RAM Structural System

CONNECT Edition Update 11 – Release 15.11

Tutorial
Last Updated: September 17, 2018
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for a particular purpose, with respect to the software, the accompanying written materials, and any
accompanying hardware. All results should be verified to the user's satisfaction. The contents of these written
materials may include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors and may be revised without prior notice.

RAM Structural System 2 Tutorial

 Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................. 7
Chapter 2: RAM Structural System Outline ................................................................................. 8
RAM Manager ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
3-D Viewer .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
RAM Modeler ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
RAM Steel Beam Design .................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
RAM Steel Column Design ................................................................................................................................................................................9
RAM Frame .............................................................................................................................................................................................................9
RAM Concrete ........................................................................................................................................................................................................9
RAM Foundation .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Links with Other Programs ............................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Chapter 3: RAM Manager ......................................................................................................... 11
Model Status Lights ..........................................................................................................................................................................................12
Selecting Criteria ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Live Load Reduction .......................................................................................................................................................................14
Self-Weight Options ........................................................................................................................................................................15
Selecting Tables ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
Selecting Units .................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Additional Commands ...................................................................................................................................................................19
RSS Feeds ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 19
Chapter 4: RAM Modeler ..........................................................................................................20
Floor Layout Type .............................................................................................................................................................................................21
Grid Layout .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Concrete Beam and Column Section Properties ..................................................................................................................................27
Concrete Column Layout ............................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Concrete Wall Layout ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Copy Floor Types .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 33
Concrete Beam Layout ....................................................................................................................................................................................34
Steel Column Layout-Lower Levels ...........................................................................................................................................................38
Moving and Sloping Columns ...................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Steel Beam Layout - Lower Levels .............................................................................................................................................................41
Steel Member Layout - Typical Level ....................................................................................................................................................... 43
Steel Joist Layout - Roof ................................................................................................................................................................................. 47
Slab Edge ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................48
Slab Opening ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49
Floor Slabs and Deck ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Story Data .............................................................................................................................................................................................................57
Sloping the Roof .................................................................................................................................................................................................59
Construction Grids ............................................................................................................................................................................................60
Defining Loads ....................................................................................................................................................................................................62
Applying Loads ...................................................................................................................................................................................................65
Steel Beam Size Restrictions ........................................................................................................................................................................ 68

RAM Structural System 3 Tutorial

 Brace Points .........................................................................................................................................................................................................70
Web Openings .....................................................................................................................................................................................................71
Layout Bracing ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 72
Assigning Lateral Member Sizes .................................................................................................................................................................73
Assign Frame Numbers .................................................................................................................................................................................. 75
Frame Fixity ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 75
Wall Openings .....................................................................................................................................................................................................77
Layout Foundations ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 78
Renumber Members & Data Check ........................................................................................................................................................... 81
Chapter 5: RAM Steel Beam Design .......................................................................................... 83
Selecting a Floor Type .....................................................................................................................................................................................83
Design Codes ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 84
Design Criteria ....................................................................................................................................................................................................85
Design and Investigation ............................................................................................................................................................................... 92
Reports .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 95
Chapter 6: RAM Steel Column Design ....................................................................................... 97
Brace Points and Splice Levels .................................................................................................................................................................... 98
Design Criteria ....................................................................................................................................................................................................99
Column Design and Investigation ........................................................................................................................................................... 101
Copy and Clear User Sizes .......................................................................................................................................................................... 104
Reports ................................................................................................................................................................................................................104
Chapter 7: RAM Frame - Analysis ............................................................................................106
RAM Frame Basics ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 106
General Analysis Criteria ............................................................................................................................................................................ 107
Diaphragm Criteria ........................................................................................................................................................................................109
Ground Level .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 110
Redundancy Factors ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 110
Assign Menu Options .................................................................................................................................................................................... 111
Mass and Exposure ........................................................................................................................................................................................114
Wind Load ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 115
Seismic Load .....................................................................................................................................................................................................118
Analysis ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................121
View/Update .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 122
Member Forces ................................................................................................................................................................................................122
Deflected Shape ...............................................................................................................................................................................................124
Mode Shape .......................................................................................................................................................................................................125
Drift ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 125
Reports ................................................................................................................................................................................................................127
Load Combinations ........................................................................................................................................................................................127
Chapter 8: RAM Frame - Shear Wall Analysis Module ............................................................. 130
Section Cuts ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 130
Reports ................................................................................................................................................................................................................133
Chapter 9: RAM Frame Steel - Standard Provisions ................................................................. 135
Design Criteria .................................................................................................................................................................................................136
Member Code Check - Standard Provisions ........................................................................................................................................140
Joint Code Check - Standard Provisions ............................................................................................................................................... 141

RAM Structural System 4 Tutorial

 Reports - Standard Provisions ..................................................................................................................................................................143
Chapter 10: RAM Frame Steel - Seismic Provisions ..................................................................145
Assign Frame Type ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 146
Member Code Check - Seismic Provisions ...........................................................................................................................................147
Joint Code Check - Seismic Provisions .................................................................................................................................................. 148
Reports - Seismic Provisions .....................................................................................................................................................................149
Chapter 11: RAM Frame - Drift Control ................................................................................... 150
Defining Virtual Load Cases .......................................................................................................................................................................150
Defining Load Pairs ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 151
Reports ................................................................................................................................................................................................................154
Chapter 12: RAM Concrete Analysis ........................................................................................155
Assign Beam Line Numbers ....................................................................................................................................................................... 156
Analysis Criteria ..............................................................................................................................................................................................158
Other Criteria ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 160
Gravity Analysis .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 161
On-Screen Results .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 162
View Options .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 165
Reports ................................................................................................................................................................................................................167
Chapter 13: RAM Concrete Beam ............................................................................................168
Beam Design Criteria .................................................................................................................................................................................... 168
Detailing Defaults ...........................................................................................................................................................................................171
Load Combinations ........................................................................................................................................................................................173
Design All and View/Update ..................................................................................................................................................................... 173
Concrete Beam Deflection .......................................................................................................................................................................... 177
Copy Design ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 178
Reports ................................................................................................................................................................................................................180
Chapter 14: RAM Concrete Column ........................................................................................ 181
Column Design Criteria ................................................................................................................................................................................181
Assign Bar Patterns ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 183
Design All and View/Update ..................................................................................................................................................................... 185
Copy Design ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 187
Reports ................................................................................................................................................................................................................188
Chapter 15: RAM Concrete Shear Wall ....................................................................................189
Concrete Shear Wall Criteria .....................................................................................................................................................................189
Wall Design Groups ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 190
Assign Section Cuts ........................................................................................................................................................................................192
Create and Assign Bar Pattern Templates ...........................................................................................................................................194
Manual Reinforcement and Special Boundary Elements ..............................................................................................................195
Generate Load Combinations for Design ............................................................................................................................................. 196
Design Wall Design Group 1 ...................................................................................................................................................................... 197
Modifying the Design ....................................................................................................................................................................................201
Chapter 16: RAM Foundation ................................................................................................. 203
Optimization Criteria ....................................................................................................................................................................................205
Assign Soil Capacity .......................................................................................................................................................................................207

RAM Structural System 5 Tutorial

 Assign Base Plate Sizes to Lateral Columns ........................................................................................................................................208
Assign Geometry .............................................................................................................................................................................................208
Assign Surcharge ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 210
Assign Pile Geometry ....................................................................................................................................................................................211
Load Combinations ........................................................................................................................................................................................212
Design All and View/Update ..................................................................................................................................................................... 213
Reports ................................................................................................................................................................................................................216

RAM Structural System 6 Tutorial

 Introduction
1
The RAM Structural System can be used to design nearly every structural component of a building structure,
from the foundations to the gravity beams and columns to the lateral framing system. This tutorial provides you
with step-by-step instructions for using the RAM Structural System. Every attempt has been made to create a
tutorial that addresses the many different uses of the program, but some features are still not covered. Refer to
the on-line documentation for each of the program design modules for more complete information. The tutorial
includes a chapter for each design module. If you do not own licenses for all of the modules, or if you do not wish
to perform every chapter, then you can skip sections that do not apply. If you do not wish to model the structure
from scratch, a completed model has been included in the installation. Just open the file called
RAMTutorial_v14_US.rss in the default Data directory and skip to the design chapter that you are interested in.
Throughout this tutorial, action items are made in bulleted lists. References to menu commands are made in
bold text and a hyphen between words indicates a sub-menu selection. For example:
• Select File – New.
Means to click on the “File” menu at the top of the screen and from the sub- menu items pick “New”. When you
are expected to type specific the words in a particular edit box the instructions are written in courier font as
follows:
• Type MyTutorial in the File name field.
• Click [OK].
The term “Click” is used to indicate a single left-click with the mouse and “Fence” is another way of saying hold
the left mouse down while you window an area. It should be noted that nearly every menu command that is
available in the program is also available as a toolbar icon. These buttons allow you to access the various
commands more rapidly, saving time. To guide you, each button is equipped with a pop-up tool tip indicating its
function that will appear when you position the cursor over the icon.
The tutorial is written for use with both the English (Imperial) and SI systems of units. When input is required
the English value will be given followed by an SI equivalent in parenthesis. For the English units model the IBC
2006, AISC 360-05 LRFD and ACI 318-08 codes are implemented. For the SI model, the latest British codes are
used.

RAM Structural System 7 Tutorial

 RAM Structural System Outline
2
The RAM Structural System is an assembly of several distinct modules. These individual modules each provide
different capabilities and functionality to the RAM Structural System. The RAM Structural System is comprised of
up to eight modules, all of which are described below:

RAM Manager
The RAM Manager is the hub through which all of the RAM Structural System design modules are activated.
Using the RAM Manager you will create or open your structural model and establish your global criteria (such as
units). Some of the output generated by the other modules can also be printed from the RAM Manager.
Whenever you open one of the design modules, the RAM model or database is locked until you close that module
and return to the RAM Manager. Traffic signals in the center of the RAM Manager screen indicate the status of
the current model.

3-D viewer
The 3-D viewer is a program that can be launched directly from RAM Manager or from RAM Modeler once a file
has been opened. It allows you to view the entire structure in 3D with a variety of view controls. Some of the
design modules (e.g., RAM Steel Column and RAM Concrete Column) have been incorporated into an interface
that is identical in appearance to the 3-D viewer.
No software license is required to view the model in 3-D.

RAM Modeler
The RAM Modeler is used in the creation and modification of all RAM Structural System models. Modeling a
structure from scratch is done by defining the floors or levels and then specifying the floor-to-floor heights in the
story data. The program is set up for the layout of building structures but with a little ingenuity other types of
structures can also be modeled.

RAM Steel Beam Design

This module is a powerful tool to perform a rapid, interactive, design of all your steel gravity beams using a
variety of steel design codes. The program optimizes steel composite and noncomposite beams, open web steel
joists and C-Beam™TM. Tributary loads for each member are automatically calculated by the program based on
the geometry of the members and the decking. Only the gravity loads applied to one-way decking are used as
design loads. The program can also be used to evaluate user selected members.

RAM Structural System 8 Tutorial

RAM Structural System Outline
RAM Steel Column Design

RAM Steel Column Design

This module designs of all your steel gravity columns and base plates. Tributary loading, including the effects of
pattern loading is automated and the columns are checked not only for axial loading but for the effects of
connection eccentricity as well. With the addition of sloping columns to the modeler the RAM Steel Column
program automatically divides the vertical gravity loads based on vertical angles and designs all columns based
upon column line dependencies. The Steel Column module and the Steel Beam module are always licensed
together and are sometimes referred to simply as RAM Steel. The steel column design loads are the contribution
from the loads in the one-way decking areas only

RAM Frame
This module provides an interactive lateral analysis of the structure with braced frames, moment frames or
shear walls in any material. It is further subdivided into sub-modules which are licensed separately. These
include the Steel Standard Provisions mode and the Steel Seismic Provisions mode for aiding in the design of
steel lateral systems as well as the Drift Control mode for performing a Virtual Work analysis of the structure to
determine the hardest working components of any system. A special interface for reviewing shear wall forces in
more detail referred to as the Shear Wall module can be launched from the RAM Frame as well.

RAM Concrete
This module focuses on the analysis and design of one and two-way concrete framing systems. It can design all of
the gravity resisting concrete beams and columns as well as concrete moment frames when used in conjunction
with RAM Frame. The exact loading of each member is automatically calculated through finite element analysis
with options for patterning the live load and retrieving lateral forces from RAM Frame. Similar to RAM Frame,
the RAM Concrete design module is broken up into separate modes for Concrete Analysis, Concrete Beam
design, Concrete Column design and Concrete Shearwall design. When designing flat slab structures (post-
tensioned or conventional reinforcing), you can also import the concrete column reactions from a RAM Concept
file and use those forces in the Concrete Column design.

RAM Foundation
This module performs an interactive design of concrete spread footings, continuous footings and pile cap
foundations. Loads are automatically calculated based on the results of the gravity and lateral analysis. RAM
Foundation requires at least one of the analysis modules above (RAM Steel, RAM Frame or RAM Concrete).

Links with Other Programs

In addition to the design modules outlined above, RAM Structural System models can also link with other
programs. Here’s a list of the available external links to RAM International software from Bentley:
• A completed model may be exported into RAM Elements for general purpose finite element analysis.
• Connection design for shear, moment and gusset plate connections can be performed on a RAM Structural
System model using RAM Connection.

RAM Structural System 9 Tutorial

RAM Structural System Outline
Links with Other Programs

• Concrete floors can be exported into RAM Concept for 2-way slab design with or without post-tensioning.
The revised column forces from the RAM Concept model can then be re-imported for the final Concrete
Column Design.
• Mat Foundations can also be exported into RAM Concept.
• The RAM SBeam program can be used to design individual composite and noncomposite beams. It has the
same design functionality as the RAM Steel Beam Design module except it gives considerable control to you
to modify any aspect of the geometry, properties, loads, etc.
Additionally, there is a two-way link between the RAM Structural System and Bentley AECOsim Buidling
Designer, a powerful BIM program. Models can be created or modified in either, and passed back and forth to the
other.
There is a similar link with Autodesk® Revit®.

