You can now insert a cap plate in steel joints with only a few clicks. You can enter the data using the known definition types "Offsets" or "Dimensions and Position". By specifying a reference member and the cutting plane, it is also possible to omit the Member Section component.
This component allows you to easily model cap plates on column ends, for example.
In the "Shear Reinforcement" tab, you can select the option "Cross-ties over free rebars with active selection in graphic". It allows you to arrange additional cross-ties on free rebars of the longitudinal reinforcement.
You can activate or deactivate the position of the cross-ties in the Info Graphic. The cross-ties are applied for the ultimate limit state design and the structural design checks. They are available for the design according to EN 1992‑1‑1.
Use the "Import Support Reactions" Load Wizard in RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 to easily transfer reaction forces from other models. The wizard allows you to connect all or several nodal and line loads of different models with each other in a few steps.
The load transfer from load cases and load combinations can be carried out automatically or manually. It's necessary that the models are saved in the same Dlubal Center project.
The "Import Support Reactions" load wizard supports the concept of positional statics and allows you to digitally connect the individual positions.
Create guidelines with or without a description for the display of a building grid! You can lock the guideline position to prevent accidental movement of them, for example.
Furthermore, you can glue the guidelines to nodes in order to move the glued nodes as well. That makes your work a lot easier!
In the "Group of Imperfection Cases" imperfection case, you can enter several geometric imperfection cases. This allows you to carry out GMNIA analyses where several geometric imperfections have to be superimposed.
This function provides you with the option to adopt reaction forces from other models as nodal and line loads.
The option not only transfers the reaction load as an action, but digitally couples the support load of the original model with the load size of the target object. The subsequent changes in the original model are automatically adopted in the target model.
This technology supports the concept of positional statics and allows you to digitally connect the individual positions of the same Dlubal Center project.
Do you want to generate surfaces from members? Nothing is easier than that. You can find the right solution under Transverse Stiffeners Options when processing the members. In this case, you can adjust the transverse stiffeners according to the type and position.
The program does a lot of work for you. For example, the load or result combinations required for the serviceability limit state are generated and calculated in RFEM/RSTAB. You can select these design situations for the deflection analysis in the Aluminum Design add-on. Depending on the specified precamber and reference system, the program determines the deformation values at each location of a member. They are then compared to the limit values.
You can specify the deformation limit value individually for each structural component in Serviceability Configuration. In this case, you define the maximum deformation depending on the reference length as the allowable limit value. By defining design supports, you can segment the components. In this way, you can determine the corresponding reference length automatically for each design direction.
And that's not all. Based on the position of the assigned design supports, the program allows you to automatically determine the distinction between beams and cantilevers. The limit value is thus determined accordingly.
When defining the input data for the modal analysis load case, you can consider a load case whose stiffnesses represent the initial position for the modal analysis. How do you do that? As shown in the image, select the "Consider initial state from" option. Now, open the "Initial State Settings" dialog box and define the type Stiffness as the initial state. In this load case, as of which is the initial state taken into account, you can consider the stiffness of the structural system when the tension members fail. The purpose of all of this: The stiffness from this load case is considered in the modal analysis. Thus, you obtain a clearly flexible system.
Stability analyses for flexural buckling, torsional buckling, and flexural-torsional buckling under compression
Import of the effective lengths from the calculation using the Structure Stability add-on
Graphical input and check of the defined nodal supports and effective lengths for stability analysis
Determination of the equivalent member lengths for tapered members
Consideration of Lateral-Torsional Bracing Position
Lateral-torsional buckling analysis of the structural components subjected to moment loading
Depending on the standard, a choice between user-defined input of Mcr, analytical method from the standard, and use of internal eigenvalue solver
Consideration of a shear panel and a rotational restraint when using the eigenvalue solver
Graphical display of a mode shape if the eigenvalue solver was used
Stability analysis of structural components with the combined compression and bending stress, depending on the design standard
Comprehensible calculation of all necessary coefficients, such as the factors for considering moment distribution or interaction factors
Alternative consideration of all effects for the stability analysis when determining internal forces in RFEM/RSTAB (second-order analysis, imperfections, stiffness reduction, possibly in combination with the Torsional Warping (7 DOF) add-on)
What happens when there is a downwind? The topside lateral-torsional bracing is not applied to reduce the effective lengths and lateral-torsional buckling lengths.
