The naming of layers in AutoCAD can be used to map sections and materials to centerlines that are connecting in your model. Make sure all of the same sections and materials are grouped together in a layer for each center line.
Next, open RFEM 6 and navigate to the Import options under the File menu and select AutoCAD. A new dialog box will appear and here select the options "Use layer identification" and "Generate members".
Click "OK" and then a new dialog box will appear called "Conversion Tables". This is where the name of the Layer from AutoCAD is linked with the material and section in RFEM. There are two tabs, the first is for Materials and the second is for Sections. Under the materials tab for example, in the left column the exact name of the Layer in AutoCAD must be typed and then in the right column there is a button with 3 dots in the cell. Press this button and the material library will appear. Select the material and then this will be applied to the lines associated with the linked Layer.
After linking materials and sections, click "OK" and then one last dialog box will appear giving details on the imported model. Click "OK" and then you will see the model with mapped materials and sections.
AutoCAD Import into RFEM 6 with Cross Section and Material
How can I import my AutoCAD model into RFEM 6 and have the cross section and material information transfer over?
Alex is responsible for customer training, technical support, and continued program development for the North American market.
Various design parameters of the cross-sections can be adjusted in the serviceability limit state configuration. The applied cross-section condition for the deformation and crack width analysis can be controlled there.
For this, the following settings can be activated:
- Crack state calculated from associated load
- Crack state determined as an envelope from all SLS design situations
- Cracked state of cross-section - independent of load
In the "Deflection and Design Support" tab under "Edit Member", the members can be clearly segmented using optimized input windows. Depending on the supports, the deformation limits for cantilever beams or single-span beams are used automatically.
By defining the design support in the corresponding direction at the member start, member end, and intermediate nodes, the program automatically recognizes the segments and segment lengths to which the allowable deformation is related. It also automatically detects whether it is a beam or a cantilever due to the defined design supports. The manual assignment, as in the previous versions (RFEM 5), is no longer necessary.
The "User-Defined Lengths" option allows you to modify the reference lengths in the table. The corresponding segment length is always used by default. If the reference length deviates from the segment length (for example, in the case of curved members), it can be adjusted.
This feature also contributes to the clearly-arranged display of your results. Clipping planes are intersecting planes that you can place freely throughout the model. The zone in front of or behind the plane is consequently hidden in the display. This way, you can clearly and simply show the results in an intersection or a solid, for example.
The deformation process of the global deformation components can be represented as a movement sequence.