Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Further Information

Data exchange between Autodesk Revit Structure and RFEM

Structural Analysis Programs by Dlubal Software and BIM

It is very important for Dlubal Software to provide options for planning in compliance with BIM. Numerous interfaces implemented in the structural analysis programs RFEM and RSTAB facilitate data exchange with commonly used software (such as CAD programs) and make it easy and comfortable.

The following overview shows a range of the interfaces integrated in RFEM and RSTAB by default.

Interface with TEKLA Structures

There are three options for data exchange between RFEM/RSTAB and Tekla Structures: The stp interface allows for a file-based transfer of framework models in both directions. The analytical model generated and contained in Tekla Structures can be transferred to RFEM/RSTAB using another direct interface. Finally, a further direct interface is provided to exchange and adjust physical models in both directions.

RFEM/RSTAB and Tekla Structures

Integration in Autodesk Revit

The direct bidirectional RFEM/RSTAB interface with Autodesk Revit leaves nothing to be desired: A structure created in RFEM/RSTAB can be visualized in Revit and prepared for the design engineer. In the same way, it is possible to calculate and design a Revit model in RFEM/RSTAB. Even subsequent modifications in both the Revit and the RFEM/RSTAB model can be easily aligned.

RFEM/RSTAB and Autodesk Revit

Integration in Autodesk AutoCAD

In addition to data exchange using DXF files, RFEM/RSTAB supports direct exchange with AutoCAD by Autodesk. This interface uses the latest .NET technology. You can start the data exchange directly in RFEM/RSTAB.

RFEM/RSTAB and Autodesk AutoCAD

RFEM Interface with Nemetschek Allplan (*.asf)

With the help of ASF files, reinforcement determined in RF-CONCRETE can be exported and displayed in Allplan in the form of reinforcement contours and FEA reinforcement color images.

In addition, the company Allbau Software GmbH offers an Allplan2Dlubal plugin, which is used to automatically generate a plate-member model from the Allplan model for use in Dlubal's structural analysis software.

More information

RFEM Interfaces to Rhino & Grasshopper

The bidirectional RFEM-Rhino interface allows you to transfer various line types as well as surfaces (plane, rotated surface, and NURBS).

With the direct Grasshopper interface, you can transfer surfaces with the properties material, thickness, and surface stiffness type as well as members with the properties material, cross-section, and member rotation to RFEM.

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Data Exchange with Dietrich's (*.ifc)

You can import IFC files with the IFC interface and the "CAD/BIM Model" as well as convert member and surface elements. This import has been optimized in cooperation with the company Dietrich's so that the corresponding cross-sections and materials are assigned automatically for member elements.

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Interface to SketchUp with the 3skeng Steelwork Tool

With the program 3skeng Steelwork in SktechUp, it is possible to export IFC files based on "Structural Analysis View". This view contains the structural system with member hinges and cross-section as well as material properties.Use "File" → "Import" to import the IFC file. For more detailed information, see the SHK Engineering and Consulting GmbH & Co. KG website.

Product Interface for Steel Construction (*.stp)

In order to transfer models consisting of members only, the DSTV product interface for steel constructions was implemented (German Steel Construction Association). Therefore, it is possible to exchange data between RFEM/RSTAB and other programs such as "Bentley ProStructure 3D", "Tekla Structures", "Bocad", "Intergraph Frameworks", "Graitec Advance Steel", "Cadwork", and many others.

DSTV Product Interface for Steel Construction

Microsoft Excel

In order to reuse or prepare values entered in RFEM/RSTAB tables, there is a direct interface to Microsoft Excel. You can directly export the RFEM/RSTAB tables - individually or all at once - to an Excel spreadsheet and vice versa. Even the formulas for parametric input can be prepared in Excel and imported to RFEM/RSTAB.

RFEM/RSTAB and MS Excel

DXF File Format (*.dxf)

The DXF file format is one of the most common data exchange formats in the field of CAD programs. RFEM and RSTAB support the import and export of these DXF files.

