Managing Complexity in Glass Structural Analysis
Facade design requires a combination of structural precision and geometric flexibility. The engineers at ABACUS GmbH regularly work on projects involving complex aluminum and steel sheathing and glass panels that need to be designed under defined load conditions. The accurate modeling of such complex geometries—followed by reliable finite element analysis and design according to standards—places the highest demands on structural analysis software. At the same time, ABACUS operates both as a structural engineering firm and a design firm, which requires close integration of workflows with CAD environments without sacrificing analytical depth or efficiency.
RFEM 6 as Central Analysis Platform
RFEM 6 by Dlubal Software is the backbone of ABACUS GmbH’s structural design workflow. Using the IFC model import feature, the team imports CAD geometries directly and creates analysis models even for the most complex facade components—including three-dimensionally folded plates. The Glass Design add-on allows for the integrated design of glass panels both within the overall facade model and as stand-alone models, while RSECTION calculates user-defined cross-section properties. The “Member Loads from Area Loads” wizard significantly reduces the amount of manual data entry by automatically converting surface loads on the facade into member loads. For complete building projects, ABACUS supplements its perpetual licenses with Dlubal’s flexible rental model and utilizes add-ons, such as Concrete Design, as needed.
Advantages of Using Dlubal Software
- Seamless IFC import — CAD models are imported directly into RFEM 6, allowing for fast and accurate geometry transfer of complex facade structures.
- Integrated glass design — The Glass Design add-on allows for the design of glass panels either within the overall facade model or as a stand-alone model—depending on project requirements.
- Efficient load distribution — The “Member Loads from Area Loads” wizard automatically converts surface loads on the facade into member loads in just a few steps, saving considerable time on every project.
- Flexible licensing model with subscription option'‘’ — Dlubal’s subscription model allows ABACUS users to utilize specialized add-ons, such as Concrete Design, on a project-by-project basis—efficiently and without the need for additional permanent licenses.
