Wind loads can be automatically generated as member loads or area loads on the following structural components (optional with internal pressure for open buildings):
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
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, the module shows clearly arranged tables listing the results of the nonlinear calculation. All intermediate values are included in a comprehensible manner. Graphical representation of design ratios, deformations, concrete and reinforcing steel stresses, crack widths, crack depths, and crack spacing in RFEM facilitates a quick overview of critical or cracked areas.
Error messages or remarks concerning the calculation help you find design problems. Since the design results are displayed by surface or by point including all intermediate results, you can retrace all details of the calculation.
Due to the optional export of input or result tables to MS Excel, the data remain available for further use in other programs. The complete integration of results in the RFEM printout report guarantees verifiable structural design.
It is possible to freely model a cross-section using surfaces limited by polygonal lines, including openings and point areas (reinforcements). Alternatively, you can use the DXF interface to import the geometry. An extensive material library facilitates the modeling of composite cross-sections.
Definition of limit diameters and priorities allows for a curtailment of reinforcements. In addition, you can consider the respective concrete covers and prestresses.
The program creates a reinforcement proposal for the top and the bottom plate reinforcement. The program searches automatically for the most favorable reinforcement combination, with a mat and added rebars. If required, the rebars are distributed across two reinforcement areas by curtailment. It is possible to modify the reinforcement proposal individually by:
Application of another mat type
Individual control of diameter and spacing of added rebars
Free selection of reinforcement area widths
Individual curtailment of reinforcements
You can display the foundation in excellent rendering quality, including reinforcement. In the rendering, as well as in up to seven different dimensioned reinforcement drawings ready for construction, the module provides a solution proposal for bucket design. It is possible to modify the number, position, diameter, and spacing of used rebars here as well. You can also determine the shape of the applied links.
The dimensions of the foundation plate and bucket can be determined by the add-on module, or can be user-defined. Clearly arranged windows display the results of each performed design, including all intermediate values. They are covered in a reduced printout report providing a verifiable structural analysis.
After the design, the punching checks are presented clearly and with all result details, so that traceability is guaranteed at all times. The provided and allowable shear stresses for the shear resistance design of a slab as well as various perimeters and reinforcement ratios are represented in detail. If necessary, a clarifying note is displayed.
The next result window lists the required longitudinal or punching reinforcement of each analyzed node. An explanatory graphic is also available. The design results can be clearly displayed with values in the work window. Furthermore, you can add all result tables and graphics into the global printout report of RFEM, which guarantees coherent documentation.
The deformation analysis with RF-CONCRETE Deflect can be activated in the settings for the analytical serviceability limit state design in the RF-CONCRETE Surfaces module. Consideration of long-term effects (creep and shrinkage) and tension stiffening between cracks can also be managed in the dialog box above. The creep coefficient and shrinkage strain are calculated using the specified input parameters or defined individually.
You can specify the deformation limit value individually for each surface or for an entire surface group. The max. deformation is defined as the allowable limit value. In addition, you have to specify whether the undeformed or the deformed system is to be used for the design check.
Deformation analyses of reinforced concrete surfaces without or with cracks (state II) by applying the approximation method (for example, deformation analysis according to EN 1992-1-1, Cl. 7.4.3 )
Tension stiffening of concrete applied between cracks
Optional consideration of creep and shrinkage
Graphical representation of results integrated in RFEM; for example, deformation or sag of a flat slab
Numerical results clearly arranged in tables and graphical display of the results in the model
Complete integration of results in the RFEM printout report
Iterative nonlinear calculation of deformations for beam and plate structures consisting of reinforced concrete by determining the respective element stiffness subjected to the defined loads
Deformation analyses of cracked reinforced concrete surfaces (state II)
General nonlinear stability analysis of compression members made of reinforced concrete; for example, according to EN 1992-1-1, 5.8.6
Tension stiffening of concrete applied between cracks
Numerous National Annexes available for the design according to Eurocode 2 (EN 1992-1-1:2004 + A1:2014, see EC2 for RFEM)
Optional consideration of long-term influences such as creep or shrinkage
Nonlinear calculation of stresses in reinforcing steel and concrete
Nonlinear calculation of crack widths
Flexibility due to detailed setting options for basis and extent of calculations
Graphical representation of results integrated in RFEM; for example, deformation or sag of a flat slab made of reinforced concrete
Numerical results clearly arranged in tables and graphical display of the results in the model
Complete integration of results in the RFEM printout report
After the calculation, the module shows clearly arranged tables listing the required reinforcement and the results of the serviceability limit state design. All intermediate values are included in a comprehensible manner.
The results of RF‑CONCRETE Members are displayed as result diagrams of each member. The reinforcement proposals of the longitudinal and the shear reinforcement, including sketches, are documented in accordance with current practice. It is possible to edit the reinforcement proposal and to adjust, for example, the number of members and the anchorage. The modifications will be updated automatically. A concrete cross‑section, including reinforcement, can be visualized in a 3D rendering. This way, the program provides an optimal documentation option to create reinforcement drawings, including steel schedule.
The results of RF-CONCRETE Surfaces can be displayed graphically as isolines, isosurfaces, or numeric values. It is possible to sort the longitudinal reinforcement display by required reinforcement, required additional reinforcement, provided basic or additional reinforcement, and provided total reinforcement. The isolines of the longitudinal reinforcement can be exported as a DXF file for further use in CAD programs as a basis for reinforcement drawings.
In order to facilitate the data input, surfaces, members, sets of members, materials, surface thicknesses, and cross-sections are preset in RFEM. It is possible to select the elements graphically using the [Select] function. The program provides access to the global material and section libraries. Load cases, load combinations, and result combinations can be combined in various design cases. You can enter all geometric and standard-specific reinforcement settings for the reinforced concrete design in a segmented window. The geometry entries in both RF‑CONCRETE modules differ from each other.
