Wind loads can be automatically generated as member loads or area loads on the following structural components (optional with internal pressure for open buildings):
Area loads can be automatically converted into member or line loads. There are 3 options available for this:
Generate Member Loads from Area Load via Plane
Member loads from area loads via cells
Line loads from surface loads on openings
In the case of member loads from area loads, a plane has to be defined via corner nodes or cells have to be selected in the graphic. The area load can either be applied to the entire surface or only the effective or projected surface of the members.
For the 'Line Loads from Area Loads on Openings' function, the corresponding openings are selected.
Area loads can be automatically converted into member loads. There are 2 options available for this:
Generate Member Loads from Area Load via Plane
Member loads from area loads via cells
Depending on the selected option, you either have to define a plane via corner nodes or select cells in the graphic. The area load can either be applied to the entire surface or only the effective or projected surface of the members.
Design of tension, compression, bending, shear, combined internal forces, and torsion
Stability analysis for flexural buckling, torsional buckling, and lateral-torsional buckling
Optional application of discrete lateral supports to beams
Deformation analysis (serviceability)
Cross-section optimization
Wide range of cross-sections available, such as rolled I-sections, channel sections, rectangular hollow sections, angles, T-sections. Welded sections: I-shaped (symmetrical and asymmetrical about major axis), channel sections (symmetrical about major axis), rectangular hollow sections (symmetrical and asymmetrical about major axis), angles, round pipes, and round bars
Clearly arranged result tables
Detailed result documentation including references to design equations of the used standard
Various filter and sorting options of results, including result lists by member, cross-sections, x-location, or by load case, load and result combination
Result table of member slenderness and governing internal forces
Full integration in RFEM/RSTAB including import of all relevant information and internal forces
Determination of stress ranges for the available load cases and load or result combinations
Free assignment of detail categories on the available stress points of the cross-section
User-defined specification of damage equivalent factors
Design of members and sets of members according to EN 1993-1-9
Optimization of cross-sections with the option to transfer the data to RFEM/RSTAB
Detailed result documentation with references to design equations used
Various filter and sorting options of results, including result lists by member, cross-sections, x-location, or by load case, load and result combination
Visualization of the design criterion on RFEM/RSTAB model
Full integration in RFEM/RSTAB with import of relevant internal forces
Design checks for the elastic-elastic and elastic-plastic methods
Graphical selection of members and sets of members for design
Analysis for several load and design cases
Design based on the buckling field parameters integrated in the cross-section library for the cross-section parts supported on one and both sides
Optional determination of shear stresses according to comment on El. (745)
Possibility to consider the weld thickness in the design of welded cross-sections, which has the effect of a shortening of the cross-section part width
Cross-section optimization with the option to export modified cross-sections
Design of member ends, members, nodal supports, nodes, and surfaces
Consideration of specified design areas
Check of cross-section dimensions
Design according to EN 1995-1-1 (European Timber Standard) with the respective National Annexes + DIN 1052 + DSTV DIN EN 1993-1-8 + ANSI / AWC - NDS 2015 (US Standard)
Design of various materials, such as steel, concrete, and others
No necessary linking to specific standards
Extensible library including timber fasteners (SIHGA, Sherpa, WÜRTH, Simpson StrongTie, KNAPP, PITZL) and steel fasteners (standardized connections in steel building design according to EC 3, M-connect, PFEIFER, TG-Technik)
Ultimate load capacities of timber beams by the companies STEICO and Metsä Wood available in the library
Connection to MS Excel
Optimization of connecting elements (the most utilized element is calculated)
Design of foundation torsion and limitation of gaping joint
Sliding design
Settlement calculation
Bending failure design of the plate and bucket
Punching shear design
Foundation and bucket dimensions can be user-defined or determined by the module. You can edit the determined reinforcement manually. In this case, the designs are updated automatically.
After the calculation, you can evaluate the results of the individual load steps directly in the module windows or graphically in a structural model.