RAM Structural System 10 Tutorial

 RAM Manager
3
To begin the tutorial, double click on the RAM Structural System icon on the desktop. The screen that appears is
the RAM Manager program. In the middle of the screen there should be a Bentley logo which indicates that you
are running Release 14.00 (or later).
Before you even create your first model you can adjust the program defaults. The defaults cover everything from
User Name, to Steel preferences and beyond. If you had another version of RAM Structural System prior to
installing Release 14.00, those previous default settings should still be set. With each new version there are new
defaults for new features which should be checked however.
• Select Tools – RAM Defaults Utility. A message pops up indicating that the defaults only affect new models.
For existing models, the various criteria menu options throughout the program modules can be used to
modify the model. Click [OK] to close the warning.
Feel free to adjust any of the remaining defaults.
Once that is complete it’s time to create your tutorial model.
• Select File – New.
If this is the first time using the program then the following dialog box will pop-up asking you to select a
working directory. This is where temporary files will be saved while you are working on a RAM Model. The
directory should be a local directory on the hard drive with complete read and write privileges. It needs to be
set only once.

• If the default working directory is not what you would like, click the open folder icon on the right and then
browse to a directory you do want to use and Click [OK].

RAM Structural System 11 Tutorial

RAM Manager
Model Status lights

• When the “New” dialog box opens, type MyTutorial in the File name field (notice the default file type is
*.rss).
• In the Job Name field type Fundamentals.
• Select the desired Units (English, SI or Metric).

Note: The units you select now set all the defaults for the model you are creating. There are a complete set of
English (Imperial) defaults and another set of Metric/SI defaults which can be set in the Defaults Utility.
There are subtle differences between SI and Metric units, but the default values are all the same. When using
“English” units you can switch between feet and inches while modeling.
• Click [Save].

Model Status lights

The model status lights keep track of the global status of the current model. The manager has 5 different light
colors:

Icon Description

Green: The module has been completed by way of analysis or design. All information is
current and designs are valid.

RAM Structural System 12 Tutorial

RAM Manager
Model Status lights

Icon Description

Yellow: Something has changed in a module that has affected the validity of results. Use
designs with caution.

Red: No analysis or design has been completed. A criteria has changed that invalidates
designs or analysis. Results are no longer available.

Light blue: Additional data is required before a design or analysis can be run.

Grey: the module has no relevance to the model. For example, if you create an all steel
model, the concrete modules will be grey.

The Manager also has a legend in the bottom left hand corner that gives live status info for each module.

RAM Structural System 13 Tutorial

RAM Manager
Selecting Criteria

Selecting Criteria
There are several different criteria that can be set from the RAM Manager. These typically have an impact on all
of the various design modules. Other, more specific design criteria are set within the individual design modules.

Live Load Reduction

To pick the appropriate code for Live Load Reduction:
• Select Criteria – Member Loads

• Under Code for Live Load Reduction select IBC LL Reduction Method – General (BS 6399)
• Under Snow vs. Roof Live Load select Consider Snow Loads, Ignore Roof Live Loads.

Note: While the program will allow you to model both kinds of loads it can only consider one type or the
other in the design at one time.

Notice that there are several Building Codes available for Live Load Reduction, including SBC, BOCA, UBC,
NBC of Canada, BS 6399, Eurocode, AS/NZ 1170.1, China GB 50009-2001 and Hong Kong. Selecting certain
codes will make additional criteria specific to these building codes available in the Criteria Menu.

RAM Structural System 14 Tutorial

RAM Manager
Selecting Tables

Also, there are three check boxes under Determining Number of Stories. If you have not changed the
installation defaults, the bottom two check boxes will be checked. This setting is used by the program to
determine how many levels are supported by a column. Some codes establish a maximum Live Load
Reduction depending on the number of floors supported by the column and differentiate between floor levels
and roof levels. For more information on the use of this setting, refer to the RAM Manager on-line
documentation.
• Click [OK] to exit this dialog.

Self – Weight Options

To control whether or not the program automatically includes member self weight as part of the Dead Load case:
• Select Criteria – Self-Weight.

• Check all of the items to match the above dialog and click [OK].

Note: The program will now apply a vertical load to all members based on self-weight. The self weight forces
generated by the program are automatically included as part of the Dead Load case (downward loads). Also,
note that the masses used in the seismic force determination and dynamic behavior can be automatically
determined according to the selections above, or can be assigned separately in the modeler and an estimated
mass for beams, columns and slabs must be input as part of the loads. If the self weight of walls is checked
above, then the mass of gravity and lateral walls will be included in the building mass based on the full story
height. Calculated wall dead loads and masses are adjusted for openings in the walls.

Selecting Tables
The program references tables in the analysis and design of all models. The Master Steel Table includes all
section designations and section properties for all available steel shapes. The installed master tables reflect the

RAM Structural System 15 Tutorial

RAM Manager
Selecting Tables

current state of available sections. When changes to the section properties or availability are made by AISC or
other governing organization we make every attempt to update the files accordingly. You may modify the master
tables yourself with any text editor (e.g. Microsoft Word Pad), but we recommend that you make a copy of the
file for alterations first, as the default files will be overwritten when the program is reinstalled. Master table files
have the extension “.TAB” and can be found in the Tables subfolder wherever the RAM Structural System was
installed. For more information on table format, please refer to the RAM Manager on-line manual.
• Select Criteria – Master Steel Table.

• Select RAMAISC (RAMUK) as the master table and Click [OK].

Besides the master table of sections, the program also utilizes Design Steel Tables in the optimization of the
steel members. There are Design Steel Tables for Deck, Column, Beam, C-Beam™ and Joist; their extensions
are “.DCK”, “.COL”, “.BMS”, “.CAS”, “.JST” (and “.KCS”) respectively. The Design Steel Tables include a listing of
the sections in a particular order, which affects the program optimization. You can customize these tables to
meet your specific needs or create new tables. Again, the RAM Manager on-line documentation has a
complete description of the format of the design tables.
• Select Criteria –Design Steel Tables.

RAM Structural System 16 Tutorial

RAM Manager
Selecting Tables

• Under the Decks tab choose RAMDECKS (RAMUK).

• Under the Column tab choose RAMAISC (RAMUK).
• Under the Beam tab choose RAMAISC (RAMUK) for both default and alternate tables.
• Under the C-Beam™ tab select RAMSMI for all four tables.
• Under the Joist tab select RAMSJI for the two standard tables and RAMKCS for the two constant shear tables
and Click [OK].

RAM Structural System 17 Tutorial

RAM Manager
Selecting Tables

For concrete members, the gross dimensions are always created directly in the model, but there is a
Concrete Table which contains a list of reinforcement bar designations (names) along with cross sectional
areas and diameters. All the reinforcement in the table will be available for use in the design of both concrete
beams and columns. The Pan Joist Table contains a list of common pan sizes for use in pan joist
construction. The reinforcement tables have extension “.REN” and the pan joist tables have extension “.PNJ”.
• Select Criteria – Concrete Tables.
• Under Reinforcement Table select RAMASTM (RAMUKTYPE1M)
• Under Pan Form Table select RAMCECO and Click [OK].

RAM Structural System 18 Tutorial

RAM Manager
Selecting Tables

Selecting Units
The units for any model may be altered at any time. Changing the units does not affect the physical model size of
an existing model, it only alters the reports and on-screen displays. It is important to note that when you create a
new file and pick the units you are also selecting which set of defaults to use. Changing the units after the model
is created does not affect which set of defaults the program uses.
• Select Criteria – Units.
• Select English (or SI).
• Click [OK].

Additional Commands
There are several additional commands and settings which do not need to be invoked for the tutorial model at
this time. These may be found under the Post-Processing and Tools menus in the menu bar. They include more
criteria settings, report styles defaults, export options, etc. Feel free to examine or adjust the other items now.

RSS Feeds
The RSS feed at the bottom of the Manager window has news and links that are pertinent to you. Things like
version updates and patches as well as Bentley news and product info can be found here.

RAM Structural System 19 Tutorial

 RAM Modeler
4
During this section of the tutorial, you will construct a 4 story building with a variety of member types and
configurations. You will start by creating the 2nd Floor Plan as shown below. Then you will copy and edit that
data to create additional floors. The model is intended to show many of the capabilities of the software all in this
one model and as such may be somewhat eclectic.
To invoke the RAM Modeler, from the RAM Manager Menu Bar,
• Select Model (or click the Square button labeled Model in the upper left corner).
The 3rd floor of the tutorial model is depicted below for your reference. Refer to it when the written instructions
are not clear.

Figure 1: 3rd Floor Plan Figure

RAM Structural System 20 Tutorial

RAM Modeler
Floor Layout Type

Floor Layout Type

Each unique floor should be modeled as a different "layout type" in the RAM Modeler. The power of the Floor
Layout Type is that it allows the program to consider floor framing layouts the same way the Engineer considers
floor plans in construction drawings. That is, a typical floor layout may occur at multiple levels in the structure.
The RAM Structural System takes advantage of this same practice by employing floor layout types. You will need
to create at least one floor layout type for every model you create.

Note: The terms “layout type”, “floor type”, “floor layout type” and “floor layout” are used interchangeably both
in this document and in the program.

To create and select a floor type:

• Select Layout – Type – Select.

• Type 2nd for Floor Type ID and Click [Add].

• Type 3rd for Floor Type ID and click [Add].
• Type Typical for Floor Type ID and Click [Add].
• Type Roof for Floor Type ID Click [Add].
• Highlight 2nd and Click [Select].

Note: From this point on all the elements that are created are associated with the floor type labeled “2nd”. The
Layout Type dropdown list located in the toolbars indicates the currently active layout type. This drop down list
can also be used to switch between layout types.

At this point, there is the opportunity to import an AutoCAD .DXF file to generate the grids, beams and columns
of the current floor type. This option is not going to be used in order to illustrate the step-by-step approach
instead.

RAM Structural System 21 Tutorial

RAM Modeler
Grid Layout

Grid Layout
The modeling of a structural floor plan or layout typically begins with the layout of the gridlines, just as you
would start a framing plan drawing. The primary gridlines are used to locate the columns and walls.
Construction grids are ideal for locating items like beams or loads. The grids can be adjusted later and the model
can be automatically stretched in the process.
The grids for this model are shown in Figure 1 on page 13 for the 3rd Floor. Note that while the 3rd floor is used
as the graphic, the grids are the same on all floor types.
First, create the Grid Systems:
• Select Layout – Grids – Create / Edit.

• Type Main for Grid System Label.

• Set Grid System Type to Orthogonal.
• X and Y offset and Rotation should all be set to 0.
• Click [Add].
• Type Radial for Grid System Label.
• Set Grid System Type to Radial.
• Type 62.5 (20) for X offset.
• Type 20 (6) for Y offset.
• Type 0 for Rotation.

RAM Structural System 22 Tutorial

RAM Modeler
Grid Layout

• Click [Add].
Next, define the Grids for each Grid Systems:
• Highlight Main from the list box.
• Click [Edit Grids] and the Grids dialog box will open (double clicking the title Grid System label will also open
this dialog).
The X grids are the grids that run up-and-down the screen. They are located with a horizontal measurement
from the grid system origin.

Adding multiple grids at one time:

• Type A for Grid Label.
• Leave the Grid Coordinate set to 0.
• Type 25 (8) in the Grid Spacing field.
• Set the # of Additional Grids to 5 and set the Labeling to Automatic Ascending.
• Click [Add]. The program should generate grids A, B, C, D, E and F at once.
Adding single grids:
• Type B.4 for Grid Label.
• Enter 35 (11) for the Grid Coordinate.

RAM Structural System 23 Tutorial

RAM Modeler
Grid Layout

• Set the # of Additional Grids back to 0.

• Under Extents set the Minimum Y to 19(5.5) and the maximum Y to 41(12.5).
• Change the Display label from I-end to J-end.
• Click [Add].
• Type D.4 for Grid Label.
• Enter 90( 29) for the Grid Coordinate.
• Under Extents set the Minimum Y to 19(5.5) and the maximum Y to 41(12.5).
• Click [Add].
Your screen should now have the grids shown in Figure 2 above.
Select the Y Grid tab.

• Type 1 for Grid Label.

• Type 0 for Grid Coordinate.
• Type 20 (6) in the Grid Spacing field.
• Set the # of Additional Grids to 4 and set the Labeling to Automatic.
• Click [Add]. The program should generate grids 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at once.
Your screen should now have the grids shown in Figure 3 above.

RAM Structural System 24 Tutorial

RAM Modeler
Grid Layout

• Click [OK] to exit the Edit Grid dialog.

This takes you back to the Create / Edit Grid Systems dialog box.
You will now define the grids for the Radial Grid System.
• Highlight Radial from the main list box.
• Click [Edit Grids]. The Radial Grids dialog box will open.

• Type R1 for Grid Label.

• Type 210 for Grid Angle and click [Add].
• Type R2 for Grid Label.
• Type 240 for Grid Angle and click [Add].
• Type R3 for Grid Label.
• Type 270 for Grid Angle and click [Add].
• Type R4 for Grid Label.
• Type 300 for Grid Angle and click [Add].
• Type R5 for Grid Label.
• Type 330 for Grid Angle and click [Add].
Select the Circular Grid tab.

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Grid Layout

• Type S1 for Grid Label.

• Type 37.5(12) for Radial Distance.
• Check the Limit to Minimum angle and type 181 for the angle.
• Set the Limit to Maximum Angle at 359 and click [Add].
• Type S2 for Grid Label.
• Type 32.5 (10.5) for Radial Distance.
• Check the Limit to Minimum angle and type 181 for the angle.
• Set the Limit to Maximum Angle at 359 and click [Add].
• Type S3 for Grid Label.
• Type 27.5 (9) for Radial Distance.
• Check the Limit to Minimum angle and type 181 for the angle.
• Set the Limit to Maximum Angle at 359 and click [Add].
• Click [OK] to go back to the Create / Edit Grid Systems Dialog box.
• Click [OK] to finish the grid creation. If you made any mistakes, you can reopen the grids control and change
the coordinates or other property of the grids. Just select the grid first, make the desired changes and click
[Change].
To select the grid systems to be used for the various levels:

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Concrete Beam and Column Section Properties

• Select Layout – Grids – Select. The Select Grid Systems dialog box should appear:
• Highlight 2nd under Layout Floor Type if it is not already.
• Check both Main and Radial boxes under Grid Systems.
• Click [OK].
Your screen should now show the grids as depicted in the 3rd Floor Plan figure at the beginning of this chapter
(see Figure 1 on page 13).
It is a good idea to save your work periodically, to do so now:
• Select File – Save.

