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2016-09-26

RF-/STEEL AISC | Features

  • Design of members and sets of members for tension, compression, bending, shear, combined internal forces, and torsion
  • Stability analysis of buckling and lateral-torsional buckling
  • Automatic determination of critical buckling loads and critical buckling moments for general load applications and support conditions by means of a special FEA program (eigenvalue analysis) integrated in the module
  • Alternative analytical calculation of the critical buckling moment for standard situations
  • Optional application of discrete lateral supports to beams and continuous members
  • Automatic cross-section classification (compact, noncompact, and slender)
  • Serviceability limit state design (deflection)
  • Cross-section optimization
  • A wide range of available cross-sections, such as rolled I-sections; channel sections; T-sections; angles; rectangular and circular hollow sections; round bars; symmetrical and asymmetrical, parametric I-, T-, and angle sections; double angles
  • Clearly arranged input and result windows
  • Detailed result documentation including references to design equations of the used standard
  • Various filter and sorting options of results, including result lists by member, cross-sections, and x-location, or by load case, load combination, and result combination
  • Result table of member slenderness and governing internal forces
  • Parts list with weight and solid specifications
  • Seamless integration in RFEM/RSTAB
  • Metric and imperial units
RF-/STEEL AISC Add-on Module for RFEM/RSTAB | Design of Steel Members According to ANSI/AISC 360-16
RF-/STEEL AISC Add-on Module for RFEM/RSTAB | Design of Steel Members According to ANSI/AISC 360-16
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Sign Convention for "Load Application of Positive Transverse Loads"
Occasionally, the question arises how to determine the correct load application point of the positive transverse loads in RF-/STEEL EC3 and RF-/STEEL AISC.
Warping Restraint via End Plate
In the case of open cross-sections, the torsional load is removed mainly via secondary torsion, since the St. Venant torsional stiffness is low compared to the warping stiffness. Therefore, warping stiffeners in the cross-section are particularly interesting for the lateral-torsional buckling analysis, as they can significantly reduce the rotation. For this, end plates or welded stiffeners and sections are suitable.
Entering Intermediate Lateral Restraint in Center of Member 1
The support conditions of a beam subjected to bending are essential for its resistance to lateral-torsional buckling. If, for example, a single-span beam is held laterally in the middle of the span, the deflection of the compressed flange can be prevented, and a two-wave eigenmode can be enforced. The critical lateral-torsional buckling moment is increased significantly by this additional measure. In the add-on modules for member design, different types of lateral supports on a member can be defined using the "Intermediate supports" input window.
W10X66 User-Defined Column
Sometimes a structure needs reinforcement in cases where a new floor is being added, or when an existing member is found to be under design due to a hard-to-predict loading assumption. In many cases, the structural member may not be easily replaced, and reinforcement is implemented to meet the new loading requirement.
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Product Features
Stability Analysis Including Warping Torsion in RF-/STEEL AISC

Due to the integrated RF-/STEEL Warping Torsion module extension, it is possible to perform the design according to Design Guide 9 in RF-/STEEL AISC.

The calculation is performed with 7 degrees of freedom according to the warping torsion theory and enables a realistic stability design, including consideration of torsion.

Graphical Display of Mode Shape in RF-/STEEL AISC

The determination of the critical buckling moment is carried out in RF-/STEEL AISC by using the eigenvalue solver which allows an exact determination of the critical buckling load.

The eigenvalue solver shows a display window of the eigenvalue graphics, which enables checking of the boundary conditions.

Definition of Lateral Intermediate Supports in RF-/STEEL AISC

In STEEL AISC, it is possible to consider lateral intermediate supports at any location. For example, it is possible to stabilize only the upper flange.

Furthermore, user-defined lateral intermediate supports can be assigned; for example, single rotational springs and translational springs at any location at the cross-section.

Window 2.2 Results by Cross-Section

The first result window shows the maximum design ratios with the corresponding design of each designed load case, load combination, or result combination.

The other result windows list all detailed results sorted by specific subject in extendable tree menus. All intermediate results along the members can be displayed at any location. In this way, you can easily retrace how the module has performed the individual designs.

The complete module data are part of the RFEM/RSTAB printout report. You can select the report contents and extent specifically for the individual designs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I want to define lateral supports along the structural component axis, which sometimes act on the upper flange and sometimes on the lower flange. However, it is only possible to select one item for each member. How can I create the entry?
I am performing a design in RF‑/STEEL AISC for result combinations from RF‑/DYNAM Pro and get the error message "Not designable - Null value of the critical moment on the segment". What can I do?
After running the design in RF‑STEEL AISC, I receive error message 1002 – Invalid cross-section of type "Channel" according to F2. What does this error mean?
Does RF‑STEEL AISC perform torsion design per Design Guide No. 9?

In the Steel Joints add-on, I get high utilization ratios for preloaded bolts in the tension design. Where do these high utilization ratios come from and how can I evaluate the load-bearing reserves of the bolt?

How can treating a connection as fully rigid result in an uneconomical design?
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