In RFEM, you can display the contact properties between two surfaces by means of contact solids. Among other things, you should ensure that both contact surfaces of a contact solid have the same integrated objects. Therefore, when modeling the contact surfaces, we recommend using the copy function in order to create the second contact surface.
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.
In RF‑/STEEL EC3, you can assign the same input data to several members or sets of members at the same time. The simultaneous assignment of the input data is possible for intermediate supports, effective lengths, nodal supports, member end hinges, and shear panel and rotational restraint.
The network-capable Project Manager controls the projects of all Dlubal Software applications in one central location. The projects are linked to the folders on the hard disk.
The classification of cross-sections is intended to determine the limits of resistance and rotational capacity due to local buckling of cross-section parts. In EN 1999‑1‑1, 6.1.4.2 (1), four classes are defined.
Utilize the RF-/STEEL Cold-Formed Sections module extension to perform ultimate limit state designs of cold-formed sections according to EN 1993-1-3 and EN 1993-1-5. In addition to the cold-formed cross-sections from the cross-section database, you can design general cross-sections from SHAPE-THIN.
In SHAPE-THIN, you can import cross-section geometries that are available as contour or centroid layouts in DXF format and use them as a basis for modeling.
The fire resistance design can be performed according to EN 1993-1-2 in RF-/STEEL EC3. The design is carried out according to the simplified calculation method for the ultimate limit state. Claddings with different physical properties can be selected as fire protection measures. You can select the standard temperature-time curve, the external fire curve, and the hydrocarbon curve to determine the gas temperature.
The parts lists give information about which and how many parts are necessary for creating a building. They form the basis for identifying the needs and purchasing the components. Parts lists can be created in design modules, such as RF‑/STEEL EC3, RF‑/TIMBER Pro, and so on. Furthermore, a customized parts list can be created with the RF-COM/RS-COM interface.
In SHAPE-THIN, the calculation of stiffened buckling panels can be performed according to Section 4.5 of EN 1993-1-5. For stiffened buckling panels, the effective surfaces due to local buckling of the single panels in the plate and in the stiffeners, as well as the effective surfaces from the entire panel buckling of the stiffened entire panel, have to be considered.
RF-COM/RS-COM is a programmable interface that allows the user to expand the main programs RFEM and RSTAB with customized input macros or post‑processing programs. A tool to copy and move selected guidelines in RFEM will be developed in this article. It is also possible to copy or move the guidelines to another work plane. VBA in Excel will be used as the programming environment.
The SHAPE‑THIN stand-alone program determines the characteristic values and stresses of any thin‑walled cross‑sections. Graphic tools and features allow for modeling complex cross‑section shapes. In addition to the graphical input, it is also possible to enter the data in tables. As an alternative, you can import a DXF file and use it as a basis for further modelling. Also, each cross-section can be entered using the cross-section library of Dlubal Software and combined as a part with the user-defined elements.
A fillet weld is the most common weld type in steel building construction. According to EN 1993-1-8, 4.3.2.1 (1) [1], fillet welds may be used for connecting structural part where the fusion faces form an angle of between 60° and 120°.
The previous article described the actions on silos according to DIN EN 1991-4. On an example of a free standing cylindrical silo for cement with a conical hopper, filling loads of the silo hopper were calculated.
Buildings must be designed and dimensioned in the way that both vertical and horizontal loads are conducted safely and without large deformations in the building. Examples of horizontal loads are wind, unintentional inclination, earthquake, and a blast.
The RFEM/RSTAB printout report includes a text block function. This feature allows you to create user‑defined text blocks with formatting and heading and add them to the printout report.