In addition to our technical support (e.g. via email, chat), we also offer an extensive range of free online services available 24/7 on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Search FAQ
Further Information
Customer Support 24/7
-
Answer
In the background, the profile of the turbulence intensity over the altitude is a pure factor function depending on the altitude. By multiplying the altitude -dependent factors by the entered turbulence intensity, the turbulence intensity profile applied at the wind tunnel entrance results.
Image 01 - Factor function of the turbulence intensity profileThe generic turbulence intensity profiles from the RFEM 5 or RSTAB 8 environment are each referenced to the bottom edge of the wind tunnel. Thus, the factor function at this ground location has the value 1 and thus defines the unmodified turbulence intensity input at this location. At a higher position with a factor ≠ 1, the turbulence intensity input multiplied by this factor is applied accordingly. -
Answer
To delete elements, there is the "DeleteObjects ()" function in the model data interface. Deleting all members looks like this:
Sub test_delete_objects ()Dim iApp As RFEM5.ApplicationSet iApp = GetObject(, "RFEM5.Application")iApp.LockLicenseDim iMod As RFEM5.IModel3Set iMod = iApp.GetActiveModelOn Error GoTo e' get interface for model dataDim iModData As RFEM5.IModelData2Set iModData = iMod.GetModelData'get all membersDim mems() As RFEM5.Membermems () = iModData.GetMembers'create member listDim mem_list As StringDim i As IntegerFor i = 0 To UBound(mems, 1)mem_list = mem_list & mems (i) .no & ","Next'delete membersiModData.PrepareModificationiModData.DeleteObjects MemberObject, mem_listiModData.FinishModificatione:If Err.Number <> 0 Then MsgBox Err.description, vbCritical, Err.SourceiMod.GetApplication.UnlockLicenseSet iMod = NothingEnd SubPlease note that the "DeleteObjects" function only works with the object number and not with the object index. These numbers are transferred as a string separated by commas.
For this reason, all members had to be fetched first. Then the member field was looped through and all member numbers were entered in the string.
-
Answer
The change of the vertical position or an eccentricity has an effect on the bending moment My only if there are other forces acting on the model, which are included in this moment, such as the axial force in the following example.
A slab, supported as a single-span beam, is only loaded vertically on the left in the image. The bending moments of the result members positioned above and below the slab do not differ.
On the right, the slab is additionally loaded by an axial force. Therefore, the result members obtain additional negative or positive moments. The eccentricity acts as a lever arm.
Image 01 - Left: Single-Span Beam Without Axial Force; Right: Single-Span Beam with Axial Force
-
Answer
Yes, it is. You can keep the results of RWIND Simulation if the FE mesh is deleted. To do this, select the Keep wind simulation results if mesh is deleted option in the RWIND Simulation settings:
Image 01 - Keeping RWIND Simulation Results if Mesh is Deleted
A new calculation by RWIND Simulation is not required if the material is changed, the support conditions are adjusted, or other changes are made that do not affect the CFD analysis.
After adjusting the material, the FE mesh is deleted and thus also the RWIND load case. However, you can generate this RWIND load case again in a few seconds by creating the loads again in RFEM using Calculation → RWIND Simulation - Calculate All in Background.
Image 02 - Regenerating Loads After Adjusting Model
Then, the results are available again.
-
Answer
A tent roof with two cone tips can be modeled in RFEM using the RF‑FORM‑FINDING add-on module. For this, proceed as follows:- For each conic area, generate a separate membrane surface around the larger boundary line.
- Integrate the opening of the cut cone tips into the base areas.
- Align the axis systems of the respective conical membrane surfaces to the center line.
- Define the "Projection" form-finding method for the conical membrane surfaces.
- Support the membrane edges sufficiently and start the form-finding process.
-
Answer
Various international standards or codes specify additional secondary values for the description of the load value specific for a location.
For example, the wind load description of the United States according to the code ASCE/SEI 7‑16 specifies various wind speeds for a location, depending on the defined risk category.
Image 01 - Additional Location-Specific Secondary Values
The Geo-Zone Tool always uses all location-specific parameters available from the load standard. In addition to the actual primary load value, further parameter maps are carried out in the background. These maps can be selected and displayed in the "Map" list box.
