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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When using user-defined cross-sections in Revit, they can be created in RSECTION and controlled for the export to RFEM 6.
Create a cross-section template using RSECTION
Import your RSECTION cross-section into RFEM 6:FAQ - Importing an RSECTION Cross-Section
Then, save the RFEM file as a template (*.ft6 file):FAQ - How can I create a model template in RFEM 6?
Reference the template in the Revit export
If you open the Export dialog box in Revit, you have the option to define the file path for an RFEM model template (*ft6 file). To do this, select your previously saved template file.
Then, it is necessary to save the conversion in the conversion tables in Revit for the RSECTION cross-section.
In the case of the structural analysis of members with a nonlinear material model, an FE mesh is generated on the cross-sectional area and used for the calculation. As of the version RFEM 6.06.0009 and RSTAB 6.06.0009, it is possible to adjust the mesh density for the FE mesh of the cross-sectional area via a refinement factor.
The preset mesh is relatively fine by default, and thus ensures a high degree of accuracy for the calculation results.However, a coarser FE mesh may be completely sufficient in many cases, reducing the calculation time significantly.
You can adjust the FE mesh refinement factor in the "Edit Section" dialog box, the "FE Mesh" tab. The smaller the value, the finer the mesh.The effects of the mesh density of the cross-sectional area on the calculation time and internal forces are shown below, using a simple example. Cross-section: HD 260*54.1Material: S235Material model: Isotropic / Plastic (Members)A vertical distributed load is applied over the entire length of the beam, and it is so large that a plastic hinge is formed above the central support.
Different FE mesh refinement factors between 0.5 and 5.8 will be analyzed. The calculation time as well as the support and sagging moment are evaluated. The relative deviation from the results with an FE mesh refinement factor of 1.0 is shown in brackets.
The table shows that it is reasonable to increase the FE mesh refinement factor for this structural system. In the case of relatively small deviations of internal forces (less than 1%), the calculation time for a structural analysis can be roughly halved.
Open the "Base Data" dialog box. Right-click the model name in the Project navigator and select the corresponding entry in the shortcut menu.
Switch to the "Settings and Options" tab.
Select the desired orientation of the Z-axis.
If the orientation is changed subsequently, problems can arise, especially with regard to the applied load. Particular caution is required here.
To find the exact version number of RFEM 6, please proceed as follows:
The version number of RFEM 6 is displayed in the dialog box that appears. This information is useful to ensure that you are working with the latest version or to specify support requests.
In RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9, the calculation parameters are no longer managed in a dialog box of the same name, but in the form of Static Analysis Settings in the Load Cases and Combinations category in the navigator.
There are tree analysis types preset:
You can adjust the parameters of these analysis types or create more types.
In the "Load Cases & Combinations" dialog box, you can then assign the relevant static analysis setting (SA) to the load cases and load combinations.
The stiffening can be modeled using line releases as follows:
Another option for applying stiffening is described in the following FAQ:
You can find another article on the subject of flexible timber joints on our website:
In RFEM 6 or RSTAB 9, you can use plastic hinges to simulate the nonlinear behavior of steel structures subjected to a load. You can model a plastic hinge by arranging a hinge with nonlinear properties on a member end. Proceed as follows:
In order to specify a uniaxial load transfer for a plate, you can assign orthotropic properties to the surface. This way, you can control the stiffnesses for specific directions so that the loads are mainly transferred in one direction. You have two options.
Orthotropic Thickness for Isotropic Material
Orthotropic Material Model for Constant Thickness
In RFEM and RSTAB, you can hide certain objects and thus create user-defined visibilities. These hidden objects are displayed in gray in the background. The intensity of the gray color can be adjusted in the "Program Options & Settings" dialog box under the "Settings" tab.You can select a value between 0 and 1. The higher the selected value, the darker the inactive objects are displayed.
In RFEM 6 and RSTAB 8, you can freely set all keyboard shortcuts.
To do this, open the "Customize" dialog box using the menu "Options > Customize Menus and Toolbars".
Click "View" in the "Categories" list on the left, then double-click "AI Assistant Mia on/off" in the "Commands" list on the right.Here you can define a new keyboard shortcut.