM

Kindergarten in Schwoich, Austria

A kindergarten, designed according to Building Information Modeling (BIM), is currently under construction in the Tyrolean municipality of Schwoich.
The digital 3D model accompanies the construction project from design until completion.
Customer Projects About BIM

Element 1 of Science Park in Linz, Austria

The science park completes the Johannes Kepler University Linz in Austria with five further buildings.
Building element 1 is a framed structure made of reinforced concrete. The structure includes a deep basement used as a parking garage, and a first floor with laboratories.
Customer Projects About BIM

New Roofs above Gates of Exhibition Grounds in Frankfurt, Germany

The steel structure of the roof above the northern gate of Frankfurt Exhibition Grounds has an oval shape with a size of 138 ft x 59 ft.
The roof is supported by pyramid-shaped columns, which appear particularly slim, and the roof gives the illusion of floating.

Contact Dlubal

Do you have any questions about our products or which are best suited for your design projects? Contact us via phone, email, or chat or find suggested solutions and useful tips on our FAQ page available 24/7.

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