SHAPE‑THIN determines the effective cross-sections according to EN 1993‑1‑3 and EN 1993‑1‑5 for cold-formed sections. You can optionally check the geometric conditions for the applicability of the standard specified in EN 1993‑1‑3, Section 5.2.
The effects of local plate buckling are considered according to the method of reduced widths, and the possible buckling of stiffeners (instability) is considered for stiffened sections according to EN 1993‑1‑3, Section 5.5.
As an option, you can perform an iterative calculation to optimize the effective cross-section.
You can display the effective cross-sections graphically.
Read more about designing cold-formed sections with SHAPE-THIN and RF-/STEEL Cold-Formed Sections in the technical article "Design of Thin-Walled, Cold-Formed C-Section According to EN 1993‑1‑3".
Available for cold-formed L, Z, C, channel, top-hat, and CL sections from the cross-section database, as well as for general cold-formed (non-perforated) SHAPE-THIN-9 sections
Determination of the effective cross-section considering the local buckling and the distortional buckling
Cross-section ultimate limit state, stability, and serviceability limit state designs according to EN 1993‑1‑3
Design of local transverse forces for webs without stiffening
Available for all National Annexes included in RF-/STEEL EC3
Module extension RF-/STEEL Warping Torsion (license required) for stability analysis according to second-order analysis as stress analysis including consideration of the 7th degree of freedom (warping)
In SHAPE-THIN 8, the effective cross-section of stiffened buckling panels can be calculated according to EN 1993-1-5, Cl. 4.5.
The critical buckling stress is calculated according to EN 1993-1-5, Annex A.1 for buckling panels with at least 3 longitudinal stiffeners, or according to EN 1993-1-5, Annex A.2 for buckling panels with one or two stiffeners in the compression zone. The design for torsional buckling safety is also performed.
SHAPE-THIN calculates all relevant cross‑section properties, including plastic limit internal forces. Overlapping areas are set close to reality. If cross-sections consist of different materials, SHAPE‑THIN determines the effective cross‑section properties with respect to the reference material.
In addition to the elastic stress analysis, you can perform the plastic design including interaction of internal forces for any cross‑section shape. The plastic interaction design is carried out according to the Simplex Method. You can select the yield hypothesis according to Tresca or von Mises.
SHAPE-THIN performs a cross-section classification according to EN 1993-1-1 and EN 1999-1-1. For steel cross-sections of cross-section class 4, the program determines effective widths for unstiffened or stiffened buckling panels according to EN 1993-1-1 and EN 1993-1-5. For aluminum cross-sections of cross-section class 4, the program calculates effective thicknesses according to EN 1999-1-1.
Optionally, SHAPE‑THIN checks the limit c/t-values in compliance with the design methods el‑el, el‑pl, or pl‑pl according to DIN 18800. The c/t-zones of elements connected in the same direction are recognized automatically.
SHAPE-THIN includes an extensive library of rolled and parameterized cross-sections. They can be composed or supplemented by new elements. It is possible to model a section consisting of different materials.
Graphical tools and functions allow for modeling complex section shapes in the usual way common for CAD programs. The graphical entry provides the option of setting point elements, fillet welds, arcs, parameterized rectangular and circular sections, ellipses, elliptical arcs, parabolas, hyperbolas, spline, and NURBS. Alternatively, it is possible to import a DXF file that is used as the basis for further modeling. You can also use guidelines for modeling.
Furthermore, parameterized input allows you to enter model and load data in a specific way so they depend on certain variables.
Elements can be divided or attached to other objects graphically. SHAPE-THIN automatically divides the elements and provides for an uninterrupted shear flow by introducing dummy elements. In the case of dummy elements, you can define a specific thickness to control the shear transfer.
Full integration in RFEM/RSTAB including import of all relevant internal forces
Intelligent presetting of flexural buckling-specific design parameters
Automatic determination of the distribution of internal forces and classification according to DIN 18800, Part 2
Optional import of buckling lengths from the RF-STABILITY/RSBUCK add-on module. For this, a comfortable graphical selection of the relevant buckling mode is possible
Optimizing Cross-Sections
Optional calculation according to both design methods of DIN 18800, Part 2
Automatic determination of the most unfavorable design location, also for tapered members
Check of c/t-limit values according to DIN 18800, Part 1
Design of any thin-walled RFEM/RSTAB or SHAPE-THIN section for compression and bending without interaction according to the elastic-plastic method
Design of I-shaped rolled and welded sections, I-like sections, box sections, and pipes subjected to bending and compression with iteration according to the elastic-plastic method
Clearly arranged, comprehensible design checks with all intermediate values in the short and long forms