Question:
Is it possible to use different stiffnesses for the x and y directions of a surface in RFEM?
Answer:
Yes, it is. For this reason, orthotropic properties can be defined either for the material or for the surface.
Orthotropic Material:
Enter the elastic moduli of the material for the two surface directions (if the additional module RF‑MAT NL is not licensed, you can only use the material models "Isotropic Linear Elastic" and "Orthotropic Elastic 2D/3D"). Then, assign the material to the surface.
Orthotropic Surface:
Define the stiffness type of the surface as "Orthotropic". Then, you can define the coefficients of the local stiffness matrix according to different criteria.