How do you model a reinforced concrete floor slab supported by channel sections? The floor slab consists of beams – metal channel sections – and a reinforced concrete slab laid on a steel decking. How do you model the interaction between the channel sections and the steel decking, as well as between the decking and the reinforced concrete slab?
Hi Dmytro31,
Interaction between channel sections and steel decking
Since the contact exists between a member and several nodes, you can model this using Nodal Links.
The connection between the member and nodes is represented as a Rigid Member.
This allows you to realistically transfer forces between the channel sections and the decking nodes. Detailed description in the RFEM Manual:
Interaction between steel decking and reinforced concrete slab
In this case, a common approach is to work with surface releases: Create duplicate surfaces using surface releases, then define the interaction between these surfaces via Surface Release Types.
This setup lets you control the stiffness and force transfer (e.g. shear interaction) between the decking and the concrete slab. Relevant manual sections:
- Surface Releases: https://www.dlubal.com/en/downloads-and-information/documents/online-manuals/rfem-6/003587
- Surface Release Types: Surface Release Types
If anything is unclear or you’d like recommendations for a specific modeling case, feel free to share more details.
Best regards
Marco Nikoleizig