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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The "Beam Panel" element will allow you to model entire buildings or only certain areas using surfaces for timber shear wall panels.By introducing the necessary line hinges in the rigid couplings, the "Beam Panel" element was also released, which will now be further optimized step by step in order to achieve the goal mentioned above.Currently, the application is limited to very simple structures. However, we are strongly focused on improving the application as quickly as possible. The current state of development is summarized in this FAQ:
Current State and Planned Development:
Navigation to the "New Member Hinge" Dialog BoxTo connect a member as hinged in RFEM 6 or RSTAB 9, you need to define a member hinge first. You can open the "New Member Hinge" dialog box by using the menu bar, the navigator, the table, or the "Edit Member" dialog box. The following video shows all four options.
Creating New Member HingeWhen defining a new member hinge, select your reference coordinate system first. By selecting the hinge conditions, you release the corresponding degree of freedom. In the image below, the member hinge has been defined, for example, in such a way that free rotation about the local y- and z-axis of the member is possible. Furthermore, you can define spring constants and nonlinearities. More information about defining a member end hinge can be found in the online manual of RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9: Online Manual RFEM 6 – Member Hinges
Connecting Member Ends with HingesIn the "Edit Member" dialog box, you can define member hinges for the selected members. For this, select the "Hinges" option in the "Main" tab.
In the "Hinges" tab, you can separately select the member end hinges defined previously for both member ends.
To modify an existing element, you have to get the interface to the corresponding element, in this case on an example of a member:
Dim iModel As RSTAB8.model Set iModel = GetObject(, "RSTAB8.Model") iModel.GetApplication.LockLicense Dim iModData As IModelData Set iModData = iModel.GetModelData Dim iMem As RSTAB8.IMember Set iMem = iModData.GetMember(1, AtNo)
Use this code to get the interface to Member 1, which should already be created. Then, you can use the .GetData() method of the interface to get the member data.
If you want to modify data (such as the member rotation in this case), you can transfer them to the program afterwards within a Prepare-/FinishModification block using the .SetData() method:
Dim mem As RSTAB8.Member mem = iMem.GetData mem.Rotation.Angle = 0.5 mem.Rotation.Type = RSTAB8.Angle iModData.PrepareModification iMem.SetData mem iModData.FinishModification
A function for nonlinear line hinges is currently not available in the Python High Level Library. However, since it is possible to use user-defined parameters as usual in the method for line hinges, it is also not a problem to generate nonlinear line hinges.
In the example program, two rectangular surfaces with nodal supports are created first, which are the connected on Line 6.
The definition of the nonlinear line hinge begins as of Line 39. First, a dictionary p with the parameters is created. It is necessary to define three displacement degrees of freedom and one rotational degree of freedom. The value 0.0 means that the degree of freedom is free. If a numerical value is written instead, it is interpreted as a spring. Make sure that SI basic units are used here. By using inf, the degree of freedom is defined as fixed.
p
0.0
inf
There should be a nonlinearity in the y-direction. This is set with the key translational_release_u_y_nonlinearity. This article describes how to determine the necessary values, such as NONLINEARITY_TYPE_FAILURE_IF_POSITIVE.
translational_release_u_y_nonlinearity
NONLINEARITY_TYPE_FAILURE_IF_POSITIVE
Yes, it is possible. You can create your own parameters that will be used in formulas (see Image 01). These parameters can help you to quickly get the values, for example, for loads, node coordinates, move/copy, and so on (see Image 02).
Use <code>SetAddonStatus(Model.clientModel, AddOn.timber_design_active, True)</code> to activate the Multilayer Surfaces add-on.
In the next step, an orthotropic material is created. For this, it is necessary to use user-defined parameters when creating the material. They are first saved in Dictionary <code>p</code> and then transferred as the <code>params</code> parameter.
Use Thickness.Layers(1, 'CLT', [[0, 1, 0.012, 0.0], [0, 1, 0.010, 90]]) to apply the thickness. A nested list is transferred as parameters after the number and the name. Each entry in the list represents a layer. If there is the isotropic material is created, the list must contain three entries for the layer, the type of layer, the material number, and the layer thickness. If the material is orthotropic, as in this case, the list must also include a fourth entry, the angle of rotation. Please note! The angle of rotation is given in DEG and not in RAD, as is usual.
Thickness.Layers(1, 'CLT', [[0, 1, 0.012, 0.0], [0, 1, 0.010, 90]])
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 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 spatial rotation of the support via three rotations about the x-, y-, and z-axes. 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.
In several individual design checks (for example, column flange under bending), the applied bending moments are related to a compression point. The eccentricity of the axial force is converted into an additional moment. If the compression forces predominate, the direction of the moment can be reversed and the connection is then completely subjected to the compression (see the image). This means that there is no longer a clear compression point.
When entering imperfections, the following principles apply:
It is helpful to display the local member axis systems. To do this, right-click a member. In the shortcut menu, you can activate the display of the member axis systems.
Open Window 1.4 Loading in the add‑on module and select the Characteristic Values tab.
If the design according to DIN EN 1997‑1 should be performed, you can specify for each load case or load combination selected for the design whether a Permanent Action or a Permanent + Variable Action is concerned. Select the corresponding entry in the Selected for Design list.
In order to consider the connection slip, at least the rotational degree of freedom has to be available in RFEM. In addition, you should consider the connection slip in the x- and y-directions of the surface.
You should always pay attention to the member orientation and rotation when defining columns consisting of several individual members. Some members have the x-axis directed upwards or rotated (see Image 01). Due to different orientations, the sign changes for My or Mz.
The tabular results are displayed at the grid points of each surface. The printout report also uses this grid.
Double-click the surface to open the "Edit Surface" dialog box. Then, select the "Grid" tab.
Now, enter the distances b and h that are adapted to the model geometry. The "User-defined" check box also allows you to make the individual settings (grid origin, rotation).
You can adjust the height and width of a graphic in the "Graphic Printout" dialog box → "General Settings" tab → "Graphic Image - Size and Rotation"; see the image.
The cross-section deformation component can only be calculated for constant I-section members, but not for tapered members or non-I-sections.
You have probably defined a shear panel and a rotational restraint for your design case in the RF‑/STEEL EC3 add-on module, but have not yet defined all specifications for the rotational restraint.
In Window 1.13, scroll down under Settings. For the rotational restraint, the "Beam spacing" is still defined as s = 0 m. Adjust the value accordingly.