Concrete Beam and Column Section Properties

The 2nd Floor Type consists of a combination of different concrete members. To prepare for laying out the
beams and column, the Material must first be set to Concrete. To do this:
• Select Material – Concrete or pull down the material drop down list and select “Concrete”.

To enter Column Sections:

• Select PropTable – Column Sections and the Concrete Column Sections Dialog will appear.

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Concrete Beam and Column Section Properties

There are two concrete column sizes required for this model:
• Type C18x26 (C45x66) for Section Label.
• Enter 26 (660) for H.
• Enter 18 (450) for B.
• Click [Add].
• Type C12x24 (C30x60) for Section Label.
• Change the Cracked Section Factor for Flexure from 0.70 to 0.35. 0.7 is the default value for columns, but
the C12x24 columns will be used like pilasters at the ends of a wall.
• Enter 24 (600) for H.
• Enter 12 (300) for B.
• Click [Add].
• Click [OK].
To enter the concrete beam properties:
• Select PropTable > Column Sections. The Concrete Beam Sections Dialog will open.

There will be three different concrete beam sections in this model. Enter them as follows:
• Enter B12x28 (B30x66) for Section Label.
• Set the Shape option to Rectangular.
• Enter 28 (660) for the Depth and 12 (300) for the Width
• Click [Add].
• Enter B18x30 (B45x75) for Section Label.
• Enter 30 (750) for the Depth and 18 (450) for the Width
• Click [Add].

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Concrete Column Layout

• Enter B8x20-T (B20x50-T) for Section Label.

• Set the Shape option to T-Section.
• Type 20 (500) for Depth.
• Set the Flange Width to Use Calculated (the program will determine the individual beam widths based on
the span, the distance to a slab edge or the distance to an adjacent beam, whichever controls).
• Set the Flange Thickness to Use Slab Thickness.
• Set the Web Thickness to 8 (200).

Note: The program does not count any tapering of the T beam stem.
• Click [Add] and click [OK].

Concrete Column Layout

Columns can be located at the intersections of gridlines (On-Grid) or at any other location on the layout (Off-
Grid). Throughout the program output, columns are identified by the grid intersection they are on, so it is
recommended to place the column On-Grid. Placing columns On-Grid is also the best way to assure that they line
up from level to level. If a column is at the confluence of three or more grid lines, you may want to stop all but
two of the grid lines short of the intersection so that the program can identify the column correctly.

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Concrete Column Layout

Figure 2: Concrete Column and Wall layout (2nd Floor Type)

To begin modeling the columns:

• Select Layout > Columns > Add On-Grid. The Add Concrete Column On-Grid Mode dialog box should appear.

• Enter 4 for f’c (30 for fcu).

• Enter 145 (2350) for Unit Weight
• Enter 150 (2400) for Unit Weight for Self-Weight
• Enter 0.20 for Poisson’s Ratio
• Select Normal Weight Concrete
• Select Use Calculated Value for Elastic Modulus

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Concrete Column Layout

• For Reinforcement, enter 60 (410) for fy Longitudinal and 60 (410) for fy Shear
• Set Framing to Gravity.
•
Set Orientation to (this is zero degree orientation).
• Click [Single].

This will take you back to the graphics screen with the plus sign cursor .
• With the cursor, place a column (Left Click one time) at these grid intersections:

A-1, A-2,
B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5,
C-5,
D-5,
E-1, E-2, E-3, E-5,
F-1, and F-2.
• Right Click with the mouse to return to the Add Concrete Column On-Grid Mode dialog box (right clicking in
the Modeler always returns you to the previous dialog box):
• Change Framing from Gravity to Lateral.
• Click [Single] to return to the graphics screen:
• Place lateral columns by clicking at Grids
B-4, C-4, D-4 and E-4.
• Right Click to return to the Add Concrete Column On-Grid Mode dialog box.
•
Change Orientation to (90 degrees).
• Click [Single] to return to the graphics window.
• Place 3 lateral columns on the remaining grid intersections for grid lines A and F.

Note: If you accidentally place a member with an incorrect setting, you can undo the last command Using Edit -
Undo. If it's too late to undo the command, then you can delete the erroneous column and model it again, or you
can fix it by using the Change Properties command. This is covered later in the tutorial.

Now assign concrete column section sizes.

• Select the Layout > Columns > Assign Size Command. The Assign Concrete Column Size Mode dialog box
will appear.

• Select C18x26 (C45x66) from the list box and click [Fence]. This will take you back to the graphics screen:

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Concrete Wall Layout

• With the cursor drag a window large just enough to encompass all of the columns. Window selections in the
modeler only work on items entirely within the window.
• Right click to return to the Assign Size command.
• Select the C12x24 (C30x60) from the list and click [Single].
• This time select only the gravity (blue) columns. This will override the previous assignment.
This completes the layout of concrete columns on the 2nd Floor. We have a few steel columns to add, but we are
going to put the concrete walls in first.

Concrete Wall Layout

Like columns, walls can be placed on or off of the established grids. You will only use the On-Grid feature in this
section. Walls can only be placed while the current material is set to either “Concrete” or “Other”.
• Select Layout > Walls > Add On-Grid. The Add Concrete Wall On-Grid Mode dialog box will open:

• Set Framing to Lateral.

• Type 12 (300) for Thickness
• Type 4 for f’c (30 for fcu).
• Type 145 (2350) for UW (this is used to calculate E).
• Type 150 (2400) for UW for Self – Weight (this is only used if the RAM Manager self weight criteria has walls
selected).
• Type 0.2 for Poisson’s Ratio
• Type 0.35 for Cracked Factor
• Leave the other fields as their defaults
• Click [Single]
This will take you back to the graphics screen:
• With the cursor, place a wall by clicking once at the beginning and once at the end of the wall.

Note: In single mode, a white line appears after selecting the start point of a wall. This “rubber band” displays
the position of the wall before the other end is located. The same graphic also appears when laying out slab
edges, deck polygons, line loads, etc.

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Copy Floor Types

• Start by clicking at grid F-4

• Move the cursor to grid F-5.
• Once there, click to complete the wall layout.
• Add walls between the following grid intersections:
• From B.4-3 to B.4-2
• From B.4-2 to C-2
• From D-2 to D.4-2
• From D.4-2 to D.4-3

Note: In the modeler, walls and columns are placed according to the center location. In reality a concrete wall
between two pilasters may be shifted slightly from the column centerline or gridline. For simplicity of modeling
and analysis, it is highly recommended to place the columns and walls on the same centerline regardless.

• Right click to return to the Layout Walls dialog box.

• Change the framing from Lateral to Gravity.
• Click [Single] to return to the graphics mode and add two walls
• From B.4-3 to C-3
• From D-3 to D.4-3
• The screen should then look like Figure 2 (on page 30).

Note: These "flange walls" could be modeled as either gravity members or lateral members. As gravity members
they will not participate in the lateral finite element analysis in RAM Frame. The "L" shaped walls will act
together to resist the lateral loads in both the N-S and E-W directions. In the RAM Concrete Shear Wall program
special boundary conditions can be put into place to enforce the placement of special confinement. This will be
discussed in the Shear Wall section.

Copy Floor Types

In many buildings the various floor types are similar. The program has a feature for copying information from
one level type to another. The feature only works when you have a blank level type current.
• Select Layout > Type > Select.
• Highlight the Level called 3rd and Click [Select].
The graphics view is altered to show you the 3rd floor type. At this time, there is nothing on this floor type.
It is completely blank at this time. In the menu bar at the top of the modeler, you’ll notice that the current level
type has changed from 2nd to 3rd. This pull down menu is the quickest way to switch from level to level.
• Select Layout > Type > Copy.

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Concrete Beam Layout

• Under Copy From highlight 2nd.

• Under Select Items check All.
• Click [OK].
The 3rd level will now be an exact duplicate of the 2nd floor. Any changes made from this point on will be to one
level only. We will copy to the Typical and Roof floor types later.

Concrete Beam Layout

Beams can either be located between the intersection of gridlines or existing members, or Off-Grid, which is
usually the case for secondary framing. Beams can also be automatically generated by the program at regular
spacing. Cantilevers can be added to beams after the main span is modeled. Not all beam layout commands will
be illustrated in this tutorial, but all are explained in the on-line Help or RAM Modeler documentation.

Figure 3: Concrete Beam layout (3rd Floor)

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Concrete Beam Layout

Since there are only 2 concrete beams to be added to the 2nd floor type, we will quickly add them then move to
the 3rd floor type for a detailed approach to adding beams. To add beams to the plan:
• Switch to the 2nd floor type by selecting Layout-Type-Select and selecting 2nd

Note: You can also change floor types by selecting 2nd from the drop down combo box on the toolbar:

• Select Layout > Beams > Add On-Grid. The Add Concrete Beam On-Grid Mode dialog box should appear.

• Set Framing to Gravity.

• Type 4 (30) for f’c.
• Type 145 (2350) for UW.
• Type 150 (2400) for UW for Self-Weight.
• Type 0.2 for Poisson’s Ratio
• Select Normal Weight Concrete
• Select Use Calculated Value for Elastic Modulus
• For Reinforcement, enter 60 (410) for fy Longitudinal and 60 (410) for fyt Shear
• Click [Single].

This will take you back to the graphics screen with the plus sign cursor .
• These beams will be added in the same way the walls were added; by clicking on a grid intersection, moving
the cursor to a second grid intersection and clicking to complete the member.

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Concrete Beam Layout

• With the mouse select the column on Grid B-2.

• Move the cursor to the concrete wall end at B.4-2, and left click the mouse to finish.
• Repeat to add a beam between the wall at D.4-2 and the column at E-2.
• This completes the 2nd floor type framing. At this point, please verify that the model is identical to the
following figure for the 2nd level floor type:

Figure 4: 2nd floor type Concrete Beam layout

Now switch to the 3rd floor type to continue laying out concrete beams.
• Switch to the 3rd floor type by selecting Layout-Type-Select and selecting 3rd or by using the drop down
combo box on the toolbar as shown previously.
• Right click to return to the Add Beam On-Grid dialog box.
• Click [Fence] to return to the graphics window.
• Create a large enough box to encompass the entire floor plan.
A word about the Fence option: this will add beams from column to column (on grid) within the fenced area. If
you incorrectly add a beam, it can be deleted or you can undo the last steps. Fence mode is extremely useful for
adding beams in regular structures.
For this model, the fence command added a beam between grids B-1 and E-1 that is not needed. To remove it:
• Delete the long beam that was created between B-1 and E-1 by selecting Layout-Beams-Delete and
selecting [Single].

Note: You can also delete the currently selected member type by using the delete button on the toolbar.

Add additional beams as follows.

• Return to the Layout beams on grid dialog window, and select [Single] to return the graphics window.
• Connect all of the columns together with beams and connect the ends of the walls to columns with gravity
concrete beams.
Now change the gravity beams between lateral columns to lateral beams by selecting Layout > Beams > Change
Properties, then selecting the Framing checkbox (which will activate the Framing options) and the Lateral

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Concrete Beam Layout

option, and then select the beams using either the Single or Fence methods. The final Framing plan should look
like this:

Figure 5: Concrete Beams On-Grid (3rd Floor Type)

Now it's time to add the infill beams. These beams could be modeled as either beams or pan joists. When adding
pan joists, you must initially assign a size to the edge beams, then specify the pan size or the spacing between the
beams. If the spacing does not work out perfectly, then there will be one odd space. When laying out beams, on
the other hand, it is the centerline that you are defining. Since this tutorial needs to work for two systems of
units, we will add beams rather than pan joists. To add the intermediate, infill beams:
• Select Layout > Beams > Add Generation. The following dialog box will appear:

• Change the number of Equal Spaces Per Beam from 2 to 3.

• Click [Add] to return to the graphics window.
• Click once at the column on Grid A-1 where the generation will start from. Then click a Second time at Grid
A-5 to terminate the string of beams.
A direction line appears at the center of the line just drawn to indicate the orientation of the beams about to
be generated. Click to the East side of line A to project the new beams in that direction.
Notice the command line at the bottom of your screen. The brief instructions typically lead you through the
layout steps
• Repeat the steps above for all open spaces between framing in the same E-W direction except with concrete
wall cores as shown in Figure 3 above.

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Steel Column Layout-Lower Levels

Like concrete columns, all concrete beams must be assigned a preliminary size in order to perform a complete
analysis (see Figure 3). Before assigning sizes, it's best to turn on the size display:
• Select Options > Show Sizes (you won't see anything different).
• Select Layout > Beam > Assign Size.

• In the Assign Size dialog box, highlight the B8x20-T section (B20x50-T) and click [Fence].
• In the graphics mode, fence the entire floor plan.
• Right click to return to the previous window.
• Highlight the B18x30 (B45x75) section and click [Single].
• With the target cursor, select each of the Lateral Girders.
• Right click to return to the previous window.
• Highlight the B12x28 (B30x66) section and click [Single].
• Pick each of the gravity framing beams on Grids A through F.
• Pick each of the gravity framing beams on Grids 1 through 5.
• Select File > Save.
That completes the layout of concrete members in the Tutorial model. If you purchased a license for the RAM
Concrete design module only, and do not have a license for RAM Steel then you should substitute concrete beams
and columns for steel beams and columns in the following sections, or omit those members altogether. You are
allowed to model steel members even if you don't have a license for RAM Steel, but you must assign a specific
size to all of those members prior to running the model in RAM Concrete.

