Answer:
Of course it is possible to generate solid elements with RFEM. They are particularly useful for specially shaped machine components or very thick objects, or when it is no longer possible to display the object as a surface element. The calculation of solids provides deformations, stresses, and strains.
Another application area for solid elements is the representation of contact properties. A contact solid can be used, for example, to model the transmission conditions of connections with the properties "failure under compression" or "failure under tension" for the contact perpendicular to the contact surfaces. For a contact parallel to surfaces, you can select the properties "failure if contact perpendicular to surfaces failed", "full force transmission", "rigid friction", "rigid friction with limit", "elastic friction", "elastic friction with limit", and "elastic solid behavior".
The contact properties between two contact surfaces can also be carried out using surface releases. These are described in the RFEM manual:
- Online Manual RFEM | Structure | Types for Special Objects | Surface Release Types
- Online Manual RFEM | Structure | Special Objects | Surface Releases
Modeling with solid elements is also shown in the video from a Dlubal Info Day, which you can find under Links.
