With the introduction of Eurocodes, the design of joints becomes more and more important. The European standard EN 1993-1-8 describes the designs of steel connections. The design of timber connections is covered in EN 1995-1-1 . The add-on modules RF-JOINTS (for RFEM) and JOINTS (for RSTAB) combine the connection modules for member elements in a single user interface. The scope of functions of the modules has also been extended and adapted to current requirements.
TIP
This manual describes the add-on modules of both main programs together under the name RF-/JOINTS.
At present, RF-/JOINTS covers the steel categories Column Base, Pinned, Rigid, Tower, DSTV, and SIKLA, as well as the timber categories Steel to Timber and Timber to Timber.
RF-/JOINTS Steel - Column Base designs footings of hinged and restrained column bases.
The Hinged Column Footing category includes the following base plate connections:
- Simple column base
- Tapered column base
- Column base plate for rectangular hollow sections
- Column base plate for circular hollow sections
For restrained column footings, the following design variants for I-sections are available:
- 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
- Bucket footing
RF-/JOINTS Steel - Pinned performs designs for the following shear connections of I-beams:
- Web cleat connection
- Fin plate connection
- End plate connection
- End plate connection with cleat
RF-JOINTS Steel - Rigid designs the following moment-resisting connections of I-beams:
- Beam connection to column with end plate
- Beam joint with end plate
- Beam joint with splices
RF-/JOINTS Steel - Tower designs nominally pinned bolted connections of lattice tower members for the following cases:
- Connection of diagonals without gusset plate 2D
- Connection of diagonals without gusset plate 3D
- Column joint with splices
RF-/JOINTS Steel - DSTV designs moment-resisting and pinned I-beam connections in compliance with the German guideline "Standardised Joints in Steel Structures" . The resistances are determined according to DIN EN 1993-1-8 .
For moment-resisting connections, the following design variants are available:
- End plate without column (type IH/IM)
- Beam joint with end plate (type IH/IM)
- One-sided beam with end plate (type IH/IM)
- Double-sided beams with end plates (type IH/IM)
- Purlin joint with splices (type PM)
For pinned connections, you can choose between the following designs:
- End plate (type IS), where applicable with notches (type IK)
- Angle (type IW), where applicable with notches (type IK)
- Long angles (type IG)
- Purlin joint with splices (type PM)
RF-/JOINTS Steel - Sikla analyzes the connections for sections of the fastening system manufacturer Sikla.
RF-/JOINTS Timber - Steel to Timber designs dowel, bolt, nail, and screw connections of timber members that are indirectly connected by steel plates.
Hinged, semi-rigid, and bending-resistant dowel connections are available for the following cases:
- Single member
- Continuous member with connected members
- Connection of several single members
RF-/JOINTS Timber - Timber to Timber performs the designs for screw connections of timber members.
The following joint types are possible:
- Single member or connection of several single members
- Front to side
- Front to front
The results including dimensions are shown in tables and graphics. Using the design cases, you can analyze different design variants.
Since RF-/JOINTS is integrated into the graphical user interface of the main program, you can use all the input data of the model as well as the internal forces for the design. Some modules also allow you to consider connection stiffnesses and eccentricities when determining internal forces. You can visualize the results in RFEM's or RSTAB's work window and include them in the global printout report.
We hope you will enjoy working with the RF-/JOINTS add-on modules.
Your Dlubal team