Using the "Beam Panel" thickness type, you can model timber panel elements in 3D space. You just specify the surface geometry and the timber panel elements are generated using an internal member-surface construct, including the simulation of the connection flexibility.
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).
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 MRF (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.
The Timber Design add-on for RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9 is multi-purpose and combines a large number of additional elements. [*S16332764*]
Timber Design Add-on for RFEM 6
Would you like to calculate curved beams (for example, made of glued-laminated timber)? For this purpose, you can use various section distributions for members:
Several modeling tools are available for elements in building models:
Vertical line
Column
Wall
Beam
Rectangular floor
Polygonal floor
Rectangular floor opening
Polygonal floor opening
This feature allows you to define the element on the ground plane (for example, with a background layer) with the associated multiple element creation in space.
Using the "Load Transfer Only" story type, you can consider slabs without stiffness effect in and out of the plane in the Building Model add-on. This element type collects the loads on the slab and transfers them to the supporting elements of a 3D model. Thus, you can simulate secondary components, such as grillage and similar load distribution elements, without any further effect in the 3D model.
When designing connections, you can now also insert a new member as a component directly in the Steel Joints add-on. This will only be considered for the connection design. You can use the Weld and Fasteners components to connect to other members.
Furthermore, it is possible to use the Member Section and Member Editor components and arrange reinforcement elements on the inserted member, such as stiffeners and tapers.
Did you know? In the Design Supports, you can now define fully threaded screws as transversal compression stiffening elements for the "Compression Perpendicular to Grain" design. In this case, the pressing-in and buckling of the bolts is analyzed.
Moreover, the design shear resistance is checked in the plane of the screw tip. The angle of dispersal can be considered as linear under 45° or nonlinear (according to Bejtka, I. (2005). Verstärkung von Bauteilen aus holz mit vollgewindeschrauben. KIT Scientific Publishing.).
The pushover analysis is managed by a newly introduced analysis type in the load combinations. Here, you have access to the selection of the horizontal load distribution and direction, the selection of a constant load, the selection of the desired response spectrum for the determination of the target displacement, and the pushover analysis settings tailored to the pushover analysis.
In the pushover analysis settings, you can modify the increment of the increasing horizontal load and specify the stopping condition for the analysis. Furthermore, it is possible to easily adjust the precision for the iterative determination of the target displacement.
Consideration of nonlinear component behavior using plastic standard hinges for steel (FEMA 356, EN 1998‑3) and nonlinear material behavior (masonry, steel - bilinear, user-defined working curves)
Direct import of masses from load cases or combinations for the application of constant vertical loads
User-defined specifications for the consideration of horizontal loads (standardized to a mode shape or uniformly distributed over the height of the masses)
Determination of a pushover curve with selectable limit criterion of the calculation (a collapse or limit deformation)
Transformation of the pushover curve into the capacity spectrum (ADRS format, single degree of freedom system)
Bilinearization of the capacity spectrum according to EN 1998‑1:2010 + A1:2013
Transformation of the applied response spectrum into the required spectrum (ADRS format)
Determination of target displacement according to EC 8 (the N2 method according to Fajfar 2000)
Graphical comparison of the capacity and required spectrum
Graphical evaluation of the acceptance criteria of predefined plastic hinges
Result display of the values used in the iterative calculation of the target displacement
Access to all results of the structural analysis in the individual load levels
For the meshing of solids, you have the option of arranging a layered FE mesh. This option allows you to perform a defined division of the solid with finite elements between two parallel surfaces.
For timber surfaces with the "Constant" thickness type, the crack factor kcr and thus the negative influence of cracks on the shear capacity is taken into account.
Using the "Connecting Plate" component, you can additionally and automatically create a new gusset plate in the Steel Joints add-on. This saves you separate components, and the other elements, such as a cap plate and a slide plate, are thus automatically taken into account with their dimensions.
Curved elements are available only in RFEM. It's possible to intersect curved surfaces and solids.
When doing this, the program generates surfaces with the "Trimmed" surface type. With this technology, you can create very complex geometries, such as pipe intersections or curved openings, with a single click.
The intersection of solids is carried out adaptively using the new solid types "Hole" and "Intersection", according to the set theory. Use this method to create new, complex solid geometries similar to the manufacturing process (drilling, milling, turning, etc.). Therefore, it is possible to create complex curved surface or perforated solid elements. It's a simple process!
