Overview of Relevant Modules
After doing the first steps using SOFiSTiK FEA – you will undoubtedly come to the point of asking yourself about the meaning of the processed modules.
The list below should give you an overview and a rough explanation of the most relevant modules.
AQB – Design of Cross Sections
AQB is used for stress analysis and the design of cross-sections created with AQUA. The enhanced version AQBS allows the consideration of the special features of prestressed concrete and composite structures (prestressing tendons, imposed secondary stresses, creep and shrinkage).
AQUA – Material and Cross Sections
Besides defining materials and the required design code AQUA calculates the properties of cross-sections of any shape and material. The cross-section properties for static analysis are determined, as well as characteristic magnitudes for the calculation of normal and shear stress.
ASE – General Static Analysis of Finite Element Structures
ASE calculates the static and dynamic effects of general loading on any type of structure.
The basic version of ASE performs the linear analyses of beams, cables, trusses, plane and volume structures. Plain strain and rotational systems can be analysed with TALPA.
The extended versions of ASE are capable of running:
- Influence surfaces
- Non-linear analyses
- Pile elements with linear/parabolic soil coefficient distribution
- Creep and shrinkage
- Forces from construction stages
- Modal analysis, Time step method
- Material non-linearities
- Geometrical non-linearities
- Membrane elements
- Evaluation of collapse load
- Non-linear dynamics
BDK – Buckling Resistance of Steel Members
BDK determines the stability eigenvalues for buckling of a straight individual member. The member, which is taken from the entire system, is calculated with STAR2 or ASE and the buckling resistance check of steel members is performed according to the selected design code.
BEAM – Reinforced Concrete Beam
BEAM analyses and designs a continuous concrete beam in the Ultimate and Serviceability
Limit State. The design code EN 1992-1-1:2004 and DIN EN 1992-1-1:2011 (NA:2013) are
supported. If the standard code is not supported, then the design will be applied according to
EN 1992-1-1:2004.
BEMESS – Design of Plates and Shells
The program BEMESS is used to design forces of the analysis programs ASE or superimposed forces of MAXIMA according to various codes. BEMESS is as well capable of extracting extreme stresses from a set of load cases according to the linear elastic theory. In addition to the ultimate limit design serviceability checks can be done such as crack width control, minimum reinforcement, stress and fatigue checks.
COLUMN – Reinforced Concrete Column
The SOFiSTiK Structural Desktop task “Column Design” provides the nominal curvature according to the standard EN 1992-1-1:2004 Chapter 5.8.8. It can be applied to a single column or a whole structure with a constant normal force distribution.
The nominal curvature is a simplified method, which calculates the approximate bending moment with second-order effects. Though, the approximation is based on the linearization of the dimensioning diagram. The necessity of 2nd order effects will be checked in consideration of the slenderness criteria according to the standard EC 2 Chapter. 5.8.3.1.
CSM – Construction Stage Manager
The construction stage manager allows to set up and organise different stages of the project as well as to perform creep and shrinkage analysis.
DBMERG – Database Manipulation
Program DBMERG allows modification and transfer of data within a database or between databases of the SOFiSTiK software.
DECREATOR – Generation of Design Elements
The program DECREATOR generates design elements along with structural members. Design elements are independent of a member’s finite element discretisation and support defining design sections at any position along a structural line.
DOLFYN – Fluid Dynamics powered by Cyclone Fluid Dynamics BV
DOLFYN has been developed by Henk Krüs from Cyclone Fluid Dynamics BV and is available as open-source-software (www.dolfyn.net). It performs the complex analysis of
- Fluid mechanic (Navier-Stokes equations)
- Turbulence models for high Reynold numbers
- Free Surfaces for Fluids
- Heat Conduction and Convection
DOLFYN was adopted to the SOFiSTiK environment to extract the mesh, material and boundary conditions out of the SOFiSTiK database as well to save results for postprocessing.
DYNA – Dynamic Analysis
The program DYNA performs dynamic analysis of 3-dimensional structures such as
- Static analysis of load cases acting upon three-dimensional structures, as well as planar and axisymmetric structures.
- Static analysis of load cases after second-order theory
- Computation of the natural frequencies of three-dimensional structures.
- Computation of the buckling eigenvalues of three-dimensional structures.
- Implicit direct integration of the equations of motion for structures with arbitrary damping
- Explicit direct integration of the nonlinear equations of motion
- Interaction with load trains and wind loading
- Soil structure interaction with the SBFEM
- Integration of the equations of motion by superposition of the mode shapes.
- Steady-state oscillations and excitation through spectra.
