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.
RWIND 2 and RFEM 6 can now be used to calculate wind loads from experimentally measured wind pressures on surfaces. Basically, two interpolation methods are available to distribute pressures measured in isolated points across the surfaces. The desired pressure distribution can be achieved using the appropriate method and parameter settings.
Using an example of a steel fiber-reinforced concrete slab, this article describes how the use of different integration methods and of a different number of integration points affects the calculation result.
When it comes to wind loads on building type structures as per ASCE 7, numerous resources can be found to supplement design standards and aid engineers with this lateral load application. However, engineers may find it more difficult to find similar resources for wind loading on non-building type structures. This article will examine the steps to calculate and apply wind loads as per ASCE 7-22 on a circular reinforced concrete tank with a dome roof.
In order to correctly design a downstand beam or a T-beam in RFEM 6 using the Concrete Design add-on, it is essential to determine the flange widths for the rib members. This article describes the input options for a two-span beam and the calculation of the flange dimensions according to EN 1992-1-1.
The Geotechnical Analysis add-on provides RFEM with additional specific soil material models that are able to suitably represent complex soil material behavior. This technical article is an introduction to show how the stress-dependent stiffness of soil material models can be determined.
In this article, a lap joint of a ZL purlin on a monopitch roof is modeled and designed using the Steel Joints add-on, and compared with the load-bearing capacity table of the manufacturer.
Our webservice offers users the opportunity to communicate with RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 using various programming languages. Dlubal's high-level functions (HLFs) allow you to expand and simplify the WebService's functionality. In line with RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9, using our WebService makes the engineer's work easier and faster. Check it out now! This tutorial shows you how to use the C# library by means of a simple example.
Steel connections in RFEM 6 can be created by simply entering predefined components in the Steel Joints add-on. The collection of these components is constantly being improved to make your work even easier even when modeling steel connections. In this article, the connection plate component is introduced as a component recently added to the add-on's library.
Surfaces in building models can be of many different sizes and shapes. All surfaces can be considered in RFEM 6 because the program allows to define different materials and thicknesses as well as surfaces with different stiffness and geometry types. This article focuses on four of these surface types: rotated, trimmed, without thickness, and load transfer.
A new capability within RFEM 6 when designing concrete columns is being able to generate the moment interaction diagram according to the ACI 318-19 [1]. When designing reinforced concrete members, the moment interaction diagram is an essential tool. The moment interaction diagram represents the relationship between the bending moment and axial force at any given point along a reinforced member. Valuable information is shown visually like strength and how the concrete behaves under different loading conditions.
In this paper, a novel approach was developed to generate CFD models at the community-level by integrating building information modeling (BIM) and geographical information systems (GIS) to automate the generation of a high-resolution 3-D community model to be employed as an input for a digital wind tunnel using RWIND.
In RFEM 6 it is possible to define multilayer surface structures with the help of the “Multilayer Surfaces” add-on. Hence, if you have activated the add-on in the model’s Base Data, it is possible to define layer structures of any material model. You can also combine material models of, for example, isotropic and orthotropic materials.
The recently introduced Webservices gives users the ability to communicate with RFEM 6 using their programming language of choice. This feature is enhanced with our High Level Functions (HLF) Library. The libraries are available for Python, JavaScript, and C#. This article looks at a practical use case of programming a 2D Truss Generator with Python. "Learning by doing," as the saying goes.
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.
This article will show you how to properly consider the connection between surfaces that touch each other on one line with the help of line hinges in RFEM 6.
RFEM and RSTAB programs provide parameterized input as an advantageous product feature to create or adjust models by means of variables. This article will show you how to define global parameters and use them in formulas to determine numerical values.
Modal analysis is the starting point for the dynamic analysis of structural systems. You can use it to determine natural vibration values such as natural frequencies, mode shapes, modal masses, and effective modal mass factors. This outcome can be used for vibration design, and it can be used for further dynamic analyses (for example, loading by a response spectrum).
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.
The Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on allows for the design of member, surface, and solid structures in RFEM 6 considering the specific construction stages associated with the construction process. This is important since buildings are not constructed all at once, but by gradually combining individual structural parts. The single steps in which structural elements, as well as loads, are added to the building are called construction stages, whereas the process itself is called a construction process.
Thus, the final state of the structure is available upon completion of the construction process; that is, all the construction stages. For some structures, the influence of the construction process (that is, all the individual construction stages) might be significant and it should be considered so that errors in the calculation are avoided. A general overview of the CSA add-on is given in the Knowledge Base article titled “Consideration of Construction Stages in RFEM 6”.
The advantage of the RFEM 6 Steel Joints add-on is that you can analyze steel connections using an FE model for which the modeling runs fully automatically in the background. The input of the steel joint components that control the modeling can be done by defining the components manually, or by using the available templates in the library. The latter method is included in a previous Knowledge Base article titled “Defining Steel Joint Components Using the Library". The definition of parameters for the design of steel joints is the topic of the Knowledge Base article “Designing Steel Joints in RFEM 6".
You can use the Steel Joints add-on in RFEM 6 to create and analyze steel connections using an FE model. You can control the modeling of the connections via a simple and familiar input of components. Steel joint components can be defined manually, or by using the available templates in the library. The former method is included in a previous Knowledge Base article titled “A Novel Approach to Designing Steel Joints in RFEM 6". This article will focus on the latter method; that is, it will show you how to define steel joint components using the available templates in the program’s library.
The AISC 360-16 steel standard requires stability consideration for a structure as a whole and each of its elements. Various methods for this are available, including direct consideration in the analysis, the effective length method, and the direct analysis method. This article will highlight the important requirements from Ch. C [1] and the direct analysis method to be incorporated in a structural steel model along with the application in RFEM 6.
The effects due to snow load are described in the American standard ASCE/SEI 7-16 and in Eurocode 1, Parts 1 through 3. These standards are implemented in the new RFEM 6 program and the Snow Load Wizard, which serves to facilitate the application of snow loads. In addition to this, the most recent generation of the program allows the construction site to be specified on a digital map, thus allowing the snow load zone to be imported automatically. These data are, in turn, used by the Load Wizard to simulate the effects due to the snow load.
Imperfections in construction engineering are associated with production-related deviation of structural components from their ideal shape. They are often used in a calculation to determine the equilibrium of forces for structural components on a deformed system.
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.