In the Steel Joint add-on, you can define several ribs at the same time on one member or plate. The distribution can be carried out according to an orthogonal and a polar pattern.
In the Stress-Strain Analysis add-on, you can define a component-dependent limit stress cycle and consider it for the design.
In the ultimate configuration of the steel joint design, you have the option to modify the limit plastic strain for welds.
The "Base Plate" component allows you to design base plate connections with cast-in anchors. In this case, plates, welds, anchorages, and steel-concrete interaction are analyzed.
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)
You can use the "Plate Cut" component to cut plates (for example, gusset plates, fin plates, and so on). There are various cutting methods available:
- Plane: The cut is performed on the closest surface to the reference plate.
- Surface: Only the intersecting parts of plates are cut.
- Bounding Box: The outermost dimension consisting of width and height is cut out of the plate as a rectangle.
- Convex Envelope: The outer hull of the cross-section is used for the plate cut. If there are fillets at the corner nodes of the cross-section, the cut is adapted to them.
- 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.
- Cross-section optimization
- Transfer of optimized sections to RFEM/RSTAB
- Design of any thin-walled section from RSECTION
- Representation of a stress diagram on a section
- Determination of normal, shear, and equivalent stresses
- Output of stress components for the individual member internal force types
- Detailed representation of stresses in all stress points
- Determination of the largest Δσ for each stress point (for example, for fatigue design)
- Colored display of stresses and design ratios for a quick overview of the critical or oversized zones
- Output of parts lists
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.
Using the "Rib" component, you can define any number of longitudinal ribs on a member plate. By defining a reference object, you can automatically specify welds on it.
The "Rib" component can also be arranged on circular hollow sections. Dafür wird zusätzlich die Vorgabe der Winkel zwischen den Rippen benötigt.
- General stress analysis
- Automatic import of internal forces from RFEM/RSTAB
- Graphical and numerical output of stresses, strains, clearance, and design ratios fully integrated in RFEM/RSTAB
- User-defined specification of the limit stress
- Summary of similar structural components for the design
- Wide range of customization options for graphical output
- Clearly arranged result tables for a quick overview after the design
- Simple traceability of the results due to the complete documentation of the calculation method including all formulas
- High productivity due to the minimal amount of input data required
- Flexibility due to detailed setting options for basis and extent of calculations
- Gray zone display for unimportant value ranges (see Product Feature)
In the Steel Joints add-on, you can perform precise cuts on plates and structural components using the "Auxiliary Solid" component. Within this component, you can use the shapes of a box, a cylinder, or any cross-section as a guide object.
Go to Explanatory Video- 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
In the Member Editor component, you can also select the entire member as the modifying object instead of the individual member plates. This way, you can apply both operations "Notch" and "Chamfer" to several member plates.
- Determination of principal and basic stresses, membrane and shear stresses, as well as equivalent stresses and equivalent membrane stresses
- Stress analysis for structural surfaces including simple or complex shapes
- Equivalent stresses calculated according to different approaches:
- Shape modification hypothesis (von Mises)
- Shear stress hypothesis (Tresca)
- Normal stress hypothesis (Rankine)
- Principal strain hypothesis (Bach)
- Optional optimization of surface thicknesses and data transfer to RFEM
- Output of strains
- Detailed results of individual stress components and ratios in tables and graphics
- Filter function for solids, surfaces, lines, and nodes in tables
- Transversal shear stresses according to Mindlin, Kirchhoff, or user-defined specifications
- Stress evaluation for welds at connection lines between surfaces (see the Product Feature)
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).
- The steel connections model and the results can be saved as a separate model file
- The resulting stresses and the results of the stability analysis (joint buckling) can be displayed in a separate model
- In the saved model, you can run a deformation animation on the connection
- Connection components are converted to surfaces and members when they are saved
When designing connections, you can now also insert a new member as a component directly in the Steel Joints add-on. This will only be considered for the connection design. You can use the Weld and Fasteners components to connect to other members.