In the RF-CONCRETE Members add-on module, for example, This includes, for example, specifications for the curtailment of rebars, number of layers, cutting ability of links, and anchorage type. For the fire resistance design of reinforced concrete members, you have to define the fire resistance class, the fire‑related material properties, and the cross‑section sides exposed to fire.
In the RF‑CONCRETE Surfaces add‑on module, it is necessary to specify, for example, the concrete cover, the reinforcement direction, the minimum and the maximum reinforcement, the basic reinforcement to be applied, or the designed longitudinal reinforcement, as well as the rebar diameter.
Surfaces or members can be summarized in special "reinforcement groups", each defined by different design parameters. This way, it is possible to efficiently calculate alternative designs with different boundary conditions or modified cross‑sections.
After the calculation, the module shows clearly arranged tables listing the deformation analysis results. All intermediate values are displayed in a comprehensible manner. Graphical representation of design ratios and deformation in RFEM allows a quick overview of critical areas.
Since the design results are displayed by surface or by point including all intermediate results, you can retrace all details of the calculation. The complete integration of results in the RFEM printout report guarantees verifiable structural design.
Foundations are assigned graphically by selecting supports using the [Select] function in the graphical user interface of RFEM/RSTAB and by specifying the load cases to be designed. You can define all other foundation details quickly and easily in clearly arranged input windows.
In addition to all support forces from RFEM/RSTAB, you can specify further loads to be considered when dimensioning the foundations. The following additional loadings are available:
Pemanent surface load due to earth covering
Negative surface load; for example, due to traffic
Ground water level for uplift consideration
Concentrated loads in any position on the foundation plate
Line loads with any distribution over the foundation plate
The members to be designed are directly imported from RFEM/RSTAB. Load cases, load combinations, and result combinations are assigned, which result in the linear-elastically determined internal forces on the selected members. When considering creeping, the creep-producing load must also be defined. The RFEM/RSTAB materials are preset but can be adjusted in RF-/CONCRETE Columns. The material properties listed in the respective standard are included in the material library.
You can easily define constructional properties of columns as well as other details for determining the required longitudinal and shear reinforcement. The effective length factor ß is to be defined manually, determined automatically by the module, or imported from the RF-STABILITY/RSBUCK add-on module.
The fire resistance design according to EN 1992-1-2 requires various specifications; for example, determination of cross-section sides where burn-off occurs.
The equivalent load analysis calculation generates load cases and result combinations. The load cases include the generated equivalent loads, which are subsequently superimposed in result combinations. First, the modal contributions are superimposed with the SRSS or CQC rule. Signed results based on the dominant mode shape are possible.
Afterwards, the directional components of earthquake actions are combined with the SRSS or the 100% / 30% rule.
The input parameters relevant for the selected standards are suggested by the program in accordance with the rules. Furthermore, it is possible to enter response spectra manually. Dynamic load cases define a direction of response spectra effects and the structure eigenvalues that are relevant for the analysis.
Due to the integration of RF‑/DYNAM Pro in RFEM / RSTAB, you can incorporate numeric and graphic results from RF‑/DYNAM Pro – Forced Vibrations in the global printout report. Also, all RFEM options are available for a graphical visualization.
The results of the time history analysis are displayed in a time course monitor. All results are displayed as a function of time. You can export the numeric values to MS Excel.
In the case of a time history analysis, you can export results of the individual time steps or filter most unfavourable results of all time steps.
The response spectrum analysis generates result combinations. Internally, the modal contributions and the directional components of earthquake actions are combined.
The time history analysis is performed with the modal analysis or the linear implicit Newmark analysis. The time history analysis in this add‑on module is restricted to linear 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 calculation. For the response spectra analysis, equivalent static loads are calculated internally. A linear static analysis is performed subsequently.
It is necessary to enter the required response spectra, accelerations, or time diagrams. Dynamic load cases define the location and direction of response spectra effects as well as acceleration time, or force-time excitations.
Timing diagrams are combined with static load cases, which provides great flexibility. For the time history analysis, you can import the initial deformation from any load case or load combination.
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
The Hinged Column Footing category provides four different base plate connections:
Simple column base
Tapered column base
Column base for rectangular hollow sections
Column base for circular hollow sections
The Restraint Column Footing category provides five different joint layouts of I-sections:
Base plate without stiffening
Base plate with stiffeners in center of flanges
Base plate with stiffeners on both sides of column
Base plate with channel sections
Pocket foundation
All connection types include a base plate welded around a steel column. Connections with anchors are set in concrete within the foundation. You can select anchor types M12 – M42 with steel grades of 4.6 – 10.9. The top and bottom sides of the anchors can be provided with round or angled sheets for better load distribution or anchorage. In addition, you can use rectangular or circular anchor heads with threads applied at the member ends.
The material and thickness of the grout layer, as well as the dimensions and material of the footing, can be set freely. Furthermore, you can define edge reinforcement of the footing. For a better transfer of shear forces, it is possible to arrange a shear key (cleat) on the bottom side of the base plate.
Shear forces are transferred by a cleat, anchors, or friction. You can combine the individual components.
After you have selected the joint type, the connection category, and the design standard in the first input window, you can define the node to be imported from RFEM/RSTAB and to be used for the design of the joint in Window 1.2. Optionally, you can define the connection geometry manually.
In the other input windows, you can then define the parameters of the connection, such as The loading is imported from RFEM/RSTAB or, in the case of manual joint definition, loads are entered.