Answer:
If you want to perform a buckling analysis for surface or shell elements in RFEM 5, the add-on modules RF‑STABILITY, RF‑IMP, and RF‑STEEL Surfaces are required. Proceed as follows:
- Determine the governing load according to linear static analysis.
- The results of the governing CO are then used in RF‑STABILITY to determine the lowest mode shape (local deflection / buckling of surface).
- With the result of RF‑STABILITY, you can generate a pre‑deformed structure in RF‑IMP by scaling the mode shape to a maximum ordinate (maximum value of the initial deformation). Define the maximum value of the initial deformation with regard to the model.
- Copy the governing CO and design it according to the second-order analysis while considering the pre-deformed structure of RF‑IMP.
- Use the results to perform the stress analysis in RF‑STEEL Surfaces.
The attached video shows the general procedure. You can also find some interesting technical articles on this topic on our website.
