Structural Analysis Software for Steel Structures

Structural Analysis & Design of Steel Structures

The structural analysis programs RFEM and RSTAB together with the corresponding steel add-on modules are the optimal solution for the structural analysis and design of steel structures such as steel buildings, steel halls, scaffoldings, bridges, silos, cranes, crane runways, masts, winter gardens, etc.

The modular software system of Dlubal consists of the main program RFEM (FEA) or RSTAB (member structures) and the corresponding add-on modules.

Video | Steel Structures
Customer Project | Bionic Steel Structure

zapf & co. - Structural Engineering GmbH, Strausberg | www.zapf-co.de
Many structural engineers use the structural analysis software RFEM (FEA) or RSTAB (frames and trusses) for the structural analysis of steel halls.

By using the helpful add-on modules, it is possible to perform all required designs for ultimate limit state, stability and serviceability according to various standards. Dynamic calculations are possible as well as additional design checks for fire resistance or fatigue.

Customer Project | Steel Frame Structure

Metalúrgica Vera S.R.L. | www.metalurgicavera.com.py
Customer Project | Terminal Building

INROS LACKNER SE | www.inros-lackner.de
RFEM and RSTAB are ideal for structural design and analysis of industrial constructions. These include chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, industrial, metal, mineral process plants as well as production halls, containers, pipeline systems, large filters, and so on.

RSTAB allows for design of member structures and RFEM for additional plate, wall, shell, and solid elements.

Structural Analysis and Design of Industrial Plants

Ing.-Büro Mauss, Düsseldorf, Germany | Ing.ibmauss.de
More complex 3D steel connections can be modeled and designed utilizing the FEM structural analysis software RFEM. The connection is modeled with surface and possibly solid elements.

In order to consider the contact effects as well as the plastic material behavior, nonlinear geometric and physical properties are activated in RFEM.

Structural Analysis and Design of Steel Connections

MSc Engineering bv, Doorwerth, Netherlands |www.msc-engineering.nl
The structural analysis programs RFEM (FEA) and RSTAB (frames and trusses) as well as the stand-alone program SHAPE-THIN 9 perform the design of facade structures such as glass facades, curtain walls, double facades, element facades, etc.

RWIND Simulation allows you to simulate wind flows around buildings or any other objects by means of a digital wind tunnel and to generate wind loads.

Calculation of Facade Structures

Rümmele Bauingenieur GmbH | www.ruemmelefacades.com
The analysis and design of offshore structures such as drilling platforms, wind power plants, research platforms, and many others, applies many features of RFEM and RSTAB.

These features include the analysis of structures consisting of several materials, dynamic analysis, stability analysis, fatigue designs, generation of loads due to rotation, wind simulation, and other functions.

Offshore Structural Analysis Software
Video | Steel Structures
Video | Steel Structures
Many users rely on structural analysis software RFEM (FEA) and RSTAB (frames and trusses) when analyzing and designing bridges consisting of steel.

By using the helpful add-on modules, it is possible to generate influence lines, moving loads on members and surfaces, and more. Dynamic analyzes are also possible as well as required designs of stability, serviceability limit state, fatigue and buckling.

Structural Analysis | Bridges

FEA Structural Analysis

The structural analysis program RFEM is the basis of a modular software system. The main program RFEM is used to define structures, materials, and loads for planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells and members. The program also allows you to create combined structures as well as model solid and contact elements.

Main Program RFEM

Analysis & Design of Frame/Beam/Truss Structures

Structural frame analysis and design software RSTAB contains a similar range of functions as RFEM, with special attention to beam, frame, and truss structures. Therefore, it is very easy to use and for many years it has been the best choice for structural analysis.

Frame Analysis Software RSTAB

Wind Simulation & Wind Load Generation

The RWIND Simulation stand-alone program is recommended for complex structures. Utilize this program to simulate wind flow (digital wind tunnel) around buildings or any other objects and generating wind loads, i.e. forces acting on these objects based on CFD.

Import the generated wind loads acting on these objects to the structural analysis and design software RFEM or RSTAB.

Program RWIND Simulation

Stress Analysis of Member and Surface Structures

The RF-/STEEL add-on module performs general stress analysis by calculating the existing stresses and comparing the results with limit stresses.