Steel Column Layout-Lower Levels

Modeling Steel members is identical to modeling concrete members, but the gravity only steel members do not
have to be assigned any specific size. The RAM Steel design modules will select an optimum size for each.
Now it's time to add the extra columns for the entrance atrium canopy on the 2nd and 3rd level:
• Select the 2nd floor type.
• Select Layout > Columns > On-Grid.
• Set the Fy value to 50 (355).
• Change the shape to Rectangular HS
• Change the Framing type to gravity
• Change the orientation to "Perpendicular to X / Radial Grids.

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Steel Column Layout-Lower Levels

• Click [Single].

•
With the cursor, add steel columns to the Radial Grids at R1 through R5 at S1.

Figure 6: 2nd Level Steel Columns

• Change to the 3rd floor type using the drop down list on the top menu bar.
• Right click to resume adding columns.
• Add the same steel columns to grids R1 through R5 and S2 on this level.

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Moving and Sloping Columns

Figure 7: 3rd Level Steel Columns

Moving and Sloping Columns

In the modeler you have the option to move columns either completely or top or bottom only. With the top or
bottom only commands you can slope a column or join the top or bottom of multiple columns at a point. In order
to achieve the sloping face of the open atrium we will have to slope the steel columns of the 2nd and 3rd floor
types.
• Select the 2nd floor type by using the drop down menu in to toolbar.
• Select Layout-Columns-Move or by selecting the column icon in the toolbar and then the move icon to the
right.
• In the dialog box select Top only and click [Single] (leave the location set to Specify New Location). This
allows you to select the new location of the TOP of the column in the modeler.

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Steel Beam Layout - Lower Levels

• Select the column at grid intersection R1-S1 and notice that the column highlights. Move your cursor to the
intersection of grid line R1-S2 and click to move the top of the column. Notice that there is a shadow of the
column from the bottom location to the top.
• Repeat for all the columns along gridline S1.
• Switch to the 3rd floor type.
• Now slope the top of the steel columns on gridline S2 to gridline S3 in the same manner as the columns on
the 2nd floor type.

Note: You can also move the complete columns or top or bottom only by using the Increment Current
Coordinates command in the Column-Move dialog or in the Layout-Columns-Text dialog.

Note: For gravity columns, remember that RAM designs the columns for the vertical component of the forces
only. All horizontal thrust data is not used or stored. So, for columns with increasing angles and lateral loads, the
thrust that is resisted or transferred by these columns is neglected.

Steel Beam Layout - Lower Levels

Steel beams, like concrete beams, must be modeled to have two supports. Beams with cantilevers are modeled as
simple-span beams first, then the cantilevers are added to the end. Do not attempt to add a long beam from the
tip of the cantilever to the other end of the beam as it will cross the supporting beam or column which is not
allowed. When you have indeterminate systems, like two cantilevers meeting at a point, simplifications may
have to be made. To begin laying out beams:
• Select the 2nd floor type by using the drop down menu in to toolbar.
• Select Layout > Beams > Add On-Grid.

• Change the shape to Channel

Note: In order for a beam to be designed as a composite beam, it not only needs to be defined as a composite
section, but it also needs to have a composite deck on top of it for the entire beam length. If the beam is
covered with noncomposite deck (or no deck at all) then it will always get designed as noncomposite.
• Click [Single].
• Add steel beams connecting the new steel columns together.

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Steel Beam Layout - Lower Levels

Note: The direction you add the beam does not matter. Beams are always assigned a left end and a right end
based on the geometry.

Figure 8: 2nd Floor Steel Beams On-Grid

We need a pair of beams to finish the framing of the open atrium. To add them:
• Select Layout > Beams > Add Off-Grid.

There are many options for adding beams off-grid. Often it is a matter of adding a new beam parallel to an
existing beam with some specified offset. This can be done even if the new beam is in a different bay. In this
case the beams will be added from a column to a beam.
• Set the Graphics mode to Column-To-Beam
• Set the angle to 90. This will allow us to add new beams from a selected column to the closest beam that is 90
degrees (global) from the column.
• Click [Add].
• With the target cursor, select the column at R1-S2 and then click to the north of that column. Repeat for the
column at R5-S2.
• Switch to the 3rd floor type.

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Steel Member Layout - Typical Level

• Repeat the above steps for all of the columns on grid line S3.

Figure 9: 3-D view of first 2 floor types

That completes the layout of beams on the 2nd level, but there is some more work to do on the other level types.

Steel Member Layout - Typical Level

We'll start our work on the Typical Level, by copying all items from the 3rd floor type.
• Select the Typical level type.
• Copy the 3rd floor type to the typical level and select All items to copy.
We will not use the radial grids on this level so it is best to turn them off.
• Go to Layout-Grids-Select
• Uncheck the box beside Radial and click [OK].
Not all of the walls from the 3rd floor type are used on the Typical level so some need to be deleted.
• Be sure the selected material mode is Concrete. If it is not, change to Concrete now using either of the
methods shown previously.
• Select Layout > Walls > Delete.
• Click [Single] and delete the wall on grid line F
We will now add a beam where the wall had been.
• Select Layout > Beams > Add on Grid.
• Add a beam where the wall had been as shown previously.

Note: At this time the beam is concrete, like the other members on the level.

The Typical floor is comprised of steel members but since we copied the framing from the 3rd floor, the members
are currently all concrete. Change the material of the beams as follows:
• Select Layout > Beams > Change Material.
• Change Fy to 50 ksi (355).
• Change the Shape to I section.
• Set the framing to Composite.

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Steel Member Layout - Typical Level

• Click [Fence] and fence the whole floor to change all of the concrete beams into steel.
Now, clear all of the user assigned sizes (assigned to concrete beams prior to copy).
• Select Layout > Beams > Clear Size
• Click [Fence] and fence all of the beams on the Typical floor type.

Note: If the concrete sizes are not cleared from the steel beams, the Steel Beam Design Module will search for
the user assigned sizes in the steel tables resulting in design errors.

Now change the columns from concrete to steel.

• Select Layout > Columns > Change Material.

• For the Fy value type 50 (355 for py).

• Set Shape to I section.
• Click [Fence] and in the graphics mode fence the entire framing.
All of the columns are changed into Steel Wide flange shapes. The framing and orientation of the original
columns are maintained.

Now we must change the lateral steel columns on grid line 5 to gravity and change their orientation to .

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Steel Member Layout - Typical Level

• Select Layout-Columns-Change properties and checking the Orientation and Framing boxes and making
the appropriate changes.
• Click [Single]
• Click on the columns at the ends of grid line 5.
Similarly, change the beam on grid A between grids 4 and 5 to gravity.
Move the columns on Gridline 5 by
• Select Layout-Columns-Move.
• Select the Top and Bottom option under Move
• Select the Increment Current Coordinates option under Location.
• Enter -8 (-2.5) in the Y text box, leaving the X box at 0.
• Select Maintain Relative Spacing under options,
• Click [Fence] and fence all the columns on Gridline 5.
We will now add a cantilevered balcony to the Typical level.
• Select Layout-Beams-Add Cantilevers.

• Choose the Input Value as Cantilever Length option

• Enter 8 in the length box.
• Click [Add/Change].
• Select the girder on Grid A between grids 4 and 5. Click the north end of that girder to add the cantilever.
• Repeat for the same girders on grids B, C, D, E and F.
• Select Layout-Beams-Add Off Grid.
• Choose the Beam-To-Beam (Dist, Dist).
• Enter 0 for both distances
• Click [Add].
• Click on the end of the cantilever beam on Grid Line B, then on the north side of the same beam.
• Next click on the cantilever on Grid Line C, and again on the north side. Notice the beam gets added to the
ends of the cantilevered beams.

Note: You can also use the Add On Grid command for this situation as snap points are assigned to the ends of
all beams.
• Repeat for all of the cantilevered beams.
• Right Click to return to the Layout-Beam-Off Grid dialog.
• Chose Beam-to-Beam (Dist,Angle),
• Enter 4 (1.25) for dist

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Steel Member Layout - Typical Level

• Enter 90 for Angle.

• Click on the end of the cantilevered beams and into the bays to add a floor beam in those bays.
Verify the typical level framing in the picture below.

Figure 10: Complete Framing of the Typical Level

Now, we will place some lateral beam bracing for the moment frame beams.
• Select Layout Beams > Add Off-Grid.

• Select Gravity for the Framing

• Select Composite for the Composite Flag.
• Select the option Beam-To-Beam (Dist, Angle).
• Select Angle Relative the Reference Beam 1 (0-90) as your Beam-To-Beam option.
• Set the Dist. to 12.5 (4)
• Enter 90 degrees for the Angle.
• Click [Add].
• With the target cursor, select the lateral beam from grid B-4 to C-4.

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Steel Joist Layout - Roof

• Click to the west end of that beam.

• A white horizontal line will appear 12.5' from the left end of that beam. Click to the south side and the new
beam will be placed on that side. This beam will brace the top and bottom flange of the lateral beam which
will improve the design.
• Repeat for the lateral beams on Grid 4.

Figure 11: Lateral Beam bracing.

Steel Joist Layout - Roof

To begin work on the roof level, copy information from the Typical level.
• Select the Roof level using the Floor Type drop-down combo box on the toolbar.
• Select Layout > Type > Copy.
• Copy All items from the Typical level.
Delete the unneeded beams from the Roof floor type.
• Select Layout-Beams-Delete
• Click [Fence] and fence the floor beams between grids 4 and 5 to delete them. (Include the floor beams on
Grid line 5).
• Also delete the bracing beams south of the moment frame beams.
Delete the unneeded columns from the Roof floor type.
• Select Layout-Columns-Delete.
• Press [Fence] to return to graphics mode.
• Fence the columns between gridlines 4 and 5.
Now we're going to change steel beams to Joists.
• Change the Current Material to Steel Joist
• Select Layout > Joists > Change Material.
• Click [Fence].
• Fence all the floor beams in between all the major grid lines as well as the ones on grid line 3.
Add additional Joists as follows.
• Select Layout > Joist > Add Generation.
• Enter 5 for Number of Equal Spaces Per Beam.
• Click [Add]
• Start at the frame beam at B-4 and stop at E-4 then click to the south of that line to add joists that brace the
frame beams.

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Slab Edge

Figure 12: Roof Beam and Joist Framing

Slab Edge
Now that the floor framing layout is complete, the slab edges and slab openings must be laid out. Regardless
what type of deck you are using, the level needs to have a slab edge. The deck and surface loads need the slab
edges to define their boundaries. To layout the slab edge:
• Select the 2nd level type.
• Select Layout - Slab - Slab Edge.

• Type 12 (300) for Slab Overhang.

The slab edge overhang is measured from the beam centerline and must be at least 1".
• Click [Add].
• Start at the column at A-1 and move clockwise to A-5, C-5, C-2, B-2, B-1, and close it at A-1.

Note: When “Left” is selected as shown above, always layout slab edges in a clockwise direction. Moving in
the opposite direction will result in errors.
• Repeat the clockwise addition of the next diaphragm by starting and ending at D-5.

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Slab Opening

Press the Esc key to dismiss the “Keyboard Entry” dialog and return to the arrow cursor.
You should see the slab edge (a green outline) surrounding the entire perimeter of each of the two diaphragms
on the 2nd Floor Plan. The slab edge must create a single, complete loop.
Now layout the slab edge on the other floor types.
• Select the 3rd floor type from the drop down combo box on the toolbar.
• Right click to return to the Slab Edge Layout.
• Click [Whole Perimeter].
• Notice the Slab Edge gets applied to all the beams on the perimeter including the Steel beams of the atrium
canopy.
• Repeat the above steps for the Typical levels and Roof levels, but change the overhang to 6 inches (150
mm).

Figure 13: Typical Floor plan with slab Edge

Slab Opening
Now that the slab edge is complete, you can now add an interior opening:
• Select the 2nd level type.
• Select Layout > Slab > Slab Openings.

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Floor Slabs and Deck

• Type 6 (150) for Slab Overhang.

• Click [Add].
• With the target cursor, click once at the end of the concrete wall enclosing the elevator shaft at grid
intersection B.4-3. Move counter-clockwise to B.4-2, C-2, C-3, and close it at B.4-3. You should see the
four edges of each opening drawn along the adjacent framing.

Note: When “Left” is selected as shown above, always layout slab openings in a counter-clockwise direction.
Moving in the opposite direction will result in errors.
• Repeat for the shaft on the other diaphragm.
Slab edge openings, like slab edge overhangs are always offset from the center line of the framing, but these
edges are offset towards the center of the opening. Also, when a bay is enclosed on all four sides, the In Bay
command can be used for a much easier opening addition.
• Repeat these steps on the 3rd and Typical floor levels except use the In Bay command by clicking in the
center of the bays.

Floor Slabs and Deck

To complete the physical model it is necessary to apply a slab or deck to the structure. The slab and the deck
properties are necessary both to determine composite beam section or T-Beam properties as well as to facilitate
the distribution of the gravity load. You do this in two stages, first you will define the properties of the decks and
slabs, and then you will layout the slab on the floor. To define the Slab Properties:
• Select PropTable > Decking.

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Floor Slabs and Deck

On the Composite Floor System tab,

• Select VULCRAFT 2.0VL (Kingspan MD 60-V2) as the deck type.
Set the other attributes as follows:
• Concrete Thickness Above Flutes: 2.5 (65)
• Stud Length: 4 (100).
• Unit Weight: 115 (2400).
• f’c: 3 (fcu: 27.5).
• Stud Fu: 60 (450).
• Self-Weight of Steel Deck: 3 (0.15).
• Set the Stud Diam to 3/4 (19).
• Set the Shored option to No.
• Click [Add].
On the Noncomposite Floor System tab, define two noncomposite decks.

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Floor Slabs and Deck

• Enter Non Composite-lower for Label

• Enter a deck Unit Weight for Self-Weight of 3 (0.15),
• Leave all other fields blank.
The program is not designing decks at this time, only using the deck self weight in the loads. It is up to the
user to make sure the deck selected can span the required distances in the model.
• Click [Add]
• Enter Non Composite –roof for Label.
• Enter 3(0.15) for the self weight again,
• Fill out the Diaphragm properties with the following information:

Enter 1.0 (25) for Effective Thickness,

Enter 0.22 for Poisson’s Ratio, and
Enter 29000 (200000) for Elastic Modulus.