The results include, for example, deformations, stresses, and internal forces of surfaces, as well as deformations and stresses of solids. It is possible to export the result combinations for each load step to RFEM. You can use these enveloping combinations for further designs in the other RFEM add-on modules.
All input data and results of the add-on module are part of the global RFEM printout report.
The calculation is performed successively for each load step. Permanent (plastic) deformations of previous load steps are considered when calculating further load steps. This way, it is also possible to perform a calculation with a structure relief.
The loads of the individual steps are added up (depending on the signs) throughout the calculation process. You can freely select the method of analysis (linear static, second-order, large deformation, and postcritical analysis). Furthermore, the module manages the global calculation settings.
After defining the entire model and loading in RFEM, it is possible to enter load steps and descriptions in the 1.1 General Data window.
In Window 1.2 Loads, you can assign the load cases or load combinations to the different load increments. It is possible to multiply them by a load factor.
Simple assignment of load cases and load combinations to load increments
Consideration of plastic deformations (isotropic hardening behavior) of previous load increments
Numerical and graphical display of results (deformations, support forces, internal forces, stresses, strains, and so on) for individual load increments
Detailed printout report including result documentation for all load increments
After the calculation, the maximum stresses, stress ratios, and displacements are displayed by load case, surface, or grid points. The design ratio can be related to any kind of stress type. The current location is highlighted by color in the RFEM model.
In addition to the result evaluation in tables, it is possible to display the stresses and stress ratios graphically in the RFEM work window. For this, you can adjust the colors and values assigned in the panel.
It is necessary to select load cases, load combinations, and result combinations for the ultimate and the serviceability limit state design. After selecting the surfaces to be designed, you can define the relevant material model.
The structure of layers forming the basis for the stiffness calculation can vary. You can adjust the parameters defined by the selected material model according to your individual needs. The 3*3 matrix of the layers is modifiable as well. In this way completely free selection when generating the stiffnesses is provided.
The limit stresses of each layer are defined by the selected material. These values can be customized as well.
The calculation of the "Permanent Loads" is performed in compliance with the large deformation analysis successively for each construction stage.
The resulting geometry differences between the ideal and the deformed structural system from the previous construction stage are compared in the background. The next construction stage is built on top of the stressed system from the previous construction stage.
After creating the entire structure in RFEM/RSTAB, the individual structural components as well as load cases and combinations are assigned to the corresponding construction stages. For each construction stage, you can modify for example release definitions of members and supports.
Thus, it is possible to model structural modifications, such as those that occur when bridge girders are successively grouted or when columns are settled. The load cases and load combinations already created in RFEM/RSTAB are divided into "Permanent Loading" and "Temporary Loading" in the add-on module.
The defined temporary loads are superimposed by permanent loads. This way, it is possible to determine the maximum internal forces of different crane positions or to consider temporary mounting loads available only in one construction stage.
Simple definition of construction stages in the RFEM/RSTAB structure including visualization
Addition, removal, and modification of member, surface, and solid properties (such as member hinges, surface eccentricities, degrees of freedom for supports, and others)
Optional superposition of construction stages with additional temporary loads; for example, mounting loads or mounting cranes, and others
Consideration of nonlinear effects such as failure of a tension member, elastic foundations, or nonlinear supports
Numerical and graphical result display for individual construction stages or as an envelope (Max/Min) of all construction stages
Detailed printout report including all structural and load data of each construction stage
After defining the points to be analyzed, the module generates influence lines and surfaces. Then, all result diagrams are available in result windows sorted by points and unit loads applied on members, surfaces, and supports.
Member and surface models created in RFEM are analyzed at a particular point by applying a unit load with the previously defined load magnitude and direction. The module determines the way the unit load affects the internal forces at the inspected point.
This simulation is represented graphically by an influence line or influence surface resulting from the load magnitude of the force or moment at the inspected model point. The graphical representation can be used for further analyses or to check the behavior of the model.
The RF-INFLUENCE add-on module determines the influence lines and surfaces of models containing beams and surfaces.