The parameters of the National Annexes (NA) to Eurocode 3 of the following countries are integrated:
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DIN EN 1993-1-1/NA:2016-04 (Germany)
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ÖNORM EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-12 (Austria)
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SN EN 1993-1-1/NA:2016-07 (Switzerland)
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BDS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-10 (Bulgaria)
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BS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2016-07 (United Kingdom)
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CEN EN 1993-1-1/2015-06 (European Union)
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CYS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-07 (Cyprus)
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CSN EN 1993-1-1/NA:2016-06 (Czech Republic)
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DS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-07 (Denmark)
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ELOT EN 1993-1-1/NA:2017-01 (Greece)
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EVS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-08 (Estonia)
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HRN EN 1993-1-1/NA:2016-03 (Croatia)
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I S. EN 1993-1-1/NA:2016-03 (Ireland)
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ILNAS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-06 (Luxembourg)
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IST EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-11 (Iceland)
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LST EN 1993-1-1/NA:2017-01 (Lithuania)
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LVS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-10 (Latvia)
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MS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2010-01 (Malaysia)
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MSZ EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-11 (Hungary)
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NBN EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-07 (Belgium)
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NEN EN 1993-1-1/NA:2016-12 (Netherlands)
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NF EN 1993-1-1/NA:2016-02 (France)
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NP EN 1993-1-1/NA:2009-03 (Portugal)
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NS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-09 (Norway)
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PN EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-08 (Poland)
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SFS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-08 (Finland)
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SIST EN 1993-1-1/NA:2016-09 (Slovenia)
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SR EN 1993-1-1/NA:2016-04 (Romania)
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SS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2019-05 (Singapore)
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SS EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-06 (Sweden)
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STN EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-10 (Slovakia)
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TKP EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-04 (Belarus)
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UNE EN 1993-1-1/NA:2016-02 (Spain)
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UNI EN 1993-1-1/NA:2015-08 (Italy)
- Realistic representation of interaction between a building and soil
- Realistic representation of the influences of the foundation components on each other
- Extensible library of soil properties
- Consideration of several soil samples (probes) at different locations, even outside the building
- Determination of settlements and stress diagrams as well as their graphical and tabular display
Entering soil layers for soil samples is performed in a clearly arranged dialog box. A corresponding graphical representation supports clarity and makes checking the input user-friendly.
An extensible database facilitates the selection of soil material properties. The Mohr-Coulomb model as well as a nonlinear model with stress and strain dependent stiffness are available for a realistic modeling of the soil material behavior.
You can define any number of soil samples and layers. The soil is generated from all entered samples using 3D solids. Assignment to the structure is carried out using coordinates.
The soil body is calculated according to the nonlinear iterative method. The calculated stresses and settlements are displayed graphically and in tables.
Have you activated the Time-Dependent Analysis (TDA) add-on? Very well, now you can add time data to load cases. After you have defined the start and end of the load, the influence of creep at the end of the load is taken into account. The program allows you to model creep effects for frame and truss structures made of reinforced concrete.
In this case, the calculation is performed nonlinearly according to the rheological model (Kelvin and Maxwell model).
Was the calculation successful? You can now display the determined internal forces in tables and graphics, and consider them in the design.
The Dlubal structural analysis software does a lot of work for you. The input parameters, which are relevant for the selected standards, are suggested by the program in accordance with the rules. Furthermore, you can enter response spectra manually.
Load cases of the type Response Spectrum Analysis define the direction in which response spectra act and which eigenvalues of the structure are relevant for the analysis. In the spectral analysis settings, you can define details for the combination rules, damping (if applicable), and zero-period acceleration (ZPA).
Did you know that Equivalent static loads are generated separately for each relevant eigenvalue and excitation direction. These loads are saved in a load case of the Response Spectrum Analysis type and RFEM/RSTAB performs a linear static analysis.
The load cases of the type Response Spectrum Analysis contain the generated equivalent loads. First, the modal contributions have to be superimposed with the SRSS or CQC rule. In this case, you can use the signed results based on the dominant mode shape.
