Integration of RFEM in Tekla Structures
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Structural Analysis Model in Tekla Structures
When designing a model in Tekla Structures, a structural analysis model is created automatically. You can export this model to RFEM at the push of a button. Information about structural supports and hinges that may be included in the Tekla model is also transferred. After the export, the structural system is calculated in the familiar RFEM environment. The structural analysis model does not differ from a model created manually in RFEM.
Intelligent Design Objects
The intelligence of objects is not lost during the data exchange: This means that you get another equivalent object in Revit or RFEM/RSTAB for a column or beam, not just a collection of lines.
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![Basic Shapes of Membrane Structures [1]](/en/webimage/009595/2419502/01-en-png-png.png?mw=512&hash=6ca63b32e8ca5da057de21c4f204d41103e6fe20)
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The "Orthotropic | Fabric | Nonlinear Elastic (Surfaces)" material model allows you to define prestressed fabric membranes using the representative microstructure-solid element model – RVE.
By considering the fabric geometry in the microstructure model, the corresponding transversal strain effect can now be considered for all force conditions in the membrane.
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The Ponding load type allows you to simulate rain actions on multi-curved surfaces, taking into account the displacements according to the large deformation analysis.
This numerical rainfall process examines the assigned surface geometry and determines which rainfall portions drain away and which rainfall portions accumulate in puddles (water pockets) on the surface. The puddle size then results in a corresponding vertical load for the structural analysis.
For example, you can use this feature in the analysis of approximately horizontal membrane roof geometries subjected to rain loading.
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Compared to the RF-FORM-FINDING add-on module (RFEM 5), the following new features have been added to the Form-Finding add-on for RFEM 6:
- Specification of all form-finding load boundary conditions in one load case
- Storage of form-finding results as initial state for further model analysis
- Automatic assignment of the form-finding initial state via combination wizards to all load situations of a design situation
- Additional form-finding geometry boundary conditions for members (unstressed length, maximum vertical sag, low-point vertical sag)
- Additional form-finding load boundary conditions for members (maximum force in member, minimum force in member, horizontal tension component, tension at i-end, tension at j-end, minimum tension at i-end, minimum tension at j-end)
- Material types "Fabric" and "Foil" in material library
- Parallel form-findings in one model
- Simulation of sequentially building form-finding states in connection with the Construction Stages Analysis (CSA) add-on
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Once you activate the Form-Finding add-on in the Base Data, a form-finding effect is assigned to the load cases with the load case category "Prestress" in conjunction with the form-finding loads from the member, surface, and solid load catalog. This is a prestress load case. It thus mutates into a form-finding analysis for the entire model with all member, surface, and solid elements defined in it. You reach the form-finding of the relevant member and membrane elements amid the overall model by using special form-finding loads and regular load definitions. These form-finding loads describe the expected state of deformation or force after the form-finding in the elements. The regular loads describe the external loading of the entire system.
How can I determine the appropriate total simulation time for a transient analysis in RWIND?