Note: The diaphragm info entered is not typical and is used for illustration purposes only. This information is
only used in RAM Frame for semi-rigid diaphragm calculations.
• Click [Add].
On the Concrete Slab System Tab, define three concrete slabs.

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Floor Slabs and Deck

• Type 4.5 in 1 way for the Label.

• Type 4.5 (115) for Concrete Slab Thickness.
• Click [Add] and the information will be added to the large window.
• Type 10.5 in 2 way for the label.
• Type 10.5 (265) for Concrete Slab Thickness.
• Click [Add].
• Type Mat Foundation for the Label.
• Type 18 (450) for Concrete Slab Thickness.
• Click [Add].
• Click [OK].
You have now defined the decks/slabs to be applied to the floor plan.
A few notes on decks: ANY Steel members that are under ANY portion of two way deck will not be completely
designed. This means that any force coming from the two way slab will be lost to the steel member. Decks can be
used as supports for columns, therefore gravity and lateral forces can be applied to other members through the
diaphragm. Keep this in mind when placing lateral members in particular as the deck must be meshed to
transfer the lateral loads in RAM Frame. Walls cannot be supported by any deck.
We will now apply the decks to the 2nd floor type.
• Select the 2nd level type.
• Select Layout > Slab > Deck Assign.

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Floor Slabs and Deck

• Select the Two-Way option under Slab Action.

• Select the Concrete Framing System Option
• In the list box, highlight the 10.5 in 2 way slab that you defined in the previous step.
• Click [Whole Diaphragm].
• Click anywhere inside the region enclosed by the slab edge (a diaphragm). Do this for both diaphragms on
this floor type.
We will layout drop caps on this level as well.
• Right click to return to the Deck Assignment dialog.
• Check the Drop Cap check box to reveal the Drop Cap editor.

Note: Drop Caps can initially be made only square or rectangular. Once laid down, you can alter the polygon
to be almost any shape, similar to a standard deck. Please be aware that only the standard shapes will have
data under the Layout-Slab-Deck Assign-Show command.
• Select the Square button
• Enter 4(1.25) for Size.
• In the list box, highlight the 4.5 in 1 way deck type.

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Floor Slabs and Deck

Note: Drop caps are anchored to the columns that they are added to, so if a column is moved or deleted the
drop cap will follow suit.
• Click [Add Drop Cap > Single].
This takes you back to the graphics screen.
Notice that the entire floor area is now hatched with an indication of the decking. If the deck on this level had
One-Way slab action, lines in the hatch pattern would indicate the span direction of the slab.
• Click on the columns at B-3, B-4, E-3 and E-4.
Notice the different hatch patterns associated with the caps. You can feel free to return to the editor and add
rectangular caps to the other columns under the deck if you wish at this point. Also, try the show command
described above for checking deck information.
Now layout decks on the other floors.
• Select the 3rd floor type from the drop down combo box.
• Right click to return to the Deck Assignment dialog box.
• Select One-Way under Slab Action.
• Select the 90 degree direction under orientation.

• Highlight the 4.5 in 1-way slab in the list box.

• Click [Whole Floor].
• Right click to return to the Deck assignment dialog and change the Framing System to Noncomposite.
• Ensure that the slab action is still One-Way.
• Select the 0 degree Orientation.

• Select the Non Composite-lower deck type from the list box.
• Click [Add].
This will take you back to the graphics screen.
With the "+" cursor, click at each of the corners of the slab edge around the steel beams that make up the atrium
canopy. A continuous white line should appear as you trace out this polygon. Once the polygon is closed the area
will be hatched differently that the concrete slab area

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Floor Slabs and Deck

Figure 14: 3rd Level Deck Areas

The entire floor, except the slab openings, should now be hatched indicating the slab placement. (If the program
does not display the deck, it means your slab edge or one of the slab openings are not closed properly. Return to
fix that now.). The deck itself is always truncated to the slab edge so it is fine to add deck areas larger than the
floor plan as you did here. By making the deck extra large you are assured that the correct deck extends out to
the slab edge overhang. This is recommended to prevent unwanted decking on the overhang that might
incorrectly brace the perimeter beams.
The points that define the deck or slab assignment area can also be established using the Keyboard Mode
Coordinate Entry dialog box that appears on screen. The X and Y fields are related to the global coordinate
system of the model. Once you have established a node of the deck polygon, those values can also be used to
generate an offset, or relative displacement, for the next node. The dialog box can be moved if it is in your way
when graphically selecting points.

You can also alter the deck polygon by using the change polygon command in the Deck Assignment Mode dialog.
We will demonstrate that by separating the main concrete deck from the noncomposite deck.
• Right click to return to the Deck Assignment Mode dialog.
• Click [Change Polygon].
• Click anywhere inside the main floor diaphragm and a solid white line will now be encompassing the entire
floor. Click on the bottom left hand side of the box at the white node. Click again to move the node to the
bottom left slab edge.
• Move the cursor to the midpoint east of the newly moved node. A midpoint node will appear. Click on it and
move it to the slab edge near B-1.
• Continue this until the deck polygon looks like this:

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Story Data

Figure 15: 3rd floor type concrete deck polygon

Now you can assign decking to the other levels.

• Select the Typical level type.
• Select Layout > Slab > Deck Assign.
• Select the Composite Floor deck.
• Click [Whole Floor].
We will add the Roof decking once we have altered the pitch of the roof since each sloped plane of the roof will
need to be added separately.

Story Data
With all of the floor types defined, you can now designate the arrangement of these floor types in the building.
This is called the story data:
• Select Story.

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Story Data

• Type 2nd for Story Label.

• Type 13 (4.25) for Flr to Flr Height.

Note: It is recommended to enter the deck/slab support elevation difference between stories (Top of Steel-
Top of Steel) when entering the story height data.
• Highlight 2nd in the Floor Type list box.
• Select Yes for Splice Level.
• Click [Add].
• Type 3rd for Story Label.
• Type 13 (4.25) for Flr to Flr Height.
• Highlight 3rd in the Floor Type list box.
• Select Yes for Splice Level.

Note: Since there are sloping columns on these two floor types, the program will place splices automatically
during column design if not selected here.
• Click [Add].
• Type 4th for Story Label.
• Type 11.5 (3.75) for Flr to Flr Height.
• Highlight Typical in the Floor Type list box.
• Select No for Splice Level.
• Click [Add].
• Type 5th for Story Label.
• Type 11.5 for Flr to Flr Height.
• Highlight Typical in the Floor Type list box.
• Select yes for Splice Level.
• Click [Add].
• Type Roof for Story Label.
• Type 15 (4.75) for Flr to Flr Height.
• Highlight Roof in the Floor Type list box.
• Select Yes for Splice Level. (the splice above the top level does not matter)
• Click [Add].

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Sloping the Roof

• If your data appears like the figure above Click [OK], otherwise highlight the incorrect level, modify the
required settings and click [Change].
A full 3-D model of your structure has now been developed, albeit not quite complete. To view your 3D model:
• Select View > 3D-View.
You should now see a 3D view of your model. Feel free to investigate some of the features in the 3D Viewer.

• Press the arrow keys on the keyboard to rotate the model or hold down Ctrl and move the mouse to rotate.
• Press the F2 function key to see other keyboard shortcuts.
• To exit 3-D View and return to Plan View, select File > Exit.

Note: the environment and interface of the 3D view is also used in some of the design modules.

Sloping the Roof

The Modeler also has the ability to modify the slope of a level. This is done by adjusting the columns or walls
from the story reference datum. Foundations can also be raised or lowered. Before modifying the elevations, you
will want to turn on the display of the column elevations.
• Select Options > Show Property > Column and Wall Elevations.
If you have difficulty reading the text on the screen you can increase or decrease the text size with the
Options - Scale Text command.
• Select the Roof level type.
First we'll modify the height of the columns.
• Select Layout > Columns > Modify Elevation.

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Construction Grids

• Set the Top of Column to extend and type 2 (0.75) for the value.
• Click [Fence].
• In the graphics mode, fence all of the columns on Grid 3.
• Right click to return to the Modify Column Elevations dialog.
• Change the value to 4 (1.5) and Fence the Columns on Grid 4
Now modify the height of the walls.
• Change the material to concrete.
• Select Layout-Walls- Modify Elevation.
• Choose Extend and enter 2(0.75) in the box under Top of Wall.
• Click [Fence].

Note: You can also modify one side of any wall by using the [Single] command and following the on screen
prompts. Also note that any attached walls will automatically be adjusted for height.
• Fence the two gravity walls on grid line 3.
• De-select Options > Show Property > Column and Wall Elevations.

Construction Grids
In addition to these two grid systems, the model also needs a few construction grids to aid in the modeling of
certain features. Construction grids are useful for modeling loads or deck areas that do not fall exactly on the
framing. Construction grids will not appear in any other design module and they are not labeled. To create a
construction grid:
• Select Layout > Grids > Construction Grids.

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Construction Grids

• With the Add Mode set to Parallel-To-Beam/Wall type 0.5 (0.15) for the distance.
• Click [Add].
• With the cursor, select any of the beams along Grid A.
• Two parallel white lines 0.5 ft from grid A5 will appear. Click on or near the west (left) line to create the new
grid at that location.
• Repeat for Grid F.
• Change the Add Mode to Point-Angle
• Set the angle to 0 degrees, set the distance to 0.

• Click [Add].
• With the “+” cursor, click at the grid coordinates A-2 and A-3.
These construction grids will aid in laying down the different deck planes.

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Defining Loads

• Select Layout-Slab-Deck Assign.

• Select the following:

One-Way Slab Action,

90 degree deck Orientation,
Noncomposite Framing System,
Non Composite-roof deck type from the list.
• Click [Add].
• Start at the slab edge near A-1 and move clockwise on the slab edge to A-2, F-2, F-1, and finish at A-1
taking care to trace along the slab edge where available.
• Repeat for the planes enclosed by A-2, A-3, F-3, F-2 and A-3, A-4, F-3, F-4.
• The slab should look continuous in plan and 3-D view.

Note: You may want to try adding by whole floor to see how the sloping diaphragm is affected.

If you review the 3D view now you should be able to see the slope of the Roof.

Defining Loads
You will now define and apply the gravity loads for which the floor's gravity system will be designed. Loads must
first be defined and then applied to the model.
The applied loads on a typical floor consist of surface loads, including tapered snow loads, and line loads. The
gravity loads will be defined in the Load Properties dialog boxes. There are separate dialog boxes for defining
surface loads, line loads, point loads and snow loads. To define the Surface Loads:
• Select PropTable > Loads > Surface.

• Type Lower Floors for Label.

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Defining Loads

• Type 15 (0.75) for Dead Load.

These are only the superimposed dead loads on the slab. The weight of the beams, and slab are already
accounted for in the self weight.
• Type 40 (2) for Live Load.
• Set the Live Load Type to Reducible.
• Leave the Construction Dead Load and Construction live loads at zero. These are only used in composite steel
beam design and they are only required when there are construction loads greater than the self weight.
• Type 15 (0.75) for Mass Dead Load. Mass Dead Load data is required in order to generate mass properties for
lateral analysis. If you have not selected the masses in the self weight criteria (RAM Manager) enter 85 (4).
• Click [Add].
• Change the Label to Typical.
• Change the Live Load to 60 (3).
• Change the Mass Dead Load to 55 if the Mass self weight was not included.
• Click [Add].
• Change the Label to Corridor
• Change the Live load to 80 (4)
• Change the type of load to Unreducible.
• Click [Add].
• Change the Label to Roof
• Change the Dead Load to 10 (0.5)
• Change the Live Load to 20 (1)
• Change the type of load to Roof.
• Change the Mass DL to 10 (0.5) or 25(1.25) (no mass included).
• Click [Add].
• Click [OK].
To define the Line Loads:
• Select PropTable > Loads > Line. The Line Load Properties dialog box should appear:

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Defining Loads

• Type Cladding for Label.

• Type 0.2 (3) for Dead Load.
• Type 0.2 (3) for Mass Dead Load.
• Click [Add].
• Change the Label to Atrium Glass.
• Change Dead Load and Mass Dead Load to 0.4 (6).
• Click [Add].
• Click [OK].
To define Snow Loads:
• Select Property Table > Loads > Snow.
• Type Flat Roof for the Label.
• Set the Type to Constant.
• Enter 30 (1.5) for the Snow Load magnitude.
• Click [Add].

• Change the Label to Drift Roof

• Change the Type to Drift
• Enter the three magnitudes 45, 45 and 30 (2, 2, 1.5).
When you layout the loads you can choose which corner of the load should be associated with the values
entered here. The snow loads you apply may have more than 3 corners, but only three are required to define
the load plane.
• Click [Add] and click [OK].

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Applying Loads

Applying Loads
Now that the loads are defined, it's time to apply them to the floor.
• Select the 2nd level type.
• Select Layout > Loads > Surface Loads.

• Highlight Lower Floors from the list box in the Surface Loads Layout Mode dialog box.
• Click [Whole Diaphragm].
• Click anywhere inside the diaphragms to add the load.
You should see the two floor diaphragms covered with a hatch pattern. At this stage you have the floor load over
the entire floor area. You could now place other loads over a portion of the floor (as in the case of corridor,
storage or equipment loads) and those loads would supersede (replace) the floor load in that area. Surface
loads are not cumulative.
• Select the 3rd Level type.
• Right click to return to the surface loads dialog box.
• Ensure the Lower Floors load is selected and click [Whole Floor].
• Right click to return to the assign dialog and select Corridor
• Click [Add].
• Click at the four corners of the corridor defined by the grids C-2, C-5, D-5 and D-2.
Snow loads are applied in much the same way as surface loads.
• Select Layout > Loads > Snow.

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Applying Loads

• Select Drift Roof load type

• Click [Add].
• Start by clicking at the upper left corner of the canopy, then select the upper right corner, then continue
around clockwise around the slab edge close the polygon as indicated below.

