As usual, you enter the structural system and calculate the internal forces in the programs RFEM and RSTAB. You have unlimited access to the extensive material and cross-section libraries. Did you know that you can create general cross-sections using the RSECTION program? That saves you a lot of work.
Don't be afraid of additional windows and input chaos! Aluminum Design is completely integrated into the main programs and automatically takes into account the structure and the available calculation results. You can directly assign further entries for the aluminum design, such as effective lengths, cross-section reductions, or design parameters, to the objects to be designed. You can simply and efficiently select the elements graphically using the [Select] function.
Was your design successful? Very good, now comes the relaxed part. Because the program gives you the performed design checks in a table. You can display all result details in detail here. The clearly presented design formulas ensure that you will be able to understand the results without any problems. There is no black-box effect with Dlubal Software.
The design checks are carried out at all governing locations of the members and displayed graphically as a result diagram. You can find more detailed graphics in the result output. This includes the stress distribution on the cross-section or the governing mode shape, for example.
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.
Also, on the rendered model, you see your results in a clear color display. This allows you to precisely recognize the deformation or internal forces of a member, for example. If you want to set the colors and value ranges, you can do so in the control panel.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dlubal Software makes many of your work steps easier to support you. Thus, the surfaces, members, member sets, materials, surface thicknesses, and sections defined in RFEM/RSTAB are preset to facilitate the data input. You can use the [Select] function at many places of the program to select the elements graphically. Furthermore, you have an access to the global material and cross-section libraries.
You can group surfaces or members into "Configurations", each with different design parameters. This way, it is possible for you to efficiently calculate design alternatives with different boundary conditions or modified cross-sections, for example. You will be amazed how much faster everything works with RFEM/RSTAB.
Do you want to perform the bending failure design? To do this, analyze the governing locations of the column for axial forces and moments. For the shear resistance design, you can also consider the locations with extreme values of shear forces. During the calculation, you determine whether a standard design is sufficient or whether the column with the moments has to be designed according to the second-order theory. You can then determine these moments using the previously entered specifications. The calculation is divided into three parts:
Load-independent calculation steps
Iterative determination of governing loading taking into account a varying required reinforcement
Safety determination of all acting internal forces, including the designed reinforcement
After a successful calculation, the results are displayed in clearly arranged tables. Each intermediate value is absolutely traceable, making the design checks transparent.
Is the design completed? Then sit back. Because the punching checks are presented for you clearly and with all result details. This allows you to precisely follow each result. The program shows you the provided and allowable shear stresses for the shear resistance of the slab in detail.
RFEM has even more to offer in this add-on. In the next result window, it lists the required longitudinal or punching reinforcement of each analyzed node. You can also find an explanatory graphic there. RFEM shows you the design results clearly displayed with values in the work window. You can integrate all result tables and graphics into the global printout report of RFEM. Thus, you can be sure of a clear documentation.
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.
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.
Stability analyses for flexural buckling, torsional buckling, and flexural-torsional buckling under compression
Lateral-torsional buckling analysis of the structural components subjected to moment loading
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
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 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)
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.
After you have completed the design, the program takes care of clearly arranged results. Thus, the program shows you the resulting maximum stresses and stress ratios sorted by section, member/surface, solid, member set, x-location, and so on. In addition to the tabular result values, the add-on shows you the corresponding cross-section graphic with stress points, stress diagram, and values as well. You can relate the design ratio to any kind of stress type. The current location is highlighted in the RFEM/RSTAB model.
In addition to the tabular evaluation, the program offers you even more. You can also graphically check the stresses and design ratios on the RFEM/RSTAB model. It is possible for you to adjust the colors and values individually.
The display of result diagrams of a member or set of members enables you a targeted evaluation. For each design location, you can open the respective dialog box to check the design-relevant section properties and stress components of any stress point. Finally, you have the option of printing the corresponding graphic, including all design details.
Clear arrangement is a great advantage of RFEM 6. In your result tables, it is shown in color whether the internal forces are positive or negative, and what is the relation to the extreme values. Also in the graphic, you can recognize the positive or negative internal forces due to different colors. These colors can be changed, if necessary.
Customize the display of your data to your individual preferences. The result diagrams of members, surfaces (RFEM), and supports are freely configurable. You can define smooth ranges with average values or, if necessary, display and hide the result distributions. This ensures targeted evaluation of your results. Furthermore, you can easily add all diagrams to the printout report.
Also on the rendered model, you see your results in a clear color display. Thus, you can exactly recognize the rotation of a member or the stress distribution in a surface, for example. If you want to set the colors and value ranges, you can easily do so in the control panel.
With clearly arranged tables, you can always keep an eye on your results. The first result table displays a summarized overview providing the equilibrium of forces in the structural system and the maximum deformations. Moreover, you also get the information about the calculation process. You can filter the result tables by specific criteria, such as extreme values or design locations, in order to obtain a better overview.