DYNR – Transient Results and Response Spectra
The program DYNR enables the graphical presentation of transient results from the programs DYNA and HYDRA. It plots time-controlled, and frequency-controlled results as well calculate response spectra of a given history of loading and acceleration.
ELLA – Extended Live Load Analysis
ELLA performs the analysis and evaluation of imposed loads acting on beam or shell structures. It is processed by moving load trains along traffic lanes. The envelopes of the scalar variables for the entire structure are the result. The evaluation of influence lines or influence surfaces is necessary to achieve an accurate analysis of larger systems.
How to Access Traffic Load Positions
Traffic Load Definition – Bridge Example
FEX-DYN – Nonlinear Explicit Dynamics
FEX-DYN is a FEM analysis kernel for explicit integration of motion equations inside the SOFiSTiK product line. FEX-DYN is efficiently programmed to cope with the physically and geometrically non-linear problems and conceptualised for multiprocessor machines.
FOOTING – Foundations
The SSD task FOOTiNG allows based on given loads the calculation of required foundation dimensions – As well to run design checks on existing foundation dimensions. Footing allows assigning vertical forces, moments and horizontal forces. Necessary design combinations are automatically determined. And it is possible to consider 2nd order effects.
HASE – Half Space Analysis for Static Soil-Structure Interaction
Based on the half-space theory, module HASE calculates the stiffness matrix representing the soil of the static soil-structure interaction. The soil-structure interaction analysis itself is performed in module ASE.
HYDRA – Seepage and Thermal Analysis
The thermal analysis allows the evaluation of the temperature distribution within a solid due to steady or transient heating or cooling or temperature gradient. Groundwater models are used to compute the movement of water (seepage) within a porous solid needed for geology, hydrology, soil mechanics or groundwater supply.
MAXIMA – Superposition
MAXIMA performs the determination of extreme values of the internal forces, stresses, displacements and support reactions.
RELY – Structural Reliability powered by Strurel®
Rely is an add-on to the SOFiSTiK program to perform reliability analysis, where the engineering system of interest is modelled using one of the SOFiSTiK finite element modules. The kernel of Rely is powered by the stand-alone software package Strurel.
SIR – Sectional Results
The program SIR defines 3-dimensional sections in the structure and performs
- Representation of the intersected elements (TRUS, BEAM, CABL, QUAD, BRIC, SPRI) and the graphical representation of their results
- Calculation of the resultant forces and moments including the support reactions
- Generation of a data record to run the design of the sections within the AQB
SIR generates cross-sections and internal forces and moments which can be used straight by AQUA and AQB or AQBS.
SOFILOAD – Loads and Load Functions
SOFiLOAD represents the load generator for all SOFiSTiK-Modules.
SOFiMSHA – Import and Export of Finite Elements and Beam Structures
SOFIMSHA exports and imports the total volume of nodes and elements. The capability of element generation is available in CADiNP only. Complex structures should be defined via SOFIMSHC or SOFiPLUS.
SOFiMSHC – Geometric Modelling
SOFiMSHC is a tool for creating and processing geometric models and finite element structures. It can be used as a stand-alone program within CADiNP as well as integrated with the SOFiSTiK programs SOFiPLUS, Extensions for Revit and Rhinoceros Interface.
Automatic Mesh Generation – The Principles
STAR2 – Statics of Beam Structures 2nd Order Theory
The programs of the STAR-modules enable the computation of the internal forces in any 3-dimensional beam structure by 2nd or 3rd order theory taking into consideration shear deformations as well as various non-linear material effects. (STAR1, STAR2, STAR3)
TALPA – 2D Finite Elements in Geotechnical Engineering
TALPA includes two programs
- CSG – The Construction Stage Manager Geotechnics performs the automatic generation of the calculation process.
- FEA – Finite Element Analysis – calculation of analysis of different construction stages.
The program supports numerous non-linear material models (e.g. elastoplastic, viscoplastic). Accounting for non-linear support effects, such as friction or slip, is possible, as well.
TENDON – Geometry of Prestressing Tendons
TENDON defines prestressing for beams, slabs and folded structures. In addition to the calculation of the prestressing tendon geometry, the program computes the prestressing forces taking into consideration the prestressing process and the friction losses. The input of the tendon geometry can be done graphically as well numerically.
TEXTILE – Cutting Pattern Membrane Structures
TEXTILE calculates the development of a 3D-curved surface. It includes the computation of the stressed membrane to obtain the cutting pattern areas.
WINGRAF/WING – Graphical Representation of Finite Elements and Beam Structures
WinGRAF is used for the graphical output for the finite element and framework analysis modules. It is capable of representing almost all information saved in the central database.
Software version related to this post: SOFiSTiK FEA v2018-03.