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Applying Loads

Figure 16: Snow Loads on the Canopy

• You will be prompted to select the 3 defining nodes of the snow load. Select the first two nodes that you
picked and the coordinate of the furthest point, in-order so that the load has the highest magnitude across the
north edge.
To layout the Line Loads:
• Select Layout > Loads > Line Loads.
• Highlight Cladding load from the list box.
• Click [Whole Perimeter].
A line indicating the load will appear along all perimeter beams. The line will be broken up into segments, but
this not a requirement when modeling line loads.
• Right click to return to the Line Load Layout Mode.
• Click [Delete > Fence].
• Fence the entire atrium to delete the line loads on the beams enclosing it.

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Steel Beam Size Restrictions

• Right click to return to the Line Load Layout Mode.

• Highlight Atrium Glass in the List
• Click [Add].
• Trace along the perimeter Atrium beams.
Add the Line loads to the 2nd level type in a similar fashion by clicking from column to column or wall.

Note: When adding line loads to a deck with no beams (two-way slab) you must add them by using the [Add]
command and clicking from column to column or wall. The [Whole Perimeter] command only works if the
perimeter of the structure is enclosed by beams or walls.

Note: Point Loads and Line Loads do not have to be placed directly on a beam for them to be recognized by the
program. When those loads are placed directly on the deck the program will distribute a portion of the load to
the adjacent framing based on the angle of the deck and the location of the load.

• Select the Typical level type.

• Select Layout > Loads > Surface Loads.
• Assign the Typical load to the [Whole Floor].
• Repeat the steps above for adding a Corridor load to this level.
• Select Layout > Loads > Line loads.
• Repeat the steps above for adding the Cladding load to the Typical level.
• Select the Roof level type.
• Assign the Roof surface load to the [Whole Floor].
• Select Layout – Loads – Line Loads and assign the Cladding load to the [Whole Perimeter].
• Select File > Save.

Steel Beam Size Restrictions

You can assign specific sizes to steel beams using Layout - Beam - Assign Size which is nice for evaluating
existing structures. In this case, we want the program to pick the beam sizes for us, but we want to make sure all
the cantilever beams are the same

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Steel Beam Size Restrictions

Note: When a gravity beam cantilevers over another beam or column, the behavior is assumed to be that of a
fulcrum. No moment is transferred into the supporting member. If you want moment to be transferred as in the
case of a fully restrained moment connection, then the beam and the support should be modeled as Lateral
members. With lateral members, you can control the end fixity of all the members.

• Select the 2nd level type.

• Set the Current Material to Steel.
• Select Layout > Beams > Size Restrictions.

• Check the Maximum depth limit and set it to 11 (275)

• Check the Minimum depth option and set it to 9 (225).

Note: These limits are literal limits on the beam depth. We are using a depth range here to insure that we get
nominal 10" beam.
• Click [Fence] and fence the entire Atrium canopy.

Note: While you are in the Steel material mode you cannot alter concrete beams.
• Repeat this for the 3rd story level Atrium beams.
With the Options > Set Show Options command, you can confirm the attributes assigned to the model
graphically. For example, you can use that feature to highlight all beams with an assigned size restriction.
• Select the Roof level type.
• Set the Current Material to Steel Joist.
• Right click and to return to the Size Restriction dialog.

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Brace Points

• Check to use only a Maximum Depth of 24 (600).

• Click [Fence] and select all of the joist girders on Line 3.

Note: For joist girders, the maximum depth field is used explicitly in labeling the member. These joists will not
be deeper than 24", they will be exactly 24" deep. For more on the design labeling of joists and joist girders, refer
to the online documentation for the Steel beam module.

Brace Points
In the design of steel beams, the program automatically determines the unbraced length of the top and bottom
flanges. When a beam frames into a girder, that girder is braced on the top and bottom flange at that location, but
when a joist frames into a girder, only the top flange is braced by default.
• Set the Current Material back to Steel.
• Select Layout > Beams > Brace Points.

• Type 5 (1.6) for the Distance from selected span end.

• Check the Braces Bottom Flange box only.
• Click [Add].
In the graphics mode, select one of the frame beams on Grid Line 4 and then pick at the left end. A yellow triangle
on the underside of the beam will appear. If top brace points are placed, the triangle would appear on top.

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Web Openings

• Repeat for the other end of the same lateral beam.

• Repeat for both ends of all the moment frame beams on Grid 4.
• Right click to return to the User Brace Point Layout dialog
• Change the Distance to 10 (3.2).
Continue adding brace points until there is one at or near each joist location on all lateral moment frame beams.
If you make a mistake select Edit Undo or use the Delete brace point option and remodel.

Web Openings
Steel beams can have openings modeled in the web. The size and the location of the opening must be specified,
but then the program can optimize the beam and the stiffener plates (when required). To model an opening:
• Select the Typical level type.
• Select Layout > Beams > Web Openings > Add.

• For the Location, set the Horiz distance to 4 (1.25).

• Set the Position in Web to Centered
• Set the Shape and Size to Rectangular
• Make the opening 10 (250) high by 12 wide (300).
• Click [Add].
• With the target cursor, select each one of the steel beams in the bay from E to F, 2 to 3.

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Layout Bracing

• Pick the west end of those beams to place the opening relative to that end.
• Repeat for the rest of the beams indicated below.

Figure 17: Web Openings

Web openings which occur near the end of the beam or within a small distance of a supported beam will always
generate a warning in the design. For more information on web openings, refer to the Steel Beam module on-line
documentation.

Note: The program is equipped to model and design C-Beam™ with repeated hexagonal or circular openings
down the length of the beam. This tutorial will not use any C-Beam™, however.

Layout Bracing
The next step in the layout of this structure is to define the vertical bracing system. The layout of vertical bracing
is performed in the elevation mode of the Modeler.
• Select View > Elevation Mode.
• With the cursor, select the frame on Grid A by selecting the Frame Beam or Shear wall. An elevation of your
frame will appear. Only the lateral members are displayed in this view.
In elevation mode, a new menu of commands is available to you. While some of the commands from plan mode
are included, other commands, such as Layout - Braces, are unique to elevation mode. To add braces:
• Select Layout > Braces > Add Standard.
• Select the first Profile on the right for EBF braces.
• Enter 42 (290) for Fy
• Enter 24(600) for Link.
• Click [Single].

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Assigning Lateral Member Sizes

This will take you back to the elevation view:

• With the target cursor, click in the middle of the bay defined by the columns and beams of the 4th level up to
the Roof level.
• Select View > Plan Mode to return to the Plan View.
• Select View – Elevation View and pick the Frame on Line F.
• Select Layout > Braces > Add Standard.
• Select the 3rd (Inverted V) shaped profile.

• Enter 46 for Fy (315 for py)

• Click [Fence].
• Fence the bottom two steel frames to put the inverted V braces in the middle two levels.
• Right click to return to the add braces dialog.
• Select the standard "V" (the 4th profile) formation
• Click [Single].
• Add this to the top bay of the frame.
• Select View > Plan Mode to return to plan mode.

Assigning Lateral Member Sizes

The RAM Steel Beam Design and RAM Steel Column Design modules optimize the design of the steel gravity
members. It is not necessary to assign sizes to these members. However, if you want the program to use (check)
a specific size for a particular gravity beam, the Assign Sizes command can be used to assign a size to an

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Assigning Lateral Member Sizes

individual gravity member. The selected member size would be checked for adequacy and no design
optimization will be performed for that member. If the steel beam is specified as composite then RAM Steel
Beam Design module will determine the number of studs required to meet the design criteria.
The lateral analysis performed in RAM Frame, on the other hand, requires that preliminary sizes be assigned to
the Lateral members in order to analyze those frames. The preliminary sizes can be assigned manually in the
RAM Modeler using the Assign Size commands, in RAM Frame using similar Assign Size commands, or member
size can be left out and the program will then automatically assign a size adequate for the gravity loads only
when the RAM Steel Beam and RAM Steel Column modules are executed.
• Select the elevation view of the braced frame on Grid A.
• Select Layout > Beams > Assign Size.

• From the list of sizes, select a W12x22 (UB305x102x33).

Note: You can simply type the section name in the box above the list or browse to it.
• Click [Fence].
• Fence all the beams of this frame.
• Select Layout > Columns > Assign Size.
• From the list of sizes, select a W10x33 (UC254x254x73)
• Click [Fence].
• Fence all the columns of this frame.
• Select Layout > Braces > Assign Size.
• From the list of sizes, select a HSS5x5x3/8 (SHS120x120x6.3)
• Click [Fence].
• Fence all the braces of this frame.
• Repeat the same steps for the braced frame on line F.
That completes the braced frames, now you can move on to the moment frames.
• Select the elevation view of the Moment Frame on Grid 4.
• Assign all of the columns to be W14x48 (UC356x368x153) with a fence.
• Assign all the beams to be W16x40 (UB406x178x60).
• Return to plan view.

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RAM Modeler
Assign Frame Numbers

Assign Frame Numbers

Reference numbers, referred to as Frame Numbers, can be assigned to some or all the members of a frame. RAM
Frame uses these numbers to organize output to printed reports and screen output. While frame numbers are
not required by the program, they are an excellent way to organize output.
• Select View > Elevation Mode.
• With the cursor, select the frame on Grid 4.
• Select Options > Show Property > Frame Number. This command will cause the frame numbers of each
member to be displayed on the screen. Having these active while you make frame number assignments
provides visual confirmation.
• Select Layout > Frame Numbers.

• Check all four settings for Columns, Beams, Walls and Braces.
• Type 1 for Lateral Frame Number.
• Click [Fence].
• Fence the entire frame. The frame numbers will change from 0 to 1. Any lateral member that is not assigned a
specific frame number is, by default, set to be part of Frame 0.
• Label the other frames as follows:

Braced Frame on Line A is #2,

Braced Frame on Gird F is #3.
(Refer to 3rd Floor Framing, Figure 1 on page 15, at the beginning of the Modeler section).

Frame Fixity
To change or review the member end fixities it is recommended that you display the end fixity on screen:
• Select Options > Show Fixity > All.
The default element fixity for lateral beams and columns is fixed in all degrees of freedom (Major, Minor,
Torsion). Gravity steel beams are always pinned, though concrete gravity beams can be fixed. The default for
braces is to be pinned in all directions.

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RAM Modeler
Frame Fixity

The fixed condition is indicated by an "X" while a pinned end condition is indicated with an "O". When all fixity
conditions are shown simultaneously, for the left or top end of a member, the first character (reading left to
right) is for the major axis, the second is for the minor axis and the third is for the torsion axis. For the bottom or
right end of the member the opposite order applies.
If the Frame numbers are interfering with the end fixity symbols then turn off the frame numbers by again
selecting Options – Show Property – Frame Number.
• Select the Elevation View of the Frame on Line A.
• Select Layout > Columns > Assign Frame Fixity.

The Assign Frame Column Fixity dialog box should appear. It has two sets of option buttons that give you the
choice of setting the column ends to fixed or pinned. One set is for the top of the column and the other for the
bottom.
• Set Major and Minor Axes of the Bottom to Pinned.
• Click [Single].
• Select the third level columns (the bottom level of steel). Notice that the fixity display changes.
• Repeat for the braced frame on Grid F.
To change the Frame Fixity for the ends of the beams for the frame on Grid F only:
• Select Layout > Beams > Assign Frame Fixity.
• Set Major and Minor Axes of the Left and Right ends to Pinned.
• Click [Fence].
• Fence the entire elevation.
• Select View > Plan Mode.
This completes the layout of the frames. Now you can assign the fixity for all concrete beams.
• Select the 3rd level plan.
• Change the Current Material to Concrete.
• Select Layout > Beams > Fixity.
• Make sure all degrees of freedom are set to Fixed
• [Fence] the whole floor.
• Select File > Save.

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RAM Modeler
Wall Openings

Wall Openings
A lateral wall can be modeled with openings. Opening for doors and windows can easily be placed in the walls.
Openings can also be modeled that cross the edge boundaries of wall elements, but if the top edge of the wall is
going to be clipped by the opening we recommend that the wall be split into separate pieces. Otherwise the floor
framing might frame into the opening. To model an opening:
• Select View – Elevation Mode and select one of the walls on line 2.
• Select Layout > Walls > Wall Openings > Add.

• For the Dimensions, type 8 (2.5) for H and 8 (2.5) for B

• For the Location, set the Reference corner to the Lower Left
• For the Distance in the X direction type 3.5 (1.2)
• For the Distance in the Y direction and 2 (0.75).
• Click [Fence].
• In the graphics mode, select all the walls in the view.
The opening will show as a black rectangle on the wall near the middle of the wall. The opening is tied to this
wall and if it should be altered (due to a change in the story height or a modification to the grids for example)

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RAM Modeler
Layout Foundations

then the opening will maintain its position to the Reference corner. When an opening spans across more than
one wall segment, it is still associated with one wall or the other.
• Re-enter plan mode, then select the walls on Grid F to add a “Doorway” to the lower wall.
• For the dimensions use H=8(2.5), B=6(2), X=9.5(3), and Y=0.
• Click [Single].
• Click on the lower of the 2 walls.
Wall openings can be changed using the command Layout > Walls > Wall Openings > Change. They can also be
deleted or reviewed using the delete and show options respectively. The wall openings are assigned numbers
and the numbers can be shown using Options > Show Property > Wall Opening Numbers.

Layout Foundations
The RAM Structural System also includes a module for the design of foundations. Like the other modules, the
foundations need to be modeled in the Modeler before they can be designed and they can be modeled even if no
license for the Foundation Design module is available. Below is a reference for the final foundation layout. Note
that the foundations are modeled on the lowest framed level, in this case the 2nd floor. There is no need to
define a separate foundation level.

Figure 18: Foundation Layout

Note: Foundations should be placed at the level where the column or wall stops. This is typically the lowest level
of a structure, but foundations may also be placed at elevated levels (e.g. in cases where you are modeling a
partial basement). The bottom of all columns and walls will always be supported whether a foundation is
modeled or not.

