Local member section reductions allow for the consideration of cross-section reductions in the shape of notches during design checks.
Reduction Type and Location
Reductions can be defined for various locations along the member or member set. Specify the relevant number of rows by selecting the appropriate notch types from the list:
- Start notch
- Inner notch
- End notch
Then specify the location x on the member or member set. This is the distance between the start node and the center of the reduction (see the image Location x and Length a of Notch). You can enter the distance as an absolute or relative value: Use the
button to switch between the two input options.
If the inner notches are spaced evenly and have the same notch lengths, select the “Multiple” option. You can then define the number of notches and the spacing between the reductions in the Parameters section.
The
button provides the ability to sort the design parameters defined in the table in ascending order by x-location.
Parameters
In the lower section, you can define the geometry and location of the selected notch. When defining multiple notches for an inner notch, you specify the number and the offset (equal spacing) of the notches. Here, you can also enter the offset as an absolute or relative value.
If the member section reduction is a notch on a support at the same time, you can activate the Notch at Support option (not for inner notches). In this way, a reduced shear strength, which depends on the geometry of the notch as the section reduction, is taken into account on the reduced cross-section for the shear design.
The Consider notch for stability design check box allows you to consider the cross-section reduction in the slenderness calculation for a stability analysis. The activation is recommended, for example, for the columns with a member section reduction in the middle third.
If the notch is completely or partially fire-resistant, you can use the Set different data for fire designoption to define a fire exposure that differs from the rest of the member.
Graphical Display
Once you have assigned the member section reduction to a member or member set, you can check the parameters graphically. There are two ways to do this.
Dialog Graphic
Use the
button in the dialog graphic to display a model section displaying the reductions and supports of the objects. To check the location of the notch or the member start and end points, display the local member axis system.
RFEM/RSTAB Work Window
In the Navigator – Display
, you can activate the graphical display of Local Member Section Reductions including boundary lines in the category Model → Timber Design. For all members and member sets with a member section reduction assigned, the notches are displayed at the corresponding locations in the model.
