3811x

Dipl.-Ing. (BA) Andreas Niemeier, M.Eng.

2017-03-17

CAD/BIM Model

In RFEM und RSTAB kann in den Modell-Basisangaben unter dem Register "Optionen" ein "CAD/BIM-Modell" aktiviert werden. Dieses Modell ist neben der regulären Modelleingabe eine Ebene zum Einlesen, Organisieren und Transformieren von IFC-, STEP- und IGES-Dateien.

After selecting this option, a new "CAD/BIM model" subnavigator appears in the Project Navigator (see the lower screen). This navigator includes two import functions:
1. Certified import "IFC2x3 ISO/PAS 16739" of IFC files according to the "Coordination View 2.0" example.
2. Import of STEP files (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data) and IGES files (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification).

First, the import in this intermediate environment transfers the import data in a plane to display only the objects without generating data for the analytical model. In this plane, you can additionally create members, surfaces, or solids for the analytical model by right-clicking the respective object.

This intermediate level allows the controlled import of objects in the analytical model. This way, you can create the analytical model using BIM data without unnecessary elements in RFEM and RSTAB.

CAD/BIM Model

Author

Mr. Niemeier is responsible for the development of RFEM, RSTAB, RWIND Simulation, and in the area of membrane structures. He is also responsible for quality assurance and customer support.

Links

3D Structural Analysis and BIM Software

Do you have any questions?

Events

2024-04-24

Online Training

RFEM 6 | Students | Introduction to FEM

2024-04-25

Stiffening Design in RFEM 6 Using Building Model

Webinar

Stiffening Design in RFEM 6 Using Building Model

2024-04-25

AISC 360-22 Steel Connection Design in RFEM 6

Webinar

AISC 360-22 Steel Connection Design in RFEM 6 (USA)

2024-04-30

Online Training

RFEM 6 | Students | Introduction to Timber Design

2024-05-02

Construction Stages in Membrane Structures with RFEM 6

Webinar

Construction Stages in Membrane Structures with RFEM 6

2024-05-08

Online Training

RFEM 6 | Students | Introduction to Reinforced Concrete Design

2024-05-08

$Cross-Section Modeling and \n Stress Analysis in RSECTION 1$

Webinar

Cross-Section Modeling and Stress Analysis in RSECTION 1

2024-05-15

Online Training

RFEM 6 | Students | Introduction to Steel Design

2024-05-16

Consideration of Construction Stages in RFEM 6

Webinar

Consideration of Construction Stages in RFEM 6

2024-05-23

Most Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Dlubal Support Team

Webinar

Most Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Dlubal Support Team | May 2024

2024-05-29

$Steel Structures in RFEM 6 \n Part 1: Modeling, Load Input$

Webinar

Modeling and Design of Steel Structures in RFEM 6 | Part 1: Modeling, Load Input

2024-06-06

$Steel Structures in RFEM 6 \n Part 2: Combinations, Design, Documentation$

Webinar

Modeling and Design of Steel Structures in RFEM 6 | Part 2: Combinations, Design, Documentation

Videos

General

We Introduce Ourselves – Dlubal Software in Leipzig Office

Length: 00:00:00 min

Event

RFEM 6 for Students | Introduction to Member Design | Apr 14, 2022

Length: 03:00:09 min

Product Feature

Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR) and Structural Models - Is That Possible?

Length: 00:01:20 min

Knowledge Base

KB 000811 | Interface with VCmaster

Length: 00:01:23 min

Knowledge Base

KB 000895 | Subsequent Installation of Revit Interface

Length: 00:00:13 min

Knowledge Base

KB 000794 | Simplified Import and Export via Conversion File

Length: 00:01:19 min

Knowledge Base

KB 001671 | Interoperability of Dlubal Software with Rhino & Grasshopper

Length: 00:02:18 min

FAQ

[EN] FAQ 004866 | I am trying to import a model from cadwork. Unfortunately, I cannot ...

Length: 00:00:44 min

FAQ

FAQ 004808 | Does RFEM integrate with Autodesk Inventor?

Length: 00:00:57 min

Playlist

Models to Download

98x

Steel Structure | AISC 360/341-22

45x

Steel Member RSA | ASCE 7 and NBC

3131x

203x

Steel Structure Column Base

136x

Crossing Steel Pipes

123x

Wall Structure

151x

Concrete Slab with Ribs

152x

15x

Steel Hall

191x

Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge in Eichstätt, Germany

178x

20x

Concrete Bridge

Knowledge Base Articles

The individually defined printout reports in an RFEM or RSTAB model can be displayed in different ways.

Subsequent Installation of Revit Interface

The interface to Autodesk Revit is installed automatically during the installation of RFEM 5 or RSTAB 8. Subsequent installation of the plug‑in is possible through the execution of Revit-Installer.exe.

Simplified Import and Export via Conversion File

In the age of BIM, data exchange between the various disciplines of structural engineering is becoming increasingly important. Since each software has its own specifications with regard to the description of cross-sections and materials, RFEM and RSTAB offer a conversion table (mapping file).

The ISM file (ISM = Integrated Structural Modeling) in RFEM and RSTAB provides an interesting option for exchanging data. If you export a model to this data format, you can view and analyze it with the free ISM viewer from Bentley.

Screenshots

CAD/BIM Model

Document in VCmaster

VCmaster Transfer Menu

Truss Girder

Mass Print of User-Defined Views

Modified Stiffnesses for Simulation of Failing Members

Tower Model in RFEM (Left: Entire Tower, Right: Detail of Steel Part) (© Allcons s.r.o.)

