The RF-/TOWER Loading add-on module meets the requirements of EN 1991-1-4 / DIN EN 1993-3-1, DIN 1055-4, DIN 4131:1991-11, and DIN V 4131:2008-09. These standards include specifications of dead, wind, maintenance/technician and ice loads (ISO 12494 or DIN 1055-5), as well as variable loads. The standard specifications are preset or available in the libraries.
For the generation of wind loads according to Eurocode, the National Annexes (NA) of the following countries are available:
DIN EN 1991-1-4 (Germany)
CSN EN 1994-1-4 (Czech Republic)
NA to CYS EN 1991-1-4 (Cyprus)
DK EN 1991-1-4 (Denmark)
NBN EN 1991-1-4 (Belgium)
NEN EN 1991-1-4 (Netherlands)
NF EN 1991-1-4 (France)
SFS-EN 1991-1-4 (Finland)
SIST EN 1991-1-4 (Slovenia)
SR EN 1991-1-4 (Romania)
SS EN 1991-1-4 (Singapore)
SS-EN 1991-1-4 (Sweden)
STN EN 1991-1-4 (Slovakia)
UNI EN 1991-1-4 (Italy)
It is possible to generate individual load situations: You can set the wind pressure, wind direction, or ice loads manually, or import them from tables.
Combination of user-defined time diagrams with load cases or load combinations (nodal, member, and surface loads, as well as free and generated loads, can be combined with time-variable functions)
Combination of several independent excitation functions
Extensive library of seismic events (accelerograms)
Linear implicit Newmark analysis or modal analysis in time history
Structural damping using Rayleigh damping coefficients or Lehr's damping
Direct import of initial deformations from a load case or combination
Graphical display of results in a time history diagram
Export of results in user-defined time steps or as an envelope
Geometry, material, cross-section, action, and imperfection data are entered in clearly arranged input windows:
Geometry
Quick and convenient data input
Definition of support conditions based on various support types (hinged, hinged movable, rigid, and user-defined, as well as lateral on upper or bottom flange)
Optional specification of warping restraint
Variable arrangement of rigid and deformable support stiffeners
Possibility to insert hinges
CRANEWAY Cross-Sections
I-shaped rolled cross-sections (I, IPE, IPEa, IPEo, IPEv, HE-B, HE-A, HE-AA, HL, HE-M, HE, HD, HP, IPB-S, IPB-SB, W, UB, UC, and other cross-sections according to AISC, ARBED, British Steel, Gost, TU, JIS, YB, GB, and others) combinable with section stiffener on the upper flange (angles or channels) as well as rail (SA, SF) or splice with user-defined dimensions
Unsymmetrical I-sections (type IU) also combinable with stiffeners on the upper flange as well as with rail or splice
Actions
It is possible to consider the actions of up to three simultaneously operated cranes. You can simply select a standard crane from the library. You can also enter data manually:
Number of cranes and crane axles (maximum of 20 axles per crane), center distances, position of crane buffers
Classification in damage classes with editable dynamic factors according to EN 1993-6, and in lifting classes and exposure categories according to DIN 4132
Vertical and horizontal wheel loads from self-weight, hoist load, mass forces from drive, as well as loads from skewing
Axial loading in driving direction as well as buffer forces with user-defined eccentricities
Permanent and variable secondary loads with user-defined eccentricities
Imperfections
The imperfection load applies in compliance with the first natural vibration mode - either identically for all load combinations to be designed, or individually for each load combination, as mode shapes may vary depending on the load.
Convenient tools available for scaling the mode shapes (rise determination of inclination and precamber).
Members can be arranged eccentrically, supported by elastic foundations, or defined as rigid links. Member sets facilitate the load application on several members.
In RFEM, you can also define eccentricities of surfaces. Here, it is possible to transform nodal and linear loads into surface loads. You can divide surfaces into surface components and members into surfaces.
When entering the structural model, you can define single-span and continuous beams with or without cantilevers. Furthermore, it is possible to specify different span lengths with definable boundary conditions (supports, releases) as well as any construction support and moment release in the construction stage. For a complete cross-section, you can create typical composite beam sections on the basis of steel girders (I-sections) with solid concrete flanges, precast plates, trapezoidal sheets, or tapered solid ceilings.