RFEM/RSTAB and DXF Interface

IFC Interface

The IFC interface (Industry Foundation Classes) is divided in several areas called views. When importing and exporting data, the StructuralAnalysisView is primarily supported. This means that you can transfer the structural model including member elements, concentrated loads, linear and member loads, supports, support conditions, load cases etc. The most important elements from the CoordinateView containing graphical elements are imported additionally. Click the links below to see the online description of the interface and general information concerning IFC.

RFEM Connection to ConED

ConED has a bidirectional interface to RFEM. It can be used to calculate ceiling systems, deep beams, floor slabs, and entire buildings from ConED. Adjustments of any kind can still be made in RFEM before the user initiates the calculation. The calculation results are read from the database via the COM interface and are imported in ConED.

SDNF Interface (*.sdnf)

The SDNF interface (Steel Detailing Neutral Format) by Intergraph is used to exchange data with Intergraph Frameworks or Tekla Structures. It is possible to import as well as export a variety of structural data like nodes and members including relevant materials and cross-sections to and from RFEM/RSTAB. The transfer of support conditions, however, is not possible.

Interface with Bentley ISM (*.ism.dgn)

Due to the implementation of the ISM interface in RFEM/RSTAB, it is possible to exchange models with ProSteel, ProConcrete, and other Bentley applications. The interface works in both directions. The ISM technology core piece consists of the ISM Viewer V8i provided for free by Bentley.

Furthermore, you can export surface elements like walls and plates as well as sections with variable cross‑sections to ProSteel and ProConcrete. Another useful feature of the ISM Viewer is the possibility to create 3D PDF documents.

RFEM/RSTAB and Bentley ISM

RFEM Interface with GLASER -isb cad- (.geo, .fem)

This interface control the interaction with the program Glaser by isb cad: It is possible to import GEO files to RFEM and export results of concrete surface designs in FEM files. The import includes single lines and arcs, surfaces as slabs (contour lines), center lines of walls, center points of columns, openings, surface loads, linear loads, nodal loads, free rectangular as well as line and concentrated loads. The export includes the top and bottom reinforcement in FE mesh or grid points. Optionally, you can export only the additional reinforcement or the shear reinforcement.

RFEM Interface with DICAD STRAKON (*.cfe)

RFEM supports the data exchange with the structural engineering and precast program STRAKON by DICAD. The import includes structural data such as nodes, lines, materials, surfaces, openings, nodal and line supports. The export covers reinforcement including border lines of surfaces. Each surface is exported separately.

CIS/2 Structural Frame Schema (*.stp)

The CIS/2 file format of NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) is frequently used for data exchange in English-speaking countries. In addition to the structural data of frameworks, it is possible to import the information about loads, load cases, load and result combinations.

RFEM Interface with CADKON (*.esf)

The ESF file format (Engineering Structural Format) enables data exchange with the program CADKON by ABStudio. In ESF file format, it is possible to export plane surfaces with uniform thickness and potential openings as well as materials used in RFEM.

Textformat (*.000)

It is possible to import text files of the formats *.000 (structure) and *.001 (loads) to RFEM/RSTAB (the format of the former program PLATE by Dlubal Software).

SCIA Engineer (*.xml)

In order to exchange data with other programs used for structural analysis, the import of XML files from Scia Engineer was implemented.

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Interface with Cadwork (*.stp)

This interface enables the export of models to the CAD program Cadwork and the import of Cadwork models to RFEM/RSTAB. Besides the model geometry, the transfer includes information about cross-sections, materials, supports and rigid couplings.

Interface with SEMA

This interface enables the import of 3D structures created in the timber construction and design software SEMA. A SEMA model can be transferred to the programs by Dlubal Software using the DXF or the DSTV(STP) file format. DSTV includes not only the structure geometry but also information about cross-sections, materials, supports, and rigid couplings.