Your RFEM/RSTAB program is responsible for generating and calculating the load and result combinations required for the serviceability limit state. Select the design situations for the deflection analysis in the Timber Design add-on. The calculated deformation values are then determined at each location of a member, depending on the specified precamber and the reference system, and then compared to the limit values.
You can specify the deformation limit value individually for each structural component in Serviceability Configuration. In this case, the maximum deformation should not exceed the permissible limit value, depending on the reference length. When defining design supports, you can segment the components. This allows you to determine the corresponding reference length automatically for each design direction.
Based on the position of the assigned design supports, the program automatically determines the difference between beams and cantilevers. Thus, you can be sure that the limit value is determined accordingly.
In RFEM/RSTAB, you have the option to generate and then calculate the load or result combinations required for the serviceability limit state. You can select these design situations for the deflection analysis in the Steel Design add-on. The calculated deformation values are determined accordingly at each location of a member, depending on the specified precamber and reference system. Finaly, you can compare these deformation values with the limit values.
Did you know? You can specify the deformation limit value individually for each structural component in Serviceability Configuration. Define the maximum deformation depending on the reference length as the allowable limit value. By defining design supports, you can segment the components in order to determine the corresponding reference length automatically for each design direction.
Based on the position of the assigned design supports, the distinction between beams and cantilevers is made automatically so the limit value can be determined accordingly.
To model structures in RWIND Basic, you find a special application in RFEM and RSTAB. Here, you define the wind directions to be analyzed by means of related angular positions about the vertical model axis. At the same time, you define the elevation-dependent wind profile on the basis of a wind standard. In addition to these specifications, you can use the stored calculation parameters to determine your own load cases for a stationary calculation per each angular position.
As an alternative, you can also use the RWIND Basic program manually, without the interface application in RFEM or RSTAB. In this case, RWIND Basic models the structures and terrain environment directly from the imported VTP, STL, OBJ, and IFC files. You can define the height-dependent wind load and other fluid-mechanical data directly in RWIND Basic.
Do you know exactly how the form-finding is performed? First, the form-finding process of the load cases with the load case category "Prestress" shifts the initial mesh geometry to an optimally balanced position by means of iterative calculation loops. For this task, the program uses the Updated Reference Strategy (URS) method by Prof. Bletzinger and Prof. Ramm. This technology is characterized by equilibrium shapes that, after the calculation, comply almost exactly with the initially specified form-finding boundary conditions (sag, force, and prestress).
In addition to the pure description of the expected forces or sags on the elements to be formed, the integral approach of the URS also enables a consideration of regular forces. In the overall process, this allows, for example, for a description of the self-weight or a pneumatic pressure by means of corresponding element loads.
All these options give the calculation kernel the potential to calculate anticlastic and synclastic forms that are in an equilibrium of forces for planar or rotationally symmetric geometries. In order to be able to realistically implement both types individually or together in one environment, the calculation provide you with two ways to describe the form-finding force vectors:
Tension method - description of the form-finding force vectors in space for planar geometries
Projection method - description of the form-finding force vectors on a projection plane with fixation of the horizontal position for conical geometries
The form-finding process gives you a structural model with active forces in the "prestress load case" This load case shows the displacement from the initial input position to the form-found geometry in the deformation results. In the force or stress-based results (member and surface internal forces, solid stresses, gas pressures, and so on), it clarifies the state for maintaining the found form. For the analysis of the shape geometry, the program offers you a two-dimensional contour line plot with the output of the absolute height and an inclination plot for the visualization of the slope situation.
Now, a further calculation and structural analysis of the entire model is performed. For this purpose, the program transfers the form-found geometry including the element-wise strains into a universally applicable initial state. You can now use it in the load cases and load combinations.
Import of relevant information and results from RFEM
Integrated, editable material and section library
Sensible and complete presetting of input parameters
Punching design on columns (all section shapes), wall ends, and wall corners
Automatic recognition of the punching node position from an RFEM model
Detection of curves or splines as a boundary of the control perimeter
Automatic consideration of all slab openings defined in the RFEM model
Construction and graphical display of the control perimeter
Optional design with unsmoothed shear stress along the control perimeter that corresponds to the actual shear stress distribution in the FE model
Determination of the load increment factor β via full-plastic shear distribution as constant factors according to EN 1992‑1‑1, Sect. 6.4.3 (3), based on EN 1992‑1‑1, Fig. 6.21N, or by a user‑defined specification
Numerical and graphical display of results (3D, 2D, and in sections)
Punching design of the slab without punching reinforcement
Qualitative determination of the required punching reinforcement
Design and analysis of the longitudinal reinforcement
Complete integration of results in an RFEM printout report
RFEM supports you and save you a lot of work. The materials and surface thicknesses defined in RFEM are already preset in the Concrete Design add-on. Thus, you can directly define the nodes to be designed.
