Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - SHAPE THIN 9

No, it is not possible to export the data from RSECTION to SHAPE-THIN. It is only possible to export the data the other way around, from SHAPE-THIN to RSECTION.

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No, the SHAPE‑THIN 9 files cannot be used directly in RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9. It is first necessary to convert the files to RSECTION files.

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Yes, you can. In RFEM 5 and RSTAB 8, you can use the cross-sections created with SHAPE‑THIN 8 and SHAPE‑THIN 9.

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This is probably a false alarm. Nevertheless, it is necessary to investigate the matter, because malware can disguise itself as any file.

We recommend that you check the file using this service:
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload

This service, operated by Google, analyzes the file with over 70 different antivirus programs and malware scanners.

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SHAPE-THIN/SHAPE-MASSIVE

In SHAPE‑THIN and SHAPE‑MASSIVE, the section moduli are calculated according to the following formulas:

With the section moduli calculated in this way, it is not possible to directly calculate the maximum and minimum normal stress from the bending moment M_y or M_z for asymmetric cross-sections.

RSECTION

In RSECTION, the section moduli are determined in such a way that they allow for the direct calculation of the extreme normal stresses from the bending moments M_y and M_z.

You can determine the section modulus about the y-axis at a point i on the outer contours of the cross-section as follows:

The section modulus about the z-axis at point i on the outer contours of the cross-section is determined as follows:

The minimum section modulus about the y- or z-axis is the maximum negative section modulus of the i-points. The maximum section modulus about the y- or z-axis is the smallest positive section modulus of the i-points.

The governing section moduli about the y- or z-axis are calculated as follows:

Example

Image 01 shows a rectangular cross-section inclined by 10° with the dimensions of w/h = 50/10 mm.

In SHAPE‑THIN or SHAPE‑MASSIVE, the following section moduli W_y,min, W_y,max, W_z,min, and W_z,max are obtained (see Image 02):

In RSECTION, the following section moduli W_y,min, W_y,max, W_z,min, and W_z,max are obtained (Image 03):

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To show or hide the printout report navigator, use the View → Navigator menu.

You can also close the printout report navigator using the button.

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It is possible, although not directly: To do this, you need the RSECTION program.

Open the SHAPE-THIN file in RSECTION (see the image). Check if the cross-section was imported correctly. Then, save the file as an RSECTION cross-section (an *.rsc file type). You can now use this cross-section in RFEM 6 or RSTAB 9.

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After the release of the new generation of Dlubal programs, including RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9, the Dlubal extranet layout was modified. The ability to download your authorization file (author.ini) is still possible. The file is now in a different location.

After successfully logging in to the extranet, you can follow this workflow selection:
Licenses → Authorization Files for Download | RFEM 5, RSTAB 8,... → Authorization Files for Download...

The new generation of programs (RFEM 6, RSTAB 9, RSECTION) are entirely cloud-based, so they use online login for the authorization and no longer require the authorization file.

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The dxf file is currently being used by another program such as CAD. Close the file and import the file again.

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In SHAPE-THIN 9, you can model cold-formed sections and effective cross-sections according to EN 1993‑1‑3 and EN 1993‑1‑5. This is not possible in SHAPE‑THIN 8.

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In the General Data, change the Type of Model from 2D to 3D.  This will automatically adjust the member orientation to its geometric axis.

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The elements that overlap partially or entirely in their lengths can be found using the model check for overlapping elements. To open the model check, use the menu Tools → Model Check → Overlapping Elements.

If overlapping elements are detected, they are shown in a dialog box where they are sorted by groups. In the work window, the current group is indicated by an arrow (Image 01).

The element pairs can be exported to MS Excel or created as a visibility. The visibilities created in this way (Image 02) can be quickly used to find and delete the relevant elements in the cross-section.

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The first option is to reinstall the program. When you begin the reinstallation, you will be prompted to uninstall the existing version. Confirm the uninstallation then begin reinstallation of the program.

The second option is to manually integrate the already existing material libraries from either a previous version of the program that exists on your computer or another computer where the program is installed. 

The following files located under C:\ProgramData\Dlubal\SHAPE-THIN\General Data from the existing version can be copied into the version with the missing material database.

General material library: 'Materialien.dbd' 
User-defined material library: 'Materialien_User.dbd'

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By clicking the following link, you can download a program that helps you to read both the dongle and the network dongle that are connected to the computer:

http://download.dlubal.com/?file=KeyDump.zip

Unzip the file named KeyDump.zip and run the KeyDump.exe file in the destination folder. You should see the dongle under "License Information" in the diagnostic program. If this is not the case, the dongle may be defective or the driver has not been installed correctly.

Normally, the dongle drivers are set up automatically during the installation. If this remains undone, the dongle driver can also be installed manually. The latest driver for your operating system can be downloaded here:

http://download.dlubal.com/?file=Sentinel_LDK_GUI_setup.zip

If the problem persists, please send us the log file, which you can create in KeyDump (see the image).