RF-/STEEL Add-on Module

Design of Members According to Various Standards

The following add-on modules perform all typical ultimate limit state design, stability analyses, and deformation analyses for structural steel:

RF-/STEEL EC3 | EN 1993‑1‑1 (Eurocode 3)
RF-/STEEL AISC | ANSI/AISC 360 (US standard)
RF-/STEEL SIA | SIA 263:2013 (Swiss standard)
RF-/STEEL IS | IS 800:2007 (Indian standard)
RF-/STEEL BS | BS 5950‑1:2000 (UK standard) or BS EN 1993‑1‑1 (UK annex)
RF-/STEEL GB | GB 50017‑2003 (Chinese standard)
RF-/STEEL CSA | CSA S16‑09 and CSA S16‑14 (Canadian standard)
RF-/STEEL AS | AS 4100‑1998 + Annex 1 - 1999 (Australian standard)
RF-/STEEL NTC-DF | NTC‑RCDF (2004) (Mexican standard)
RF-/STEEL SP | SP 16.13330.2011 (Russian standard)
RF-/STEEL SANS | SANS 10162‑1:2011 (South African standard)
RF-/STEEL NBR | ABNT NBR 8800:2008 (Brazilian standard)
RF-/STEEL HK | 2011 - Buildings Department - Hong Kong

Structures with Cold-Formed Cross-Sections

With the RF-/STEEL Cold-Formed Sections module extension and the SHAPE-THIN cross-section program (version 9 and higher), you can design general cold-formed sections according to EN 1993-1-3 and EN 1993-1-5.

Warping Torsion Second-Order Analysis with 7 Degrees of Freedom

RF-/STEEL Warping Torsion is an extension of the RF-/STEEL EC3 add-on module. It performs lateral‑torsional (flexural-torsional) buckling analysis of members according to the second‑order theory (P-Delta) with 7 degrees of freedom and application of imperfections with regard to mode shapes.

Module Extension RF-/STEEL Warping Torsion

Plastic Design of Steel Cross-Sections

RF-/STEEL Plasticity is an extension of the RF‑/STEEL EC3 add-on module. This allows for the plastic design of cross-sections according to the partial internal forces method (TSV) and simplex method.

Module Extension RF-/STEEL Plasticity

Stability Analysis According to Eigenvalue Calculation Method

The RF-STABILITY add-on module for RFEM and the RSBUCK add-on module for RSTAB calculate the buckling modes as well as the critical loads of the model based on the eigenvalue analysis. The add-on modules are therefore suitable for the linear and nonlinear analysis of the structural stability behavior.

Generation of Imperfections

The RF-IMP/RSIMP add-on module is used to generate equivalent geometric imperfections (equivalent loads) or a pre-deformed equivalent model.

Add-on Module RF-IMP/RSIMP

Fatigue Design of Members

The RF-/STEEL Fatigue Members add-on module allows you to perform fatigue designs according to EN 1993‑1‑9 for steel members and sets of members.

Add-on Module RF-/STEEL Fatigue Members

Design of Crane Runway Girders

The CRANEWAY stand-alone program calculates and performs all required designs of crane runway girders according to Eurocode 3. You can optionally select between bridge or suspension cranes.

Program CRANEWAY

Plate Buckling Analysis and Design for Plates with or Without Stiffeners

The PLATE-BUCKLING stand-alone program or the RF‑/PLATE‑BUCKLING add-on module performs plate buckling analysis of rectangular plates according to the standard EN 1993‑1‑5.

Program/Add-on Module RF-/PLATE-BUCKLING

Design of Thin-Walled Cross-Sections

The SHAPE-THIN stand-alone program determines section properties and performs stress analysis and plastic design of any thin-walled cross-sections. The cross-sections and the calculated section properties can be exported to the main programs RFEM or RSTAB.

Program SHAPE-THIN

Structural Dynamic Analysis

Add-on modules for dynamic analyses are suited for seismic design, vibration analysis of buildings, machine foundation design, natural frequency analysis for bridges and chimneys, and many other dynamic calculations.

Add-on Modules for Dynamic Analysis

Steel Connection Design

RFEM and RSTAB provide powerful add-on modules for design of steel and timber connections.