Any openings in the area with risk of punching shear are automatically taken into account in the RFEM model. The add-on recognizes the position of the nodes of punching shear and automatically determines whether it is a node of punching shear in the center of the slab, on the edge of the slab, or in a slab corner. Again, you save your time.
You can individually select the method for determining the load increment factor β.
Have you created the entire structure in RFEM? Very well, now you can assign the individual structural components and load cases to the corresponding construction stages. In each construction stage, you can modify release definitions of members and supports, for example.
You can thus model structural modifications, such as those that occur when bridge girders are successively grouted or when columns are settled. Then, assign the load cases created in RFEM to the construction stages as permanent or non-permanent loads.
Did you know that The combinatorics allows you to superimpose the permanent and non-permanent loads in load combinations. In this way, it is possible for you to determine the maximum internal forces of different crane positions or to consider temporary mounting loads available in one construction stage only.
Rely on the Dlubal programs even in windy matters. RFEM and RSTAB provide a special interface for exporting models (that is, structures defined by members and surfaces) to RWIND 2. There, the wind directions to be analyzed for your project are defined by means of related angular positions about the vertical model axis. Furthermore, the elevation-dependent wind profile and turbulence intensity profile are defined on the basis of a wind standard. These specifications result in specific load cases, depending on the angle. For this, the fluid parameters, turbulence model properties, and iteration parameters that are all stored globally are helpful. You can extend these load cases by partial editing in the RWIND 2 environment using terrain or environment models from STL vector graphics.
As an alternative, you can also run RWIND 2 manually and without the interface application in RFEM or RSTAB. In this case, the structures and terrain environment in the program are directly modeled by imported STL and VTP files. You can define the height-dependent wind load and other fluid-mechanical data directly in RWIND 2.
Due to its versatile applicability, RWIND 2 is always at your side to support you in your individual projects.
Sets of members with moving loads are selected graphically in the RFEM/RSTAB model. You can apply several different types of loads to one set of members at the same time.
By specifying the first load position, you can precisely display the load entering the runway of the continuous member. In the same way, it is possible to define whether a moving load consisting of various load applications is allowed to move beyond the end of continuous members (bridge) or not (crane runway).
The increment of the individual load positions is determined by the number of load cases generated for RFEM/RSTAB. You can also add loads to already existing RFEM/RSTAB load cases so that no additional superposition is required. Several load types are available, for example single, linear and trapezoidal loads as well as load pairs and several uniform concentrated loads.
It is possible to apply the loads in local and global directions. The application can refer to the true member length or to the projection in a global direction.
In the RF-LAMINATE add-on module for RFEM, the design of torsional shear stresses in the superposition of net and gross cross-section values is possible. The design is performed separately in the x- and y-directions. The loads on the intersection points of cross-laminated timber panels are checked.
RF-CUTTING-PATTERN is activated by selecting the respective option in the Options tab in General Data of any RFEM model. After activating the add‑on module, a new object, "Cutting Patterns", is displayed under Model Data. If the membrane surface distribution for cutting in the basic position is too large, you can divide the surface by cutting lines (line types "Cut via Two Lines" or "Cut via Section") in the corresponding partial strips.
Then you can define the individual entries for each cutting pattern using the "Cutting Pattern" object. Here you can set boundary lines, compensations, and allowances.
Steps of the working sequence:
Creation of cutting lines
Creation of the pattern by selecting its boundary lines or using a semi‑automatic generator
Free selection of warp and weft orientation by entering an angle
Application of compensation values
Optional definition of different compensations for boundary lines
Different allowances (welding, boundary line)
Preliminary representation of the cutting pattern in the graphic window at the side without starting the main nonlinear calculation
The results of the form‑finding process are a new shape and corresponding inner forces. The usual results, such as deformations, forces, stresses, and others can be displayed in the RF‑FORM‑FINDING case.
This prestressed shape is available as the initial state for all other load cases and combinations in the structural analysis.