It is also possible to grade cross-sections by means of beam lengths, optionally with concrete encasement. Illustrative figures facilitate the entry of additional transverse reinforcements for trapezoidal sheeting, profile stiffeners, and angled or circular openings in the web. The self-weight is applied automatically when entering loads. In addition, it is possible to consider fixed and variable loads by specifying the concrete age at the beginning of loading for creeping, and to define single, uniform, and trapezoidal loads freely. COMPOSITE-BEAM automatically creates a load combination based on the data of individual load cases.
Optional consideration of stiffening elements for transversal tension
Two design types available for stiffening elements concerning transversal tension:
Constructive if required
Full absorption of tension stresses perpendicular to grain
Calculation of required number of stiffening elements for transversal tension and graphical representation of the arrangement in the beam
Simple geometry input with illustrative graphics
Convenient generation of snow loads according to EN 1991-1-3 or DIN 1055:2005, Part 5
Automatic determination of wind loads according to EN 1991-1-4 or DIN 1055:2005, Part 4
User-defined load cases and load applications
Automatic generation of all possible load combinations
Connection to MS Excel and access via COM interface
Material library for both standards
For design according to EC 5 (EN 1995), the following National Annexes are available:
DIN EN 1995-1-1/NA:2013-08 (Germany)
NBN EN 1995-1-1/ANB:2012-07 (Belgium)
DK EN 1995-1-1/NA:2011-12 (Denmark)
SFS EN 1995-1-1/NA:2007-11 (Finland)
NF EN 1995-1-1/NA:2010-05 (France)
UNI EN 1995-1-1/NA:2010-09 (Italy)
NEN EN 1995-1-1/NB:2007-11 (Netherlands)
ÖNORM B 1995-1-1:2015-06 (Austria)
PN EN 1995-1-1/NA:2010-09 (Poland)
SS EN 1995-1-1 (Sweden)
STN EN 1995-1-1/NA:2008-12 (Slovakia)
SIST EN 1995-1-1/A101:2006-03 (Slovenia)
CSN EN 1995-1-1:2007-09 (Czech Republic)
BS EN 1995-1-1/NA:2009-10 (the United Kingdom)
Extensive library of permanent loads
Allocation of a structure to service class, and specification of service class categories
Determination of design ratios, support forces, and deformations
Info icon indicating successful or failed design
Color reference scales in result tables
Direct data export to MS Excel
DXF interface for preparation production documents in CAD
Program languages: English, German, Czech, Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Polish, Chinese, Dutch, and Russian
Verifiable printout report, including all required designs. Printout report available in many output languages; for example, English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Czech, Polish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Dutch.
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.
The number of degrees of freedom in a node is no longer a global calculation parameter in RFEM (6 degrees of freedom for each mesh node in 3D models, 7 degrees of freedom for the warping torsion analysis). Thus, each node is generally considered with a different number of degrees of freedom, which leads to a variable number of equations in the calculation.
This modification speeds up the calculation, especially for models where a significant reduction of the system could be achieved (for example, trusses and membrane structures).
Planning with members is also facilitated in the programs due to specific features. You can arrange members eccentrically, support them by elastic foundations, or define them as rigid links. Member sets allow you to easily apply the load on several members. In RFEM, you can also define eccentricities of surfaces. Here, you can transform nodal and linear loads into surface loads. If necessary, divide surfaces into surface components and members into surfaces.
RSECTION contains an extensive library of rolled sections, as well as parametric thin-walled and massive cross-sections. You can compose them or supplement them with new elements.
Graphical tools and functions allow you to model complex section shapes in the usual way common for CAD programs. The graphical input supports, among other things, the setting of arcs, circles, ellipses, parabolas, and NURBS. As an alternative, you can import a DXF file and use this as the basis for further modeling. You can easily model a section consisting of different materials with minimum effort.
Furthermore, a parameterized input allows you to enter the cross-section dimensions and internal forces in such a way that they depend on certain variables.
You can also carry out all inputs by means of a script.
Within a member, you can define the integration width and effective slab width of T-beams (ribs) with different widths. The member is divided into segments. You can either grade or specify the transition between the different flange widths as linearly variable. Furthermore, the program allows you to consider the defined surface reinforcement as a flange reinforcement for the reinforced concrete design of a rib.
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: