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Home Support & Learning Learning Videos FAQ 004834 | How can I set the deformation coefficient k-def in the program?
FAQ 004834 | How can I set the deformation coefficient k-def in the program?
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Question
How can I set the deformation coefficient kdef in the program?Answer
You can set the deformation coefficient kdef under General Data of the model. There, you can specify the deformation coefficient manually or also select it on the basis of the service class.
Image 01 - General Data with Setting of Deformation Coefficient
The program considers the deformation coefficient kdef in the load combinations for serviceability (similar to DIN EN 1995‑1‑1, 2.2.3).
Image 02 - Design Situation SLS
For the design of mixed structures made of timber materials, see FAQ 4325 .
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Dlubal FAQ Deformation coefficient kdef Service class Serviceability Frequently Asked Question FAQ about Dlubal Question and Answer about Dlubal
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Knowledge Base Articles
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Considering the Joint Slip in Parametric Timber Cross-Sections
In timber design, beams are often built up of several timber elements. The individual elements can be connected by glue, nails, bolts, or dowels. A glued connection is to be assumed as rigid. In the case of dowel‑type fasteners, the joint is compliant (slip joint) and the cross‑section properties of the connected elements cannot be fully applied.Screenshots
Product Features Articles

The cross-section resistance design analyzes tension and compression along the grain, bending, bending and tension/compression as well as the strength in shear due to shear force.
The design of structural components at risk of buckling or lateral-torsional buckling is performed according to the Equivalent Member Method and considers the systematic axial compression, bending with and without compressive force as well as bending and tension. Deflection of inner spans and cantilevers is compared to the maximal allowable deflection.
Separate design cases allow for a flexible and stability analysis of members, sets of members, and loads.
Design-relevant parameters such as the stability analysis type, member slendernesses, and limit deflections can be freely adjusted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- I design timber components. The deformations of load combinations deviate from the manual calculation exactly by the factor of the material partial safety factor. Why?
- How can I set the deformation coefficient kdef in the program?
- After opening a duopitch roof beam from RX‑TIMBER in RFEM/RSTAB, it is displayed with a gap in the apex zone. Does this affect the calculation?
- Can I consider a shear force reduction with the RF‑/TIMBER Pro add-on module?
- Are the models and presentations from Info Day 2020 freely available, and can you send them to me?
- I have created automatic load combinations according to EN 1990 + 1995 (CEN). Although Ψ2,1 = 0, there are the factors greater than zero applied for wind and snow. Is this a program error?
- When entering the geometry of a ribbed timber plate, I always get the error message 30343: "The computed stiffness matrix is not positive definite." How can I define the surface?
- Is it possible to design timber structures in RFEM or RSTAB?
- Is it possible to import effective lengths from RF‑STABILITY or RSBUCK in RF‑/TIMBER Pro?
- How is it possible to consider edge lamellas of a glued-laminated beam?
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