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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RFEM and RSTAB use a variation of the subgrade reaction modulus method. The relation to stiffness modulus ES is not possible.
In RFEM, a multi-parameter foundation model has been implemented. This can be used to carry out a very realistic settlement calculation.
The problem, however, is to find precise values for the parameters Cu,z, Cv,xz, and Cv,yz. For this, you can use the Geotechnical Analysis add-on (for RFEM 6) or the RF-SOILIN add-on module (for RFEM 5): The subgrade parameters are calculated from the loads and the data of the geotechnical report (stiffness modulus or modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio, specific weights, layer thicknesses) for each individual finite element using a nonlinear method. These parameters are load-dependent and influence the behavior of the structure. The results of this iterative process are realistic settlements and internal forces in the structure.
In order to display the mode shapes of your dynamic analysis, you have to create a load case of the Modal Analysis type and specify your settings for the modal analysis there.
After the calculation, you can evaluate your results in the Results navigator. You can see further information in the table.
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.
In the modal analysis settings, you can set the minimum axial strain for cables and membranes in order to apply an initial prestress to the objects and thus improve the convergence of the calculation. The initial prestress is applied to the objects in a simplified approach.
If you compare this setting with a surface load of the Axial Strain load type, you should pay attention to the fact that the two approaches differ. With the surface load, you perform a calculation in such a way that the actual prestress can deviate from the specified prestress. The calculation also takes into account other boundary conditions, such as the Poisson's ratio of the material.
You can easily check this if you vary the Poisson's ratio of the material. A Poisson's ratio other than 0 causes the deformation to interact in the x- and y-directions of the surface, which no longer results in a constant stress/strain over the entire surface.
If the Poisson's ratio is 0, you obtain the same results.
Check to see if the material assigned to the members is compatible with the standard selected for the design in the "Concrete Design" add-on.
Furthermore, please check to see if all design properties (durability class, concrete cover, shear and longitudinal reinforcement, and so on) have been specified correctly in the "Edit Member" dialog box.
You can activate the creep and shrinkage to be considered for the concrete design in the Edit Material dialog box (see Image 01).
Once you activate the creep and/or shrinkage for the material, there is the option to define "Advanced Time-Dependent Properties of Concrete" in the dialog boxes for the cross-sections and thicknesses using this material. Select this check box and then define the parameters for the creep or shrinkage in the corresponding tab (see Image 02).
Further information can be found in the chapter of the Concrete Design online manual at the link below.
No, this is not possible in the current state of development of RFEM 6.
See also the FAQ for RFEM 5 and RF‑CONCRETE Surfaces by clicking the link below.The design concept is currently structured similarly and is based on the reinforcement on the top and bottom sides.
To display the interaction diagram, open the "Design Details" dialog box of Concrete Design.
On the left side of the dialog box, you can then select the "Interaction Diagram". Thus, an additional tab called "Interaction Diagram" appears. You can control the settings for the result display here.
Yes, the deformation analysis taking into account the cracked state in the cross-section is included in the concrete design in RFEM 6.
For this, the effective stiffness is calculated for each element in the concrete design according to the existing cross-section state of cracked (state II) or uncracked (state I), and then used in a second FEM calculation for the deformation.
In RFEM 5, this corresponds to the solution in the "RF‑CONCRETE Deflect" add-on module. In RFEM 6, this method is included in the concrete design.
Further information about determining the crack state as part of the deformation analysis can be found in the technical article at the following link.
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.