Software for Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Finite Element Method (FEM)
FEM is a method of analysis for the tasks in the scientific and technical field. It enables you to calculate complex problems that would otherwise not be able to be solved or solved very inefficiently by other means. It is thus one of the most important methods in structural engineering.
The term FEM describes a numerical method for solving differential equations. Therefore, various physical disciplines rely on these calculations. To analyze a structural component, it is first decomposed into a large number of finite elements. Due to their simple geometry, these elements can then be easily calculated using the known shape functions. This decomposition into finite elements eventually gave the name to this method: the "Finite Element Method".
Nowadays, FEM is a standard method in structural engineering for the computer-aided calculation of beam and surface structures.
3D FEA Software for Structural and Dynamic Analysis and Design
The structural analysis program RFEM 6 is characterized by its user-friendly application of the finite element method in structural engineering. Due to efficient data input and intuitive handling, you can mode simple and complex structures completely after a short training period. RFEM does the calculations for you. It performs structural and dynamic analysis of all 3D structures with absolute reliability.
RFEM is the basis of a modular program family. The main program RFEM 6 is used to define structures, materials, and loads of planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, and members.
Furthermore, RFEM also calculates the internal forces and support forces. Does your project consists of different elements and materials? No problem, because combined structural systems are just as possible with RFEM as the modeling of solid and contact elements.
For a standard-compliant design of components made of different materials, you need the corresponding add-ons and additional modules. You can compile the programs according to your needs. In the end, you get exactly the software you need for your daily work.
Add-ons and Add-on Modules for RFEM
Would you like a little more RFEM? As already mentioned, we have numerous add-ons and additional modules for the main program RFEM. So if you need to design different materials, such as reinforced and prestressed concrete, steel, aluminum, timber, or glass, we provide you with a large number of powerful add-ons and additional modules.
These extensions offer a range of possibilities. Use the add-ons and add-on modules for RFEM to perform nonlinear calculations, stability and dynamic analyses, joint design checks, and form-finding processes for cable and membrane structures. You will see – with RFEM, you enjoy structural analysis!
Quality of FEA Results
We are not friends of secrets and mysteries. Therefore, the Dlubal structural analysis software provides comprehensible structural analysis calculations. The "black box" character, as it exists in some other structural analysis programs, is left out here. You can see how the Dlubal software works, because we have nothing to hide. Here you can find numerous verification examples for our software programs that clearly show how the calculation methods work.
Interfaces for Data Exchange
The building information modeling process (BIM) is an essential part of their daily work for many civil engineers and structural engineers. Unfortunately, other structural analysis programs cause problems as soon as the word "integrity" is used. The structural analysis software from Dlubal, on the other hand, is different because it can be seamlessly integrated into the BIM process. Due to a large number of interfaces, you can exchange data from your digital building models with RFEM or RSTAB.
To read and write the data from or to RFEM and RSTAB, simply use the Webservice (a programmable interface). Thus, your data exchange works without any problems and you can reach your goal with just a few clicks.
Support and Learning
Our customers are important to us! For Dlubal Software, this motto is much more than that. Customer service is a fundamental pillar of the Dlubal Software company philosophy. We do our best to help you with any problems or concerns, so that you can continue to enjoy working with the Dlubal software programs.
Contact
Do you have any questions about our products or which are best suited for your design projects? Contact us via phone, email, chat or forum or search the FAQ page, available 24/7.
Further Information
Online Manual | RFEM 6
Structural Analysis Models to Download
Select numerous structural models to utilize them for training purposes or for your projects.
Modeling Approaches for Shear/Hole Bearing Connections by Means of FEA
The definition of the non-linear contact problem plays an important role for more detailed investigations of shear/hole bearing connections or their immediate environment.
Imposed line deformations can be defined for supported lines in RFEM. For example, foundation settlements can be simulated with this function.
Moreover, it is possible to define imposed rotations for lines.
Associated Products
Main Program
The structural analysis program RFEM 6 is the basis of a modular software system. The main program RFEM 6 is used to define structures, materials, and loads of planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, and members. The program can also design combined structures as well as solid and contact elements.
4,450.00 EUR
Main Program
The structural frame & truss analysis and design program RSTAB 9 contains a similar range of functions as the FEA software RFEM, paying special attention to frames and trusses. Therefore, it is very easy to use and for many years, it has been the best choice for the structural analysis of beam structures consisting of steel, concrete, timber, aluminum, and other materials.
2,850.00 EUR
Design
The Steel Design add-on designs steel members for the ultimate and serviceability limit states according to various standards.
2,650.00 EUR
Design
The Steel Design add-on designs steel members for the ultimate and serviceability limit states according to various standards.
2,650.00 EUR
Joints
With the RFEM Steel Joints add-on, you can analyze steel connections using an FE model.
