With the "Convert Area Loads on Openings to Line Loads" function, you can automatically take into account, for example, wind loads applied on windows or other loads applied on non‑bearing structures not represented in the model in openings. You can access this function via "Tools" → "Generate Loads" → "From Area Loads on Openings...."
Friction plays an important role in practice. Without friction, the brakes of cars would be useless, objects on inclined planes would just slide away, and prestressed bolt connections would be impossible.
Until now, if you wanted to determine the centroid of a rectangle, it was necessary to define a line from one corner point to the diagonally opposite point. You obtained the centroid by dividing this line. In RFEM 5 and RSTAB 8, you now have the possibility to create a node between two points. Thus, it is sufficient to select the corner points; then you can determine the distance in absolute or relative values.
The elastic‑plastic material model in RFEM 5 allows you to calculate surfaces and solids with plastic material properties and to carry out a stress evaluation. This material model is based on the classic von Mises plasticity.
With RFEM, you can generate member, surface, or solid loads resulting from motions. Thus, for example, braking or acceleration forces can be generated automatically from linear movements or from rotational movements on a structural system.
If you want to model two intersecting surfaces, RFEM offers you the possibility to create the section line automatically. In the program, this function is referred to as intersection. When generating an intersection, the modeled surface is split into components. This has the advantage that the components can be taken into account in the determination of the internal forces, or deactivated.
In RFEM and RSTAB, it is possible to define nonlinear properties of member releases. In addition to the activity diagrams and force-deformation relationship, you also have the simple option of using signs or limit values of the internal forces as criteria for the effectiveness of the release. This way, you can specify which internal forces should be transferred at the member end.
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".
With the nonlinear elastic material model in RFEM 5, you can calculate and carry out a stress analysis of surfaces and solids with nonlinear material properties.
The RF‑/STEEL EC3 add-on module automatically transfers the buckling line to be used for the flexural buckling analysis for a cross-section from the cross-section properties. The assignment of the buckling line can be adjusted manually in the module input for general cross-sections in particular, as well as for special cases.
For cross‑laminated structures with large spans, downstand beams or hybrid structures are often used. They can be modeled in RFEM 5 by using surfaces and member cross‑sections. In both structural systems, curved downstand beams are also possible without any problems. In the case of the curved surface, the member is always appropriately generated by means of the automatic member eccentricity with the thickness distance of the surface and the member. The downstand beam can also be connected flexibly by means of a line release.
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.
RFEM 5 allows you to use many different member nonlinearities for designing a model. In the following text, we look at an example of the use of the "slippage" member nonlinearity. The example is a simplified model of a concrete manhole with a square plan view.
If the geometry of a surface for which you must remove some of the existing boundary lines changes subsequently, you do not need to redefine the surface.
In RFEM 5 and RSTAB 8, it is possible to assign nonlinearities to member hinges. In addition to the nonlinearities "Fixed if" and "Partial activity", you can select "Diagram". If you select the "Diagram" option, you have to specify the according settings for the activity of the member hinge. For the individual definition points, it is necessary to specify the abscissa and ordinate values (deformations or rotations and the according internal forces) that define the hinge.
Instead of a quadrangular surface, you can use a B‑spline surface. The shape of this can be adjusted retrospectively, using the integrated help nodes. Depending on the necessary surface complexity, you can create a B‑spline surface with 3 × 3 or 4 × 4 help nodes.