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• ### What is the effect of the option "Divide the members by the nodes on the members" in the FE mesh settings?

New FAQ 003601 EN-US

With the option "Divide the members by the nodes on the members", a member is internally divided at the member locations where nodes are located.
The structure shown in Figure 1 includes two members, member S1 from node 1 to node 2 and member S2 from node 3 to node 4.
If the option "Divide the members by the nodes lying on the members" is activated, member S1 is internally divided at node 4. Thus, the member S1 is connected to the member S2, which you can also see in the deformation (Figure 2).
If the option "Divide the members by the nodes lying on the members" is deactivated, member S1 is not divided at node 4. Thus, member S1 is not connected to member S2. Figure 3 shows the deformation in this case.
The structure shown in Figure 4 includes the member S1 from node 1 to node 2. On the member, there is node 3, to which a nodal load P Z = 50 kN is applied. The nodal load only loads member S1 if the option "Divide Members via Nodes on Members" is selected (Figure 5). If this option is deactivated, member S1 is not loaded by this nodal load (Figure 6).
• ### What is the fastest way to model corrugated sheets in RFEM by means of surfaces?

New FAQ 003600 EN-US

Trapezoidal sheeting is already available in the cross-section library of RFEM. These cross-sections are primarily used for stabilization measures in the RF- / STEEL EC3 add-on module and as a template for modeling surfaces. A design as a member is thus not possible.

The easiest way is to first model the trapezoidal sheeting as a member. Subsequently, this member can be automatically converted into surfaces (see Figure 01). Thus, the geometry is obtained as a surface model. Curved trapezoidal sheets are also possible. If a curved member is split into surfaces, it is represented by straight segments. If you still want to use curved lines, you can simply rotate the contour lines accordingly. The exact procedure can be found in the video.
• ### Importing a DXF file initially seems to work, but there is no data.What can be the reason for this?

New FAQ 003599 EN-US

There can be several reasons for this.
• Among other things, it may be due to the fact that the DXF file contains only blocks that have to be separated first, for example with the "Explode" function.
• Another source of problems may be that a specific layer is selected for import in the "ASCII Formats DXF" tab of the RFEM or RSTAB import dialog box that either does not exist or contains no data.
• The type of backup in the CAD program may also cause problems. It is possible to save DXF files in binary DXF format. They have the advantage that the files save about 25% of the memory size. However, RFEM and RSTAB can not process them. Therefore, the ASCII format should be selected in the CAD program to save the DXF file.

• ### I have used the RF- / DYNAM Pro add-on module to generate the governing result combinations of seismic loads. What is the next way to perform a design of the individual components?

New FAQ 003598 EN-US

With the equivalent loads and forced vibrations add-on modules, you can create result combinations that contain the governing combinations of seismic loads. To perform a design with them, they have to be combined further on the basis of the unusual combination. This combination is, for example, in the EN 1990 clause 6.4.3.4:

${\mathrm E}_{\mathrm d}\;=\;\underset{}{\sum_{}^{}\;{\mathrm G}_{\mathrm k,\mathrm j}\;+\;\mathrm P\;+\;{\mathrm A}_{\mathrm{Ed}}\;+\;}\overset{}{\underset{}{\sum{\mathrm\psi}_{2,\mathrm i}\;{\mathrm Q}_{\mathrm k,\mathrm i}}}$

This unusual combination has to be defined manually in RFEM. Make sure that (for a direction combination with the 100/30% rule), both created result combinations from RF- / DYNAM Pro have to be added with the "Or" condition. Such a combination can be seen in Figure 02.

This unusual combination can then be used for further design. It is possible to evaluate the governing internal forces as well as to import and calculate this combination in the design modules.
• ### Is it also possible to perform a deformation analysis in cracked state for a 2D position in RF-CONCRETE Surfaces?

New FAQ 003597 EN-US

In this case, the method of check and the type of the 2D position are important.

When using the analytical method (RF-CONCRETE Deflect), it is possible to perform a calculation in 2D positions. When using the nonlinear method (RF-CONCRETE NL), the calculation for 2D XY (u Z / φ X / φ Y ) is not possible. In the nonlinear calculation, among others Shrinkage is represented internally as an expansion load, which is not possible in this type of 2D position due to the limited degrees of freedom.

Convert 2D to 3D Position
In the general data, it is possible to simply convert a 2D position into a 3D position. For the supports, all degrees of freedom not contained in the 2D position are fixed when converting to a 3D position (see the video).
• ### During the calculation, I receive an error message in RFEM with the error number 1639 or in RSTAB with the error number 1640 "Member No. XY | Member Hinges No. YZ are freely rotating about the x-axis. Please check this in Table 1.17 (or 1.7 in RSTAB) or in a related table. " How can I solve this problem?

New FAQ 003596 EN-US

In fact, this error message appears only if a member end release that allows a rotation about the local x-axis has been assigned to a member at both ends. Thus, the member can rotate freely about its own axis and is therefore unstable.

Assign a new release to one of the member ends where the degree of freedom φx is not hinged.
• ### I modified stiffnesses of members. However, this modification should only be considered for specific load combinations. What is the procedure?

New FAQ 003594 EN-US

To only consider the stiffness modification (see Figure 01) for certain load combinations, it is necessary to deactivate this option for the corresponding load combinations in the calculation parameters (see Figure 02).
• ### How can I create a diagnostic report in the Admin Control Center?

New FAQ 003593 EN-US

Perform the following steps on the server:

1. Start a web browser of your choice
2. Enter http: // localhost: 1947 in the browser's address bar
3. In the Admin Control Center, select the "Diagnostics" option
4. Select "Genrate Report" at the bottom of the screen in the diagnostic display
5. Save the diagnostic report or print it as a PDF.
Note:

To create the diagnostic report for the server, you need access to the server. The access can be done via RemoteControl or directly.
• ### How can the main load direction be displayed graphically in RF-LAMINATE?

New FAQ 003592 EN-US

While entering data in the RF-LAMINATE add-on module, you can graphically control the orthotropic direction of each individual layer. To do this, simply place the cursor in the desired row of the corresponding position. Then, a coordinate system is displayed in the surface in the RFEM model (see Figure 01). This is to be interpreted as follows:

red axis = x-axis = β-value of the corresponding layer

Generally, the outer layers specify the main load-bearing direction, which is why it is sufficient to consider only the first layer. The red axis specifies the main load direction (see Figure 01).

###### Display of the main load direction in RFEM
However, the main load direction can also be interpreted directly in RFEM. The local axis systems of the surfaces can be displayed in detail (see Figure 02). The orthotropic direction β refers to the local x-axis of the surface. For the example shown in Figure 03, this means that the main load-bearing direction for the left surface runs from the supports to the supports and the secondary surface direction to the right surface. If you want to change the supporting direction for the right surface, you can either rotate the local surface axis system (see Figure 04) or create a new structure and rotate the orthotropic direction β by 90 ° (see Figure 05).

If the principal load-bearing direction is not clearly evident, it is worth taking a look at the stiffness matrix of the surface (see Figure 06). There you can, for example Based on the bending stiffness, the "strong" load-bearing direction can be found. The element D 11 refers to the local x-axis of the surface and the element D 22 refers to the local axis y of the surface.

• ### Is the latest version of RFEM compatible with the current version of Autodesk Revit?

New FAQ 003591 EN-US

RFEM includes a direct link to Autodesk Revit. Compatibility information for any version can be found in the Software Update List.

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