First, it is necessary to decide whether to perform design according to ASD or LRFD. Then, you can enter the load cases, load combinations, and result combinations to be designed. Load combinations according to ASCE 7 can be generated either manually or automatically in RFEM/RSTAB.
Further specifications include presetting of lateral intermediate supports, effective lengths, and other standard-specific design parameters. When using continuous members, it is possible to define individual support conditions and eccentricities at each intermediate node of the single members. A special FEA tool then internally determines the effective radii of gyration required for the stability analysis for these situations.
