Answer:
It is possible to model any cross-section with SHAPE‑THIN and to perform a stress analysis within SHAPE‑THIN or, for example, with STEEL in RSTAB.The FE‑LTB add-on module can be used for the stability analysis of general cross-sections. Add-on modules such as STEEL EC3 depend on the respective standard, which may cause problems for user-defined cross-sections. Such cross-sections are not covered by the standard, and the stability analysis is only valid for certain cross-sections.
For cross-sections consisting of several materials (hybrid cross-sections), you can also use FE‑LTB. The stiffness of a cross-section created in SHAPE‑THIN can be displayed in RFEM, but there are no options for the stress analysis. Therefore, the approach would be as follows:
1. Create a cross-section in SHAPE-THIN.
2. Import the cross-section into RFEM and set the reference material correctly.
3. Calculate the internal forces with FE‑LTB.
4. Perform the stress analysis in SHAPE‑THIN.
