In RFEM 6, seismic analysis can be done by using the Modal Analysis and the Response Spectrum Analysis add-ons. Once the spectral analysis has been performed, it is possible to use the Building Model add-on to display story actions, interstory drifts, and forces in shear walls.
A standard scenario in timber member construction is the ability to connect smaller members by means of bearing on a larger girder member. Additionally, member end conditions may include a similar situation where the beam is bearing on a support type. In either scenario, the beam must be designed to consider the bearing capacity perpendicular to the grain according to NDS 2018 Sec. 3.10.2 and CSA O86:19 Clauses 6.5.6 and 7.5.9. In general structural design software, it is typically not possible to carry out this full design check, as the bearing area is unknown. However, in the new generation RFEM 6 and Timber Design add-on, the added 'design supports' feature now allows users to comply with the NDS and CSA bearing perpendicular to the grain design checks.
The Geotechnical Analysis add-on provides RFEM with additional specific soil material models that are able to suitably represent complex soil material behavior. This technical article is an introduction to show how the stress-dependent stiffness of soil material models can be determined.
The new RFEM software generation provides the option to perform stability design of tapered timber members in line with the equivalent member method. According to this method, the design can be performed if the guidelines of DIN 1052, Section E8.4.2 for variable cross-sections are met. In various technical literature, this method is also adopted for Eurocode 5. This article demonstrates how to use the equivalent member method for a tapered roof girder.
With the most recent ACI 318-19 standard, the long-term relationship to determine the concrete shear resistance, Vc, is redefined. With the new method, the member height, the longitudinal reinforcement ratio, and the normal stress now influence the shear strength, Vc. This article describes the shear design updates, and the application is demonstrated with an example.
Using the Concrete Design add-on, concrete column design is possible according to ACI 318-19. The following article will confirm the reinforcement design of the Concrete Design add-on using step-by-step analytical equations as per the ACI 318-19 standard, including the required longitudinal steel reinforcement, gross cross-sectional area, and tie size/spacing.
The punching shear design, in line with EN 1992-1-1, should be performed for slabs with a concentrated load or reaction. The node where the design of punching shear resistance is performed (that is, where there is a punching problem) is called a node of punching shear. The concentrated load at these nodes can be introduced by columns, concentrated force, or nodal supports. The end of the linear load introduction on slabs is also regarded as a concentrated load and therefore, the shear resistance at wall ends, wall corners, and ends or corners of line loads and line supports should be controlled as well.
The National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2020 Article 4.1.8.7 provides a clear procedure for earthquake methods of analysis. The more advanced method, the Dynamic Analysis Procedure in Article 4.1.8.12, should be used for all structure types except those that meet the criteria set forth in 4.1.8.7. The more simplistic method, the Equivalent Static Force Procedure (ESFP) in Article 4.1.8.11, can be used for all other structures.
The modal relevance factor is a result of the linear stability analysis and qualitatively describes the degree of participation of individual members in a specific mode shape.
Lateral-Torsional Buckling (LTB) is a phenomenon that occurs when a beam or structural member is subjected to bending and the compression flange is not sufficiently supported laterally. This leads to a combination of lateral displacement and twisting. It is a critical consideration in the design of structural elements, especially in slender beams and girders.
This article discusses the options available for determining the nominal flexural strength, Mnlb for the limit state of local buckling when designing according to the 2020 Aluminum Design Manual.
This technical article presents some basics for using the Torsional Warping add-on (7 DOF). It is fully integrated into the main program and allows you to consider the cross-section warping when calculating member elements. In combination with the Stability Analysis and Steel Design add-ons, it is possible to perform the lateral-torsional buckling design with internal forces according to the second-order analysis, taking imperfections into account.
Using an example of a steel fiber-reinforced concrete slab, this article describes how the use of different integration methods and of a different number of integration points affects the calculation result.
Building Model is one of the special solution add-ons in RFEM 6. It is an advantageous tool for modeling, with which building stories can be created and manipulated easily. Building Model can be activated at the beginning of the modeling process and afterwards.
Given that realistic determination of the soil conditions significantly influences the quality of the structural analysis of buildings, the Geotechnical Analysis add-on is offered in RFEM 6 to determine the soil body to be analyzed.
The way to provide data obtained from field tests in the add-on and use the properties from soil samples to determine the soil massifs of interest was discussed in Knowledge Base article “Creation of the Soil Body from Soil Samples in RFEM 6”. This article, on the other hand, will discuss the procedure to calculate settlements and soil pressures for a reinforced concrete building.
RFEM 6 includes the Form-Finding add-on to determine the equilibrium shapes of surface models subjected to tension and members subjected to axial forces. Activate this add-on in the model's Base Data and use it to find the geometric position in which the prestress of lightweight structures is in equilibrium with the existing boundary conditions.
The fatigue design according to EN 1992-1-1 must be performed for the structural components subjected to large stress ranges and/or many load changes. In this case, the design checks for the concrete and the reinforcement are performed separately. There are two alternative design methods available.
RFEM 6 offers the Aluminum Design add-on to design aluminum members for the ultimate and serviceability limit states according to Eurocode 9. In addition to this, you can perform design according to ADM 2020 (US Standard).