Steel Design Add-on for RFEM 6

Steel Design

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Steel Design for RFEM 6

The Steel Design add-on has a number of interesting features. For example, it allows you to perform cross-section resistance design and stability analysis of steel member structures in the ultimate limit state.

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 – including clearly structured result overviews, graphical display, and complete output in the printout report. Thanks to flexible setting options and support for a wide range of cross-section shapes, the design can be optimally adapted to different standards and project requirements.

Downloading Free Trial Version

Mocape Museum steel structure, engineered by Huana Engineering Consulting and B+G Ingenieure Bollinger + Grohmann GmbH.

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Design of Seismic Force-Resisting System

Standards

Strength and Stability

The “Steel Design” add-on module allows you to check the load-bearing capacity, stability, and serviceability of steel structures. The input and evaluation of results are fully integrated in the user interface of the FEA software RFEM and the frame & truss analysis software RSTAB.

Large selection of available cross-sections, such as rolled I-sections, U-sections, T-sections, angles, rectangular and circular hollow sections, round bars, symmetrical and asymmetrical, parametric I-sections, T-sections, and angles, composite cross-sections (suitability for design method depends on the selected standard)
Design checks for general RSECTION cross-sections possible (depending on the verification formats available in the respective standard), for example, comparative stress design
Design of tapered members (design method according to the standard)
Possible adjustment of the essential design factors and standard parameters
Flexibility due to detailed setting options for basis and extent of calculations
Optional advanced plastic design checks according to EC 3 (partial internal forces method)
Comparative stress design for surfaces
Fast and clear results output for an immediate overview of the result distribution after the design
Detailed output of the design results and essential formulas (comprehensible and verifiable result path)
Numerical results clearly arranged in tables and graphical display of the results in the model
Integration of the output into the RFEM/RSTAB printout report

Hardware and System Requirements

Structural Analysis and Design Software for Steel Structures | RFEM 6

Structural Analysis and Design Software for Steel Structures | © Modular Structural Consultants LLC

Detailed view of a steel support structure with a joint designed in RFEM software, emphasizing connection elements and stress distribution.

Steel Design | Additional Results | Mode Shapes

Structural analysis of the Karlovy Vary railroad station shows its deformation under self-weight load. | © KONSTAT s.r.o.

Model of Station Building in RFEM 6 | © KONSTAT s.r.o.

3D roof model of an open-air theater grandstand in Sömmersdorf, Germany, illustrating structural design elements in RFEM 6.

Member Set | Design Types

Structural Analysis and Design Software for Steel Structures | © Modular Structural Consultants LLC

Steel Design | Additional Results | Mode Shapes

Model of Station Building in RFEM 6 | © KONSTAT s.r.o.

Member Set | Design Types

Structural Analysis and Design Software for Steel Structures | © Modular Structural Consultants LLC

Your Advantages

Full integration in RFEM/RSTAB
Easy entering cross-section and stability design checks of all members in the model
Consideration of internal forces from the calculation with Torsional Warping (7 DOF)
Detailed documentation of the performed design checks with the output of design formulas

Module-internal eigenvalue solver for lateral-torsional buckling analysis (determination of Mcr) with graphic representation of mode shapes
Integrated material and cross-section library
Stress analysis and stability analysis possible for any cross-section and structure (with RSECTION and warping torsion, if necessary)

Designed with Steel Design for RFEM 6

Steel Hall

Download the model of a steel hall here and open it in the structural FEA software RFEM.

Self-supporting tower panel showing structural framework with detailed engineering components.

Self-Supporting Lattice Tower

Download the model of an arched self-supporting lattice tower here and open it in the structural FEA software RFEM.

Z Purlins are used to support a monopitch metal roof. The image shows the structural configuration and spacing of the purlins providing stability and load distribution.

Z-Purlins on Monopitch Roof

Here you have the opportunity to download the model of a Z-purlin on a monopitch roof and to open it in the finite element software RFEM.