• Ensure the Floor type is set to 2nd.

• Select Layout > Foundations > Continuous > Add.
• Set the f’c to 4 (30).
• Set Unit Weight to 150 (2400).

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RAM Modeler
Layout Foundations

• Set UW for Self-weight to 150 (2400).

• Set Fy to 60 (410).

• Click [Add].
• In the graphics mode add a continuous footing by clicking once at Grid A-3 and again at Grid A-5.
• Add another footing under each of the lateral frames.
• Select Layout > Foundations > Single Column > Add.

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RAM Modeler
Layout Foundations

• Select all the same variables used with the continuous foundation.
• For the Orientation of the Footing’s Major axis, use Parallel to Column Web.
• Click [Single].
• Add a footing under each steel column and also the concrete columns on the perimeter.
• Right click to return to the Add Single command.
• Change the Footing Type to Pile Cap and click [Fence].
• Fence the interior columns on Grid 3.
• Select Layout > Foundations > Mat > Geometry.
• Type 2 (0.75) for the Edge Offset and click [Add].

• With the cursor, click at each of the 4 corners of the 2 elevator shafts. The program will add the perimeter of
the mat foundation to an area 3' larger than the pit on all sides.
• Select Layout > Foundations > Mat > Properties.

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RAM Modeler
Renumber Members & Data Check

• Select the Mat Foundation

• Click [Whole Mat].
• In the graphics mode select anywhere within the mat perimeter and it should be filled in with a hatch
pattern.

Note: Mat foundations are currently not designed in the RAM Structural System. Due to the increased
interoperability of the program a mat foundation can exported to RAM Concept, for example, to be designed
for loads determined by the foundation program.

Renumber Members & Data Check

The program allows you to automatically reorder the members so that the first beam occurs in the lower-left
hand corner of the plan.
The member numbers increase as you move left-to-right and bottom-to-top across the screen. To renumber the
members in the structure:
• Select Options > Renumber Members.
If you would like to see the member numbers on screen:
• Select Options > Show Property and choose from Column Numbers, Beam Numbers, Wall numbers, etc.
The modeler includes a Data Check feature that verifies the layout of the model. If there are errors in your model,
the Data Check will print a detailed list of the errors and the steps necessary to correct the errors. The Data
Check can be invoked at any time during modeling to check for errors.

Note: Only the levels that are included in the Story Data will be checked by the Data Check.

To perform the Data Check:

• Select Data Check.
The Data Check Options dialog box will appear:
• Select Integrated.
• Click [OK].

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RAM Modeler
Renumber Members & Data Check

If you have only the RAM Steel or RAM Concrete Design Modules, or if you only want to check the gravity design
sections of a model then select Gravity Only. The Frame Only option is used to verify that lateral members have
an assigned size and that all lateral members are supported by other lateral members all the way down to the
ground (plus a few other checks). The integrated data check does both.
If you receive any errors or warnings they can be viewed on screen. Review those aspects of the model and
follow the instructions given on how to solve the problem. Refer to the technical portion of the RAM Modeler
manual if you need further assistance.
Your model is now ready to be used to design the gravity and/or the lateral system. You can now proceed to
Beam, Column, or Frame tutorials from here depending on the Modules you have licensed and information you
want to review.
• Select File > Save.
• Select File > Exit.

Note: If you have not completed the modeling of the structure as documented in the tutorial you may also close
RAM Modeler and open the file called Tutorial_v14_US.rss which is installed with the program. It is located
in a sub-folder of default Data directory called Tutorial.

Figure 19: The completed model

RAM Structural System 82 Tutorial

 RAM Steel Beam Design
5
The RAM Steel Beam/Joist Module optimizes steel beams, C-Beam™ and open web steel joists. Unsized lateral
beams are also assigned an optimum preliminary size based on gravity loads from one-way decks only (and
without consideration of end fixity or braces). Gravity beams and C-Beam™ may be composite or non-composite
but must be covered entirely with composite deck to be designed as such. All beams in this module are assumed
to be simple supported and they are designed for Dead and Live Loads only. This section can only be completed
if you have installed the RAM Steel program and have a license available.
To invoke the gravity beam module from RAM Manager:
• Select Design > RAM Steel Beam. You can also click the second square button on the left side depicting a
steel beam.
When the Beam program is invoked for the first time after saving the model in the Modeler, the Framing Table
Options dialog box opens.

At this stage the program will apply surface, line and point loads to members, transfer loads to supporting
members and calculate Live Load Reduction factors (this is referred to as "Building the Framing Tables"). The
option to design the members is presented to the user before building the framing tables. Since the design
criteria have not been reviewed:
• Leave the option unchecked and click [OK].

Selecting a Floor type

At first the graphical screen is empty. To see the typical floor in the model:
• Select Typical from the drop-down combo on the toolbar.
This sets the Typical floor to the current floor in much the same way as it is done in the modeler.

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Design Codes

Design Codes
Steel beams may be designed per requirements of seven different codes including AISC 360-05 (ASD and LRFD),
Allowable Stress Design (ASD), Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD), Canadian (CAN/CSA - S16.1 - 94),
British (BS5950:1990 or 2000), Eurocode and AS 4100-98. C-Beam™ may only be design according to the ASD
and LRFD codes. Joists are not designed by the program but rather selected from the manufacturer's table of
Total and Live Load capacities. These tables are in the RAM\Tables directory, they have the extension .JST and
may be edited with any text editor. For more information about design codes see the Design Codes Section in the
RAM Steel Beam on-line documentation. For more information about joist tables see the Tables section in the
Manager manual.
To establish the design code for steel beams:
• Select Criteria > Steel Design Codes.

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Design Criteria

• Select AISC 360-05 LRFD Steel Code (or use BS 5950:2000)

• Click [OK].

Design Criteria
The design of beams is guided by the various criteria set under the Criteria menu. For each of the design
modules it is critical that the user understand the criteria completely. In this tutorial you can use the default
criteria of modify the settings to match the values shown hereafter. Refer to the Steel Beam Module
documentation for a more detailed explanation of the various criteria.

Note: These criteria can also be set through the RAM Defaults Utility in RAM Manager so that future projects use
the setting you choose.

• Select Criteria > Design Defaults.

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Design Criteria

• Modify the defaults as indicated if using LRFD.

• Click [OK].

Note: When using different design codes, the wording of the criteria dialog boxes may vary slightly. In some
cases there are even code-specific options to choose. Below are the same options when using the BS 5950:2000
code.

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Design Criteria

• Modify the defaults as indicated if using BS 5950.

• Click [OK].
When the Design Criteria are altered, a warning will pop up indicating the following:

• Click [OK] to proceed.

• Select Criteria > Deflection Criteria.

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Design Criteria

• Set the L/d Default criteria for Unshored construction to L/360 for Post Composite Live Load, 240 for Post
Composite Superimposed and 240 for Net Total.
• Set the Noncomposite criteria for Live load to 360 and the Net Total to 240.
Note that this tutorial has noncomposite steel beams (and joists) as well as composite, unshored beams. There
are no shored beams because there is no shored deck defined in the model.
• Select Criteria > Camber > Composite.

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Design Criteria

• Modify the defaults as indicated above (similar for SI models).

• Click [OK].
• Select Criteria > Camber > Noncomposite
• Check the box that says Do not Camber.
• Click [OK].
• Select Criteria > Stud Criteria.

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Design Criteria

• Modify the defaults as indicated above (similar for SI models).

• Click [OK].
• Select Criteria > Web Opening.

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Design Criteria

• Modify the defaults as indicated above (similar for SI models) and click [OK].
• Select Criteria > Joists.

• Modify the defaults as indicated above.

• Click [OK].

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Design and Investigation

Design and Investigation

Beam members are now ready to be designed. The Process – Design All menu item may be selected to perform
the design of all beam members or the Process – View/Update menu item may be selected to look at one
particular member.
• Select Process > Design All.
The program will design all beams, C-Beam™ and joists. In order to track beam self weight reactions, the program
designed the top level infill beams first, then moves to the girders and then repeats for the levels below.
A dialog box may appear indicating that there are design warnings in the model. If so click [Yes] to review the
Design Warnings report. Click the "X" in the corner to close the report.
Design warnings always include the beam number. Beam numbers can be displayed in the Steel Beam module
using the command View – Show Beam Numbers.

A beam can be also by found using the Find-Beam command.

• Select View > Show Designs.

Note: The View – Zoom command may be used to better see the selected beam sizes. The View – Scale Text
command can be used to adjust the text size as necessary. All of these controls can also be accessed through
toolbar buttons.

To investigate a selected member size:

• Select Process > View/Update.
Notice that the cursor now has a "target" shape. Also notice that at the bottom left corner of the screen there
is a prompt for the expected action saying “Select a Beam to Edit or Update".
• Click on the beam on Grid D from 2 to 3 (in front of the elevator).
The View/Update Dialog box opens. This dialog box is used to investigate, modify and update the design of single
members. You can change size, shape, yield stress, section type, composite flag or stud configuration and re-
analyze the beam. For a complete explanation of how the program designs beams refer to the RAM Steel Beam
documentation.

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Design and Investigation

To view the loads on the beam:

• Click [View Loads].
A Loads Report will come up showing the line and point loads on the beam. When there is a change in the
uniform load at a given location, the value is listed just to the left and right of that point.
•
Click to exit the report.
To view the shear moment and deflection diagrams for the beam:
• Click [View Diagrams]
The following interactive dialog box opens:

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Design and Investigation

Notice that force and deflection magnitudes on the right hand side reflect the cursor location on the graphic. The
mouse automatically controls the cursor when on top of the diagrams. The diagrams for this beam may be
printed by clicking [Print] button in this screen.
• Click [Cancel] to return to the View/Update dialog box.
To inspect the complete design results for the beam:
• Click [View Results].
A Design Report will come up showing various calculations for the beam. This includes information about the
composite properties of the member, controlling moments used in the design (along with the applicable
unbraced length) and deflections. If the report is more than one page long, click the forward triangle or press the
Page Down key to see the next page. Take time to become familiar with this report. This report can also be called
in the reports menu at Reports-Beam Design-Single.
•
Click to exit the report.
To check the design of a different section:
• Select W14x22 (UB356x127x33) from the Beam Size list box.
• Click [Analyze].
Another dialog box will open showing the new optimized stud configuration based on the new beam size. In this
case the required number of studs is less than in the original design. In other situations, the user selected size
might produce a design warning.
• Click [OK] to accept the new stud configuration.
At this point you can go on to review the loads, diagrams or design results for the new trial section.

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Reports

To override the optimum selection with this new design

• Click [Update Data Base].
• A warning will appear indicating that the new information will override optimization.

• Click [OK].

Note: When the Update Data Base command is performed, the new section size will be assigned to that beam
permanently (the design is “frozen”). You will receive a design warning if that design should ever fail the
strength or deflection checks that the program performs, but a new size will not be selected unless you clear the
beam size. This can be done from within the Modeler using a Clear Size command or in the Beam Module by
selecting Process – Clear Size – Single.

At this point you may wish to review other beams or joists in the model. The cantilevered beams on the 3rd and
4th levels and the Joists on the Roof level are of particular interest.
When finished, look into the lower-right corner of the screen. A model status light (a.k.a. traffic light) indicates
the status of the model. At this time, the light should be yellow, indicating that there has been some change to the
model that has affected reactions on other members. This is the result of changing a beam size in the View/
Update dialog. The change in self-weight affects the reactions on other members.
To make sure all the designs are current:
• Select Process > Design All.
Notice that the model status light is now green which means that all beams in this model are designed.
Another way to investigate a single beam is by using the RAM SBeam program. You can export any steel beam
from your models to the SBeam program(if currently installed) and investigate resize and design them in a 3-d
view not offered in the steel beam module. To do this ensure a current floor layout is displayed, then select
Process-Export to SBeam and use the target cursor to select a beam. See the SBeam manual for further
instructions on how to use the program.

Reports
All printable reports except for the shear, moment, and deflection diagrams are available under the Reports
menu item. The Reports - Map Fence and Reports - Map Floor reports print the plan view of a floor type with
options to show surface, line and point loads together with beam designs. The Framing Check and Connection
Check reports check the intersection of beams and report possible fit-up problems. For a better explanation of
the various reports available see the Beam Manual.
To see any of these reports on the screen first:
• Pull down the repots menu. A check mark should appear next the Screen menu item. If not, select Screen now.
The other options (Printer, Text File, Viewer file) can be used to send the reports directly to the print or to
file.

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RAM Steel Beam Design
Reports

The Summary Design report lists all gravity beams by Floor and by Number with the controlling Moments,
Section Size, Studs, etc. To see the Summary of beam designs for the tutorial model:
• Select Reports > Summary.

• When the “Items to Print” windows opens, check both Steel Beams and Joists, then Click [OK]

Note: If C-Beam™ are included in a model, a third choice for C-Beam™ appears in this dialog.
•
Click to exit the report.
Feel free to review other design reports at this time. Of particular interest is the Material Takeoff report. The
Connection design report only functions after a connection table is written. Refer to the RAM Manager
documentation for instructions on creating connection check tables.
• Select File > Exit.

RAM Structural System 96 Tutorial

 RAM Steel Column Design
6
The RAM Steel Column Module is the module where gravity columns and gravity base plates are optimized.
Unsized lateral columns are also assigned a preliminary size. All columns in this module are assumed to be
simply supported and they are designed for Dead and Live Load applied on one-way decks only. Base plates are
optimized for Dead and Live Load only although the columns will be designed for moments induced by the
eccentricity of the supported beam connections. This section can only be completed if you have installed the
RAM Steel program and have a license available. To invoke the Steel Column module from RAM Manager:
• Select Design > RAM Steel Column from the Manager. You can also click the third square button on the left
side depicting a steel column and Base Plate.
The graphical area will then show a 3D view of the building with the steel columns show in design colors and the
other members in grey. You might think of them as status colors. The various colors and the meanings are listed
below. (Note that you should only see yellow steel columns upon entering the steel column program with the
tutorial model).