For more ease when defining load cases, the NURBS transformation can be used (Calculation Parameters/Form-Finding). This feature moves the original surfaces and cables into position after form‑finding.
By using the grid points of surfaces or the definition nodes of NURBS surfaces, free loads can be situated on selected parts of the structure.
After opening the module, the materials and surface thicknesses defined in RFEM are preset. The nodes to be designed are automatically recognized but can also be modified by the user.
It is possible to consider openings in the area with risk of punching shear. The openings can be transferred from RFEM or specified only in RF‑PUNCH Pro so they do not effect the stiffnesses of the RFEM model.
The parameters of the longitudinal reinforcement are the number and direction of the layers and the concrete cover, specified separately for the top and bottom of the slab on a surface-by-surface basis. The next input window allows you to define all additional details for nodes of punching shear. The module recognizes the position of the punching node and automatically sets, whether the node is located in the center of the slab, on the slab edge or in the slab corner.
In addition, it is possible to set punching load, load increment factor β, and the existing longitudinal reinforcement. Optionally, the minimum moments can be activated for determining the required longitudinal reinforcement and enlarged column head.
To facilitate orientation, a slab is always displayed with the corresponding node of punching shear. You can also open the design program by HALFEN, a German producer of shear rails. All RFEM data can be imported to this program for further easy and effective processing.
Import of relevant information and results from RFEM
Integrated, editable material and section library
The module extension EC2 for RFEM enables the design of reinforced concrete members according to EN 1992‑1‑1:2004 (Eurocode 2) and the following National Annexes:
DIN EN 1992-1-1/NA/A1:2015-12 (Germany)
ÖNORM B 1992-1-1:2018-01 (Austria)
NBN EN 1992-1-1 ANB:2010 (Belgium)
BDS EN 1992-1-1:2005/NA:2011 (Bulgaria)
EN 1992-1-1 DK NA:2013 (Denmark)
NF EN 1992-1-1/NA:2016-03 (France)
SFS EN 1992-1-1/NA:2007-10 (Finland)
UNI EN 1992-1-1/NA:2007-07 (Italy)
LVS EN 1992-1-1:2005/NA:2014 (Latvia)
LST EN 1992-1-1:2005/NA:2011 (Lithuania)
MS EN 1992-1-1:2010 (Malaysia)
NEN-EN 1992-1-1+C2:2011/NB:2016 (Netherlands)
NS EN 1992-1 -1:2004-NA:2008 (Norway)
PN EN 1992-1-1/NA:2010 (Poland)
NP EN 1992-1-1/NA:2010-02 (Portugal)
SR EN 1992-1-1:2004/NA:2008 (Romania)
SS EN 1992-1-1/NA:2008 (Sweden)
SS EN 1992-1-1/NA:2008-06 (Singapore)
STN EN 1992-1-1/NA:2008-06 (Slovakia)
SIST EN 1992-1-1:2005/A101:2006 (Slovenia)
UNE EN 1992-1-1/NA:2013 (Spain)
CSN EN 1992-1-1/NA:2016-05 (Czech Republic)
BS EN 1992-1-1:2004/NA:2005 (United Kingdom)
TKP EN 1992-1-1:2009 (Belarus)
CYS EN 1992-1-1:2004/NA:2009 (Cyprus)
In addition to the National Annexes (NA) listed above, you can define a specific NA, applying user‑defined limit values and parameters.
Sensible and complete presetting of input parameters
Punching design on columns, wall ends, and wall corners
Optional arrangement of an enlarged column head
Automatic recognition of the position of the punching node from the RFEM model
Detection of curves or splines as boundary of the control perimeter
Automatic consideration of all slab openings defined in the RFEM model
Structure and graphical display of the control perimeter before calculation starts
Qualitative determination of punching shear reinforcement
Optional design with unsmoothed shear stress along the control perimeter that corresponds to the actual shear stress distribution in the FE model
Determination of the load increment factor β via full-plastic shear distribution as constant factors according to EN 1992‑1‑1, Sect. 6.4.3 (3), based on EN 1992‑1‑1, Fig. 6.21N or by user‑defined specification
Integration of design software by Halfen, a producer of shear rails
Numerical and graphical display of results (3D, 2D, and in sections)
Punching shear design with or without punching shear reinforcement
Optional consideration of minimum moments according to EN 1992‑1‑1 when determining longitudinal reinforcement
Design or analysis of longitudinal reinforcement
Complete integration of results in the RFEM printout report