Model and Design Timber Structures in RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9

Using the Timber Design add-on, timber column design is possible according to the 2018 NDS standard ASD method. Accurately calculating timber member compressive capacity and adjustment factors is important for safety considerations and design. The following article will verify the maximum critical buckling strength calculated by the Timber Design add-on using step-by-step analytical equations as per the NDS 2018 standard including the compressive adjustment factors, adjusted compressive design value, and final design ratio.

When calculating regular structures, data input is often not complicated but time-consuming. Input automation can save valuable time. The task described in the present article is to consider the stories of a house as single construction stages. Data is entered using a C# program so that the user does not have to enter the elements of the individual floors manually.

Our webservice offers users the opportunity to communicate with RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 using various programming languages. Dlubal's high-level functions (HLFs) allow you to expand and simplify the WebService's functionality. In line with RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9, using our WebService makes the engineer's work easier and faster. Check it out now! This tutorial shows you how to use the C# library by means of a simple example.

In RFEM and RSTAB, you can design members with the "Laminated Veneer Lumber" material type. The following manufacturers are available:

• Pollmeier (Baubuche)
• Metsä (Kerto LVL)
• STEICO
• Stora Enso

In the ultimate configuration, you can consider strength coefficients for increasing the strengths. The coefficients reducing the strengths are automatically taken into account regardless of this. Try it now!

Go to Explanatory Video

In RFEM, the oriented strand board (OSB) material is available for the USA and Canada. The material parameters are taken from the "Panel Design Specification manual".

Using the "Beam Panel" thickness type, you can model timber panel elements in 3D space. You just specify the surface geometry and the timber panel elements are generated using an internal member-surface construct, including the simulation of the connection flexibility.

A "beam panel" provides you with the following advantages:

• Single-sided and double-sided sheathing is possible
• Automatic calculation of a semi-rigid coupling
  • Boarded sheathing
  • Stapled sheathing
  • User-defined sheathing
• Representation as a complete geometric 3D object (frame, crosstie, column, sheeting, staples), including eccentricity
• Considering openings via surface cells
• Design of the structural elements utilizing the Timber Design add-on
• Independent of material (for example, drywall with cold-formed sections and gypsum fibreboards as the sheathing)

• Go to Explanatory Video