Software for Structural Analysis & Design of Wood & Mass Timber

Design standard light-frame wood, CLT, and glulam structures according to NDS, CSA O86, and EC 5.

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Illustration depicting timber design elements, highlighting structural durability and aesthetic qualities for promotional use.

NDS & CSA Compliance

Perform NDS and CSA O86 design checks for Ultimate, Serviceability, and Fire Limit States directly within the 3D model. For NDS, switch seamlessly between ASD and LRFD methods based on your project requirements.

CLT & Glulam Analysis

Don't approximate cross-laminated timber as a simple plate. RFEM utilizes the Laminate Theory to account for the stiffness of crosswise glued layers, including shear coupling between layers.

Transparent Design Formulas

No more “black box” calculations. RFEM 6 offers full transparency for timber design, including detailed formulas and code references. Integrate these design checks directly in your reports for complete verification.

Seamless BIM & Parametric Workflow

Stop recreating models from scratch. Benefit from the direct bi-directional interface with Autodesk Revit or utilize Rhino & Grasshopper for complex parametric timber geometries.

Cross-Laminated Timber Manufacturer Library

RFEM 6 includes a built-in library of manufacturer-specific CLT products tailored to the North American market. You can import ready-to-use CLT layups from leading manufacturers such as Mercer Mass Timber, Nordic Structures, Kalesnikoff, KLH, and others.

When you import a layup from the Layer Structure Library, all relevant parameters are applied automatically. The library is continuously updated, so you always work with current manufacturer data.

NDS/SDPWS and CSA O86 Timber Shear Wall Design

Comprehensive design and analysis of wood-frame shear wall systems. Dlubal Software provides a robust platform for the full design of complex shear walls. Accurately model and analyze all essential components, including studs, sheathing, and connectors, according to the latest NDS, SDPWS and CSA O86 standards.

Define custom fastener stiffness for sheathing-to-stud connections, modeled using nonlinear line hinges. This allows for a precise representation of load distribution and structural behavior, essential for accurate seismic and wind design.

Advanced Fire Design for Members and CLT Surfaces

Ensure fire structural safety. RFEM is one of the few tools capable of fire design for timber members as well as CLT walls and floors according to NDS Chapter 16.

The software calculates the charring depth and determines the residual cross-section of the member or panel. It then runs a full analysis on the reduced section to ensure structural integrity and check deflections under fire exposure conditions.

Analyze Any Wood & Mass Timber Geometry

Model without constraints. Choose from a vast library of standard shapes—rectangular, circular, T-sections—or define custom parametric cross-sections for unique architectural designs.

Go beyond straight beams: RFEM rigorously designs tapered and curved glulam members. It applies the correct code-prescribed methods for stability and stresses, including cut-to-grain angles and radial tension checks, ensuring your complex geometry is safe and code-compliant.

Try Dlubal Software Free for 90 Days

Discover the full potential of Dlubal software with powerful programs like RFEM, RWIND, and RSECTION. Try them for free and see how easy it is to model, analyze, and document even complex structures. Our experts are happy to guide you through a short online demo tailored to your industry.

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Why switch to Dlubal for Mass Timber Design?

Library of CLT Manufacturers

Access pre-loaded North American libraries in RFEM 6. Instantly select exact, certified CLT layups and glulam grades from major US and Canadian manufacturers.

Dynamic Calculation Reports

Generate transparent, presentation-ready calculation packages where data and high-quality images update automatically with model changes.

Transparent Design Formulas

No more “black box” calculations. RFEM 6 offers full transparency for timber, reinforced concrete, steel, and other material designs, including detailed formulas and code references.

Integrated Stability Analysis

Automate Mcr calculations for curved or non-straight members using advanced eigenvalue analyses fully integrated directly into LTB stability design checks.

Hybrid Structure Design

Comprehensive analysis and design for hybrid structures. Design timber elements, steel members, and concrete surfaces all within a single model using additional add-ons.

BIM Integration

Seamlessly integrates with Revit, Tekla, and Rhino/Grasshopper to eliminate double-modeling.

Direct & Bidirectional.

Prone to data loss.

Macon-Bibb County Airport Terminal

EQUILIBRIUM engineers utilized RFEM 6 for the complete structural analysis of this unique terminal. The workflow progressed from rapid glulam framing models into a comprehensive full-building frame to track loads and perform final checks. Additionally, the Multilayer Surfaces add-on enabled precise modeling of complex CLT conditions.

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RFEM 6 Model of Macon-Bibb County Middle Georgia Regional Airport Terminal with detailed timber design for USA landing page.

For structural analysis, we recommend RFEM 6 as your core program. When paired with the Timber Design Add-on, it provides a complete solution for designing members and surfaces, performing stability analysis, and verifying fire resistance in accordance with the NDS (ASD/LRFD).

For Mass Timber projects, particularly those utilizing Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), the Multilayer Surfaces Add-on is essential. This extension allows you to model custom layer buildups and accurately analyze the stiffness and complex behavior of laminate panels directly within RFEM.

See Recommended Configuration

Our software is built to handle the latest North American standards. You can perform comprehensive structural analysis and design according to the NDS 2024 for the United States, as well as CSA O86 for Canadian projects.

For US-based companies handling international projects, the software also provides full support for Eurocode 5 (EC 5).

We know you don't want to model things twice. That’s why we built direct, bidirectional interfaces for tools you already use, including Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, and Tekla Structures, alongside a powerful integration with Rhino and Grasshopper.

For ultimate flexibility and OpenBIM collaboration, we also fully support industry-standard data formats, including IFC, SAF, DXF, and XML.

You have 24/7 free access to an extensive knowledge base, including webinars, step-by-step tutorials, technical articles, and downloadable structural models. This library is designed to help you master workflows at your own pace and find solutions to common engineering challenges instantly.

For direct assistance, the software features an integrated AI assistant (MIA) for immediate help while you work. Additionally, you can rely on fast responses from our USA-based technical support team for complex inquiries, or arrange custom online and in-person training for your team.

Explore Our Learning Resources & Support

Absolutely. We want you to be 100% sure our software fits your workflow before you commit. That’s why we offer a free 90-day full trial version.

You get completely unlimited access to the entire software package, including all specialized add-ons (like Timber Design) and all BIM integrations, so you can test it on a real project.

Yes. We use our own secure, cloud-based licensing system. By logging into the Extranet directly on our website, you gain full control and easy management of your floating licenses, available products, and software updates. Your team can easily share access whether they are in the office, working from home, or on the go—without being locked to a single physical computer.

Yes, you can. You don’t need to buy or learn separate software for different materials. You can model, analyze, and design complex hybrid structures—like a multistory timber building sitting on a concrete podium, or timber floors supported by a steel frame—all within a single, unified 3D model in RFEM 6. The software handles the interaction between all materials seamlessly.

Join the Dlubal Community

Here, you can ask and answer technical questions, engage in meaningful discussions on structural analysis and design, suggest new features, and interact directly with the Dlubal team and fellow users.

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