You create your models in the graphical user interface typical for CAD programs. By right-clicking the graphical or navigator objects, you activate a shortcut menu that you can use to select and modify the objects.
The operation of the user interface is intuitive, as you will notice soon. Therefore, you can create the structural and loading objects in a minimum amount of time.
It is possible to selectively display or hide various objects such as nodes, members, supports, and others. The model can be dimensioned by using lines, arcs, inclinations, or height elevations. Freely created guidelines, sections, and comments facilitate the input and evaluation. You can also display or hide the guide objects individually.
The program does a lot of work for you. The members to be designed are directly imported from RFEM/RSTAB.
You can easily define constructional properties of columns as well as other details for determining the required longitudinal and shear reinforcement. In this case, you can manually define the effective length factor ß or import it from the Structure Stability add-on.
Do not lose track of stiffnesses and initial deformations. In the individual load cases or combinations, you have the option to modify the stiffnesses of materials, cross-sections, nodal, line and surface supports, and member and line hinges for all or selected members. You can also consider initial deformations from other load cases or load combinations.
There are various tools, such as the object snap, user‑defined input grids, and guidelines, that facilitate the graphical input of structural data. Import DXF files as a line model in order to use specific snap points.
Do you want to efficiently process recurring systems? Then the parameterized input is recommended to you. You can create your models by using particular parameters and adjust them to a new situation by modifying the parameters.
If you are working with nonlinearities, this feature is suited very well to support you. For example, you can specify nonlinearities of member end releases (yielding, tearing, slippage, and so on) and supports (including friction). Furthermore, you can use special dialog boxes to determine the spring stiffnesses of columns and walls based on the geometry specifications.
Planning with members is also facilitated in the programs due to specific features. You can arrange members eccentrically, support them by elastic foundations, or define them as rigid links. Member sets allow you to easily apply the load on several members. In RFEM, you can also define eccentricities of surfaces. Here, you can transform nodal and linear loads into surface loads. If necessary, divide surfaces into surface components and members into surfaces.
This feature helps you stay flexible in your planning. You can subsequently adjust the numbering of structural objects, such as nodes and members. In this case, it is possible to renumber the objects automatically in accordance with the selected priorities (axis directions).
Always keep track of your model. The model check quickly detects for you the input errors, such as overlapping members or identical nodes. You can automatically connect intersecting members during your input. Members can also be extended or divided graphically. The measure function allows you to determine lengths and angles of members and surfaces (only RFEM).
There are many options available for simple input and modeling. Your model is entered as a 1D, 2D, or 3D model. Member types such as beams, trusses, or tension members make it easier for you to define member properties. In order to model surfaces, RFEM provides you with various types, such as Standard, Without Thickness, Rigid, Membrane, and Load Distribution. Furthermore, RFEM covers various material models, such as Isotropic | Linear Elastic, Orthotropic | Linear Elastic (Surfaces, Solids), or Isotropic | Timber | Linear Elastic (Members).
Work more efficiently by freely adjusting the display of your model. You can selectively display or hide various objects, such as nodes, members, supports, and others. Dimension your model by using lines, arcs, inclinations, or height elevations. Freely created guidelines, sections, and comments facilitate you the input and evaluation. You can also display or hide the guide objects individually.
Discover the extensive cross-section and material libraries. They facilitate you the modeling of plate and beam structures. You can filter these databases and expand them with user-defined entries. You can also easily import and analyze special cross-sections from RSECTION.
If you want to manage recurring systems, you can use the parameterizable input. Models can be created using particular parameters and you can adjust them to a new situation by modifying the parameters.
A great strength of the Dlubal programs is their intuitive, easy-to-learn operation. RFEM 6 is no exception. Create your structure in a user interface usual for CAD or via tables. By right-clicking the graphical or navigator objects, a shortcut menu appears, which facilitates you creating or editing the objects. Due to the intuitive user interface, you can create structural and loading objects in a very short time.
The material model Orthotropic Masonry 2D is an elastoplastic model that additionally allows softening of the material, which can be different in the local x- and y-directions of a surface. The material model is suitable for (unreinforced) masonry walls with in-plane loads.
Activating 'Show Form-Finding' in the shortcut menu leads to an automatic preliminary form-finding according to the saved form-finding properties when you change the structure of membrane surfaces. This interactive graphics mode is based on the force density method.