Afterwards, the directional components of earthquake actions are combined with the SRSS or the 100% / 30% rule.
- Automatic generation of FE analysis models: The add-on automatically creates a finite element model (FE) of the steel connection in the background.
- Consideration of all internal forces: The calculation and design checks include all internal forces (N, Vy, Vz, My, Mz, MT) and are not limited to planar loading.
- Automatic load transfer: All load combinations are automatically transferred to the FE analysis model of the connection. The loads are transferred directly from RFEM, so manual data input is not necessary.
- Efficient modeling: The add-on saves you time when modeling complex connection situations. You can also save the created FE analysis model and use it further for your own detailed analyses.
- Extensible library: An extensive and extensible library with predefined steel connection templates is available.
- Wide applicability: The add-on is suitable for connections of any type and shape, compatible with almost all rolled, welded, built-up, and thin-walled cross-sections.
- Selection of nodes in the RFEM model, automatic recognition and assignment of the members connected to the node
- Many predefined components available for easy input of typical connection situations (for example, end plates, cleats, fin plates)
- Universally applicable basic components (plates, welds, auxiliary planes) for entering complex connection situations
- No manual editing of the FE model required by the user, the essential calculation settings can be changed via the configuration settings
- Automatic adaptation of the connection geometry, even if the members are subsequently edited, due to the relative relation of the components to each other
- Parallel to the input, a plausibility check is carried out by the program to quickly detect missing input or collisions, for example
- Graphical display of the connection geometry that is updated in parallel with the input
The program supports you: It determines the bolt forces on the basis of the FE analysis model and evaluates them automatically. The add-on performs the standard-compliant design of bolt resistance for failure cases, such as tension, shear, hole bearing, and punching, and clearly displays all required coefficients.
Do you want to perform weld design? The welds are modeled as elastic-plastic surface elements, and their stresses are read out from the FE analysis model. The plasticity criteria is set in the way that they represent failure according to AISC J2-4, J2-5 (strength of welds), and J2-2 (strength of base metal). The design can be performed with the partial safety factors of the selected National Annex of EN 1993‑1‑8.
The plates in the connection are designed plastically by comparing the existing plastic strain to the allowable plastic strain. The default setting is 5% according to EN 1993‑1‑5, Annex C, but can be adjusted by user-defined specifications, as well as 5% for AISC 360.
You can display all essential results on the FE model. In this case, you can filter the results separately according to the respective components.
Furthemore, RFEM delivers you all design checks in a tabular form, including the display of the formulas used. If you wish, you can transfer the result tables to the RFEM printout report.
- Artificial intelligence technology (AI): Particle swarm optimization (PSO)
- Structure optimization according to the minimum weight or deformation
- Use of any number of optimization parameters
- Specification of variable ranges
- Optimization of cross-sections and materials
- Parameter definition types
- Optimization | Ascending or Optimization | Descending
- Application of parametric models and blocks
- Code-based JavaScript parametrization of blocks
- Optimization taking into account the design results
- Tabular display of the best model mutations
- Real-time display of the model mutations in the optimization process
- Model cost estimation by specifying unit prices
- Determination of the global warming potential GWP when realizing the model by estimating the CO2 equivalent
- Specification of weight-, volume-, and area-based units (price and CO2e)
Did you know? The structural optimization in the programs RFEM and RSTAB is a completion of the parametric input. It is a parallel process beside the actual model calculation with all its regular calculation and design definitions. The add-on assumes that your model or block is built with a parametric context and is controlled in its entirety by global control parameters of the "optimization" type. Therefore, these control parameters have a lower and upper limit and a step size to delimit the optimization range. If you want to find optimal values for the control parameters, you have to specify an optimization criterion (for example, minimum weight) with the selection of an optimization method (for example, particle swarm optimization).
You can already find the cost and CO2 emission estimation in the material definitions. You can activate both options individually in each material definition. The estimation is based on a unit for unit cost or unit emission for members, surfaces, and solids. In this case, you can select whether to specify the units by weight, volume, or area.
