Online Manuals

The FEA software RFEM allows for modeling and structural analysis of general plate, shell, and member structures. It is also possible to analyze combined structures as well as solid elements and objects with contact properties.

This user manual describes the modeling, calculation, and result evaluation features related to the structural analysis.

RFEM and RSTAB are powerful programs helping structural engineers meet requirements in modern civil engineering. This short introduction will help you with the first steps and familiarize you with the most important functions of the software.

In this tutorial, we would like to inform you about the essential features of the RFEM program. The first part shows how to create the structural objects and loads, combine the loads, perform a structural analysis, check the results, and prepare the data for printing. Eurocodes with the CEN settings are used as standards.

In this tutorial, we would like to inform you about the essential features of the RFEM program. In the first part, a model was defined and a structural analysis carried out. The second part deals with the concrete design of the slabs, walls, beams, and the column according to EN 1992-1-1 with the CEN settings.

In this tutorial, we would like to inform you about the essential features of the RFEM program. In the first part, a model was defined and a structural analysis carried out. The concrete design was performed in the second part. Finally, the third part deals with the design of the steel members according to EN 1993-1-1 with the CEN settings.

The Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on allows you to consider the construction process of structures in RFEM. Structural elements can be added, removed, and modified during the construction process. The load application and the combination expressions can also be considered throughout the construction stages.

This manual describes the Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on for the RFEM 6 program.

The Warping Torsion add-on (7 degrees of freedom) allows you to consider the cross-section warping as an additional degree of freedom in the global calculation of members in RFEM and RSTAB. Input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the FEA program RFEM and the framework program RSTAB.

This manual describes the Warping Torsion add-on (7 degrees of freedom) for the programs RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.

The Form-Finding add-on searches for the optimal shape of members subjected to axial forces and surface models subjected to tension. The shape is determined by the equilibrium between the member axial force or the membrane stress and the existing boundary conditions.

The resulting new model shape with impressed force conditions is made available as a universally applicable initial state for further calculation of the entire structure.

The Geotechnical Analysis add-on allows for a finite element analysis of soil solids with the suitable material laws in RFEM 6. By integrating Geotechnical Analysis into the FEA software, the soil-structure interaction can be represented computationally completely in the overall model.

With the Geotechnical Analysis, it is possible to determine the stresses and deformations of a soil solid. The input and result evaluation are integrated in the user interface of the RFEM 6 program.

This manual describes the Geotechnical Analysis add-on for the RFEM 6 program.

Dynamic analyses in RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 can be performed in several add-ons.

The "Modal Analysis" add-on is the main add-on performing natural vibration analyses for member, surface, and solid models. It is a prerequisite for all other dynamic add-ons.

The "Response Spectrum Analysis" add-on allows for seismic analyses using the multi-modal response spectrum analysis.

The "Harmonic Response Analysis", "Time History Analysis", and "Pushover" add-ons are still under development. Details for planned contents can be found in the following chapter.

This manual describes the dynamic analysis add-ons for RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.

The Building Model add-on allows you to define and manipulate a building by means of storeys. The storeys can be adjusted in many ways. Information about the storeys and also the entire model (a centre of gravity) is displayed in tables and graphics.

This manual describes the Building Model add-on for the RFEM 6 program.

The Stress-Strain Analysis add-on performs a general stress analysis by calculating the existing stresses and comparing them with limit stresses. Strains for surfaces and solids can also be determined.

During the stress analysis, the maximum stresses of solids, surfaces, and line welds (RFEM only) as well as members are determined. The governing internal forces are also documented for each member and each surface. In addition, there is the option of an automatic cross-section or thickness optimization including updating of the modified cross-sections or surface thicknesses in RFEM/RSTAB.

This manual describes the Stress-Strain Analysis add-on for the programs RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.

The Multilayer Surfaces Add-on allows you to define the layer structure of any material models. In the case of orthotropic materials, the individual layers can be rotated by an angle ß, and thus it is possible to consider different stiffnesses in one direction. The add-on s is completely integrated in the user interface of the FEA program RFEM.

This manual describes the Multilayer Surfaces add-on for the RFEM 6 program.

It is possible to perform the ultimate limit state and serviceability limit state designs. Cross-section resistance, stability, and serviceability limit state designs can be performed. Input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the FEM program RFEM and the framework program RSTAB.

This manual describes the Concrete Design add-on for the RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 programs, whereas RSTAB 9 only allows you to perform framework design.

The Steel Design add-on allows you to design steel members according to various design standards. Cross-section resistance checks, stability analyses, and serviceability limit state design checks can also be performed. The input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the structural FEA software RFEM and the frame & truss analysis software RSTAB.

