Which Dlubal Software programs can I use to calculate and design timber structures?

Answer

Solutions are available for RFEM, RSTAB, and RX‑TIMBER as an independent stand-alone program.

RFEM provides you with the most extensive options; in addition to the general structural elements in timber construction, you can also use the RF‑LAMINATE add-on module to process laminates or cross-laminated timber elements. Furthermore, it is possible to design curved beams, and for the JOINTS Timber - Steel to Timber add-on module, it is possible to design semi-rigid fasteners with RFEM.

With RF‑/TIMBER Pro, you can perform a stress or stability analysis for members according to the equivalent member method or the second-order analysis in RFEM or RSTAB. Furthermore, you can use it to demonstrate the serviceability limit state and fire resistance. Cross-sections can be optimized automatically.

The individual RX‑TIMBER stand-alone programs allow you to design glued-laminated timber beams, continuous beams, timber columns, coupled purlins and continuous beams, three-hinged frames with finger-jointed frame joints, stiffening bracings, or monopitch and duopitch roofs.

Main Programs RFEM or RSTAB

The main programs RFEM or RSTAB are used to define structures, materials, and actions.

Available Standards

RF-/TIMBER Pro (with fire resistance) according to EN 1995‑1‑1 (Eurocode 5) and SIA 265 (Swiss standard)
RF-/TIMBER AWC (with fire resistance) according to ANSI/AWC NDS‑2018 (US standards)
RF-/TIMBER CSA according to CSA O86‑14 (Canadian standard)
RF-/TIMBER NBR according to NBR 7190:1997 (Brazilian standard)
RF-/TIMBER SANS according to SANS 10163‑1:2003 and SANS 10163‑2:2001 (South African standards)

Add-on Modules

RF-LAMINATE (RFEM only)
Stress and deflection analysis of laminate surfaces (for example, cross-laminated timber panels)
RF-/JOINTS Timber - Steel to Timber
for indirect connections with steel plates and steel dowels
RF-/JOINTS Timber - Timber to Timber
for direct connection of members with slant screws
RF-/LIMITS
analyzes the load-bearing capacity of members, member ends, nodes, nodal supports, and surfaces by means of a defined ultimate load capacity.
RWIND Simulation
Complex analysis of any structures in the digital wind tunnel with the transfer of load cases to RFEM or RSTAB for further processing

Dynamic Analysis

If it is necessary to perform seismic analysis or vibration designs of a building, the RF‑/DYNAM Pro add-on modules provide special tools for determining natural frequencies and mode shapes, for an analysis of forced vibrations, a generation of equivalent loads, or for a nonlinear time history analysis.

Interfaces