Until now, the prestress load type had always been an initial prestress in Dlubal Software programs. The defined load magnitude was applied and, depending on the stiffness of the surrounding system, prestress remained more or less as an axial force in the cable.
In RFEM 5 and RSTAB 8, you can view detailed information on the currently used license and installed dongle driver. In case of any problems with the license, you can send the created text file to the Dlubal Software hotline, which allows us to provide you with a fast and efficient analysis. To create the file, select "Help" → "Authorization" → "Diagnostics".
In the RF-/FOUNDATION Pro add-on module, you can select the automatic dimensioning of the foundation plate geometry. In the dialog box for the design parameters of the foundation plate, you can, for example, specify the increment for the increase of the base area and the foundation plate thickness. You can also automatically increase the covering for a stabilizing effect of the geotechnical designs.
In timber design, beams are often built from several timber elements. The individual elements can be connected with glue, nails, bolts, or dowels. A glued connection is to be assumed as rigid. In the case of dowel‑type fasteners, the joint is compliant (slip joint), and the cross‑section properties of the connected elements cannot be fully applied.
When modeling in RFEM, double lines may be created. To quickly find and delete them, if necessary, RFEM 5 allows you to export overlapping lines. This is possible, for example, in Excel or in a separate group of sections.
In the calculation parameters, you can set the number of member divisions for result diagrams. The effect of this setting option is shown in the following images.
Before creating a structural model, every user gives thought to the boundary parameters of the system and how best to represent the model. Special attention should be paid to the orientation of the global coordinate system. In engineering, the global Z‑axis is usually oriented downwards (in the direction of the dead load), while it tends to be upwards in architecture. These differences can often lead to complications during modeling; for example, when you replace global models or DXF layers.
For structural reasons, it may be necessary for a base plate not to be set centrically on a foundation. Therefore, an eccentric arrangement of the base plate is possible in RF‑/JOINTS Steel - Column Base by entering the parameters for the respective direction in Window 1.4.
When updating within a version series (for example, RFEM 5.01.01 to 5.01.02), the old program files are removed and replaced by new ones. The project data, of course, remain unchanged. When updating to the next version series (for example, RFEM 5.02.01), the new version is installed in parallel. The program files are located in different directories, so the previous version is still available.
The new "Result Beam" member type in RFEM 5 allows you to determine the load sums of individual floors easily. To do this, model a member in the relevant floor or in all floors, then specify the relevant walls as inclusive objects in the parameters of the result beam. RFEM then integrates the surface internal forces into member internal forces.
Model and load objects can be defined graphically or in tables, or they can be created using parameters (see the manual). With this parameterized input, you can also access the cells of certain tables of the program. In this way, it is possible to link a load parameter with a model data parameter, for example. The reference is created by the $ sign.
For solids, there is another option for the FE mesh setting. You can arrange a layered FE mesh in addition to a holistic FE mesh refinement. For this option, you can perform a defined division of the solid with finite elements between two parallel surfaces. This option is particularly suitable for very large solid geometries with a low height.
In the Formula Editor environment, you can specify any parameters (lengths, force values, and so on) to control load and geometry data in the modeling.
Parameterized entries provide the engineer with an efficiency-increasing tool. This allows entering structural and loading data so that they depend on certain variables. These variables (for example, length, width, live load, and so on) are called parameters.
With the SHAPE‑THIN cross‑section properties software, you can create any thin‑walled cross‑section and use it in RFEM or RSTAB as a member cross‑section. SHAPE‑THIN can give all relevant cross‑section values of any cross‑section for a design and stress analysis.
When calculating foundations according to EC 7 or EC 2, different foundation types or sizes are usually used in one object. However, boundary conditions like the soil parameters, the materials for foundations, concrete covers, and the load combinations selected for design remain the same for all foundations, as a rule.
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.
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).
In RFEM 5 and RSTAB 8, it is useful to parameterize frequently occurring components with variable dimensions. In the Block Manager, you then can specify new dimensions and import them in a new or existing file.
General thin-walled cross-sections often have asymmetrical geometries. The principal axes of such sections are then not parallel to the horizontally and vertically aligned axes Y and Z. When determining the cross-section properties, the angle α between the center-of-gravity axis y and the principal axis u is determined in addition to the principal axis-related moments of inertia.
If nonlinear effects - such as failing supports, foundations, member nonlinearities, or contact solids - are used in the model, you can deactivate them in the global calculation parameters.
The RF‑/STEEL EC3 add-on module can perform the design of fillet welds for all parametric, welded cross-sections of the cross-section library. For this, the option must be activated in the detail settings of the module. As an alternative, you can also use a surface model for the design.
Inserting holes in surfaces is very easy due to the large selection of tools. In order to insert holes or drilling in solids, it is necessary to keep in mind that an opening at the beginning and the end of a continuous hole must be created, as well as a surface that separates the hole from the solids.
Rolled sections, the most common cross‑section type in RFEM and RSTAB, can also have user‑defined parameters. To do this, select the cross‑section to be modified in the cross‑section library and click the [Parametric Input...] button.
Parametric input allows you to enter the model data and load data in a specific way so they are dependent on certain variables (parameters). You can enter the parameters directly or calculate them from other parameters and constants, and furthermore, it is possible to access the cross-section values. This can be useful, for example, when calculating precambers, depending on the standard.
In RF‑TENDON and RF‑TENDON Design, you can review and adjust the code‑dependent factors, calculation parameters, and calculation methods using the "Code" button. You can display the settings and adjustment options according to a chapter of a code, selecting the "Grouping" option in the dialog box.