Search FAQ

Further Information

In addition to personal support, we offer resources 24/7 through our website.

Receive information including news, useful tips, scheduled events, special offers, and vouchers on a regular basis.

1 - 10 of 393

Sort by:

Items:

• ### What is the fastest way to create a contact between two surfaces?

New

005134

In RFEM 5, a contact solid was required to create a contact between two surfaces. In RFEM 6, this can be done using a surface contact:

1) Define a surface contact type: Either in the Data navigator under "Types for special objects" or directly within the surface contact under "Special objects" → "Surface contact," see Image 01.

2) Assign the corresponding surfaces and the surface contact type to the surface contact, see Image 02.

• ### I have a model with crossing line releases/line hinges and I obtain implausible results.

In general, crossing releases with different definitions (Image 01) represent a contradiction, so the release with a higher value is valid at this location.

• ### How can I assign a line hinge to a surface?

New

005070

The following options are available:

1) "Edit Surface" dialog box:
Activate the "Hinges" tab, see Image 01, and use the button to create a new line hinge.

2) Types for Lines - Data Navigator:
Right-click "Line Hinges" under "Types for Lines" in the Data Navigator, create a new line hinge, and assign it to the surface and line, see Image 02.

3) Types for Lines - Menu Bar:
It is also possible to create a line hinge by using the menu "Insert" → "Types for Lines" → "Line Hinges" → "Dialog Box.".

• ### Is it possible to define member nonlinearities for beam members?For example, can I define a member that absorbs all internal forces, except for the compressive axial forces?

Yes, you have to activate the "Nonlinearity" tab in the "New Member/Edit Member" dialog box, see Image 01.

In the "Nonlinearity" tab, you can then define a new member nonlinearity, see Image 02.

• ### How can I add a taper on a member?

New

005059

In the "Cross-Section" tab of the "Edit Member" dialog box, you can define tapered sections on a member. Accordingly, it is necessary to pay attention to the the member lengths, distances, and arrangement, see Image 01.

• ### How can I rotate a nodal support using the COM interface?

The rotation of a nodal support is defined by means of a user-defined coordinate system. In the following example, a nodal support is rotated by 45 ° about the z-axis. It is not necessary to define a new coordinate system via nodes. In this case, it is sufficient to use the RotatedSystemType option, which allows for a spatial rotation of the support via three rotations about the x-, y-, and z-axis. The rotation is entered in radians:

Sub test_nodal_support()Dim iApp As RFEM5.ApplicationSet iApp = GetObject(, "RFEM5.Application")iApp.LockLicenseDim iMod As RFEM5.IModel3Set iMod = iApp.GetActiveModelOn Error GoTo e'   get interface of modeldataDim iModData As RFEM5.IModelData2Set iModData = iMod.GetModelData'   get interface of nodal supportDim iNs As RFEM5.INodalSupportSet iNs = iModData.GetNodalSupport(1, AtNo)'   get nodal support dataDim ns As RFEM5.NodalSupportns = iNs.GetData'   modify datans.ReferenceSystem = UserDefinedSystemTypens.UserDefinedReferenceSystem.Axis1 = AxisXns.UserDefinedReferenceSystem.Axis2 = AxisYns.UserDefinedReferenceSystem.Type = RotatedSystemTypens.UserDefinedReferenceSystem.RotationAngles.X = 0ns.UserDefinedReferenceSystem.RotationAngles.Y = 0ns.UserDefinedReferenceSystem.RotationAngles.Z = 45 * 3.14159265359 / 180'   set nodal support dataiModData.PrepareModificationiNs.SetData nsiModData.FinishModificatione:If Err.Number <> 0 Then MsgBox Err.description, vbCritical, Err.SourceiMod.GetApplication.UnlockLicenseSet iMod = NothingEnd Sub

The program takes the existing nodal support from the currently opened model and modifies it. Since the user-defined coordinate system is not a direct part of the INodalSupport interface of the nodal support, the rotation can also be transferred when creating a nodal support, of course.

• ### I have a roof structure resting on a steel column that runs to the foundations. The column runs through a perimeter wall that supports the false ceiling. A considerable part of the load from the roof is transferred to the wall. I want the steel column to carry all the vertical loads from the roof. How can I do it?

The problem can be solved by using a line release. If you set the zero release stiffness in the x‑direction of the column line, no vertical load should be transferred from the column to the wall.
• ### How can I create a member eccentricity using the COM interface?

In order to be able to assign an eccentricity to a member, it is usually necessary to create it before setting the member.

Another approach is shown in the following example. First, the eccentricity is created and then assigned to an existing member via its interface:

'---------------------Sub SetEccentricity()'---------------------Dim model As RFEM5.modelSet model = GetObject(, "RFEM5.Model")model.GetApplication.LockLicenseOn Error GoTo eDim iModData As RFEM5.iModelDataSet iModData = model.GetModelData'   create eccentricityDim eccens(0 To 0) As RFEM5.MemberEccentricityeccens(0).No = 1eccens(0).Comment = "test eccentricity"eccens(0).ReferenceSystem = LocalSystemTypeeccens(0).Start.X = 0eccens(0).Start.Y = 0eccens(0).Start.Z = 0eccens(0).End.X = 0eccens(0).End.Y = 0eccens(0).End.Z = 0eccens(0).HingeAtEndNode = Falseeccens(0).HingeAtStartNode = Falseeccens(0).HorizontalAlignment = Middleeccens(0).VerticalAlignment = Bottomeccens(0).TransverseOffset = Trueeccens(0).ReferenceObjectNo = 2eccens(0).ReferenceObjectType = MemberObjecteccens(0).HorizontalAxisOffset = Middleeccens(0).VerticalAxisOffset = Topeccens(0).StartAdjoiningMembersOffset = Falseeccens(0).EndAdjoiningMembersOffset = FalseiModData.PrepareModificationiModData.SetMemberEccentricities eccensiModData.FinishModification'   add eccentricity to memberDim iMem As RFEM5.IMemberSet iMem = iModData.GetMember(1, AtNo)Dim mem As RFEM5.Membermem = iMem.GetDatamem.EccentricityNo = 1iModData.PrepareModificationiMem.SetData memiModData.FinishModificatione:      If Err.Number <> 0 Then MsgBox Err.Description, , Err.Sourcemodel.GetApplication.UnlockLicenseEnd Sub

Member eccentricities can only be transferred as a field; for this purpose, a field with only one element has been created. In the attached image, the individual elements are itemized with reference to the graphical elements.

• ### How can I find overlapping elements and revise the modeling?

The elements that overlap partially or entirely in their lengths can be found by 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.

• ### Can I adjust a model retrospectively after it has been created by using the model generator?

After creating a model with the model generator, it is not possible to adjust the model retrospectively by using the model generator.

However, it is possible to save the dialog input of the model generator as a template and use it later again. In this way, you can adjust the imported template and thus generate a new model. Image 01 shows how to save it and Image 02 how to import the generator data.

1 - 10 of 393

If not, contact us via our free e-mail, chat, or forum support, or send us your question via the online form.

First steps

We provide information and tips to help you get started with the basic program RFEM and RSTAB.

Wind Simulation & Wind Load Generation

With the stand -alone program RWIND Simulation, you can simulate wind flows around simple or complex structures by means of a digital wind tunnel.

The generated wind loads acting on these objects can be imported to RFEM or RSTAB.

Your support is by far the best

“Thank you very much for the useful information.

I would like to pay a compliment to your support team. I am always impressed how quickly and professionally the questions are answered. In the industry of structural analysis, I use several software including service contract, but your support is by far the best.”