This manual describes the Steel Design add-on for the RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 programs.

The Timber Design add-on allows you to design timber members according to various design standards. Cross-section resistance checks, stability analyses, and serviceability limit state design checks can also be performed. The input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the structural FEA software RFEM and the frame & truss analysis software RSTAB.

This manual describes the Timber Design add-on for the RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 programs.

The Aluminum Design add-on allows you to design aluminum members according to various design standards. Cross-section resistance, stability, and serviceability limit state designs can be performed. Input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the FEA program RFEM and the framework program RSTAB.

This manual describes the Aluminum Design add-on for the RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 programs.

The 'Steel Joints' add-on allows for the analysis of connections on the basis of an FE model. The design checks are carried out for various connection types for rolled and welded cross-sections. The input and result evaluation are completely integrated in the user interface of the structural FEA software RFEM.

This manual is currently in preparation.

The program RSECTION determines the section properties for any thin-walled and massive cross-sections and performs a stress analysis.

This user manual describes the functions for modeling, calculation, and result evaluation.

Web service is a programmable interaction system for RFEM/RSTAB. With the help of this technology, RFEM/RSTAB provides a server service that can be reached locally or via a network. It is possible to send requests and get responses from RFEM/RSTAB with this client-server communication.

This manual describes the web service technology for the programs RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.

RWIND 2 is a program (digital wind tunnel) for the numerical simulation of wind flows around any building geometries with determination of the wind loads on their surfaces. RWIND 2 is available as a Basic and Pro version.

RWIND 2 can be used as a stand-alone application or together with RFEM and RSTAB for a complete structural analysis and design.

This manual describes the modeling of a stadium roof made of membranes in RFEM 6. Since the model consists of several segments, creating the individual segments is shown. Each segment consists of a main structure (a column, a stiffening element, cables) and a secondary structure (a membrane).

This manual describes the topics of the webinar "Model Optimization Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in RFEM 6." First, we will show you how to define global parameters. These parameters are then used in formulas to determine numerical values. Next, it is described how the defined parameters can be optimized. Finally, the procedure of estimating costs and CO₂ emissions is shown.

The Cutting Pattern add-on is still under development.

The aim is to calculate and organize cutting patterns for membrane structures. The boundary conditions of the cutting patterns on the curved geometry are determined by boundary lines and independent cutting lines. The flattening process is performed according to the minimum energy theory.

Structural engineering FEA software RFEM is the basis of a modular software system. RFEM is used to define structures, materials, and loads for planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, members (beams), solids and contact elements.

The RWIND program is a separate application that is used externally to determine load cases and wind loads for the RFEM or RSTAB models. The software uses a numerical CFD model to apply a fluid-mechanics simulation of the flow around objects in a wind tunnel.

The RF-CONCRETE add-on module performs the required ultimate and serviceability limit state designs of reinforced concrete members and surfaces.

• RF-CONCRETE Surfaces designs plates, walls, planar structures, and shells for the ultimate and the serviceability limit state.

The RF-CONCRETE add-on module performs the required ultimate and serviceability limit state designs of reinforced concrete members and surfaces.

• RF-CONCRETE Members designs member elements of reinforced concrete structures.

The RF-/STEEL EC3 add-on module can carry out all characteristic designs of the ultimate limit state and fire resistance as well as stress and deformation analyses for steel members according to Eurocode 3.

All important National Annexes are integrated.

The add-on modules RF-JOINTS (for RFEM) and JOINTS (for RSTAB) combine the connection modules for member elements in a single user interface. Currently, the steel categories Column Base, Pinned, Rigid, Tower, DSTV, and Sikla, as well as the timber categories Steel to Timber and Timber to Timber are implemented. This manual describes the special features of each individual add-on module.

The RF-/LIMITS add‑on module analyses the load bearing capacity of members, member ends, nodes, nodal supports, and surfaces by means of a defined ultimate load capacity.

The extendable library covers timber fasteners (SIGHA, Sherpa, WÜRTH, Simpson StrongTie, KNAPP) as well as steel fasteners (standardised joints in steel structures according to EC 3, M‑connect).

The RF-MOVE Surfaces add‑on module for RFEM creates load cases on the basis of various positions of moving loads such as vehicles on bridges.

In addition, it is possible to create an enveloping result combination.

Dlubal Software supports the building information modeling by means of BIM (Building Information Modeling) using the BIM interfaces with Autodesk Revit and Tekla Structures. These interfaces are integrated into RFEM and RSTAB by default.