Steel Joints – Features

• Automatic generation of FE analysis models: The add-on automatically creates a finite element model (FE) of the steel connection in the background.
• Consideration of all internal forces: The calculation and design checks include all internal forces (N, V_y, V_z, M_y, M_z, M_T) and are not limited to planar loading.
• Automatic load transfer: All load combinations are automatically transferred to the FE analysis model of the connection. The loads are transferred directly from RFEM, so manual data input is not necessary.
• Efficient modeling: The add-on saves you time when modeling complex connection situations. You can also save the created FE analysis model and use it further for your own detailed analyses.
• Extensible library: An extensive and extensible library with predefined steel connection templates is available.
• Wide applicability: The add-on is suitable for connections of any type and shape, compatible with almost all rolled, welded, built-up, and thin-walled cross-sections.

The "Base Plate" component allows you to design base plate connections with cast-in anchors. In this case, plates, welds, anchorages, and steel-concrete interaction are analyzed.

• The design of the connection components is performed according to AISC 360 and Eurocode EN 1993‑1‑8.
• After activating the add-on, it is necessary to activate the design situations for Steel Connections in the "Load Cases and Combinations" dialog box.
• The design of the connection stability (buckling) requires the "Structure Stability" add-on.
• You can run the calculation using the table or the icon in the top bar.

The initial stiffness S_j,ini is a crucial parameter for evaluating whether a connection can be characterized as rigid, semi-rigid, or pinned.

In the "Steel Joints" add-on, you can calculate the initial stiffness S_j,ini according to Eurocode (EN 1993‑1‑8, Section 5.2.2) and AISC (AISC 360-16, Cl. E3.4) with regard to the internal forces N, M_y, and/or M_z.

The optional automatic transfer of initial stiffnesses allows for a directly transfer as member hinge stiffnesses in RFEM. The entire structure is then recalculated and the resulting internal forces are automatically adopted as loads in the analysis and design of the connection models.

This automated iteration process eliminates the need for manual export and import of data, reducing the amount of work and minimizing potential sources of error.

Here, the weld design becomes child's play. Using the specially developed material model "Orthotropic | Plastic | Weld (Surfaces)", you can calculate all stress components plastically. The stress τ_{perpendicular} is also considered plastically.

Using this material model you can design welds closer to reality and more efficiently.

The "Member Editor" component allows you to modify the individual or several member plates in the Steel Joints add-on.

You can use the chamfer, notch, rounding, and hole operations with multiple shapes. It is possible to apply both operations, "Notch" and "Chamfer", for several member plates.

In this way, you can notch flanges from I-sections, for example (see the image).

If a weld seam connects two plates with different materials, it is possible to select from a combo box in the Steel Joints add-on which one of both materials should be used for the weld seam.

In the ultimate configuration of the steel joint design, you have the option to modify the limit plastic strain for welds.

The "Stub" component is available to you in the Steel Joints add-on. It allows you to extend a member using a purlin joint with another member (stub) and to connect it to a reference component.

In the Steel Joint add-on, you can arrange plates in various geometry shapes. In addition to the "Rectangle" and "Circle" shapes, the "Polygon" shape is also available. The polygonal shape is defined by entering the point coordinates.

In the Steel Joint add-on, you can use not only the usual member types of "Beam", "Truss", and so on, but also the member type of "Result Beam", as well as cross-sections from surface elements. You should select a suitable cross-section for the result beam and then define any member openings in the surface model using the member editor.