A wide range of available sections, such as rolled I-sections; channel sections; T-sections; angles; rectangular and circular hollow sections; round bars; symmetrical and asymmetrical, parametric I-, T-, and angle sections; built-up cross-sections (suitability for design depends on the selected standard)
Design of general RSECTION cross-sections (depending on the design formats available in the respective standard); for example, equivalent stress design
Design of tapered members (design method depending on the standard)
Adjustment of the essential design factors and standard parameters is possible
Flexibility due to detailed setting options for basis and extent of calculations
Fast and clear results output for an immediate overview of the result distribution after the design
Detailed output of the design results and essential formulas (comprehensible and verifiable result path)
Numerical results clearly arranged in tables and graphical display of the results in the model
Integration of the output into the RFEM/RSTAB printout report
Design of tension, compression, bending, shear, torsion, and combined internal forces
Tension design with consideration of a reduced section area (for example, hole weakening)
Automatic classification of cross-sections to check local buckling
Internal forces from the calculation with Torsional Warping (7 DOF) are taken into account by means of the equivalent stress check (currently not for the design standards AISC 360‑16 and GB 50017).
Design of cross-sections of Class 4 with effective cross-section properties according to EN 1993‑1‑3 (licenses for RSECTION and Effective Sections are required for the RSECTION cross-sections)
Shear buckling check according to EN 1993‑1‑5 with consideration of transverse stiffeners
Design of stainless steel components according to EN 1993‑1‑4
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
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)
You enter the structural system and calculate the internal forces in the programs RFEM and RSTAB. You have full access to the extensive material and cross-section libraries. Did you know? You can also use the RSECTION program to create general cross-sections.
You find Steel Design fully integrated in the main programs. They automatically take into account the structure and the available calculation results. You can assign further entries for the aluminum design, such as effective lengths, cross-section reductions, or design parameters, to the objects to be designed. At many places of the program, you can easily select the elements graphically using the [Select] function.
Was your design successful? Just sit back and relax. The program gives you the performed design checks in tables. All result details are displayed for you and you can easily follow them using the clearly arranged design formulas.
The design checks are carried out at all governing locations of the members. A graphical display is provided as a result diagram. Furthermore, you have access to detailed graphics, such as the stress distribution on a cross-section or the governing mode shape, available in the result output.
All input and result data are part of the RFEM/RSTAB printout report. You can select the report contents and extent specifically for the individual design checks.
Simple definition of construction stages in the RFEM structure including visualization
Adding, removing, modifying, and reactivating member, surface, and solid elements and their properties (for example, member and line hinges, degrees of freedom for supports, and so on)
Automatic and manual combinatorics with load combinations in the individual construction stages (for example, to consider mounting loads, mounting cranes, and other loads)
Consideration of nonlinear effects such as tension member failure or nonlinear supports
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.
If there are geometry differences arising between the ideal and the deformed structural system from the previous construction stage, they are compared in the program. The next construction stage is built on top of the stressed system from the previous construction stage. This calculation is nonlinear.
Was the calculation successful? Now you can view the results of the individual construction stages graphically and in tables in RFEM. Moreover, RFEM allows you to consider the construction stages in the combinatorics and include it in further design.
Automatic consideration of masses from self-weight
Direct import of masses from load cases or load combinations
Optional definition of additional masses (nodal, linear, or surface masses, as well as inertia masses) directly in the load cases
Optional neglect of masses (for example, mass of foundations)
Combination of masses in different load cases and load combinations
Preset combination coefficients for various standards (EC 8, SIA 261, ASCE 7,...)
Optional import of initial states (for example, to consider prestress and imperfection)
Structure Modification
Consideration of failed supports or members/surfaces/solids
Definition of several modal analyses (for example, to analyze different masses or stiffness modifications)
Selection of mass matrix type (diagonal matrix, consistent matrix, unit matrix), including user-defined specification of translational and rotational degrees of freedom
Methods for determining the number of mode shapes (user-defined, automatic - to reach effective modal mass factors, automatic - to reach the maximum natural frequency - only available in RSTAB)
Determination of mode shapes and masses in nodes or FE mesh points
Results of eigenvalue, angular frequency, natural frequency, and period
Output of modal masses, effective modal masses, modal mass factors, and participation factors
Masses in mesh points displayed in tables and graphics
Visualization and animation of mode shapes
Various scaling options for mode shapes
Documentation of numerical and graphical results in printout report
In the modal analysis settings, you have to enter all data that are necessary for the determination of the natural frequencies. These are, for example, mass shapes and eigenvalue solvers.
The Modal Analysis add-on determines the lowest eigenvalues of the structure. Either you adjust the number of eigenvalues or let them determined automatically. Thus, you should reach either effective modal mass factors or maximum natural frequencies. Masses are imported directly from load cases and load combinations. In this case, you have the option to consider the total mass, load components in the global Z-direction, or only the load component in the direction of gravity.
You can manually define additional masses at nodes, lines, members, or surfaces. Furthermore, you can influence the stiffness matrix by importing axial forces or stiffness modifications of a load case or load combination.
As soon as the program has completed the calculation, the eigenvalues, natural frequencies and periods are listed. These result windows are integrated in the main program RFEM/RSTAB. You can find all mode shapes of the structure in tables and also have an option to display them graphically and to animate them.
All result tables and graphics are part of the RFEM/RSTAB printout report. In this way, you can ensure clearly arranged documentation. You can also export the tables to MS Excel.
Compared to the RF‑/STAGES add-on module (RFEM 5), the following new features have been added to the Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on for RFEM 6:
Consideration of construction stages at RFEM level
Integration of the construction stage analysis into the combinatorics in RFEM
Additional structural elements, such as line hinges, are supported
Analysis of alternative construction processes in a model
Compared to the RF‑/DYNAM Pro - Natural Vibrations add-on module (RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8), the following new features have been added to the Modal Analysis add-on for RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9:
Preset combination coefficients for various standards (EC 8, ASCE, and so on)
Optional neglect of masses (for example, mass of foundations)
Methods for determining the number of mode shapes (user-defined, automatic - to reach effective modal mass factors, automatic - to reach the maximum natural frequency)
Output of modal masses, effective modal masses, modal mass factors, and participation factors
Masses in mesh points displayed in tables and graphics
Various scaling options for mode shapes in the Result navigator
Compared to the RF‑/STEEL EC3 add-on module (RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8), the following new features have been added to the Steel Design add-on for RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9:
In addition to Eurocode 3, other international standards are integrated (such as AISC 360, CSA S16, GB 50017, SP 16.13330)
Consideration of hot-dip galvanizing (DASt guideline 027) in the fire protection design according to EN 1993‑1‑2
Input option for transverse stiffeners that can be taken into account in the shear buckling analysis
Lateral-torsional buckling can also be checked for hollow sections (for example, relevant for slender, high rectangular hollow sections)
Automatic detection of members or member sets valid for the design (for example, automatic deactivation of members with invalid material or members already contained in a member set)
Design settings can be adjusted individually for each member
Graphical display of the results in the gross section or the effective section
Output of the used design check formulas (including a reference to the used equation from the standard)
With Dlubal Software, you always have an overview, regardless of whether your projects are from the reinforced concrete, steel, timber, aluminum, or other industry. The program clearly displays the design check formulas used in your design (including a reference to the used equation from the standard). These design check formulas can also be included in the printout report.
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.