The seismic design result is categorized into two sections: member requirements and connection requirements.
The "Seismic Requirements" include the Required Flexural Strength and the Required Shear Strength of the beam-to-column connection for moment frames. They are listed in the ‘Moment Frame Connection by Member’ tab. For braced frames, the Required Connection Tensile Strength and the Required Connection Compressive Strength of the brace are listed in the ‘Brace Connection by Member’ tab.
The program provides the performed design checks in tables. The design check details clearly display the formulas and references to the standard.
In the Geotechnical Analysis add-on, the Hoek-Brown material model is available. The model shows linear-elastic ideal-plastic material behavior. Its nonlinear strength criterion is the most common failure criterion for stone and rocks.
You can enter the material parameters using
Rock parameters directly, or alternatively via
GSI classification.
Detailed information about this material model and the definition of the input in RFEM can be found in the respective chapter Hoek-Brown Model of the online manual for the Geotechnical Analysis add-on.
The Concrete Design add-on allows you to perform the seismic design of reinforced concrete members according to EC 8. This includes, among other things, the following functionalities:
Seismic design configurations
Differentiation of the ductility classes DCL, DCM, DCH
Option to transfer the behavior factor from a dynamic analysis
Check of the limit value for the behavior factor
Capacity design checks of "Strong column - weak beam"
Detailing and particular rules for curvature ductility factor
Detailing and particular rules for local ductility
In the Steel Design add-on, you can apply a value for cold-formed sections according to EN 1993‑1‑3, which performs the stability analysis and cross-section design according to Sections 6.1.2 - 6.1.5 and 6.1.8 - 6.1.10.
The design of cold-formed steel members according to the AISI S100-16 / CSA S136-16 is available in RFEM 6. Design can be accessed by selecting “AISC 360” or “CSA S16” as the standard in the Steel Design Add-on. “AISI S100” or “CSA S136” is then automatically selected for the cold-formed design.
RFEM applies the Direct Strength Method (DSM) to calculate the elastic buckling load of the member. The Direct Strength Method offers two types of solutions, numerical (Finite Strip Method) and analytical (Specification). The FSM signature curve and buckling shapes can be viewed under Sections.
A library for cross-laminated timber panels is implemented in RFEM, from which you can import the manufacturer's layer structures (for example, Binderholz, KLH, Piveteaubois, Södra, Züblin Timber, Schilliger, Stora Enso). In addition to the layer thicknesses and materials, there is also the information about stiffness reductions and the narrow side bonding.
The new steel sections according to the latest CISC Handbook (12th edition) are available in RFEM 6. The sections are listed in the Standardized library. In the filter, select “Canada” for the region and “CISC 12” for the standard. Alternatively, the section name can be directly entered in the search box located at the bottom of the dialog box.