After activating the RF‑PIPING add‑on module, a new toolbar is available in RFEM and the project navigator and tables are extended. The piping system is now modeled in the same way as the members. Pipe bends are defined simultaneously by tangents (straight pipe sections) and radius. Thus, it is easy to subsequently change bend parameters.
It is also possible to extend the piping subsequently by defining special components (expansion joints, valves, and others). The implemented libraries of structural components facilitate the definition.
Continuous pipe sections are defined as sets of piping systems. For piping loads, member loads are assigned to the respective load cases. The combination of loads is included in piping load combinations and result combinations. After the calculation, you can display deformations, member internal forces, and support forces graphically or in tables.
Pipe stress analysis according to standards can then be performed in the RF‑PIPING Design add‑on module. You only need to select the relevant sets of piping systems and load situations.
In RFEM, there is an option to couple surfaces with the stiffness types "Membrane" and "Membrane Orthotropic" with the material models "Isotropic Nonlinear Elastic 2D/3D" and "Isotropic Plastic 2D/3D" (add-on module RF-MAT NL is required).
This functionality enables simulation of the nonlinear strain behavior of ETFE foils, for example.
The member hinge nonlinearities "Scaffolding - N phiy / phiz" and "Scaffolding Diagram" enable the mechanical simulation of a tube joint with an inner stub between two member elements.
The equivalent model transfers the bending moment via the overpressed outer pipe and after positive locking additionally via the inner stub, depending on the compression state at the member end.
It is possible to access the TeamViewer directly by opening the Help menu of RFEM and RSTAB. Customers with Service Contract Pro can thus benefit from easy and quick online support via video conference.
The member type 'Dashpot' can be used for time history analyzes in RFEM/RSTAB with the add-on modules RF-/DYNAM Pro - Forced Vibrations and RF-/DYNAM Pro - Nonlinear Time History. This linear viscous damping element considers forces dependent on velocity.
With regard to viscoelasticity, the member type 'Dashpot' is similar to the Kelvin-Voigt model, which consists of the damping element and an elastic spring (both connected in parallel).
The Dlubal programs are user-friendly. This way, you will have a short induction period and easy handling of the software.
Your structure is created in a user interface usual for CAD or via tables. By right-clicking the graphical or navigator objects, you can activate a shortcut menu that allows you to easily create or modify the objects. Try it out for yourself and let yourself be inspired by the intuitive user interface! Therefore, you can create the structural and loading objects in a minimum amount of time.
After opening the program, you can define the standard and method according to which the design is performed. The ultimate and serviceability limit states can be designed according to the linear and nonlinear calculation methods. Load cases, load combinations or result combinations are then assigned to different calculation types. In other input windows, you can define materials and cross‑sections. In addition, it is possible to assign parameters for creep and shrinkage. Creep and shrinkage coefficients are directly adjusted, depending on the age of the concrete.
Support geometry is determined by means of design‑relevant data such as support widths and types (direct, monolithic, end, or intermediate support) and redistribution of moments as well as shear force and moment reduction. CONCRETE recognizes the support types from the RSTAB model automatically.
A segmented window includes the specific reinforcement data such as diameters, the concrete cover and curtailment type of reinforcements, number of layers, cutting ability of links, and the anchorage type. In the case of the fire resistance design, it is necessary to define the fire resistance class, the fire‑related material properties, and the cross-section side exposed to fire. Members and sets of members can be summarized in special 'reinforcement groups', each with different design parameters.
You can adjust the limit value of the maximum crack width in the case of crack width analysis. The geometry of tapers is to be determined additionally for the reinforcement.
Extensive cross‑section and material libraries facilitate the modeling of plate and beam structures. These databases can be filtered and expanded with user-defined entries. It is possible to import and analyze special cross‑sections from SHAPE‑THIN and SHAPE‑MASSIVE.
In the individual load cases or combinations, there is the option to modify the stiffnesses of materials; cross-sections; nodal, line and surface supports; and member and line hinges for all or selected members. Furthermore, it is possible to consider initial deformations from other load cases or load combinations.
The numbering of structural objects such as nodes and members can be adjusted subsequently. It is possible to renumber the objects automatically in accordance with the selected priorities (directions of axes).
It is possible to specify nonlinearities of member end releases (yielding, tearing, slippage, and so on) and supports (including friction). There are special dialog boxes available for determining the spring stiffnesses of columns and walls based on the geometry specifications.