Furthermore, it is possible to use the Member Section and Member Editor components and arrange reinforcement elements on the inserted member, such as stiffeners and tapers.
Go to Explanatory Video- You can activate or deactivate the use of torsional warping in the Add-ons tab of the model's Base Data.
- After activating the add-on, the user interface in RFEM is extended by some new entries in the navigator, tables, and dialog boxes.
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.
- The design of the connection components is performed according to AISC 360 and Eurocode EN 1993‑1‑8.
- After activating the add-on, it is necessary to activate the design situations for Steel Connections in the "Load Cases and Combinations" dialog box.
- The design of the connection stability (buckling) requires the "Structure Stability" add-on.
- You can run the calculation using the table or the icon in the top bar.
The Steel Joints add-on provides you with the option to connect circular hollow sections using welds.
It is possible to connect the circular sections to each other or to planar structural components. The fillets of standard and thin-walled sections can also be connected with a weld.
Go to Explanatory Video- The program performs a plausibility check in parallel with the input to quickly detect missing entries or collisions.
- If an error occurs, an error message appears describing the problem.
- For a new connection model, you have to select a node in the RFEM model
- After selecting a node, the members connected to the node are automatically recognized and assigned
- In the window for assigning members, select the ones that will be assigned to the connection
- The members marked by us are displayed in the preview window on the right
- Connections can be modeled for multiple nodes in a structure.
- For member settings, select the ones to be supported
In the "Steel Joints" add-on, you can consider preloaded bolts in all components during the calculation. You can easily activate the preloading using the check box in the bolt parameters, and it has an impact on the stress-strain analysis as well as the stiffness analysis.
Preloaded bolts are special bolts used in steel structures to generate a high clamping force between the connected structural components. This clamping force causes friction between the structural components, which allows for the transfer of forces.
Functionality
Preloaded bolts are tightened with a certain torque, causing them to stretch and generate a tensile force. This tensile force is transferred to the connected components and leads to a high clamping force. The clamping force prevents the connection from loosening and ensures safe force transmission.
Advantages
- High load-bearing capacity: Preloaded bolts can transfer large forces.
- Low deformation: They minimize the deformation of the connection.
- Fatigue strength: They are resistant to fatigue.
- Easy assembly: They are relatively easy to assemble and disassemble.
Analysis and Design
The calculation of preloaded bolts is performed in RFEM using the FE analysis model generated by the "Steel Joints" add-on. It takes into account the clamping force, friction between structural components, shear strength of bolts, and load-bearing capacity of the structural components. The design is carried out according to DIN EN 1993‑1‑8 (Eurocode 3) or the US standard ANSI/AISC 360‑16. You can save the created analysis model, including the results, and use it as an independent RFEM model.
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.
In the Steel Joints add-on, you can classify the joint stiffness.
In addition to the initial stiffness, the table also shows the limit values for hinged and rigid connections for the selected internal forces N, My, and/or Mz. The resulting classification is then displayed in tables as "hinged", "semi-rigid", or "rigid".
Go to Explanatory VideoTo design a Steel connection, you must have the Steel Joints Add-on enabled. The Add-ons in RFEM 6 are activated in the Add-ons tab of the Edit Model - Base Data window. If the Add-on is active, it is displayed in the navigator.
- Consideration of 7 local deformation directions (ux, uy, uz, φx, φy, φz, ω) or 8 internal forces (N, Vu, Vv, Mt,pri, Mt,sec, Mu, Mv, Mω) when calculating member elements
- Usable in combination with a structural analysis according to linear static, second-order, and large deformation analysis (imperfections can also be taken into account)
- In combination with the Stability Analysis add-on, allows you to determine critical load factors and mode shapes of stability problems such as torsional buckling and lateral-torsional buckling
- Consideration of end plates and transverse stiffeners as warping springs when calculating I-sections with automatic determination and graphical display of the warping spring stiffness
- Graphical display of the cross-section warping of members in the deformation
- Full integration with RFEM and RSTAB
In addition to other predefined components in the design add-on for steel connections, the universal base component "General Weld" can be used to enter complex connection situations.