Question:
Is it possible to perform an analysis according to the stiffness modulus method in RFEM or RSTAB?
Answer:
Instead, a variation of the subgrade reaction modulus method is used. The relation to stiffness modulus E-S is not possible.
In RFEM, a multi-parameter foundation model has been implemented. This can be used to carry out a very realistic settlement calculation.
The problem, however, is to find precise values for the parameters C-u,z, C-v,xz, and C-v,yz. For this, the RF-SOILIN add-on module is helpful: the subgrade parameters are calculated from the loads and the data of the geotechnical report (stiffness modulus or modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio, specific weights, layer thicknesses) for each individual finite element using a nonlinear method. These parameters are load-dependent and influence the behavior of the structure. The results of this iterative process are realistic settlements and internal forces in the structure.
![Reduction of Building to Cantilever Structure: The individual mass points represent the floors. The deflection due to the normal compression forces shown in (a) is (b) converted into equivalent moments of displacement or shear forces [2].](/en/webimage/009762/2420261/01-en-png-12-png.png?mw=350&hash=dd36dc43123116724231958668ad6cdcb13a0169)