You should also note the following points:

• Make sure that only the Dlubal dongle is connected to the USB port during the installation. Remove dongles from other manufacturers.
• Administrator rights are required for successful installation.

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Please define a yield strength and limit stresses in Window "1.2 Materials".

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The ellipse is the inertia ellipse, which is used to display the radius of gyration. This can be deactivated or activated as shown in Image 01.

Both additional lines are used to display the area bisection axes for y and z, as well as for the principal axes u and v. These bisectors can also be deactivated in the Display navigator (see Image 01).

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If the cross-section is in a horizontal plane, try to change the DXF Import Settings in RFEM. In the File menu, select:

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During the dxf import, only objects lying in the XY plane are imported. Therefore, it is necessary to draw the cross-section in the XY-plane in the CAD application. Image 01 shows a cross-section lying in the XZ-plane as well as the import result of this cross-section in SHAPE‑THIN.

The cross-section lying in the XY-plane is imported into SHAPE‑THIN as desired (Image 02).

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There are optional service contracts for the RFEM, RSTAB, and RX‑TIMBER program families.

Service contracts guarantee the maintenance of the product as well as the use of new features via provided updates. Furthermore, with an existing service contract, you will receive preferential conditions for future upgrades and hotline support via email.

Benefits of Service Contract Basic

• Maintenance of the current and previous versions
• Access to program updates (minor program modifications, code and standard updates, and so on), including the design add-ons
• Priority email tech support
• Discounts for future upgrades (major paid developments) of the main programs

Benefits of Service Contract Pro

Includes all Service Contract Basic benefits plus the following:

• Priority phone tech support, including prompt callback when necessary
• Priority online screen-sharing tech support coordinated by a Dlubal engineer

See the price list for the current prices for service contracts and program upgrades:

Service Contracts ...

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You are probably using Internet Explorer or Edge to download the installation file. Since the installation file is an EXE file, the integrated SmartScreen takes effect.

The easiest solution would be to use another web browser, such as Firefox, Chrome, or Opera.

If you want to continue using Internet Explorer, you can deactivate SmartScreen before downloading our software. Please search the web for instructions.

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If there are different materials, it is necessary to specify the reference material. The ideal cross-section properties and cross-section diagrams that are related to this reference material are then determined.

You can define the reference material in SHAPE‑THIN and in SHAPE‑MASSIVE using the General Data of the cross-section.

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The message indicates that Microsoft Visual C++ is missing or is corrupted on this computer. Please install the package from the Microsoft website; see the figure and the link:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2977003/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads

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Open SHAPE‑THIN as an administrator: Right-click the SHAPE‑THIN instance → "Run as Administrator"; see the image.

As an alternative, you can uninstall SHAPE‑THIN and perform a new installation as an administrator, as described above.

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It is highly probable that the software is blocked by an antivirus program.

We recommend adding Dlubal Software programs, including the working directory, to the exceptions of all existing antivirus programs.

You can find the path of the working directory in the menu "Options" → "Program Options", tab "Data Files" → category "Working Directory"; see the image.

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Since the software works for other users, we can assume a local problem. If you have not already done so, please uninstall the software and then reinstall the current customer version.

If the problem persists, the software is most likely blocked by an antivirus program. We recommend adding Dlubal Software programs, including the working directory, to the exceptions of all existing antivirus programs.

You can find the path of the working directory in the menu "Options" → "Program Options", tab "Data Files" → category "Working Directory"; see the image.

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A fillet weld is only used to determine weld stresses due to shear force V_y, V_z (or V_u, V_v) as well as torsional moment M_xp, M_xs. The design of fillet welds with SHAPE‑THIN is described using the link "Design of Fillet Welds".

No connection between the elements is created with a fillet weld. A connection can only be modeled with elements. You can find information about modeling connections by clicking the link "Connecting Elements in SHAPE‑THIN".

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The "RF‑/STEEL Cold-Formed Sections" add-on module allows you to design cold-formed L‑sections, Z‑sections, C‑sections, channels, top‑hat sections, and CL‑sections from the cross-section library.

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Since null elements (t = 0, t *> 0) have no influence on the moments of inertia or section moduli, but are required for the calculation of shear areas, for example, the shear stresses can also be calculated on these elements.

The display or calculation of the stresses on null elements can be activated in the calculation parameters, as shown in Image 01. You can select whether the stresses are redistributed to the connected elements or displayed directly. Image 02 shows shear stresses on an example cross-section.

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The offset point of the section is used as a reference point to place the section in the cross-section. This point is highlighted in red in the section graphic of the "Set Section" dialog box (Image 01). Coordinates y and z refer to the centroid of the section.

Another reference point can be selected by clicking one of the red nodes, or turquoise snap points can be defined. At this point, the section is "glued" to the pointer before it is finally set with a mouse click.

A clever choice of section offset point makes it easier to set the section on elements. This is also shown in the video. Please note that the sections shown in the video are not yet connected to each other. The way these can be connected is shown in FAQ 002389.

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The graphic is printed to the monitor at the same scale as the display scale. There is no other setting option in the printout dialog box (Image 01).

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