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.
You can find out how to apply the experimentally determined values in this technical article.
The Time History Analysis add-on provides you with accelerograms for the calculation. This extension allows for dynamic structural analysis of the acceleration-time diagrams.
There is an extensive library of earthquake records available for you, but you can also enter or import your own diagrams. The time history analysis is performed using the modal analysis or the linear implicit Newmark analysis.
In the Steel Joints add-on, you can perform precise cuts on plates and structural components using the "Auxiliary Solid" component. Within this component, you can use the shapes of a box, a cylinder, or any cross-section as a guide object.
The time history analysis is performed with the modal analysis or the linear implicit Newmark analysis. The time history analysis in this add-on is limited to linear structural systems. Although the modal analysis represents a fast algorithm, it is necessary to use a certain number of eigenvalues to ensure the required accuracy of results.
The implicit Newmark analysis is a very precise method, independent of the number of eigenvalues used, but requires sufficient small time steps for the calculation.
The Steel Joints add-on provides you with the option to connect circular hollow sections using welds.
It is possible to connect the circular sections to each other or to planar structural components. The fillets of standard and thin-walled sections can also be connected with a weld.
In the "Steel Joints" add-on, you can consider preloaded bolts in all components during the calculation. You can easily activate the preloading using the check box in the bolt parameters, and it has an impact on the stress-strain analysis as well as the stiffness analysis.
Preloaded bolts are special bolts used in steel structures to generate a high clamping force between the connected structural components. This clamping force causes friction between the structural components, which allows for the transfer of forces.
Functionality Preloaded bolts are tightened with a certain torque, causing them to stretch and generate a tensile force. This tensile force is transferred to the connected components and leads to a high clamping force. The clamping force prevents the connection from loosening and ensures safe force transmission.
Advantages
High load-bearing capacity: Preloaded bolts can transfer large forces.
Low deformation: They minimize the deformation of the connection.
Fatigue strength: They are resistant to fatigue.
Easy assembly: They are relatively easy to assemble and disassemble.
Analysis and Design The calculation of preloaded bolts is performed in RFEM using the FE analysis model generated by the "Steel Joints" add-on. It takes into account the clamping force, friction between structural components, shear strength of bolts, and load-bearing capacity of the structural components. The design is carried out according to DIN EN 1993‑1‑8 (Eurocode 3) or the US standard ANSI/AISC 360‑16. You can save the created analysis model, including the results, and use it as an independent RFEM model.
The Ponding load type allows you to simulate rain actions on multi-curved surfaces, taking into account the displacements according to the large deformation analysis.
This numerical rainfall process examines the assigned surface geometry and determines which rainfall portions drain away and which rainfall portions accumulate in puddles (water pockets) on the surface. The puddle size then results in a corresponding vertical load for the structural analysis.
For example, you can use this feature in the analysis of approximately horizontal membrane roof geometries subjected to rain loading.
The Concrete Design add-on allows you to design fiber-reinforced concrete components according to the guideline "DAfStb Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete".
You can use this option for the design according to EN 1992‑1‑1. The design according to the DAfStb guideline is carried out once the concrete of the "Fiber Concrete" type has been assigned to the reinforced structural component.
In the "Shear Reinforcement" tab, you can select the option "Cross-ties over free rebars with active selection in graphic". It allows you to arrange additional cross-ties on free rebars of the longitudinal reinforcement.
You can activate or deactivate the position of the cross-ties in the Info Graphic. The cross-ties are applied for the ultimate limit state design and the structural design checks. They are available for the design according to EN 1992‑1‑1.
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
Would you like to perform cross-section design checks for cold-formed steel members according to EN 1993‑1‑3? No matter if you design the cold-formed sections from the cross-section library or the general cold-formed (non-perforated) sections from RSECTION – your structural analysis program helps you to determine the effective cross-section, taking into account the local buckling and instability. You can also perform a cross-section check according to EN 1993‑1‑3, 6.1.6. In this case, the internal forces from the calculation using Torsional Warping (7 DOF) are taken into account by means of the equivalent stress check
In the case of rectangular cross-sections, you can usually achieve a direct connection by using welds. However, you can also connect them to other cross-sections in the same way. Furthermore, other components such as end plates help you to connect the rectangular cross-sections to other structural components.