Rely on RFEM 6 even in the case of result combinations. First, you can have the contained load cases calculated in the result combinations. Then, the results are superimposed by taking into account the corresponding factors. In the result combinations, you can superimpose the results of load cases, load combinations, and other result combinations. Internal forces are added together by default. However, you have the option of a square addition, which is relevant for dynamic analysis.
Display extended strains of members, surfaces, and solids (for example, the important principal strains, equivalent total strains, and so on) in the Project Navigator - Results in RFEM as well as in Table 4.0.
For example, you can display governing plastic strains when performing the plastic design of connections with surface elements.
The RF-MOVE/RSMOVE add-on module does not display any result windows: You can check the created load cases, including loads, in RFEM/RSTAB. Descriptions of the individual moving loads are created on the basis of the respective load increment number.
However, it is possible to modify the descriptions in RFEM/RSTAB. You can export all data in tables to MS Excel.
RFEM offers the following tables to display forces and deformations of hinges and releases:
4.45 Line Hinges - Deformations
4.46 Line Hinges - Forces
4.47 Member Hinges - Deformations
4.48 Member Hinges - Forces
4.49 Nodal Releases - Deformations
4.50 Nodal Releases - Forces
4.51 Line Releases - Deformations
4.52 Line Releases - Forces
The tables can be displayed in the prinout report. Moreover, the results in line hinges and line releases can be displayed graphically. It can be controlled by Project Navigator - Results.
At first, the governing joint designs are arranged in groups and displayed with the basic geometry of the joint in the first result window. In the other result windows, you can see all fundamental design details.
Dimensions, material properties, and welds important for the connection construction are displayed immediately and can be printed directly. Similarly, export to DXF-file is enabled. The connections can be visualized in the RF-/JOINTS Timber - Timber to Timber module as well as in RFEM/RSTAB.
All graphics can be included in the RFEM/RSTAB printout report or printed directly. Due to the scaled output, an optimal visual check is possible as early as in the design phase.
After the calculation, the maximum stresses and stress ratios are displayed sorted by sections, members/surfaces, member sets, or x-locations. In addition to the tabular result values, the corresponding cross-section graphic with stress points, stress diagram, and values is displayed as well. The design ratio can be related to any kind of stress type. The current location is highlighted in the RFEM/RSTAB model.
In addition to the result evaluation in the module, it is possible to represent the stresses and stress ratios graphically in the RFEM/RSTAB work window. It is possible to individually adjust the colors and values.
Result diagrams of a member or set of members facilitate targeted evaluation. Furthermore, you can open the respective dialog box of each design location to check the design-relevant section properties and stress components of any stress point. It is possible to print the corresponding graphic, including all design details.
The results of the form‑finding process are a new shape and corresponding inner forces. The usual results, such as deformations, forces, stresses, and others can be displayed in the RF‑FORM‑FINDING case.
This prestressed shape is available as the initial state for all other load cases and combinations in the structural analysis.
For more ease when defining load cases, the NURBS transformation can be used (Calculation Parameters/Form-Finding). This feature moves the original surfaces and cables into position after form‑finding.
By using the grid points of surfaces or the definition nodes of NURBS surfaces, free loads can be situated on selected parts of the structure.
The results sorted by load case, cross-section, member, set of members, or x-location are displayed in clearly arranged result windows. By selecting the corresponding table row, detailed information about the performed design is displayed.
The results include a comprehensible list of all material and cross-section properties, design internal forces, and design factors. Furthermore, it is possible to display the distribution of internal forces of each x-location in a separate graphic window.
Parts lists by members/sets of members for the individual cross-section types complete the detailed and structured display of results. To print input data and results, you can use the global printout report in RFEM/RSTAB.
For further processing of various data, it is possible to export all tables to MS Excel.
After the calculation, the "Point Coordinates" tab appears in the cutting pattern dialog box. In this tab, the result is displayed in the form of a table with coordinates and a surface in the graphical window. The coordinate table presents new flattened coordinates relative to the centroid of the cutting pattern for each mesh node. Furthermore, the cutting pattern with the coordinate system at the centroid is represented in the graphical window. When selecting a table cell, the respective node is displayed with an arrow in the graphic. In addition, the area of the cutting pattern is displayed below the node table.
Moreover, standard stress/strain results for each pattern are displayed in the RF‑CUTTING‑PATTERN load case in RFEM. Features:
Results in a table, including information about the cutting pattern
Smart table relating to the graphic
Results of flattened geometry in a DXF file
Output of strains after flattening in order to evaluate the cutting patterns
Results of strains after flattening for the evaluation of patterns
The first result window shows the maximum design ratios with the corresponding design of each designed load case, load combination, or result combination.
The other result windows list all detailed results sorted by specific subject in extendable tree menus. All intermediate results along the members can be displayed at any location. In this way, you can easily retrace how the module has performed the individual designs.
The complete module data are part of the RFEM/RSTAB printout report. You can select the report contents and extent specifically for the individual designs.