"Distribution of load" represents a load actually applied to the system of FE mesh points or FE surfaces. The FE mesh size plays an important role in the loading in the case of line loads and free loads in particular.
In RFEM and RSTAB, you can create a combination scheme in the combinatorics of load cases and combinations. This scheme can be used for other projects by transferring it to other computers using the Export/Import function. Thus, multiple people working on a project can use the same scheme.
In RFEM and RSTAB, you can now rotate nodal loads or apply them on member axes. Thus, inclined members can also be loaded with nodal loads perpendicularly or along the member axis.
In order to also consider loading when copying, mirroring, or rotating, the corresponding option must be activated. To do this, select the corresponding check box in the "Detail Settings for Move/Rotate/Mirror" dialog box. Then, loading is included when copying until you deactivate this function.
In RFEM and RSTAB, you can create nodes not only by means of coordinates, but also by means of existing nodes. You can use the "Node Between Two Points" function to create a node located on an imaginary line connecting two nodes. You can enter the distance as a percentage or according to the relative lengths.
RF-/TOWER load was extended with force coefficients for rounded profiles of four-sided towers and square-edged profiles of three-sided towers. The force coefficients for rounded profiles are determined using the Reynolds number. Previously, you could only use the rounded profiles for four‑sided towers and the square‑edged profiles for three‑sided towers.
The equivalent loads determined in RF-TENDON due to prestress are transferred in RFEM as member loads or as line loads. A member load is used for member types with their own stiffness; a line load is used for member types without their own stiffness. In order to understand which values of the concentrated loads are to be transferred from RF‑TENDON to RFEM, you should use the following display settings: ~ Reference of the loads to the global coordinate system (GCS), ~ Load display: "Point"
Moving loads can be generated easily with RF‑MOVE Surfaces. A library is available with load models as defined in Eurocode 1, Part 2. The input of step size, offsets at start and end, and the distance to a reference line make it possible for the user to generate user‑defined load models and influence the number of load cases generated. RF‑MOVE Surfaces generates load cases and, optionally, a result combination as an envelope of all results.
You can now also create concentrated member and line loads in RFEM and RSTAB. This is an extension of the original member/line load function. From now on, you can create several concentrated loads with uniform or user-defined load distribution on a member or a line.
With the RFEM 5.04.0024 and RSTAB 8.04.0024 versions, you can define the antenna ice loads in RF‑/TOWER Loading. The program provides the values from the manufacturer databases. In addition, you can define the ice loads manually or use the calculation based on simplified geometry.
Diagonals of double angles are used for pipe bridge construction and for truss girders, among other things. They are usually subjected to tension, but it is necessary to transfer them in smaller compression forces with regard to the load application. In the case of slender diagonals in particular, you should also consider the bending due to self‑weight.
The new RF‑/DYNAM Pro - Natural Vibrations module has been available since RFEM version 5.04.xx and RSTAB version 8.04.xx were released. Masses can now be imported directly from load cases and load combinations.
With RSTAB version 8.04.0058 and later versions, you can consider loads due to rotary motion. This load type is especially useful for crane designs (see the simplified crane in the image).
In RFEM and RSTAB, you can now create a video file of the results of all load cases, load combinations, and result combinations. Thus, you can very easily create a visual presentation of a moving load crossing a bridge, for example. This function is available under "Tools" → "Create Video File".
In RF-/DYNAM Pro - Natural Vibrations, it is possible to transfer complete load cases/load combinations as masses. To do this, you can simply save the load case or the load combination to be considered as a mass case in the add‑on module.
In the RFEM 5.04.0024 and RSTAB 8.04.0024 versions, there is a new feature in RF‑/TOWER Loading that allows you to define additional surface loads in a load case for dead loads; for example, from grids on platforms.
In RFEM and RSTAB, the internal forces of individual load combinations are determined according to the second-order analysis by default. If you use the RF‑CONCRETE add‑on module for stability analysis of reinforced concrete columns, you can change the calculation method of LCs to the linear static analysis, since the effects of the second‑order analysis are already considered in the calculation according to the model column method in RF‑CONCRETE Columns (nominal curvature method).
For the reduction of loads generated in RF‑MOVE Surfaces, you can consider the influence surfaces of a selected point. The influence surfaces are determined by RF-INFLUENCE. This procedure is useful in cases where only unfavorably acting loads should be considered. Depending on the unfavorable action, you should select the positive or negative direction.
It is often necessary to adjust the FE mesh of surface elements to the geometric structure. RFEM provides various options for this. For example, the FE axis can be rotated around a point, aligned in the direction of a point, or oriented to a user-defined coordinate system. Another option is the direction parallel to a line, and in this case in particular, it is possible to enter or select several lines.