Visualization of Haixi Solar Power Plant, China (© Cockerill Maintenance & Ingenierie s.a. [CMI])

Cross-Section Conversion

Product Features

3D incompressible wind flow analysis with OpenFOAM^® software package
Direct model import from RFEM or RSTAB including neighboring and terrain models (3DS, IFC, STEP files)
Model design via STL or VTP files independent of RFEM or RSTAB
Simple model changes using Drag and Drop and graphical adjustment assistance
Automatic corrections of the model topology with shrink wrap networks
Option to add objects from the environment (buildings, terrain ...)
Wind load determined over the height of the building, depending on standard-specific parameters (velocity, turbulence intensity)
K-epsilon and K-omega turbulence models
Automatic mesh generation adjusted to the selected depth of detail
Parallel calculation with optimal utilization of the capacity of multicore computers
Results in just minutes for low-resolution simulations (up to 1 million cells)
Results within a few hours for simulations with medium/high resolution (1‑10 million cells)
Graphical display of results on the Clipper/Slicer planes (scalar and vector fields)
Graphical display of streamlines
Streamline animation (optional video creation)
Definition of point and line probes
Display of aerodynamic pressure coefficients
Graphical display of turbulence properties in the wind field
Optional meshing using the boundary layer option for the area near the model surface
Consideration of rough model surfaces possible
Optional use of a seond-order numerical Order
Multilingual user interface (for example, German, English, Spanish, French)
Documentation possible in the RFEM and RSTAB printout report

General Data for Generating RFEM/RSTAB Load Cases

Rely on the Dlubal programs even in windy matters. RFEM and RSTAB provide a special interface for exporting models (that is, structures defined by members and surfaces) to RWIND 2. There, the wind directions to be analyzed for your project are defined by means of related angular positions about the vertical model axis. Furthermore, the elevation-dependent wind profile and turbulence intensity profile are defined on the basis of a wind standard. These specifications result in specific load cases, depending on the angle. For this, the fluid parameters, turbulence model properties, and iteration parameters that are all stored globally are helpful. You can extend these load cases by partial editing in the RWIND 2 environment using terrain or environment models from STL vector graphics.

As an alternative, you can also run RWIND 2 manually and without the interface application in RFEM or RSTAB. In this case, the structures and terrain environment in the program are directly modeled by imported STL and VTP files. You can define the height-dependent wind load and other fluid-mechanical data directly in RWIND 2.

Due to its versatile applicability, RWIND 2 is always at your side to support you in your individual projects.

Work on your models with efficient and precise calculations in the digital wind tunnel. RWIND 2 uses a numerical CFD model (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to simulate wind flows around objects. Specific wind loads are generated from the simulation process for RFEM or RSTAB.

RWIND 2 performs this simulation using a 3D volume mesh. The program provides automatic meshing; you can easily set the entire mesh density as well as the local mesh refinement on the model using a few parameters. A numerical solver for incompressible turbulent flows is used to calculate the wind flows and the surface pressures on the model. The results are then extrapolated to your model. RWIND 2 is designed to work with different numerical solvers.

We currently recommend using the OpenFOAM^® software package, which has provided very good results in our tests and is also a frequently used tool for CFD simulations. Alternative numerical solvers are under development.

Always keep an eye on your results. In addition to the resulting load cases in RFEM or RSTAB (see below), the results from the aerodynamics analysis in RWIND 2 represent the flow problem as a whole:

Pressure on structure surface
Pressure field about structure geometry
Velocity field about structure geometry
Velocity vectors about structure geometry
Flow lines about structure geometry
Forces on member-shaped structures that were originally generated from member elements
Convergence diagram
Direction and size of the flow resistance of the defined structures

These results are displayed in the RWIND 2 environment and evaluated graphically. The flow results around the structure geometry in the overall display are rather confusing, but the program has a solution for this. In order to present clearly arranged results, freely movable section planes are displayed for the separate display of the 'solid results' in a plane. Accordingly, for the 3D branched streamline result, the program presents you an animated display in the form of moving lines or particles in addition to the static one. This option helps to represent the wind flow as a dynamic effect.
You can export all results as a picture or, especially for the animated results, as a video.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you have a list of FAQs in Excel, for example, to give us with an overview of the existing FAQ?

I have imported a DXF file to RFEM. Unfortunately, the scaling of the model is not correct and has to be reduced. How can I change the scale?

Is it possible to lock graphics in the printout report?

Can I use RFEM to calculate a log house three-dimensionally?

In the global calculation parameters, the "Exceptional handling" option for members is grayed out and cannot be activated. What is the reason?

Where can I find the internal forces at certain nodes in the printout report?

Customer Projects

Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge "Herzogsteg" in Eichstätt, Germany

Lighted Toll Station | © Mr. Yunchao Ding, Jiangsu Jingong Space Structure Co., Ltd.

Dawang Toll Station in Shaanxi, China

RFEM Model of High-Bay Racking with Deformation Results

High-Bay Racking, China

Multi-Energy Station in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France

Siegrist Igor Carpenteria Warehouse in Maggia, Switzerland

Front View of Office Building with V-Shaped Steel Composite Columns | © Die Tragwerker GmbH

Office Building with Integrated Visitor Center and Parking Garage in Geiselbulach, Germany

Metz Gym as Showcase of Engineering and Sustainability in Modern Construction, Metz, France

Steel Pergola at Rafael Landívar University (© Eng. Enrique de León)

Steel Pergola in Plaza del Edificio L, Rafael Landívar University, Guatemala

Radar Tower on Left (© SAQQARA Ingeniería)

Structural Analysis of Radar Tower at Malaga Airport, Spain

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