Challenge
Seismic design involves multidimensional physical complexities that go far beyond standard structural analysis calculations. It poses major challenges for both engineering education and professional practice. For students and experienced engineers familiarizing themselves with standards such as Eurocode 8, understanding theoretical concepts—such as eigenvalues, mass activation, and time-history analyses—is often difficult when they are hindered by cumbersome software tools. In practice, however, modeling these dynamic phenomena in precise analysis models for various building materials and international standards can be a time-consuming process—especially when dealing with complicated user interfaces and lengthy learning curves.
Solution
To overcome these challenges in teaching and project work, Marius Pinkawa relies entirely on Dlubal Software’s finite element analysis software RFEM and its advanced add-ons for dynamic analysis in his workflows. RFEM serves as a central platform that allows users to seamlessly transition from geometric modeling to sophisticated modal and response spectrum analyses. The intuitive and clearly structured user interface makes dynamics tangible. It allows engineers to quickly develop realistic analysis models, simulate complex seismic loads, and precisely design stability without being distracted by complicated operations.
Advantages
- Intuitive user interface: The clear and logical structure greatly lowers the barrier to entry for students and those new to the field. This allows users to focus entirely on engineering logic and results, rather than on searching for menu functions.
- Comprehensive dynamic analysis features: The software efficiently covers the entire spectrum of seismic analysis—from basic eigenvalue analysis and the modal response spectrum analysis to complex time-history analyses.
- Cross-material analysis: Engineers can model, analyze, and design mixed-structure systems in a single, consistent environment—whether the projects involve steel, concrete, timber, or other materials.
- Quick plausibility checks: The platform is not only suitable for in-depth calculations but is also ideal for quickly performing smaller design calculations to validate external structural analyses.