There are two methods that you can use for the optimization process, with which you can find optimal parameter values according to a weight or deformation criterion.
The most efficient method with the littlest calculation time is the near-natural particle swarm optimization (PSO). Have you heard or read about it? This artificial intelligence (AI) technology has a strong analogy to the behavior of flocks of animals, looking for a resting place. In such swarms, you can find many individuals (cf. optimization solution - for example, weight) who like to stay in a group and follow the group movement. Let's assume that each individual swarm member has a need to rest at an optimal resting place (cf. best solution - for example, lowest weight). This need increases as the resting place is approached. Thus, the swarm behavior is also influenced by the properties of the space (cf. result diagram).
Why the excursion into biology? Quite simply – the PSO process in RFEM or RSTAB proceeds in a similar way. The calculation run starts with an optimization result from a random assignment of the parameters to be optimized. It repeatedly determines new optimization results with varied parameter values, which are based on the experience of the previously performed model mutations. The process continues until the specified number of possible model mutations is reached.
As an alternative to this method, the program also offers you a batch processing method. This method attempts to check all possible model mutations by randomly specifying the values for the optimization parameters until a predetermined number of possible model mutations is reached.
After calculating a model mutation, both variants also check the respective activated design results of the add-ons. Furthermore, they save the variant with the corresponding optimization result and value assignment of the optimization parameters if the utilization is < 1.
You can determine the estimated total costs and emission from the respective sums of the individual materials. The sums of the materials are composed of the weight-based, volume-based, and area-based partial sums of the member, surface, and solid elements.
- Stress determination using an elastic-plastic material model
- Design of masonry disc structures for compression and shear on the building model or single model
- Automatic determination of stiffness of a wall-slab hinge
- An extensive material database for almost all stone-mortar combinations available on the Austrian market (the product range is continuously being expanded, for other countries as well)
- Automatic determination of material values according to Eurocode 6 (ÖN EN 1996‑X)
- Option to create pushover analysis
You enter and model the structure directly in RFEM. You can combine the masonry material model with all common RFEM add-ons. This enables you to design the entire building models in connection with masonry.
The program automatically determines for you all parameters required for the calculation by using the material data that you have entered. Then, it finally generates the stress-strain curves for each FE element.
Was your design successful? Then just sit back and relax. You benefit from the numerous functions in RFEM also here. The program gives you the maximum stresses of the masonry surfaces, whereby you can display the results in detail at each FE mesh point.
Moreover, you can insert sections in order to carry out a detailed evaluation of the individual areas. Use the display of the yield areas to estimate the cracks in the masonry.
Both optimization methods have one thing in common. At the end of the process, they provide you with a list of model mutations from the stored data. Here you can find the details of the controlling optimization result and the associated value assignment of the optimization parameters. This list is organized in descending order. You can find the assumed best solution shown in the first line. For this, the optimization result with its determined value assignment is closest to the optimization criterion. All add-on results have a utilization < 1. Furthermore, once the analysis is completed, the program will adjust the value assignment to that of the optimal solution for the optimization parameters in the global parameter list.
In the material dialog boxes, you can find the additional tabs "Cost Estimation" and "Estimation of CO2 Emissions". They show you the individual estimated sums of the assigned members, surfaces, and solids per unit weight, volume, and area. Furthermore, these tabs show the total cost and emission of all assigned materials. This gives you a good overview of your project.
Once you activate the Form-Finding add-on in the Base Data, a form-finding effect is assigned to the load cases with the load case category "Prestress" in conjunction with the form-finding loads from the member, surface, and solid load catalog. This is a prestress load case. It thus mutates into a form-finding analysis for the entire model with all member, surface, and solid elements defined in it. You reach the form-finding of the relevant member and membrane elements amid the overall model by using special form-finding loads and regular load definitions. These form-finding loads describe the expected state of deformation or force after the form-finding in the elements. The regular loads describe the external loading of the entire system.
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.