Interface to Advance Steel (*.smlx)

By using the SMLX export (Steel Markup Language), you can transfer member structures from RSTAB or RFEM to Advance Steel. In addition to the model geometry, it is possible to transfer the corresponding cross-sections, materials, as well as member eccentricities.

Interface with Hilti PROFIS Engineering Suite

This direct bidirectional interface enables data exchange between RFEM/RSTAB and Hilti PROFIS Engineering Suite.

The support loads from RFEM/RSTAB are usually exported to Hilti PROFIS Engineering Suite to perform the design of dowels and anchor heads. The results of the dowel design can be imported to RFEM/RSTAB as comments.

Interface to IDEA StatiCa

Export members, cross-sections (made of steel or concrete) and internal forces from RFEM/RSTAB for design to IDEA StatiCa. The data is synchronized in IDEA StatiCa when the RFEM/RSTAB model changes.

Background Layers

Background layers are used to simplify the modeling process. The layers can be underlain in the RFEM or RSTAB work window to facilitate the input of graphical objects.

Background Layers in RFEM/RSTAB

Interface with VCmaster

With this interface, it is possible to export the RFEM/RSTAB printout report to the VCmaster program (for calculations and text processing), developed by the company Veith Christoph GmbH, where it can be further edited.

RTF Interface

Further editing of a printout report is possible in MS Office as well. For this, the report is converted into the RTF file including all graphics.

Add-on Modules RS-COM (for RSTAB) and RF-COM (for RFEM)

This programmable interface is based on COM technology. It allows you to program your own input macros or post-processing programs.

Programmable Interface RF-COM/RS-COM

Add-on Module RF-LINK

With the RF-LINK add-on module installed in RFEM, the following interfaces are additionally available for data import:

Standard Acis Text Format (*.sat)
Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (*.igs, *.iges)
Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (*. stp, *.step)

RF-LINK Interface Extension for RFEM

General Information About Import and Export

For the aforementioned interfaces and exchange file formats (except for MS Excel and CSV), it is possible to manage the materials and cross-sections by means of user-defined conversion files.

Plausibility checks after import or before export are also possible, of course. Optionally, only selected objects can be exported. You can also define the orientation of the Z-axis for the data exchange. Similarly, coordinates can be mirrored or even switched.

Customer Projects About BIM

BIM Project, New Plant in Graben-Neudorf

SWE-Eurodrive GmbH & Co. KG, a German family-owned company operating in the area of drive technology, is expanding its plant at Graben-Neudorf until 2019. The existing plant, with a size of 1,184,030 ft², will be almost doubled...
Customer Projects About BIM

Bahá’í Temple of South America in Santiago, Chile

An extraordinary structure was built in Chile: "Temple of Light", one of eight Bahá'í temples in the world.
The shape of the temple resembles a nine‑petalled blossom of a lotus flower. The building has a diameter of about 111.5 ft and a height of 98.4 ft.
Customer Projects About BIM

Kindergarten in Schwoich, Austria

A kindergarten, designed according to Building Information Modeling (BIM), is currently under construction in the Tyrolean municipality of Schwoich.
The digital 3D model accompanies the construction project from design until completion.
Customer Projects About BIM

Element 1 of Science Park in Linz, Austria

The science park completes the Johannes Kepler University Linz in Austria with five further buildings.
Building element 1 is a framed structure made of reinforced concrete. The structure includes a deep basement used as a parking garage, and a first floor with laboratories.
Customer Projects About BIM

New Roofs above Gates of Exhibition Grounds in Frankfurt, Germany

The steel structure of the roof above the northern gate of Frankfurt Exhibition Grounds has an oval shape with a size of 138 ft x 59 ft.
The roof is supported by pyramid-shaped columns, which appear particularly slim, and the roof gives the illusion of floating.

Contact Dlubal

Do you have any questions about our products or need advice on selecting the products needed for your projects?
Contact us via our free e-mail, chat, or forum support or find various suggested solutions and useful tips on our FAQ page.

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