1,850.00 EUR
Design
The Stress-Strain Analysis add-on performs a general stress analysis by calculating the existing stresses and comparing them to the limit stresses.
1,150.00 EUR
Design
The Stress-Strain Analysis add-on performs a general stress analysis by calculating the existing stresses and comparing them to the limit stresses.
1,150.00 EUR
Design
The Timber Design add-on designs timber members for the ultimate, serviceability, and fire resistance limit states according to various standards.
1,850.00 EUR
Design
The Timber Design add-on designs timber members for the ultimate, serviceability, and fire resistance limit states according to various standards.
1,850.00 EUR
Additional Analysis
The Structure Stability add-on analyzes the stability of structures. It determines critical load factors and the corresponding stability modes.
1,450.00 EUR
Additional Analysis
The Structure Stability add-on analyzes the stability of structures. It determines critical load factors and the corresponding stability modes.
1,450.00 EUR
Additional Analysis
The Time-Dependent Analysis (TDA) add-on allows you to consider the time-dependent material behavior of members. The long-term effects, such as creep, shrinkage, and aging, can influence the distribution of internal forces, depending on the structure.
1,150.00 EUR
Additional Analysis
The Torsional Warping (7 DOF) add-on allows you to consider cross-section warping as an additional degree of freedom when calculating members.
1,650.00 EUR
Additional Analysis
The Torsional Warping (7 DOF) add-on allows you to consider cross-section warping as an additional degree of freedom when calculating members.
1,650.00 EUR
Dynamic Analysis
In the Modal Analysis add-on, eigenvalues, natural frequencies, and natural periods for member, surface, and solid models can be calculated.
1,250.00 EUR
Dynamic Analysis
In the Modal Analysis add-on, eigenvalues, natural frequencies, and natural periods for member, surface, and solid models can be calculated.
1,250.00 EUR
Dynamic Analysis
In the Response Spectrum Analysis add-on, seismic analysis is performed using multi-modal response spectrum analysis. The spectra required for this can be created in compliance with the standards or can be user-defined. The equivalent static forces are generated from this. The add-on includes an extensive library of accelerograms from seismic zones. These can be used to generate response spectra.
1,450.00 EUR
Dynamic Analysis
In the Response Spectrum Analysis add-on, seismic analysis is performed using the multi-modal response spectrum analysis. The spectra required for this can be created in compliance with the standards or can be user-defined. The equivalent static forces are generated from this. The add-on includes an extensive library of accelerograms from seismic zones. These can be used to generate response spectra.
1,450.00 EUR
Dynamic Analysis
Earthquakes may have a significant impact on the deformation behavior of buildings. A pushover analysis allows you to analyze the deformation behavior of buildings and compare them with seismic actions. Using the Pushover add-on, you can analyze the seismic actions on a particular building and thus assess whether the building can withstand the earthquake.
1,450.00 EUR
Dynamic Analysis
Earthquakes may have a significant impact on the deformation behavior of buildings. A pushover analysis allows you to analyze the deformation behavior of buildings and compare them with seismic actions. Using the Pushover add-on, you can analyze the seismic actions on a particular building and thus assess whether the building can withstand the earthquake.
1,450.00 EUR
Design
The Multilayer Surfaces add-on allows you to define multilayer surface structures. The calculation can be carried out with or without the shear coupling.
1,250.00 EUR
Special Solutions
First, the two-part Optimization & Costs / CO2 Emission Estimation add-on finds suitable parameters for parameterized models and blocks via the artificial intelligence (AI) technique of particle swarm optimization (PSO) for compliance with common optimization criteria. Second, this add-on estimates the model costs or CO2 emissions by specifying unit costs or emissions per material definition for the structural model.
1,650.00 EUR
Special Solutions
First, the two-part Optimization & Costs / CO2 Emission Estimation add-on finds suitable parameters for parameterized models and blocks via the artificial intelligence (AI) technique of particle swarm optimization (PSO) for compliance with common optimization criteria. Second, this add-on estimates the model costs or CO2 emissions by specifying unit costs or emissions per material definition for the structural model.
1,650.00 EUR
Additional Analysis
The Nonlinear Material Behavior add-on allows you to consider material nonlinearities in RFEM (e.g., isotropic plastic, orthotropic plastic, isotropic damage).
1,450.00 EUR
Design
The RFEM Masonry Design add-on allows you to design masonry using the finite element method. It was developed as part of the research project titled DDMaS - Digitizing the Design of Masonry Structures. The material model represents the nonlinear behavior of the brick-mortar combination in the form of macro-modeling.
1,850.00 EUR
Additional Analysis
In RFEM, the Geotechnical Analysis add-on uses properties from soil samples to determine the soil body to be analyzed. Realistic determination of the soil conditions significantly influences the quality of the structural analysis of buildings.
1,250.00 EUR
