The data exchange between RFEM 6 and Allplan can be done using various file formats. This article describes the data exchange of a determined surface reinforcement using the ASF interface. This allows you to display the RFEM reinforcement values as level curves or colored reinforcement images in Allplan.
To evaluate whether it is also necessary to consider the second-order analysis in a dynamic calculation, the sensitivity coefficient of interstory drift θ is provided in EN 1998‑1, Sections 2.2.2 and 4.4.2.2. It can be calculated and analyzed using RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9. The coefficient θ is calculated as follows:$$\mathrm\theta\;=\;\frac{\displaystyle{\mathrm P}_\mathrm{tot}\;\cdot\;{\mathrm d}_\mathrm r}{{\mathrm V}_\mathrm{tot}\;\cdot\;\mathrm h}\;$$
With the Steel Design add-on, you can design structural steel components in the event of fire using the simple design methods according to Eurocode 3. The component temperature at the time of the design check can be determined automatically according to the temperature-time curves specified in the standard. In addition to considering a cladding for fire protection, it is also possible for you to take account of the beneficial properties of hot-dip galvanization.
The goal of using the RFEM 6 and Blender with the Bullet Constraints Builder add-on is to obtain a graphical representation of the collapse of a model based on real data of physical properties. RFEM 6 serves as the source of geometry and data for the simulation. This is another example of why it is important to maintain our programs as so-called BIM Open, in order to achieve collaboration across software domains.
Nodal releases are special objects in RFEM 6 that allow structural decoupling of objects connected to a node. The release is controlled by the release type conditions, which may also have nonlinear properties. This article will show the definition of nodal releases in a practical example.
The Steel Joist Institute (SJI) previously developed Virtual Joist tables to estimate the section properties for Open Web Steel Joists. These Virtual Joist sections are characterized as equivalent wide-flange beams which closely approximate the joist chord area, effective moment of inertia, and weight. Virtual Joists are also available in the RFEM and RSTAB cross-section database.
Plastic hinges are imperative for the Pushover Analysis (POA) as a nonlinear static method for the seismic analysis of structures. In RFEM 6, plastic hinges can be defined as member hinges. This article will show you how to define plastic hinges with bilinear properties.
The properties of the connection between a reinforced concrete slab and a masonry wall can be correctly considered in the modeling using a special line hinge that is available in RFEM 6. This article will show you how to define this type of hinge using a practical example.
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.
The stand-alone program RSECTION is at your disposal for determining section properties and performing stress analysis for thin-walled and massive cross-sections. The program can be connected to both RFEM and RSTAB so that sections from RSECTION are also available in the RFEM and RSTAB library. Likewise, internal forces from RFEM and RSTAB can be imported into RSECTION.
You can use the stand-alone program RSECTION to determine the section properties for any thin-walled and massive cross-sections, as well as to perform a stress analysis. The previous Knowledge Base article titled "Graphical/Tabular Creation of User-defined Cross-sections in RSECTION 1" discussed the basis of defining cross-sections in the program. This article, on the other hand, is a summary of how to determine the section properties and perform a stress analysis.
You can model and analyze masonry structures in RFEM 6 with the Masonry Design add-on that employs the finite element method for the design. Complex masonry structures can be modeled, and static and dynamic analysis can be performed, given that a nonlinear material model is implemented in the program to display the load-bearing behavior of masonry and the different failure mechanisms. You can enter and model masonry structures directly in RFEM 6 and combine the masonry material model with all common RFEM add-ons. In other words, you can design entire building models in connection with masonry.
RSECTION 1 is a stand-alone program for determining section properties for both thin-walled and massive cross-sections, as well as for performing a stress analysis. In addition, the program can be connected to both RFEM and RSTAB: sections from RSECTION are available in the RFEM/RSTAB libraries, and internal forces from RFEM/RSTAB can be imported into RSECTION.
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.
Steel has poor thermal properties in terms of fire resistance. The thermal expansion for increasing temperature is very high compared to that of other building materials, and might result in effects that were not present in the design at normal temperature due to restraint in the component.As temperature increases, steel ductility increases, whereas its strength decreases. Since steel loses 50% of its strength at temperature of 600 °C, it is important to protect components against fire effects. In the case of protected steel components, the fire resistance duration can be increased due to the improved heating behavior.
Complex structures are assemblies of structural elements with various properties. However, certain elements can have the same properties in terms of supports, nonlinearities, end modifications, hinges, and so on, as well as design (for example, effective lengths, design supports, reinforcement, service classes, section reductions, and so on). In RFEM 6, these elements can be grouped on the basis of their shared properties and thus can be considered together for both modeling and design.
In this article, the adequacy of a 2x4 dimension lumber subject to combined biaxial bending and axial compression is verified using the RF-/TIMBER AWC add-on module. The beam-column properties and loading are based on example E1.8 of AWC Structural Wood Design Examples 2015/2018.
The add-on modules for designing structural member components according to national, European, and international standards also show design results in addition to numerical output in tables graphically, as diagrams displayed on the framework.
An FE mesh quality display is available in RFEM as a tool for structural analyses of two-dimensional components. It leads to the execution of an internal check of the generated finite elements for defined criteria.
In RFEM, it is possible to display the resultant of a section or release. This article explains which part of the sectional area is affected. The easiest way would be to refer the resultant to a cut face of the surface. However, since a section may run through several surfaces with different local coordinate systems, determination by means of a cut face is not possible.
If you want to consider guide objects in the overall view (F8 key or double-click on the mouse wheel) or, for example, in a particular direction of the views, you can enable this option in the settings of the particular guide objects (guidelines, background layers, line grids).
In RF‑/FOUNDATION Pro, reinforcement drawings are displayed after designing the foundation, where you can record all necessary structures of the reinforcement steel.
If you define a parametric cross-section in the library using its dimensions, the geometric properties are coded in the cross-section description; for example, "TO 200/100/10/10/10/10".
With the "Info About Object..." function available in the menu under "Tools", you can display all the information about an object by placing the cursor on it in the graphical window.
The "4.0 Results - Summary" table displays the infinity norm at the end of the load case results. The norm is used to estimate the largest eigenvalue of a structure. The largest eigenvalue of a structure is estimated by numerical analysis, as accurate determination can be very time-consuming.
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.