Compared to the RF-FORM-FINDING add-on module (RFEM 5), the following new features have been added to the Form-Finding add-on for RFEM 6:
- Specification of all form-finding load boundary conditions in one load case
- Storage of form-finding results as initial state for further model analysis
- Automatic assignment of the form-finding initial state via combination wizards to all load situations of a design situation
- Additional form-finding geometry boundary conditions for members (unstressed length, maximum vertical sag, low-point vertical sag)
- Additional form-finding load boundary conditions for members (maximum force in member, minimum force in member, horizontal tension component, tension at i-end, tension at j-end, minimum tension at i-end, minimum tension at j-end)
- Material types "Fabric" and "Foil" in material library
- Parallel form-findings in one model
- Simulation of sequentially building form-finding states in connection with the Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on
Compared to the RF-/DYNAM Pro - Equivalent Loads add-on module (RFEM 5 / RSTAB 8), the following new features have been added to the Response Spectrum Analysis add-on for RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9:
- Response spectra of numerous standards (EN 1998, DIN 4149, IBC 2018, and so on)
- User-defined response spectra or those generated from accelerograms
- Direction-relative response spectrum approach
- Results are stored centrally in a load case with underlying levels to ensure clarity
- Accidental torsional actions can be taken into account automatically
- Automatic combinations of seismic loads with the other load cases for use in an accidental design situation
Compared to the RF‑SOILIN add-on module (RFEM‑5), the following new features have been added to the Geotechnical Analysis add-on for RFEM 6:
- Creation of the layered soil as a 3D model from the entirety of the defined soil samples
- Recognized material law according to Mohr-Coulomb for soil simulation
- Graphical and tabular output of stresses and strains at any depth of the soil
- Optimal consideration of the soil-structure interaction on the basis of an overall model
For each load case, the deformations can be displayed at the end time.
These results are also documented for you in the printout report of RFEM and RSTAB. You can select the report contents and extent specifically for the individual design checks.
Do you work with steel connections? The Steel Joints add-on for RFEM supports you when analyzing steel connections by using an FE model. In this case, the modeling runs fully automatically in the background. Nevertheless, you can control this process via the simple and familiar input of components. You can then use the loads determined on the FE model for your design of the components according to EN 1993‑1‑8 (including National Annexes).
Building stone on stone has a long tradition in construction. The Masonry Design add-on for RFEM allows you to design masonry using the finite element method. It was developed as part of the research project DDMaS - Digitizing the Design of Masonry Structures. Here, the material model represents the nonlinear behavior of the brick-mortar combination in the form of macro-modeling. Do you want to find out more?
You can be sure that costs are an important factor in the structural planning of any project. It is also essential to adhere to the provisions on emissions estimation. The two-part add-on Optimization & Costs/CO2 Emission Estimation makes it easier for you to find your way through the jungle of standards and options. It uses the artificial intelligence technology (AI) of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) to find the right parameters for parameterized models and blocks that guarantee the compliance with the usual optimization criteria. This add-on also estimates the model costs or CO2 emissions by specifying unit costs or emissions per material definition for the structural model. With this add-on, you are on the safe side.
Do you have great respect for the ravages of time? After all, it eventually gnaws at your construction projects. Use the Time-Dependent Analysis (TDA) add-on to consider the time-dependent material behavior of members. Long-term effects, such as creep, shrinkage, and aging, can influence the distribution of internal forces, depending on the structure. Prepare for this optimally with this add-on.
For joint components, you can check whether the stability failure is relevant. This requires the Structure Stability add-on for RFEM 6.
In this case, you calculate the critical load factor for all analyzed load combinations and the selected number of mode shapes for the connection model. Compare the smallest critical load factor with the limit value 15 from the standard EN 1993‑1‑1, Clause 5. Furthermore, you can make user-defined adjustment of the limit value. As a result of the stability analysis, the program displays the corresponding mode shapes graphically.
For the stability analysis, RFEM uses the adapted surface model to specifically recognize the local buckling shapes. You can also save and use the model of the stability analysis, including the results, as a separate model file.