Add-on Modules for Connections

Data Exchange Interfaces

Structural analysis programs by Dlubal Software integrate seamlessly into the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process. A large number of interfaces ensure the data exchange of digital building models with RFEM or RSTAB.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Support and Learning

Customer service is a fundamental pillar of the Dlubal Software company philosophy. We offer any necessary support you need to complete your daily work:

Customer Project

Cruise Terminal | Cruise Center 8 | Warnemünde, Germany

In addition to the cruise terminal located at Berth 7, a second cruise ship check-in terminal was constructed in Warnemünde. There are occasions when three ships may call at the same time.
Customer Project

Tennis Court Tension Membrane Roof in Belin-Béliet, France

The Belin-Béliet (department of Gironde) municipality tennis club, founded in 1976, completed a new tennis hall in July 2019. This project was made possible due to a subsidy provided by the French Tennis Federation along with the support of the municipality.
Customer Project

Recreational Area Tension Membrane Structure in Châteauneuf-de-Galaure, France

The engineering company ACS provided the full project structural analysis and design, including the fabric membrane and frame structure.
Customer Project

Mechanical Displacement System Design, Saint-Martin-de-la-Porte, France

The hydroelectric power plant project goal was to analyze the resistance of a double mechanical displacement system on rails subjected to tensile stress.
Customer Project

Covered Grandstand for "Swearing-in Ceremony of the Bergamo Guardia di Finanza", Italy

Studio Rota Nodari has extensive experience in civil and industrial project development. For many years, it has designed temporary and permanent steel and aluminum structures such as tensile structures, scaffolding, platforms, and prefabricated roofs for various events throughout Italy and abroad.
Customer Project

Tensile Structure for "International Circus Festival of Italy"

For twenty years, the Circus Festival in Latina has been thrilling audiences with the world’s most talented artists. The International Circus Festival of Italy, founded by Giulio Montico and operated by the Montico family, has been recognized globally since the first performance. The circus tent built in Latina has made it possible to appreciate the quality of the many artists performing there.
Customer Project

Guyed Mast for Wind Performance Measurements in Andalusia, Spain

Removable guyed masts are used not only for telecommunications purposes, but also for collecting wind data in order to evaluate the profitability of a planned wind farm.
Customer Project

Chase Center Arena, San Francisco, CA, USA

Chase Center Arena is the newest addition to Mission Bay in San Francisco. The state-of-the-art sports and entertainment center features 18,000 seats.
Customer Project

Aircraft hangar at Silvio Petirossi International Airport | Luque, Paraguay

Metalúrgica Vera S.R.L. was awarded the design and construction of a new hangar structure located in Paraguay’s Silvio Petirossi International Airport for large aircraft repair and storage.
Customer Project

Stadium La Montura, Chile

A roof made of steel and fabric membranes was designed for the football stadium in San Bernardo, a city in the south of Santiago. The elegant, curved design in lightweight construction now also covers the standing area.

Contact Dlubal

Do you have any questions about our products or need advice on selecting the products needed for your projects?
Contact us via our free e-mail, chat, or forum support or find various suggested solutions and useful tips on our FAQ page.

(267) 702-2815

info-us@dlubal.com

Further Information

Models to Download

Here you can find a variety of structural analysis models for steel structures, which you can use for training purposes or for your projects.

Steel models for free download

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

RFEM is a Reliable Partner for My Daily Tasks

"Many thanks for yesterday's Dlubal Info Day which was perfectly planned and held by very well-trained staff.

RFEM is a reliable partner for my daily tasks in building construction, just great!"

Why Dlubal Software?

Solutions

Over 86,000 users in 95 countries
One software package for all application areas
Free support by experienced engineers
Short learning time and intuitive / self-explanatory software
Excellent price-performance ratio
Flexible modular concept that can be extended as required
Scalable license system with single-user and network licenses
Respected and proven software in many well-known projects

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing Support

"The software is great; it's handled everything we’ve needed to do. But it pales in comparison to the amazing support Dlubal provides. Not only are the responses always on point, they are timely as well.

Wind Simulation & Wind Load Generation

With the stand -alone program RWIND Simulation, you can simulate wind flows around simple or complex structures by means of a digital wind tunnel.

The generated wind loads acting on these objects can be imported to RFEM or RSTAB.