Working with RF-/ALUMINUM ADM

The ASCE 7-22 Standard [1], Sect. 12.9.1.6 specifies when P-delta effects should be considered when running a modal response spectrum analysis for seismic design. In the NBC 2020 [2], Sent. 4.1.8.3.8.c gives only a short requirement that sway effects due to the interaction of gravity loads with the deformed structure should be considered. Therefore, there may be situations where second-order effects, also known as P-delta, must be considered when carrying out a seismic analysis.

The fatigue design according to EN 1992-1-1 must be performed for the structural components subjected to large stress ranges and/or many load changes. In this case, the design checks for the concrete and the reinforcement are performed separately. There are two alternative design methods available.

Using the Timber Design add-on, timber column design is possible according to the 2018 NDS standard ASD method. Accurately calculating timber member compressive capacity and adjustment factors is important for safety considerations and design. The following article will verify the maximum critical buckling strength calculated by the Timber Design add-on using step-by-step analytical equations as per the NDS 2018 standard including the compressive adjustment factors, adjusted compressive design value, and final design ratio.

• Design of members and sets of members for tension, compression, bending, shear, torsion, and combined internal forces
• Stability analysis of buckling and lateral-torsional buckling
• Automatic determination of effective radius of gyration by special integrated FEA software (eigenvalue analysis) for general loading and support conditions
• Alternative analytical calculation of effective radius of gyration for standard situations
• Optional application of discrete lateral supports to beams
• Definition of nodal supports for sets of members
• Serviceability limit state design (deflection)
• Cross-section optimization
• A wide range of available cross-sections, such as rolled I-sections, channel sections, T-sections, angles, rectangular and circular hollow sections, round bars, and many others.
• Detailed result documentation including references to design equations of the used standard
• Various filter and sorting options of results, including result lists by member, cross-sections, and x-location, or by load case, load and result combination
• Result table of member slenderness and governing internal forces
• Metric and imperial units

The first results window shows the maximum design ratios with the corresponding design of each designed load case, load combination, or result combination.

The other result windows list all detailed results sorted by specific subject in extendable tree menus. All intermediate results along a member can be displayed at any location. In this way, you can easily retrace how the module has performed the individual designs.

The complete data from the module are part of the RFEM/RSTAB printout report.

Use the "Independent mesh preferred" option in the FE mesh settings to create an independent FE mesh for the integrated objects. This allows you to generate a significantly more detailed and precise FE mesh for individual objects that are integrated into one another.