When using multiple identical blocks in a model, you can assign a reference block to the selected blocks.
If you then change parameters such as geometry, material, and cross-section of the reference block, these are automatically adopted for the "child blocks".
You can be sure that costs are an important factor in the structural planning of any project. It is also essential to adhere to the provisions on emissions estimation. The two-part add-on Optimization & Costs/CO2 Emission Estimation makes it easier for you to find your way through the jungle of standards and options. It uses the artificial intelligence technology (AI) of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) to find the right parameters for parameterized models and blocks that guarantee the compliance with the usual optimization criteria. This add-on also estimates the model costs or CO2 emissions by specifying unit costs or emissions per material definition for the structural model. With this add-on, you are on the safe side.
Are you looking for models for your design? Then you have come to the right place at the Dlubal Center. It contains an extensive database with partly parameterized models. These include, for example, trusses, glulam beams, tapered frames, or tower segments. You can import these models and, if necessary, modify them according to your individual requirements. Furthermore, you can save the models as a block for later use.
Did you know that The structural optimization in the programs RFEM and RSTAB is a completion of the parametric input. It is a parallel process beside the actual model calculation with all its regular calculation and design definitions. The add-on assumes that your model or block is built with a parametric context and is controlled in its entirety by global control parameters of the "optimization" type. Therefore, these control parameters have a lower and upper limit and a step size to delimit the optimization range. If you want to find optimal values for the control parameters, you have to specify an optimization criterion (for example, minimum weight) with the selection of an optimization method (for example, particle swarm optimization).
You can already find the cost and CO2 emission estimation in the material definitions. You can activate both options individually in each material definition. The estimation is based on a unit for unit cost or unit emission for members, surfaces, and solids. In this case, you can select whether to specify the units by weight, volume, or area.
After the calculation, the RF‑/JOINTS Timber - Steel to Timber add‑on module lists joint stiffnesses of all individual members, among other things. The following design results are displayed:
Check of minimum spacing
Load-carrying capacity of single fastener
Steel plates (bearing resistance and stress according to EC 3 and AISC)
Stress analysis with reduced timber cross‑section
Block shear failure
Total load carrying-capacity (including stiffness determination, transversal tension design according to EC 5, and others)