You can use the SDNF interface to import and export data such as materials, cross-sections, members, and surfaces in RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9. This allows for file-based data exchange with programs such as Tekla Structures or Advance Steel.
The DXF interface II is based on a different technology than the DXF interface. It provides additional features such as export of deformed mesh, export of dimension lines, etc.
In the Steel Joint add-on, you can use not only the usual member types of "Beam", "Truss", and so on, but also the member type of "Result Beam", as well as cross-sections from surface elements. You should select a suitable cross-section for the result beam and then define any member openings in the surface model using the member editor.
In the combination wizard, you can create final result combinations using auxiliary combinations. In the case of models with many load cases (for example, moving loads for bridges), you can use this option to generate result combinations that are more transparent and thus easier to check.
The "Results by Story" table of a building model shows the center of gravity for load cases and load combinations. In addition to the self-weight, the vertical loads of the respective load cases and load combinations are also taken into account.
You can also use the "Center of Gravity and Information About Selected Objects" dialog box to display the center of gravity, taking into account the selected loading.
In the Geotechnical Analysis add-on, the high-quality material model "Modified Hardening Soil Model" is available. This material model is suitable for a variety of soils and is able to appropriately represent the following properties of the real soil.
Stress dependence of soil stiffness
Load path dependence of soil stiffness
Plastic strains even before reaching the limit condition
Increasing shear resistance with increasing mesh refinement
Increasing yield strength with increasing stress until reaching the limit yield condition
Failure criterion according to Mohr-Coulomb
You can find more information about this material model and the definition of the input in RFEM in the corresponding chapter of the online manual for the Geotechnical Analysis add-on.
In the Steel Joint add-on, you can arrange plates in various geometry shapes. In addition to the "Rectangle" and "Circle" shapes, the "Polygon" shape is also available. The polygonal shape is defined by entering the point coordinates.
In the Import Support Reaction load wizard, the Free Loads object connection type is available in addition to the Manual types. This option saves you the task of manually assigning the support reactions to specific nodes and lines. The support forces of the connected model are applied as free loads in this version.
After the load transfer, you can decouple the loads from the load-bearing models at any time.
You can use the "Spline with minimum curvature" type of surface geometry to generate curved surfaces on the basis of control nodes in the middle of the surface.
You can use this option to model terrain surfaces, for example.
When modeling stories, you can use the "Semi-Rigid Diaphragm" option for slabs.
In principle, this modeling option selects the same approach as for the "Rigid Diaphragm" modeling of stories. In contrast to the rigid diaphragm, no nodal coupling is carried out from the center of gravity to each FE node. This way, it is possible to take into account the flexibility of the slab.
In addition to JavaScript, the Python high-level functions are also available in the console. Using the Python option, the console also provides you with the Python HLF functions known from the WebService function catalog for further use in the object properties dialog box for in-app scripting.
The "Bracing in Cells" function allows you to generate diagonal bracing with just a few clicks. You can find this feature under Tools → Generate Model – Members → Bracing in Cells.
You can neglect openings with a certain area in the building model calculation. This function can be activated in the global settings of the building stories. A warning message appears saying that the openings have been neglected.
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.
described.
Weiterführende Informationen zu diesem Materialmodell und der Definition der Eingabe in RFEM finden Sie im entsprechenden Kapitel im Online-Handbuch für das Add-On Geotechnische Analyse:
Hoek-Brown Model
.
Using the "Beam Panel" thickness type, you can model timber panel elements in 3D space. Simply specify the surface geometry and the timber panel elements are automatically generated using an internal member-surface construct, including the element connection stiffness. The Beam Panel thickness type is defined using the Multilayer Surfaces add-on.
A "beam panel" provides you with the following advantages:
Single-sided or double-sided sheathing
Automatic calculation of a semi-rigid coupling between studs and sheathing
Nailed sheathing connection
Stapled sheathing connection
User-defined sheathing connection
Representation as a complete geometric 3D object (frame, studs, surface, etc.), including eccentricity and automatically calculated stiffness between elements
Consider openings via surface cells
Design of the individual structural elements utilizing the Timber Design add-on (full shear wall design planned for a future release)
Other material options available (e.g., particle board, gypsum, or fiberboard sheathing with cold-formed steel sections)
Mia is Dlubal's AI assistant, available on the website and directly in the RFEM, RSTAB, and RSECTION programs.
Powered by accumulated knowledge The chatbot is trained using the knowledge from the Dlubal website and the ChatGPT 4.0 language model. Mia can assist you with any inquiries regarding Dlubal software and structural engineering.
Quick and easy Mia is accessible in the programs and prevents the hassle of following up by email or phone.
It's that simple: In the programs: Click the Mia avatar at the bottom right to open the chat mode. On the Dlubal website: To chat with Mia, click on the avatar at the bottom right of the Dlubal website or visit the special page:
Mia – Your AI Expert
Using the "Damper" member type, you can define a damping coefficient, a spring constant, and a mass. This member type extends the possibilities within the Time History Analysis.
With regard to viscoelasticity, the "Damper" member type is similar to the Kelvin-Voigt model, which consists of the damping element and an elastic spring (both connected in parallel).
Global 3D calculation of the global model, where the slabs are modeled as a rigid plane (diaphragm) or as a bending plate
Local 2D calculation of the individual floors
After the calculation, the results of the columns and walls from the 3D calculation and the results of the slabs from the 2D calculation are combined in a single model. This means that there is no need to switch between the 3D model and the individual 2D models of the slabs. The user only works with one model, saves valuable time, and avoids possible errors in the manual data exchange between the 3D model and the individual 2D ceiling models.
The vertical surfaces in the model can be divided into shear walls and opening lintels. The program automatically generates internal result members from these wall objects, so they can be designed as members according to any standard in the Concrete Design add-on.
If you have experimentally determined surface pressures available for a model, you can apply them to a structural model in RFEM 6, process them in RWIND 2, and use them as wind loads in the structural analysis of RFEM 6.
Shear walls and deep beams of a building model are available as independent objects in the design add-ons. This allows for faster filtering of the objects in results, as well as better documentation in the printout report.
You can now insert a cap plate in Steel Joints with just 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 Cut component.
This component allows you to easily model cap plates on column ends, for example.
The building story generator in the Building Model add-on provides you with the option to automatically create building stories, depending on the topology of the model.
The modal relevance factor (MRF) can help you to assess to which extent specific elements participate in a specific mode shape. The calculation is based on the relative elastic deformation energy of each individual member.
The MRF can be used to distinguish between local and global mode shapes. If multiple individual members show significant MRFs (for example, > 20%), the instability of the entire structure or a substructure is very likely. On the other hand, if the sum of all MRFs for an eigenmode is around 100%, a local stability phenomenon (for example, buckling of a single bar) can be expected.
Furthermore, the MRF can be used to determine critical loads and equivalent buckling lengths of certain members (for example, for stability design). Mode shapes for which a specific member has small MRF values (for example, < 20%) can be neglected in this context.
The MRF is displayed by mode shape in the result table under Stability Analysis → Results by Members → Effective Lengths and Critical Loads.
In RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9, you can export line graphics to the SVG format (vector graphics).
SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics and is an XML-based file format for displaying two-dimensional vector graphics. These vector graphics can be scaled without loss. It is possible to edit the SVG files using text editors, embed them on websites, and open them in the usual browsers.