RF-/TIMBER CSA | Input

The previous article, titled Lateral-Torsional Buckling in Timber Construction | Examples 1, explains the practical application for determining the critical bending moment M_crit or the critical bending stress σ_crit for a bending beam's lateral buckling using simple examples. In this article, the critical bending moment is determined by considering an elastic foundation resulting from a stiffening bracing.

Using the RF-TIMBER CSA module, timber column design is possible according to the CSA O86-19 standard. Accurately calculating timber member compressive resistance and adjustment factors is important for safety considerations and design. The following article will verify the factored compressive resistance in the RFEM add-on module RF-TIMBER CSA, using step-by-step analytical equations as per the CSA O86-19 standard including the column modification factors, factored compressive resistance, and final design ratio.

This article describes the design of timber panel walls due to generated horizontal loads.

After opening the add-on module, it is necessary to select the members/sets of members, load cases, load or result combinations for the ultimate and the serviceability limit state design. The materials from RFEM/RSTAB are preset and can be adjusted in RF-/TIMBER CSA. Material properties listed in the respective standard are included in the material library.

When checking the cross-sections, you can specify whether to consider a cross-section selected in RFEM/RSTAB, or a modified cross-section. Then, you can define the load duration classes, the moisture service conditions, and timber treatment.

The deformation analysis requires the reference lengths of the relevant members and sets of members. Furthermore, you can define a specific direction of deflection, precamber and the beam type.

For fire resistance design, you can define the charring sides of a member or set of members.

• Design of members and continuous members for tension, compression, bending, shear, and combined internal forces
• Stability analysis for lateral-torsional buckling and buckling according to the equivalent member method or the second order analysis
• Serviceability limit state design by limitation of deflections
• Free configuration of charring time and charring rates, as well as free choice of charring sides for fire design
• Design of tapered and curved beams consisting of glulam timber
• Material and cross‑section library based on the Canadian standard
• User-defined entry of rectangular and circular cross-sections
• Automatic cross-section optimization
• Optional import of buckling lengths from the RF-STABILITY/RSBUCK module
• Detailed result documentation including references to design equations of the used standard
• Various filtering and sorting options of results
• Consideration of moisture service conditions
• Visualization of design criterion on RFEM/RSTAB model
• Data export to MS Excel
• Units metric and imperial

After the calculation, the module displays results in clearly arranged result tables. All intermediate values (for example, governing internal forces, adjustment factors, and so on) can be included in order to make the design more transparent. The results are sorted by load case, cross-section, set of members, and members. If the analysis fails, the affected cross-sections can be modified in an optimization process.

The design ratio is represented with different colors in the RFEM/RSTAB model. This way, you can quickly recognize critical or oversized areas of the cross-section. Furthermore, result diagrams displayed on the member or set of members ensure targeted evaluation.

In addition to the input and result data, including design details displayed in tables, you can add all graphics into the printout report. This way, comprehensible and clearly arranged documentation is guaranteed. You can select the report contents and extent specifically for the individual designs.