Do you work with the structural components consisting of slabs? In that case, you have to perform the shear force design with the requirements of punching shear design, for example, according to 6.4, EN 1992‑1‑1. In addition to floor slabs, you can also design foundation slabs in this way.
In the Ultimate Configuration for concrete design, you can define the punching design parameters for the selected nodes.
You know for sure that when connecting tension-loaded components with bolted connections, you need to consider the cross-section reduction due to the bolt holes in the ultimate limit state design. The structural analysis programs also have a solution for this. In the Aluminum Design add-on, you can enter a member local section reduction for this. Enter the reduction of the cross-section as an absolute value or as a percentage of the total area at all relevant locations.
The program does a lot of work for you. For example, the load or result combinations required for the serviceability limit state are generated and calculated in RFEM/RSTAB. You can select these design situations for the deflection analysis in the Aluminum Design add-on. Depending on the specified precamber and reference system, the program determines the deformation values at each location of a member. They are then compared to the limit values.
You can specify the deformation limit value individually for each structural component in Serviceability Configuration. In this case, you define the maximum deformation depending on the reference length as the allowable limit value. By defining design supports, you can segment the components. In this way, you can determine the corresponding reference length automatically for each design direction.
And that's not all. Based on the position of the assigned design supports, the program allows you to automatically determine the distinction between beams and cantilevers. The limit value is thus determined accordingly.
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.
Various design parameters of the cross-sections can be adjusted in the serviceability limit state configuration. The applied cross-section condition for the deformation and crack width analysis can be controlled there.
For this, the following settings can be activated:
Crack state calculated from associated load
Crack state determined as an envelope from all SLS design situations
Cracked state of cross-section - independent of load
In the "Deflection and Design Support" tab under "Edit Member", the members can be clearly segmented using optimized input windows. Depending on the supports, the deformation limits for cantilever beams or single-span beams are used automatically.
By defining the design support in the corresponding direction at the member start, member end, and intermediate nodes, the program automatically recognizes the segments and segment lengths to which the allowable deformation is related. It also automatically detects whether it is a beam or a cantilever due to the defined design supports. The manual assignment, as in the previous versions (RFEM 5), is no longer necessary.
The "User-Defined Lengths" option allows you to modify the reference lengths in the table. The corresponding segment length is always used by default. If the reference length deviates from the segment length (for example, in the case of curved members), it can be adjusted.
This feature also contributes to the clearly-arranged display of your results. Clipping planes are intersecting planes that you can place freely throughout the model. The zone in front of or behind the plane is consequently hidden in the display. This way, you can clearly and simply show the results in an intersection or a solid, for example.
When defining the input data for the modal analysis load case, you can consider a load case whose stiffnesses represent the initial position for the modal analysis. How do you do that? As shown in the image, select the "Consider initial state from" option. Now, open the "Initial State Settings" dialog box and define the type Stiffness as the initial state. In this load case, as of which is the initial state taken into account, you can consider the stiffness of the structural system when the tension members fail. The purpose of all of this: The stiffness from this load case is considered in the modal analysis. Thus, you obtain a clearly flexible system.
Did you know? You can easily define structural modifications in load cases of the Modal Analysis type. This allows you, for example, to individually adjust the stiffnesses of materials, cross-sections, members, surfaces, hinges, and supports. You can also modify stiffnesses for some design add-ons. Once you select the objects, their stiffness properties are adapted to the object type. In this way, you can define them in separate tabs.
Do you want to analyze the failure of an object (for example, a column) in the modal analysis? This is also possible without any problems. Simply switch to the Structure Modification window and deactivate the relevant objects.
Did you know that To calculate masonry structures, a nonlinear material model has been implemented in RFEM. It is based on the approach of Lourenco, a composite yield surface according to Rankine and Hill. This model allows you to describe and model the structural behavior of masonry and the different failure mechanisms.
The limit parameters were selected in such a way that the design curves used correspond to a normative design curve.
Stability analyses for flexural buckling, torsional buckling, and flexural-torsional buckling under compression
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
Determination of the equivalent member lengths for tapered members
Consideration of Lateral-Torsional Bracing Position
Lateral-torsional buckling analysis of the structural components subjected to moment loading
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 the factors for considering moment distribution or 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)
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.