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Steel Joints and Connections Using FEA
  • Add-on for RFEM 6
  • Connections

Steel Joints and Connections Using FEA

The "Steel Joints" add-on for RFEM sets new standards in the analysis of steel connections of all shapes and load types using specific FE and material models. Modeling takes place completely in the background, giving you full control through an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.

Design, calculate, and dimension your steel structures and their connections with one single powerful software package. RFEM, supplemented by the "Steel Design" and "Steel Joints" add-ons, allows for a precise and standard-compliant design of steel members and steel connections according to the Eurocode and the American standard ANSI/AISC 360. Experience a seamless and integrated design process from start to finish.

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Steel Joints Add-on | Product RFEM 6
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Overview
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CBFEM
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Features
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Results
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Standards
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Examples
Icon representing RFEM 6, a finite element analysis software application.

Why use two structural analysis programs if one is enough?

Optimize your steel connection analysis and design with RFEM and the "Steel Joints" add-on. This powerful all-in-one solution avoids error-prone and time-consuming data imports, such as the transfer of members, eccentricities, and load combinations. Take advantage of automatic and seamless updates of your calculations with every model change – efficiently and all from a single source.

Increase the efficiency and accuracy of your modeling and design of steel connections.

  • Efficiency improvement: No data import or export is necessary, which saves you time and money
  • Automated updates in case of changes of the structure
  • Maximum transparency due to a completely visible and customizable submodel
  • Ultimate flexibility due to ready-made and customizable templates
  • High-quality 3D visualization for impressive presentations of the joint model as well as the individual joints in the entire model
  • Precise measuring and dimensioning functions for the joint component points
All-in-One Solution for Steel Connections Video: FE-Based Analysis and Design of Steel Connections
Add-on "Steel Joints for RFEM 6" | Component Library
Add-on "Steel Joints for RFEM 6" | Component Library
Base Plate Connection with Cast-in Anchors
Base Plate Connection with Cast-in Anchors | Results of Contact Stresses in Base Plate
Steel Connections of Truss Bridge
RFEM: Steel Connections of Truss Bridge and FE Model with Results
All-in-One Solution for Steel Connections Video: FE-Based Analysis and Design of Steel Connections
Add-on "Steel Joints for RFEM 6" | Component Library Add-on "Steel Joints for RFEM 6" | Component Library
Base Plate Connection with Cast-in Anchors Base Plate Connection with Cast-in Anchors | Results of Contact Stresses in Base Plate
Steel Connections of Truss Bridge RFEM: Steel Connections of Truss Bridge and FE Model with Results
Video: FE-Based Analysis and Design of Steel Connections

Main Features of "Steel Joints" Add-on

Calculation of Initial Stiffness Sj,ini Plastic Material Model for Weld Design Design According to AISC 360 and EN 1993-1-8
Advantages of Steel Joints for RFEM 6

Discover Advantages of All-in-One Solution!

  • No need for complicated data import from external programs.
  • Steel connections of any type, shape, and loading.
  • Automatic update in case of changes in the structure, loading, and load combinations.
  • A consistent and unified structural engineering software for all areas of structural analysis and design.
  • Many predefined templates for connections.
  • High-quality 3D visualization of connections, both individual and within the entire structure.
  • Rotational stiffness: Automated integration of the calculated initial stiffnesses Sj,ini into the global structure.
  • No black box: Full transparency due to a detailed insight of the RFEM models generated in the background.
  • Possible to separate the generated RFEM model from the add-on in order to modify and calculate it individually as an RFEM model.
  • Unified design of connections and members.
  • No need to deal with unbalanced internal forces when importing loads from external programs.
  • A comprehensive software solution for all aspects of structural analysis, backed by a team of more than 20 experienced support engineers.
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Analysis and Design of Steel Joints According to EN 1993-1-8 and AISC 360

The Dlubal Software for design and analysis of steel connections sets new standards in the engineering process of steel structures. It masters all connection types, shapes, and loads – whether bolted, welded, or in the form of steel foundation plates with anchors. Automated generation of finite element RFEM models in the background allows for precise and efficient calculations for all necessary failure scenarios.

The "Steel Joints" add-on supports the detailed design of steel plates, bolts, welds, and foundation steel plates according to the EN 1993‑1‑8 and AISC 360 standards to ensure compliance with the international standards.

More Information
Steel Structure with Several Types of Joints
Steel Joints Icon
Steel structure with multiple joints, including a color gradient for visualizing design utilization for a plate connection

Connections of Base Plates and Concrete Blocks for Foundations of Steel Columns

The "Base Plate" component connects the selected reference component with a concrete block. This component allows you to define anchors in different diameters and classes in an orthogonal pattern.

The steel connection includes a specialized detail in a submodel to simulate the interaction between the steel and concrete, and to consider the anchoring effect. The results of this submodel are used to design the concrete block (contact stress between the base plate and its nonlinear support) and the anchors (internal forces on the component elements).

The design checks are carried out as follows: Check of the steel-concrete interaction and anchor design.

More Information
Steel Roof Structure with Connections
Steel Joints Icon
All in one: Connections of base plates, concrete blocks, and other connections in a global model
Key Features of Steel Joints Add-on
  • Semi-Rigid Hinges with Initial Stiffness Analysis

    This new capability enables engineers to go beyond the traditional rigid or hinged connection assumptions, offering a more accurate and flexible way to represent the behavior of joints. With the ability to simulate joint stiffness through advanced initial stiffness analysis, the design process becomes more realistic and optimized, paving the way for safer and more cost-effective projects.

