#### Further Information

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• ### The characters "<" and ">" are no longer displayed on my PC. Instead, I get wrong symbols (circles) for design ratios in the add-on module or in the printout report. Could you tell me why?

Please check the Windows fonts on your PC and check if the "Symbol Standard" font is installed. This is required to display the symbols correctly.

• ### I get the message in RF‑/PLATE‑BUCKLING, saying that the distance between stiffeners exceeds the minimum requirement. What should I do?

The message shown in Figure 01 is displayed if you select the "Minimum distance between stiffeners: 30 ε t" check box in Details and the clear distance between the stiffeners is smaller than this minimum distance amin. The minimum distance is calculated as follows:

amin = 30 ⋅ ε ⋅ t

where

ε = √(235 / f[N/mm²])
fy is the yield strength,

t is the thickness of the buckling panel.

In this case, the distance of the stiffeners must be increased in Window "1.2 Stiffeners." For the buckling panel shown in Figure 01, the clear distance between the stiffeners is:
Δz = z2 - z1 - (t1 + t2) / 2 = 890 - 600 - (10 + 10) / 2 = 280 mm

This distance is smaller than the minimum distance:
amin = 30 ⋅ ε ⋅ t = 30 ⋅ √(235 / 355) ⋅ 12 = 292.9 mm

Therefore, the position of Stiffener 2 should be entered at least
z2 = z1 + (t1 + t2) / 2 + amin = 600 + (10 + 10) / 2 + 292.9 ≈ 903 mm

This distance is also displayed as information in Window "1.2 Stiffeners" when placing the mouse pointer over Stiffener 2 (Figure 02).

If the calculation should also be performed for a stiffener distance smaller than the minimum distance, the "Minimum distance between stiffeners: 30 ε t" check box must be deactivated (Figure 03).

• ### Where is it possible to download the previous program versions of Dlubal Software?

You can download the previous program versions under the menu item "Support & Learning" on the Dlubal Software website (see the figure). The direct link is below this FAQ.
• ### When running PLATE‑BUCKLING as a stand‑alone program or as an add‑on module within RFEM/RSTAB, the "from RFEM" or "from RSTAB" button is grayed out.

If the PLATE‑BUCKLING add-on module is not opened as a stand-alone version, but via RFEM or RSTAB, it is possible to import the panels (c/t parts of a member cross-section) and the respective load cases of the RFEM or RSTAB model to PLATE‑BUCKLING (see the figure).

If there are no valid cross-sections of PLATE‑BUCKLING found in the model file of RFEM/RSTAB, the option for importing the buckling panels remains inactive.
• ### Is it possible to use the PLATE‑BUCKLING add-on module for the design of tapered members or trapezoidal panels?

The PLATE‑BUCKLING add-on module allows you to only calculate rectangular buckling panels.

The panel is entered in Window 1.1 of the add-on module. Another option is to create the panel from an existing RFEM or RSTAB file by selecting the respective c/t-part.
• ### When opening a file of the RF‑/PLATE‑BUCKLING add-on module, the input data are not transferred and the default values are preset. Why?

The RF‑/PLATE‑BUCKLING add-on module is not downward compatible. Please open the file with the same program version you have created the file with, or with a newer version. The previous versions can be downloaded under the link below this FAQ.
• ### In PLATE‑BUCKLING, the reduction factor due to column buckling χc is calculated using the modified slenderness of the sheet metal ${\overline{\mathrm\lambda}}_{\mathrm p}$. Why is it not calculated using the slenderness of the equivalent compression member ${\overline{\mathrm\lambda}}_{\mathrm c}$ ?

RF-PLATE-BUCKLING performs the plate buckling analysis in compliance with Chapter 10 "Reduced Stress Method" of EN 1993‑1‑5. According to EN 1993‑1‑5, 10 (5) a), it is necessary to determine all reduction factors with the modified slenderness ratio of the sheet metal ${\overline{\mathrm\lambda}}_{\mathrm p}$ according to Equation (10.2).
• ### I have purchased the programs RFEM and RSTAB. However, I can only see RFEM (or RSTAB) in the Download section in my Dlubal Account. Why?

Whether the download of RFEM or RSTAB is displayed or not in the Download section of your Dlubal Account, depends on whether you have a service contract for the respective product or not.

If a service contract has been concluded for the respective product, the links for this product are visible.

If no service contract has been concluded, no links are visible.

If you purchase RFEM or RSTAB without the service contract at a specific time, you are entitled to use this program version. If you need the download link for the purchased program version, you can download it on our homepage in the "Previous Program Versions" section.

• ### Is it possible to use the trial version of RFEM 5 on a virtual machine?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to run any single-user licenses on virtual machines. Licensing is neither possible with the USB dongle nor with a softlock license.

The test or trial version of RFEM 5 or RSTAB 8 is a time-limited version that is controlled by a softlock. Therefore, the trial version of RFEM 5 or RSTAB 8 cannot be tested on a virtual machine.

In general, it is possible to operate a licensed version of RFEM 5 or RSTAB 8 on a virtual machine. However, you would need a network license for this.

The same applies to the test versions of the stand-alone programs SHAPE‑THIN, RX‑TIMBER, PLATE‑BUCKLING, CRANEWAY, and COMPOSITE‑BEAM.

• ### How can you specify in PLATE-BUCKLING, whether it shall comprise a rigid or non-rigid stiffener (end post) when calculating the reduction factor at shear buckling?

In the Details, the PLATE-BUCKLING provides a choice between a rigid and non-rigid stiffener (end post) to specify the shear buckling reduction factor (see Figure 1).

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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 hints and tips to help you get started with the main programs RFEM and RSTAB.

#### Wind Simulation & Wind Load Generation

With the stand-alone program RWIND Simulation, wind flows around simple or complex structures can be simulated 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

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