RFEM 5 Add-on Modules – Connections

The RF-FRAME‑JOINT Pro add-on module designs rigid bolt connections between columns and horizontal beams, and classifies these connections. The rigid bolt connections are designed with the ultimate load method according to Eurocode 3.

Optionally, you can define stiffeners, web plate reinforcements, and filler plates, and it is also possible to screw the designed connections.

The RF-JOINTS Steel – DSTV add-on module designs moment-resisting and pinned I-beam connections for members in compliance with the German guideline "Typified Connections in Steel Building Construction" (Typisierte Anschlüsse im Stahlhochbau). The resistances are determined according to the standard Eurocode 3.

It is possible to design moment-resisting connections with flush and extended end plates as well as bending-resistant purlin joints, pinned girder joints using end plates and angles, and IK beam notches.

The RF-JOINTS Steel – Pinned add‑on module allows you to configure and design shear connections of I‑beams. The design is carried out according to Eurocode 3 and the European Recommendations for the Design of Simple Joints in Steel Structures.

Four different types are available: Web cleat connection, fin plate connection, short end plate connection, and end plate connection with cleat.
All connections are clearly displayed in a 3D graphic, including all necessary dimensions for plates and angles, including hole arrangements. The graphics can be transferred into the printout report with dimension lines, as well as the bolt and weld descriptions.

The RF-JOINTS Steel – Rigid add-on module allows you to configure and design the moment resisting joints of rolled and welded I-beams. The design is carried out according to the standard EN 1993‑1‑8:2010 (including National Annexes).

Three types are available for selection: Moment-resistant beam-column connections with an end plate, a rigid end plate connection as a beam joint, and a rigid splice connection.
The connections are designed and the results include almost all relevant intermediate values and a graphical display of the respective component stress, so the calculation is always comprehensible and verifiable for the user.

The RF-JOINTS Steel – Column Base add-on module allows you to design footings of hinged and restrained steel columns according to the specifications of the European standard EN 1993‑1‑8 (including National Annexes).

For hinged column footings, you can select from four different base plate connections to meet the requirements of various construction projects. This variety allows for more flexible design and the adaptation to the specific requirements of your construction project.

The RF-JOINTS Steel – Tower add-on module is specialized to design pinned joints with bolt connections for members used in lattice towers in accordance with the European standards.

The software provides you with a wide range of various joint options, such as bolted diagonal connections without gusset plates in 2D or 3D, as well as bolted column joints. T-, K-, and KT-joints are also considered for the diagonal connections.

JOINTS Steel – SIKLA allows you to design Sikla joints. It includes the AK and TKO consoles, as well as the end plates of type STA, WBD, and WD. The interaction of internal forces and eccentricities is considered. The add-on module determines nonlinear spring constants, and checks the connection geometry and beam cross-sections.

The loading is documented and compared to the load resistances, including the utilization ratios by joint. A particularly useful feature is the automatic determination of governing internal forces for load cases and connection nodes, which facilitates the efficient design and check of the Sikla connections.

RF-JOINTS Timber – Steel to Timber is an add-on module for RFEM 5 that allows for the design of joints where timber members are indirectly connected to each other by means of steel plates. The module offers connection elements in the form of pins, such as dowels, screws, nails, and bolts.

You can import the connection parameters from the RF-JOINTS Timber add-on modules. The connected members are imported from the RFEM model. The module automatically checks if all geometric conditions are fulfilled.

The RF-JOINTS Timber – Timber to Timber add-on module designs joints where timber members are directly connected to each other by means of slant screws.

The application allows for the design of pinned joints, considering the biaxial inclination of the connected member (such as a jack rafter joint), for bolt diameters from 6 mm to 12 mm. It performs automatic checks of the minimum distance between screws and optionally provides a free definition of the screw distances.

RF-LIMITS analyzes the load-bearing capacity of members, member ends, nodes, nodal supports, and surfaces by means of a defined ultimate load capacity.

The extensible library includes timber fasteners (SIHGA, Sherpa, WÜRTH, Simpson StrongTie, KNAPP) and steel fasteners (standardized connections in steel building design according to EC 3, M-connect).

The RF-HSS add-on module is used for the structural design and analysis of various hollow section connections. This includes the calculation of planar and spatial truss nodes, which may consist of circular, square, or rectangular hollow sections.

This add-on module is integrated seamlessly into RFEM 5, so it automatically recognizes the geometry and allows for manual definition of joints. It provides an extensive library of hollow sections for chords and struts, the option to select joint types according to standards and partial safety factors of different countries, and other features.