-
Answer
According to the national provision of ÖNORM EN 1993‑1‑5:2007, Section 4.5.3(3), it is possible to abandon the increase of σcr,c, allowed in the note, with respect to the elastic critical buckling stress σcr,sl of the longitudinal stiffener adjacent to the compression edge as this results in very conservative results with regard to the resulting reduction factor ρc for the buckling analysis according to ÖNORM EN 1993‑1‑5, Section 4.5.4(1), Equation 4.13. Image 01 shows an example of a longitudinally stiffened buckling panel, designed according to the Austrian National Annex.
Image 01 - Design According to Austrian National Annex
In DIN EN 1993‑1‑5, the note given in Section 4.5.3(3) applies, so it results in the following difference, see Image 02.
Image 02 - Design According to German National Annex
-
Answer
In RF‑/STEEL EC3, the uniaxial bending stress is always related to the local y-axis of a member and the local y-axis of a member is always assumed as the major axis in the case of symmetric cross-sections, therefore it is only possible in such a case to change the cross-section description from "100/5" to "5/100", see the image. Thus, the stability analysis is performed accordingly.
-
Answer
A line hinge is nothing more than a line release where an object is released. In the case of a line release, a surface is released, and in the case of a line hinge, this is defined on the line of a surface. Therefore, the released surface is the surface on which the line hinge was defined.The forces always act on the original surface, that is, on the non-released surface. In the case of line hinges, this means that the forces act on the surface without a line hinge.Now, it is necessary to clarify the sign conventions, that is, in which direction the force acts on the surface. For this, it is necessary to know the local x-axis of the lines as well as the local z-axis of the surface. The internal line hinge coordinate system is to be understood as follows:- The axis x' points in the direction of the local x-axis of the line.
- The axis z' is the normal to the surface on which the line hinge was defined.
- The axis y' is the tangent to the surface plane, and results from the "right-hand rule."
For the example shown in Image 01, this means the following:Example 1The x-axis of the line runs to the right.The z-axis of the surface is oriented downwards⇒ The y' axis of the line hinge is oriented away from the original surface (= a surface without a line hinge). Since the value is displayed with a negative sign, the force acts in the direction of the original surface.Example 2The x-axis of the line runs to the left.The z-axis of the surface is oriented downwards⇒ The y' axis of the line hinge is oriented towards the original surface (= a surface without a line hinge). Since the value is displayed with a positive sign, the force acts in the direction of the original surface.Example 3The x-axis of the line runs to the right.The z-axis of the surface is oriented downwards⇒ The y' axis of the line hinge is oriented towards the original surface (= a surface without a line hinge). Since the resulting value is displayed with a positive sign, the force acts in the direction of the original surface because Actio = Reactio.Example 1The x-axis of the line runs to the left.The z-axis of the surface is oriented downwards⇒ The y' axis of the line hinge is oriented away from the original surface (= a surface without a line hinge). Since the resulting value is displayed with a negative sign, the force acts in the direction of the original surface because Actio = Reactio.In contrast to the line releases, the axis system cannot be displayed for the line hinges. For the example shown in the image, it is recommended not to arrange the line hinge on the surface, on which the result is to be related, and to orient the x-axis of the line in such a way that its y-axis is oriented in the direction of the desired surface. For this, the coordinate system of the line applies. -
Answer
The colors of the selection and preselection can be changed within the display properties:
- Menu bar "Options" → "Display Properties" → "Edit"
or shortcut menu (right-click on the work plane) → Display Properties
- Colors → Other → Selection/Preselection, see the image
- Menu bar "Options" → "Display Properties" → "Edit"
Contact us
Did you find your question?
If not, contact us via our free e-mail, chat, or forum support, or send us your question via the online form.
First steps
We provide information and tips to help you get started with the basic program RFEM and RSTAB.
Wind Simulation & Wind Load Generation
With the stand-alone program RWIND Simulation, you can simulate wind flow 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.
Your support is by far the best
“Thank you very much for the useful information.
I would like to pay a compliment to your support team. I am always impressed how quickly and professionally the questions are answered. In the industry of structural analysis, I use several software including service contract, but your support is by far the best.”