The structural analysis software 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 also allows you to create combined structures as well as to model solid and contact elements.
RSTAB 9 is a powerful analysis and design software for 3D beam, frame, or truss structure calculations, reflecting the current state of the art and helping structural engineers meet requirements in modern civil engineering.
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The most likely cause of the different results is that you have probably not set the same smoothing of the surface internal forces.
This can be set separately in RFEM 6 and in the add-on.
If the smoothing is the same in both settings, the stresses are also the same.
The ASCE 7-22 standard provides several types of design spectra. In this FAQ, we would like to focus on the following two design spectra:
The two-period spectrum is implemented in the program as usual. However, based on the data available from the standard, only the horizontal design spectrum / MCER spectrum as well as the modification related to the force and displacement can be offered.
For the multi-period design spectrum, discrete numerical values are specified. ASCE 7‑22 states that these values can be queried on the USGS Seismic Design Geodatabase page. In the current state of development, you have the option to create a user-defined response spectrum with a g‑factor (depending on the mass conversion constant) to use the data from the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool [1], for example.
Please proceed as follows:
The main programs RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 are distinguished by their clarity. The entire input in the program is set up in such a way that you always obtain a clear result for each calculation task. The design of objects is organized in a similar way. In the input, the program shows the necessary properties for each design object, including the corresponding loads, and outputs a clear result for this object after the analysis.
If you want to determine your own design results for the entire model for different load levels, the "Construction Stages Analysis (CSA)" add-on provides a solution. In addition to the basic simulation of the construction process (the object rise), the program also allows for parallel simulation of models with a constant number of objects. In this special case, the base model is internally juxtaposed several times, and can thus be transferred to the design with different loads.
To do this, proceed as follows:
Some materials have multiple limit stress limits for compression, tension, and so on. For these materials, the limiting stress must be input manually by the user.
The limit stress values are listed under the Material Values tab.
These values can be added in the Member/Surface Configurations under the User limit stress type.
This is not possible in RFEM 5 or the RF‑STAGES add-on module. However, it is possible in the new program generation. In the Construction Stage Analysis add-on for RFEM 6, you can now modify the properties of structural elements.
Yes, you can also export the response spectra from RFEM 6 and import them into RFEM 5 as a user-defined response spectrum. Please note that export and import via Excel may also have different columns/descriptions due to different versions.
Export your data in RFEM 6 to Excel.
If you want to import this table directly, you will get an error message. RFEM 5 expects a different worksheet description and two columns only.
As soon as you adjust the name in Excel and delete the column with the frequency results, you will be able to edit the response spectrum in RFEM 5.
To perform the deformation analysis of a surface, make sure that the Stress-Strain Analysis add-on is activated. Then, select the Strain Analysis check box by right-clicking Stress-Strain Analysis in the Data navigator.
By using the color scale, it will be possible to display the deformation areas above the 0.5‰ limit.
Masses can be neglected in the modal analysis settings.
It is possible to neglect masses in all fixed nodal supports and line supports, or to create a selection of the individual objects.
You can adjust the display of the mode shape normalization directly in the Results navigator. If the setting is changed, no recalculation is necessary.
Depending on the setting, the largest displacement or deformation represents the reference value 1, to which the other results are scaled.
You can also define structural modifications in a load case of the Modal Analysis type. Thus, you can access the stiffness modifications of the individual objects and deactivate the selected objects, if necessary.