Question:
When calculating a curved surface in RF‑GLASS, I get a message saying that the surface has more than 4 boundary lines and thus no layered FE mesh can be used. How can I avoid this message?
Answer:
In the case of a layered FE mesh, the same requirements apply as for a contact solid (see the links below this FAQ). If the requirements are not met, the layered FE mesh must be deactivated in the details of the composition (see Image 02).
Knowledge Base
Knowledge Base
Knowledge Base
The global calculation assigns the stiffness determined by means of the selected composition and the glass geometry to each surface. Then, the calculation proceeds using the plate theory. It is possible to select whether the shear coupling of layers should be considered.
In the case of the local calculation, you can further specify 2D or 3D calculation. Two-dimensional calculation means that the single-layer or laminated glass is modeled as a surface, whose thickness is calculated on the basis of the selected structure and glass geometry (using the plate theory). Similarly to the global calculation, you can optionally consider shear coupling of layers.
The 3D calculation uses solids in the model to substitute each composition layer. This way, the results are more accurate, but the calculation may take more time.
It is possible to model insulating glass only if local calculation is selected. The gas layer is always modeled as a solid element, so it is necessary to design individual insulating glass parts independently of the surrounding structure. The ideal gas law (thermal equation of state of ideal gases) is considered for the calculation and the third-order analysis.
In the add-on module, select the surfaces to be designed (for example, by using the Select function). The geometry of the glass pane, as well as the loads, is imported from the RFEM model.
Then, you have to decide if the calculation should be performed without the influence of the surrounding structure (local calculation) or with consideration of this influence (global calculation). If you select the local calculation, each surface selected for the design is detached from the model and calculated separately.
The global calculation considers the entire structure, including entered glass panes. All glass composition data and glass properties of individual layers are to be defined in RF-GLASS input windows. You can select layers of type glass, foil, and gas. The desired material can be imported directly from the library, which contains a large number of materials.
All parameters of individual layers, including their thicknesses, are editable. In addition, you can create a number of compositions in RF-GLASS, allowing you to design different types of glass together.
For insulating glass, you can consider external loads as well as loads due to temperature, atmospheric pressure, and altitude changes for the analysis. The module calculates these loads automatically on the basis of climatic load parameters. If you select the local calculation type, it is necessary to define line supports, nodal supports, and boundary members of the surfaces in RF-GLASS. These supports and members are considered in RF-GLASS only and have no influence on the model created in RFEM.
After the calculation, the results are displayed in clearly arranged result windows. Thus, you can easily find the maximum stress ratio. The stress diagram by composition is displayed as well.
Furthermore, RF-GLASS displays a parts list and, for insulating glass, the gas pressure. It is possible to display the results graphically in the RFEM model.
Both input and result tables of RF-GLASS, including graphics, can be added to the RFEM printout report. In addition, it is possible to export all tables to MS Excel.
Main Program
Structural engineering software for a finite element analysis (FEA) of planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, members (beams), solids, and contact elements
Main Program
The new generation of 3D FEA software is used for the structural analysis of members, surfaces, and solids.
Add-On Module
Design of single-layer, laminated, and insulating glass
Add-On
The Nonlinear Material Behavior add-on allows you to consider material nonlinearities in RFEM for example, isotropic plastic, orthotropic plastic, isotropic damage).
Add-On
The Structure Stability add-on performs stability analysis of structures. It determines critical load factors and the corresponding stability modes.
Add-On
The Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on allows for considering the construction process of structures (member, surface, and solid structures) in RFEM.
Add-On
The Time-Dependent Analysis (TDA) add-on allows you to consider the time-dependent material behavior of members. The long-term effects, such as creep, shrinkage, and aging, can influence the distribution of internal forces, depending on the structure.
Add-On
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.
Add-On
In RFEM, the Geotechnical Analysis add-on uses properties from soil samples to determine the soil body to be analyzed. The accurate determination of soil conditions significantly affects the quality of the structural analysis of buildings.
Add-On
The Building Model add-on for RFEM allows you to define and manipulate a building using stories. The stories can be adjusted in many ways afterwards. The information about stories and the entire model (center of gravity) is displayed in tables and graphics.
Add-On
The two-part Optimization & Costs / CO2 Emission Estimation add-on finds suitable parameters for parameterized models and blocks via the artificial intelligence (AI) technique of particle swarm optimization (PSO) for compliance with common optimization criteria. Furthermore, this add-on estimates the model costs or CO2 emissions by specifying unit costs or emissions per material definition for the structural model.
Add-On
The Multilayer Surfaces add-on allows you to define multilayer surface structures. The calculation can be carried out with or without the shear coupling.
Add-On
The Stress-Strain Analysis add-on performs general stress analysis by calculating the existing stresses and comparing them with the limit stresses.
Add-On
The Concrete Design add-on allows for various design checks according to international standards. You can design members, surfaces, and columns, as well as perform punching and deformation analyses.
Add-On
The Steel Design add-on performs the ultimate and serviceability limit state design checks of steel members according to various standards.
Add-On
The Timber Design add-on performs the ultimate, serviceability, and fire resistance limit state design checks of timber members according to various standards.
Add-On
The Masonry Design add-on for RFEM allows you to design masonry using the finite element method. It was developed as part of the research project titled DDMaS – Digitizing the Design of Masonry Structures. The material model represents the nonlinear behavior of the brick-mortar combination in the form of macro-modeling.
Add-On
The Aluminum Design add-on performs the ultimate and serviceability limit state design checks of aluminum members according to various standards.
.png?mw=600&hash=49b6a289915d28aa461360f7308b092631b1446e)
Add-On
The Steel Joints add-on for RFEM allows you to analyze steel connections using an FE model. The FE model is generated automatically in the background and can be controlled via the simple and familiar input of components.
