Features of "Steel Joints" Add-on
Features in Short
- Automatic generation of FE analysis models: The add-on automatically creates a finite element model (FE) of the steel connection in the background.
- Consideration of all internal forces: The calculation and design checks include all internal forces (N, Vy, Vz, My, Mz, MT) and are not limited to planar loading.
- Automatic load transfer: All load combinations are automatically transferred to the FE analysis model of the connection. The loads are transferred directly from RFEM, so a manual data input is not necessary.
- Efficient modeling: The add-on saves your time when modeling complex connection situations. You can also save the created FE analysis model and use it further for your own detailed analyses.
- Extensible library: An extensive and extensible library with predefined steel connection templates is available.
- Wide applicability: The add-on is suitable for connections of any type and shape, compatible with almost all rolled, welded, built-up, and thin-walled cross-sections.
Basic Components of Steel Joints Add-on
- Numerous predefined components for easy input of typical connection situations (for example, end plates, angles, web plates)
- Universally applicable basic components (plates, welds, bolts, auxiliary planes) for the input of complex connection situations
- Graphical display of the connection geometry that is updated in parallel with the input
- The steel connection template included in the add-on allows you to select different connection types and apply them to your model
- The template provides connections from three categories: Rigid, Pinned, Truss
- Automatic adjustment of the connection geometry, even during subsequent editing of the structural components, due to the relative arrangement of the components to each other
Plausibility Check | Steel Joints
- Parallel to the input, a plausibility check is carried out by the program to quickly detect missing input or collisions, for example
- When an error is found, an error message appears describing the problem
Design | Steel Joints
- The design of the connection components is performed according to AISC 360-16 and Eurocode EN 1993-1-8
- After activating the Add-on, the design situations for Steel Connections must be activated in the 'Load cases and Combinations' dialog box
- For the design of the connection stability (Buckling), it is necessary to have the Add-on Structure Stability activated
- The calculation can be started via the table or via the icon in the top bar
Steel Joints | Design according to AISC 360 and EN 1993-1-8
The program can also help you here. It determines the bolt forces on the basis of the calculation on the FE model and evaluates them automatically. You can perform the design checks of the bolt resistance for the failure cases tension, shear, hole bearing, and punching shear according to the standard. The program takes care of everything else in this step. It determines all the necessary coefficients and displays them clearly.
- Do you want to perform weld design? The required stresses are also determined on the FE model in that case. Then, the Weld element is modeled as elastic-plastic shell element, where every FE element is checked for its internal forces. (Plasticity criteria is set to reflect failure acc. to AISC J2-4 and J2-5 (weld resistance check) and also J2-2 (base metal capacity check). The design can also be carried out with the partial safety factors according to the selected National Annex.
You can perform the plate design plasticall by comparing the existing plastic strain to the allowable plastic strain. By default this is set to 5% for the AISC 360 but can be specified through user-definition 5% according to EN 1993-1-5, Annex C, or again, user-defined specification.
Calculation of Initial Stiffness Sj,ini
In the Steel Joints add-on, you can determine the initial stiffness Sj,ini according to Eurocode and AISC. This can be done for selected members with reference to the internal forces N, My, and Mz.
In the Members tab of the input dialog box of the Steel Joints add-on, you can select the desired internal forces via a checkbox. Multiple selection is possible. For these internal forces, the stiffness analysis is carried out with a positive and a negative sign.
Go to Explanatory VideoSteel Joint Design for Built-up and Thin-Walled Sections
In the Steel Joint add-on, you can design the connections of members with composite cross-sections. Furthermore, you can perform joint design checks for almost all thin-walled cross-sections in the RFEM library.
Go to Explanatory VideoPlastic Material Model for Weld Design
Here, the weld design becomes child's play. Using the specially developed material model "Orthotropic | Plastic | Weld (Surfaces)", you can calculate all stress components plastically. The stress τperpendicular is also considered plastically.
Using this material model you can design welds closer to reality and more efficiently.
Explanatory VideoComponent "Connecting Plate"
Using the "Connecting Plate" component, you can additionally and automatically create a new gusset plate in the Steel Joints add-on. This saves you separate components, and the other elements, such as a cap plate and a slide plate, are thus automatically taken into account with their dimensions.
Go to Explanatory VideoComponent "Member Editor"
The "Member Editor" component allows you to modify the individual or several member plates in the Steel Joints add-on.
You can use the chamfer, notch, rounding, and hole operations with multiple shapes. It is possible to apply both operations, "Notch" and "Chamfer", for several member plates.
In this way, you can notch flanges from I-sections, for example (see the image).
Go to Explanatory VideoShear Resistance of Bolts
To determine the shear resistance of bolts, you can use the Steel Joints add-on to specify whether there is a shaft or a thread in the shear plane.
Go to Explanatory VideoMaterial of Weld
If a weld seam connects two plates with different materials, it is possible to select from a combo box in the Steel Joints add-on which one of both materials should be used for the weld seam.
Go to Explanatory VideoConnection of Rectangular Hollow Sections
In the case of rectangular cross-sections, you can usually achieve a direct connection by using welds. However, you can also connect them to other cross-sections in the same way. Furthermore, other components such as end plates help you to connect the rectangular cross-sections to other structural components.
Component "Base Plate"
Using the "Base Plate" component, you can design base plate connections with cast-in anchors. In addition to plates and welds, the design analyzes the anchorage and the steel-concrete interaction.
Limit Plastic Strain for Welds
In the ultimate configuration of the steel joint design, you have the option to modify the limit plastic strain for welds.
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