  • Component-Based Finite Element Method

    The Component-Based Finite Element Method (CBFEM) is a precise and efficient approach for designing steel joints, fully compliant with EN 1993-1-8 and AISC 360 standards. Integrated into RFEM 6, it streamlines workflows by enabling all structural design checks within one cohesive platform.

  • Connection Library in Dlubal Center

    In the Dlubal Center, there is an extensive library with connections available for the Steel Joints add-on.

    You can access this library directly from the add-on and assign the predefined connections to the corresponding nodes. You can also save user-defined connections in the library in Dlubal Center.

RFEM 6 analysis of semi-rigid hinges with initial stiffness shown
"RFEM 6 dialog box displaying the steel joint component library."
Steel joints blocks displayed in Dlubal Center software interface.

Stability Analysis of Steel Joints

The stability analysis of steel joints requires the "Structure Stability" add-on for RFEM. It generates a special analysis model for each connection, and calculates the critical load factor and the relevant mode shapes for all load combinations. The lowest critical load factor is compared with the limit value 15.0 according to EN 1993‑1‑1, Section 5, and it is also possible to adjust this value. The results are visualized graphically using mode shapes.

The analysis model created for the stability analysis, including the results, can be saved and used as an independent RFEM model.

More Information
Stability Analysis
Analysis of Buckling Stability in Steel Joint
Results of stability analysis: buckling shape and lowest critical load factors of the joint

Preloaded Bolts

Prestressed bolts increase the strength and stiffness of the connection, prevent relative deformation and improve fatigue resistance.

The “Steel Joints” add-on allows you to consider the prestress of bolts in the calculation of all components.

The prestress can be easily activated in the bolt parameters using a check box. This affects both the stress-strain analysis and the stiffness analysis.

More Information
Pretensioned Bolts | Dialog
Dialog box “Edit Steel Joint”, tab “Components” | Check box for activating the preloaded bolts

Models to Download | Add-on "Steel Joints"

Steel Joint for Craneway Structure

Steel Joint for Craneway Structure

A welded joint is used for the craneway structure, which is stiffened by diagonals. Load bearing I-shaped beams for the crane and L-shaped diagonals are modeled as build-up sections.

Model 004373 | Stub in Splice Plate Connection with Bracing

Stub in Plate Connection with Bracing

Ein mehrstöckiges Stahlgebäude mit stabilem Rahmen widersteht Schwerkraft- und lateralen Lasten. However, stubs in splice plates with stiffeners can be used at the intersection points of beams and columns.

Model 004361 | Fly Brace Connection

Fly Brace Connection

A fly brace is a short diagonal structural component located at a non-anchored flange of a beam or column to prevent lateral torsional buckling.

Steel Connection of Column to Concrete Foundation

Steel Connection of Column to Concrete Foundation

RFEM model of a steel connection between an I-type column with connected diagonals made of steel CHS and a concrete column foundation.

Other Models

Calculation of Initial Stiffnesses Sj,ini and Automatic Transfer to Global Structure

The initial stiffness Sj,ini is a crucial parameter for the evaluation if a connection can be characterized as rigid, deformable, or pinned.

In the “SteelJoints” add-on, you can determine the initial stiffnesses Sj,ini according to Eurocode (EN 1993-1-8, Section 5.2.2) and AISC (AISC 360-16 Cl. B3.4), based on the internal forces N, My, and/or Mz.

The optional automatic transfer of the initial stiffnesses allows for their direct transmission as member end hinge stiffnesses in RFEM. After that, the global structure is recalculated and the resulting internal forces are automatically transferred as loads into the calculation and design of the connection models.

This automated iteration process eliminates the need for manual data export and import, which reduces the amount of work and minimizes potential sources of error.

More Information
Calculation of Initial Stiffness Sj,ini
Model with multiple steel connections | Table with calculated initial stiffnesses Sj,ini and classification

Welds in Steel Joints

The “Steel Joints” add-on allows for the definition of various weld types and geometries, for example fillet and butt welds. Welds are modeled realistically in the automatically generated analysis model. In this case, a weld is modeled as a surface that is eccentrically connected on both sides to the plates (surfaces) to be joined. This welded surface is assigned a special plastic material model that was developed in RFEM specifically for welds.

The welds are verified according to current standards, such as Eurocode and AISC.

More Information
Component Library | Steel Joints
Definition of welds in the "Steel Joints" add-on

Design of Steel Connections According to International Standards

The “Steel Joints” add-on uses the standard EN 1993‑1‑8 (Eurocode 3, including National Annexes) as well as the American standard ANSI/AISC 360‑22 for the design of steel connections. Further standards will follow.

Currently Supported Standards in "Steel Joints" Add-on

European Union | Flag EN 1993-1-8: Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures
EN-US | Flag AISC 360-22 (US standard)
EN-US | Flag AISC 360-16 (US standard)

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1,884.15 EUR
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Steel Joints for RFEM 6
Total Amount 1,884.15 EUR

The price is valid for Latvia.

Fantastic and Professional Support

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Powerful, Easy to Use, Easy to Learn…

We adopted Dlubal in our work and haven't looked back. Powerful, easy to use, easy to learn, with mercifully simple output (once set up).

Getting Started with RFEM 6

You have not yet worked with RSECTION, or not often? Then you will find helpful hints and tips here to help you get started with the Dlubal programs.

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First steps in the RFEM 6 user interface with clearly recognizable menus and toolbars Screenshot showing the initial RFEM 6 user interface with setup options.

Structural Analysis Models to Download

Browse a wide range of structural analysis models for RFEM, RSTAB, RSECTION, and RWIND. Perfect for tutorials or project inspiration.

All Models
Downloadable technical model templates for precise engineering analysis. Mobile view displaying downloadable structural analysis models with visible thumbnails and labels.