For temporary structures, such as scaffolding or bracing, you can define scaffolding supports in RFEM and RSTAB. Using the “scaffolding hinge” nonlinearity for the rotation degrees of freedom φX and φY of the nodal support, you can achieve exactly the solution required by the EN 12811-1 and EN 1065 standards.
After activating the options in the Nodal Support dialog box, an M-φ working diagram can be created for the affected support points, depending on the parameters:
- φ0 = slippage
- C = stiffness
- e0 = initial eccentricity (depending on ke0 and D)
- emax = maximum eccentricity (depending on kemax and D)
- ke0 = factor for initial eccentricity
- kemax = factor for the maximum eccentricity
- t = end plate thickness
- D = outer diameter of the cross-section
The support remains moment-free until reaching the rotation angle φ0. After that, the rotation does not change until reaching the moment of Me0 = ke0 ⋅ D ⋅ PZ'. Between the moment Me0 and the moment Memax = kemax ⋅ D ⋅ PZ', the support reacts with a rotational spring stiffness C. Once Memax is reached, the yielding starts.
