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.
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In order to consider the support of the structure in the soil correctly, it is necessary to excavate the soil accordingly or to provide the solid with a corresponding opening.
Yes, you can control the load distribution by setting the limit stresses for tension as very high or small.
The specific soil material models have a variable stiffness that depends, among other things, on the prevailing stress level.
In the analysis of a single load case, this is only impressed on the structure and the soil. No stress level from other loads is taken into account, which might be necessary to obtain and use the correct soil stiffness from the soil material model.
The load case of a live load, for example, will result in different stiffnesses and thus deformations,if it is applied within a load combination on a structure that is already subjected to the soil weight as well as the structural weight and construction load,than it would result if setting it as the "first/single" load, which would be done in the analysis of the load case.
Therefore, it does not make sense to analyze the soil with the specific soil material models subjected to the individual loads / load cases if at least the always prevailing soil self-weight is not taken into account.
Please note that in the first "Main" tab of the Base data, it is necessary to select both the "3D" and "Solids" types of models as the main objects to activate. As soon as you perform these settings, as shown in the image below, you will be able to use the add-on and activate it then.
In the dialog box of structural analysis settings, you can find the "Equilibrium for undeformed structure" checkbox under Options II (Image 01). If this is active, the structure is analyzed with the deformation reset to 0.
In the following, you can see an example of the result of the primary stress state determination; that is, the analysis of a soil massif subjected to its own weight. In Construction Stage 2, the "Equilibrium for undeformed structure" option is activated in the structural analysis settings, compared to Construction Stage 1 with the inactive option.The results are compared in Image 02.
It becomes clear that the stress state in the structures is the same, but when this option is activated, the deformations are reset to 0.
If no angle can be defined in the "Rotation" column, there is an isotropic material model selected for the material, where stiffnesses are identical in all directions and it is not necessary to define an angle.
If you use materials with anisotropic behavior (for example, timber), it is necessary to ensure that the "Orthotropic | Linear Elastic (Surfaces)" material model is selected.
Note: The "Orthotropic | Timber | Linear Elastic (Surfaces)" material model cannot be currently used in combination with the "Layers" thickness type.
As soon as switching to the orthotropic material model, the individual layers can be rotated accordingly.
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.
To use numerical methods, such as FEM, in geotechnical engineering, it is reasonable to set the cohesion as not equal to zero. Therefore, a small cohesion between 0.5 and 1.0 kN/m² can be applied even for non-cohesive soils.
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 an earthquake analysis, you need a modal analysis and then a load case of the Response Spectrum Analysis type.
After you have performed your modal analysis, create a new load case. Here you will find the usual settings from the previous program generation.
In the Response Spectrum tab, you can define your response spectrum as usual. If you want to use a response spectrum according to the standard, make sure that the desired standard is selected in the general data of Standards II.
In the Selection of Modes tab, you can select the mode shapes and filter them, if necessary.
After the load case has been calculated, you obtain the results.