Knowledge Base

Useful Program Features

Dlubal Software programs and add-on modules include a wide range of powerful features. In addition to product features, you can find here technical articles and application examples.

Furthermore, this overview provides you with several handy tips and tricks for your work with RFEM and RSTAB.

Search

Fulltext

Type

Why Dlubal Software?

Solutions

More than 25,000 users in 71 countries
One software package for all application areas
Short learning time and intuitive handling
Service provided by experienced engineers
Excellent price/performance ratio
Flexible modular concept, extensible according to your needs
Scalable license system with single and network licenses
Proven software used in many well-known projects

New 001479 Technical Article Nonlinear Analysis RFEM Modeling | Structure

Hardening Parameters in Nonlinear Material Models

Strain hardening is the material ability to reach a higher stiffness by redistributing (stretching) microcrystals in the crystal lattice of the structure. A distinction is made between the material isotropic hardening as scalar quantities or tensorial kinematic hardening.
New 001478 Technical Article Concrete Structures RF-/FOUNDATION Pro Add-on Modules Eurocode 7

Influence of Ground Water Level on Design in RF-/FOUNDATION Pro

Using RF-/FOUNDATION Pro, it is possible to perform geotechnical design according to EN 1997‑1 [1] for single foundations. Subsequently, the program displays detailed information about the influence of the ground water level on the selected design according to EN 1997‑1.
New 001477 Technical Article Building Information Modeling (BIM) RFEM RF-/STEEL EC3 Import / Export & BIM

COM interface in VBA | 4.2 Frame Optimization

Part 4.1 of this article series described the connection of the RF‑/STEEL EC3 add‑on module and the members and load combinations to be designed were already defined. This part will focus on the optimization of cross‑sections in the module and the transfer to RFEM. The elements already explained in the previous parts are not described again.
New 001476 Technical Article Steel Structures Stability Analysis RF-/STEEL EC3 RF-/STEEL AISC Add-on Modules Eurocode 3

Design and Stabilization of Beams Susceptible to Lateral-Torsional Buckling According to Eurocode 3 and AISC

A single-span beam with lateral and torsional restraint is to be designed according to the recommendations of Eurocode 3 and AISC. If the beam does not reach the required load-bearing capacity, it must be stabilized.
New 001475 Technical Article Steel Structures Steel and Timber Connections RF-/FRAME-JOINT Pro Add-on Modules Eurocode 3

Analysis of Load-Bearing Capacity of Bolted Frame Joints According to EC 3-1-8

When designing bending-resistant connections from I-beams, the connection is dissolved into the individual parts. For these basic components of a joint, there are separate formula calculators for load-bearing capacity and stiffness. In RFEM and RSTAB, it is possible to design frame joints using the RF-/FRAME-JOINT Pro add-on module.
New 001474 Technical Article Steel Structures RF-/STEEL EC3 Add-on Modules Eurocode 3

Structural Fire Design According to EN 1993-1-2 (Heating Behaviour)

Using RF-/STEEL EC3, you can apply nominal temperature-time curves in RFEM or RSTAB. For this, the standard time-temperature curve (ETK), the external fire curve, and the hydrocarbon fire curve are implemented in the program. Based on these diagrams, the add‑on module can calculate the temperature in the steel cross‑section and thus perform the fire design. This article explains the behaviour of protected and unprotected steel cross‑sections.
New 001473 Technical Article Nonlinear Analysis RFEM RSTAB Modeling | Structure

Explanation of Support Nonlinearities on Example 1.1 | Translation

In practice, an engineer often faces the task of representing the support conditions as close to reality as possible in order to be able to analyse deformations and internal forces of the structure subjected to their influence and to enable as much cost‑efficient construction as possible. RFEM and RSTAB provide numerous options for defining nonlinear nodal supports. The first part of my article describes the options for creating a nonlinear free support and provides a simple example. For better understanding, the result is always compared to a linearly defined support.
New 001472 Technical Article Building Information Modeling (BIM) RFEM RSTAB Import / Export & BIM

BIM Workflow: Data Exchange Using IFC Files

In the BIM workflow, IFC files are frequently used as the basis for data exchange between CAD and structural engineering software. However, there is a fundamental problem with this approach. This article explains various types of IFC files, and provides an overview of the import and export options in the Dlubal Software programs.
001471 Tips & Tricks Aluminium & Lightweight Structures Stability Analysis RF-/ALUMINUM Add-on Modules ADM

Local Buckling of Members per the ADM 2015

If an aluminium member section is comprised of slender elements, failure can occur due to the local buckling of the flanges or webs before the member can reach full strength. In the add-on module RF-/ALUMINUM ADM, there are now three options for determining the nominal flexural strength for the limit state of local buckling, M_nlb, from section F.3 in the 2015 Aluminum Design Manual. The three options include sections F.3.1 Weighted Average Method, F.3.2 Direct Strength Method, and F.3.3 Limiting Element Method.
001470 Technical Article Concrete Structures Finite Element Analysis RFEM Modeling | Structure

Methods of Supporting Plates by Columns

In the case of plate structures, it is always necessary to consider the realistic definition support conditions. Depending on the way of defining the flexibility of the supports, clear differences may occur in the results.