Modern office building architecture made of steel with a clear structure.

Steel Structure of Office Building with Fire Resistance Design

Here you have the option to download the model of a steel office building and open it in the structural FEA software RFEM.

Other Models

Cross-Section Resistance

The system allows you to design members and member sets for tension, compression, bending, shear, torsion, and combined internal forces The tension design can consider the reduced section area (for example, due to the hole weakening). The system allows for the calculations according to EN 1993‑1‑3, EN 1993‑1‑4, and EN 1993‑1‑5.

More Info

Stability Analysis

Comprehensive calculation of all required coefficients, such as factors for taking into account the moment distribution or interaction factors.

Alternative consideration of all effects for the stability analysis during the determination of internal forces in RFEM/RSTAB (second-order analysis, imperfections, stiffness reduction, if necessary in combination with the Torsional Warping add-on).

More Features

Steel Grid shell structure analyzed for stability using the Steel Design add-on

Baner W for Steel Design Add-on for RFEM 6

Input

You have full access to the extensive material and cross-section libraries. You can also use the RSECTION program to create general cross-sections.

More Info

Results

The program gives you the performed design checks in tables. All result details are displayed for you and you can easily follow them using the clearly arranged design formulas.

More Info

How Steel Design Supports Real-World Projects

The Steel Design add-on allows engineers to design and verify steel members according to Eurocode 3 and other international standards. It supports strength, stability, serviceability, and fire resistance checks—all fully integrated into the RFEM workflow for efficient and code-compliant structural design.

The roofing structure connects the courtyard buildings, offering protection at SMS Campus, Mönchengladbach.

Courtyard Roofing of SMS Campus

Customer formTL used RFEM with the Steel Design add-on to design the 82-meter-wide cable-supported dome roof based on the Geiger principle. The tensile and steel structure, spanning 5,100 m², connects five office buildings and ensures weather protection for over 2,000 employees.

Mönchengladbach, Germany

Steel launching nose for constructing a concrete box section bridge superstructure using longitudinal launching with spans up to 62 meters.

Steel Launching Nose for Bridge Superstructure

Customer PIS PECHAL s.r.o. used RFEM 6 with the Steel Design add-on to design a demountable steel launching nose for a 62 m span concrete bridge. The analysis included structural loading, stability behavior, and nonlinear effects during longitudinal launching.

Opatovec, Czech Republic

NIO User Experience Center

To design the curved steel-aluminum facade, CIMA used RFEM 6 with the Steel Design add-on and RWIND. Circular steel beams and elliptical aluminum tubes support the vertical grid of the curtain wall, combining architectural symbolism with precise structural analysis.

Hefei, China

BORA Flagship Store

With its dynamic form and cantilevered steel-and-glass structure, the new BORA showroom stands as a visual and technical landmark. Werkraum Ingenieure ZT used RFEM 6 for the analysis of the steel superstructure, reinforced concrete basement, and dynamic effects.

Herford, Germany

View of the Mountain Station and Garaging Hall of the Zinsbergbahn in Austria, showcasing complex steel construction challenges.

Mountain Station/Garaging Hall Zinsbergbahn

A 30 m cantilevered steel hall supported by just three columns posed major structural and logistical challenges. Grabner Stahl and Maschinenbau GmbH used RFEM 6 with the Steel Design add-on to ensure structural performance, minimal deformation, and transport-optimized assembly in alpine terrain.

Brixen im Thale, Austria

LaPendenta Suspension Bridge

Designed by Jakob Rope Systems using RFEM 6, this 300-meter-long suspension bridge features a filigree cable structure with six main suspension cables and stabilizing guy cables. The bridge’s dynamic behavior was confirmed through load testing and matched the RFEM calculations with high accuracy.

Disentis/Mustér, Switzerland

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Powerful, easy to use, easy to learn…

We adopted Dlubal in our work and haven't looked back. Powerful, easy to use, easy to learn, with mercifully simple output (once set up).