Would you like to create a cross-section from the import of a DXF file? It's very easy. You have the following options:
Create elements automatically
Use DXF template lines as centerlines of elements with a defined thickness
Do you select the option to create the elements automatically? In that case, the program creates the elements and the associated parts for you from the contour of the outline. It only creates the elements not exceeding a definable maximum thickness. Your cross-section geometry is available as a centroidal axis model? Then use DXF template lines as centerlines of elements with a defined thickness. Defining a thickness that is assigned equally to all elements. Do you miss the "Create elements automatically" and "Create elements on lines" functions? Don't worry, both are also available in the "Edit" menu under "Manipulation".
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.
Design of tension, compression, bending, shear, torsion, and combined internal forces
Consideration of a notch
Design of compression perpendicular to the grain on the end and intermediate supports with (EC 5) and without reinforcement elements (fully threaded screws)
Optional shear force reduction at the support (see the Product Feature)
Design of curved and tapered members
Consideration of higher strengths for similar components that are close together (factor ksys according to EN 1995‑1‑1, 6.6(1)-(3))
Option to increase shear resistance for softwood timber according to DIN EN 1995‑1‑1:NA NDP to 6.1.7(2)
You can 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.
Timber Design is completely integrated into the main programs. At the same time, it automatically takes into account the structure and the available calculation results. You can assign further entries for the timber design, such as effective lengths, cross-section reductions, or design parameters, to the objects to be designed. You can easily select the elements graphically using the [Select] function at many places of the program.
Are you familiar with the Tsai-Wu material model? It combines plastic and orthotropic properties, which allows for special modeling of materials with anisotropic characteristics, such as fiber-reinforced plastics or timber.
If the material is plastified, the stresses remain constant. The redistribution is carried out according to the stiffnesses available in the individual directions. The elastic area corresponds to the Orthotropic | Linear Elastic (Solids) material model. For the plastic area, the yielding according to Tsai-Wu applies:
All strengths are defined positively. You can imagine the stress criterion as an elliptical surface within a six-dimensional space of stresses. If one of the three stress components is applied as a constant value, the surface can be projected onto a three-dimensional stress space.
If the value for fy(σ), according to the Tsai-Wu equation, plane stress condition, is smaller than 1, the stresses are in the elastic zone. The plastic area is reached as soon as fy (σ) = 1; values greater than 1 are not allowed. The model behavior is ideal-plastic, which means there is no stiffening.
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The aim of this feature is to make your design more efficient. In addition to member sets, you can also combine lines, surfaces, and solids into sets. For example, you can consider them as uniform elements in the design.
You can now work even more efficiently with the Data Navigator. Its clear structure makes it easy to use. The navigator contains assignable types for objects as well as a hyperlink function that allows you to quickly jump to the assigned elements of an object.
By solving the numerical flow problem, you can obtain the following results on and around the model:
Pressure on structure surface
Coefficient Cp distribution on the structure surfaces
Pressure field about the structure geometry
Velocity field about the structure geometry
Turbulence k-ω field about the structure geometry
Turbulence k-ε field about the structure geometry
Velocity vectors about the structure geometry
Streamlines about the structure geometry
Forces on member-shaped structures that were originally generated from member elements
Convergence diagram
Direction and size of the flow resistance of the defined structures
Despite this amount of information, RWIND 2 remains clearly arranged, as is typical for the Dlubal programs. You can specify freely definable zones for a graphic evaluation. Voluminously displayed flow results about the structure geometry are often confusing – you know the problem for sure. That's why RWIND Basic provides freely movable section planes for the separate display of the "solid results" in a plane. For the 3D branched streamline result, you have an option to select between a static and an animated display in the form of moving line segments or particles. This option helps you to represent the wind flow as a dynamic effect.
You can export all results as a picture or, especially for the animated results, as a video.
Compared to the RF‑/STAGES add-on module (RFEM 5), the following new features have been added to the Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on for RFEM 6:
Consideration of construction stages at RFEM level
Integration of the construction stage analysis into the combinatorics in RFEM
Additional structural elements, such as line hinges, are supported
Analysis of alternative construction processes in a model
Once you activate the Form-Finding add-on in the Base Data, a form-finding effect is assigned to the load cases with the load case category "Prestress" in conjunction with the form-finding loads from the member, surface, and solid load catalog. This is a prestress load case. It thus mutates into a form-finding analysis for the entire model with all member, surface, and solid elements defined in it. You reach the form-finding of the relevant member and membrane elements amid the overall model by using special form-finding loads and regular load definitions. These form-finding loads describe the expected state of deformation or force after the form-finding in the elements. The regular loads describe the external loading of the entire system.