Status Color Description

Light Blue The column is not designable. This situation is caused by one of three modeling errors:
1. column has a kinked situation which occurs when there is a change in slope between
the columns when moving from one level to another and there is no bracing in one or
two axes directions at the kink location,
2. columns self-weight flag is switched on and it has some columns above which cannot
be designed,
3. the steel column supports load from a two-way deck.

Yellow The column is ready to be designed.

Green The column has been design and the design passes all of the code checks.

Dark Blue The column has been designed, passed and has been frozen.

Red The column has been design and failed one or more code checks. All columns with failed
designs are shown in red regardless of whether they are frozen or not.

• Select View > Colors > Model Colors.

The graphics will change to the pen colors used in the Modeler.
A third color option called Interaction Colors is available after the columns have been designed.
Besides altering colors, you may also want to change the information or members displayed in the graphics
window. To alter the text or members that are shown:

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RAM Steel Column Design
Brace Points and Splice Levels

• Select View > Members.

This dialog box is organized by the various types of members. Each can be labeled with a variety of labels or
turned off completely.
• Click on the Misc. tab and Uncheck the Display of Foundations.
• Click [OK].
Sometimes it’s easier to work in Plan or Elevation mode than in 3D. If that’s the case you can select View –
Elevation or View – Plan. An additional option in the Steel Column module is to View – Column Plan. This
takes you to a compressed aerial view where you can see the entire 3D structure from above with no
perspective.
As with the Beam design module, a light in the lower right corner indicates the current status of the file. When
the designs are all current the light will be green.

Brace Points and Splice Levels

The RAM Steel Column module automatically detects the brace points for columns based on the framing. When a
beam or joist frames into a column it braces the column in that axis. In the case of skewed framing, there is a
maximum angle for which this is true.
• Select Criteria > Bracing.
Notice that the deck can also be sufficient to brace interior columns when there are no beams framing into it. In
some cases you may wish to alter the program determined brace points. To do so now:
• Select Assign > Bracing.

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RAM Steel Column Design
Design Criteria

As soon as the command is started, the graphic will indicate the current brace locations using green triangles in
the plan of the bracing.
• Set the Major and Minor Axis to Unbraced
• Click [Single].
• Select each of the two levels of the sloping columns at R-2 to illustrate the process.
Column splices are also preset when entering the Steel Column Module. When we defined the story data in the
modeler, this also established the splice levels. When the story data was specified to have a splice at the 4th floor
(story #3), that tells the program to change size for the columns above this level. The columns between 4th and
5th floors won't change size. There are exceptions to this rule, places where the program will splice the column at
non-splice levels. These automatic or temporary splice location result whenever the column changes material,
shape or orientation between levels. Lateral columns can also have splice at non-splice levels since the column
sizes are specified level-by-level.
• To view the splice locations Select View > Splicing.
The splices are indicated as red squares at the levels where the splice occurs. In practice, the splice will be a few
feet above the floor but for the purpose of design, the column size changes just above the level.
•
Turn off the display of Splices using the toolbar button or use the View menu option again.

Design Criteria
Columns and Base Plates may be designed per requirements of five different codes including Allowable Stress
Design (ASD), Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD), Canadian (CAN/CSA - S16.1 - 94), British
(BS5950:1990 or 2000) and Eurocode. For more information about design codes see the Design Codes Section in
the RAM Steel Column documentation. To set the design codes:
• Select Criteria > Steel Design Codes.
• Select AISC 360-05 LRFD (BS 5950:2000) for the Column and Base Plate Steel Design Codes.
• Click [OK] .

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RAM Steel Column Design
Design Criteria

The Gravity Column program uses trial groups to optimize column sizes. In the Modeler, columns are assigned
shape (I, HSS, Pipe), material strength and orientation. The design of the columns is performed by selecting the
lightest adequate column size from a maximum of three column groups.
Column groups are identified by the section depth in the designation (e.g. W12, UC254, etc.). The program will
select the lightest column from the available column groups which are defined in the Column Design Table.
• Select Criteria > Trial Group Defaults.

• Check to use each of the three trial groups. If you want to consider fewer options, uncheck one of the Trial
groups on the left.
• For each shape there are a number of trial groups available to choose from.
• For US models, select the trial groups listed in the figure above. For SI models using the RAMUK tables, select
the following:

• Click [OK].
If any changes are made to the trial groups, you will receive a message asking if you want to assign new trial
groups to existing column lines.
• Click [Yes].

Note: This criteria applies to the whole model globally. When one column line needs to be designed using a
different sizes, they may be assigned to that column line by selecting the Assign – Trial Groups command.

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RAM Steel Column Design
Column Design and Investigation

Column Design and Investigation

The columns are now ready to be designed. The Process – Design All menu item may be selected to perform the
design of all columns or the View/Update menu item may be selected to look at one particular column line.
• Select Process > Design All.
Once complete, the view will automatically shift to showing the interaction colors. A dialog box labeled Color
Scale opens.

Note: This box may be moved if it is in the way of a menu item or icon you wish to use.

• Click [Show Values] to see the interaction values on screen.

Notice that all of the columns are checked, even the lateral columns. It is important to note that the design of the
lateral columns is not complete. So far, the columns have been checked for gravity loads only (and those loads
are based on simple, tributary areas). The effect of moment connections, braces, and lateral loads is only
examined in RAM Frame.
When a column spans multiple levels, each segment of the column will be checked independently, but each will
use the overall, multi-story unbraced length in the design. To review the results for a particular member:
• Select Process > View/Update.
• Click any part of the Sloping Column at Grid R-2.
The interactive View/Update dialog box that opens has many important functions. In the upper left corner is the
final design, the sizes selected by the program for each level. If there are more than 8 stories, the slider on the
right side will allow you to scroll down. Information about the splicing, bracing and yield stress of the columns
as well as the current interaction ratio also appear in the upper left area.
If a sloping column is selected you will notice a series of colors indicating dependencies of that column. For more
information on column dependencies see the steel column manual by clicking Help-Manual.
In the upper right area are the results for the three trial groups (assuming three were used). The program will
select the lightest working design from the three trial groups. In this case, there were no HSS6x6 columns
sufficient to support the loads with no intermediate bracing so the Trial Group 1 indicates "None Worked".
Either HSS10x10 or HSS 12x12 will work, but the 10x10 sections are lighter, so they were selected by default.

RAM Structural System 101 Tutorial

RAM Steel Column Design
Column Design and Investigation

When the View/Update dialog opens for a particular column line, the top column of the column line will be
highlighted in white between splices. In this case, that is the 3rd level only.
• In the Size drop down combo box, change the section size to HSS9x9x3/8 (SHS200x200x8.0).
• Click [Analyze].
• The interaction value listed on the Story - Analyze tab is adjusted for the new size.

Note: At this time, nothing in the grid has changed. The original optimized size and interaction value are still
listed under the Final Design.

• Click [Select] to move that size up to the final design section for that level. The interaction values above will
then be adjusted. If the design should fail, the interaction value will be written in red. A design warning will
also appear in the Design Warnings list box.
Notice that the weight of the column is also updated to reflect the change in size.
• Click [Update Database] to return to the graphics screen.
Update Database results in the new size being saved as a user assigned or "Frozen" size. The column line will
now be drawn in Dark Blue if the design passed.
Now we will investigate the design of another column line.
• Click on the column line at B-1.
Initially the Roof column of the column line is highlighted.
• Click on the Story cell labeled 4th.

Note: If a View/Update is done on a column line containing floors with unspliced levels, highlighting one of
the floors (4th for example) causes the program to highlight the continuous levels together.
• Change the Size to W10x39
• Click [Analyze].

RAM Structural System 102 Tutorial

RAM Steel Column Design
Column Design and Investigation

The result of the controlling column segment (in this case the 4th floor controls) will be indicated on the Story -
Analyze tab.
Do NOT click the Select button to choose this new size as part of the final design.
• Click in the Roof cell under Story to select the Roof level.
• Press [Select T.G. 2]. Notice that all levels are changed to the selected size.
• Click [Analyze].
To review the results for the selected column:
• Click [View Results].
The design report starts with the top level. Click page down to proceed to the other levels. Notice that the
columns are being designed for axial loads and moments using the full unbraced length. The moments are a
result of the eccentricity of the beam connections. The column eccentricity may be set in the Modeler using
Layout – Columns – Assign Eccentricity. The program considers all possible patterns of live load when
evaluating the column design and the governing combination of patterns used at the top and bottom of the
column determines the design data that is reported here. To turn off the skip loading altogether, go to Criteria –
Design Defaults. Refer to the technical notes in the RAM Steel Column documentation for an explanation of the
design methods and results.
•
Click to exit the report.
• This time exit the View/Update dialog using the [Close] button.
Notice that the column line is drawn in green rather than dark blue. By closing the dialog without doing an
Update Database, this column line will continue to be optimized as the model changes.
In the graphics mode, the column now appears with the modified interaction colors. Feel free to View/Update
other columns in the model.

RAM Structural System 103 Tutorial

RAM Steel Column Design
Copy and Clear User Sizes

The Story - Optimize and Column Line tabs provide other options for investigation. Using the Story - Optimize
tab for example, you can see what size "HSS" section would work for the column at B-1 even though it was
initially modeled as an I section.

Copy and Clear User Sizes

If you have one column saved with the sizes you want to keep, that column line design can be easily copied to
other column lines.
• Select Process > Copy from the menu bar.
• A target cursor with an arrow pointing to 2 o'clock now appears. At the bottom left corner of the screen the
program indicates that you should select the column line to copy from:
• Select the Column at Grids R-2. The cursor changes slightly and a new message at the bottom left corner of
the screen indicates to now select the column line to copy to.
• Click the Column at Grids R-4 (you can rotate the model or view in it in elevation mode if necessary).
At this point, the program is going to make the column at R-4 just like the column at R-2. This saves you the step
of performing a View/Update on all columns with identical designs.

Note: If the new design is insufficient for the column at R-4, then a warning message will pop up asking if you
want to cancel the operation.

At certain stages of the project you might want to freeze the column designs without making any changes to the
program selected sizes.
• Select Process > Freeze Design > Column line.
The Target cursor will appear and any column line you select will be frozen. The sizes will not be re-optimized
by the program unless cleared first. Using the [Update Database] button in the View/Update dialog box is the
same as freezing a column line.
User assigned or frozen column sizes may be cleared by using one of the Process > Clear Design commands
from the menu.

Note: Process – Clear Design – All will only clear sizes from the gravity columns. If you want to clear the sizes
of lateral columns, you must use the Process – Clear Design – Column Line command.

Reports
Several reports are available from the Reports Menu including all Summary Reports for column, column loads
and base plate design.
Because the program alternates Live Loads on columns to obtain the controlling combination of unbalanced
moment and axial loads, the Column Summary report should not be used to obtain maximum loads at column
bases. The total loads are reported in the Loads Report or Loads Summary report. A steel takeoff of all gravity
columns is also available from the Reports menu:
• Select Reports > Takeoff.
•
Click to exit the report.
• Select File > Exit.

RAM Structural System 104 Tutorial

RAM Steel Column Design
Reports

Note: You can save your model at any time form any module, but you are not required to save before exiting. If
you close the Manager completely or change to another model, then the program will prompt you to save any
recent changes.

RAM Structural System 105 Tutorial

 RAM Frame - Analysis
7
This section illustrates the analysis and design of the lateral frame elements in an integrated model. This section
can only be completed if you have licensed and installed the RAM Frame module. You may begin with the model
that you generated in the previous portions of this tutorial, or you may open the model called
Tutorial_v14_US.rss in the RAM Manager.

RAM Frame Basics

A little background information is needed before beginning work with the RAM Frame program. RAM Frame has
three modes of operation, Analysis mode, Steel Post Processing Mode and Drift Control Mode.
In Analysis Mode, the structure is analyzed for individual load cases. Results for the member forces, reactions,
drift etc can be obtained for the individual load cases in the Load Cases sub-mode, or the results can be
combined in the Load Combinations sub-mode.
In Steel Mode, the previously analyzed load cases are combined and used to determine their design status of
steel members. Various design codes can be selected to perform code checks. The steel Mode is sub-divided in to
Standard Steel Provisions (e.g. LRFD 3rd edition) and a Special Seismic Provisions (e.g. AISC Seismic
Provisions for Structural Buildings).
The third mode, Drift Control allows you to investigate the relative participation of the various members with
the structure related to the control of drift. The Steel mode and Drift Control modes are discussed in the
following sections of this tutorial.
Concrete members that are designated as Frame Members are analyzed in RAM Frame, but their design is
performed in RAM Concrete.
To invoke RAM Frame from the RAM Manager:
• Select Design > RAM Frame or click the 4th square button that depicts part of a braced frame.
When the framing process is complete, a three dimensional wire-frame view of your model will appear on the
screen.
The RAM Frame program has a toolbar from which many commands can be issued with just a click of the mouse
button. As with the other modules, this tutorial will present the commands as selected through the menus. There
are two pull-down lists in the second row of buttons than can be used to switch the program mode and sub-
mode. They are also useful for checking the mode you are currently in. The Status Bar at the bottom of the screen
also tells you which RAM Frame mode you are currently working in. It also has a light to indicate the status of
the current model. If the status indicator light is red, the model has not yet been analyzed. A yellow light is used
when the results are available, but may not be absolutely current due to a change in member size for example.

RAM Structural System 106 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
General Analysis Criteria

Note: Upon entry into the RAM Frame program, you are always placed in Analysis Mode - Load Cases Sub-Mode.
An analysis of the load cases is required before the other modes can be entered.

The View menu has controls for displaying general model information such as finite element node numbers or to
modify the rotation of the 3d view. To view the Wall Mesh for example:
• Select View > Meshed Walls.
Notice how the mesh works around the openings in the south walls.
Help is available in any of the following ways:

Allowing the cursor to rest on top of a toolbar button causes a Tool Tip to appear, as well as a brief
explanation of the command in the status bar.
Each dialog box has direct access to its related help topic via a help button.
The Help index is also accessible from the main menu.

General Analysis Criteria

Before performing the analysis you should always establish your criteria using the Criteria menu. To set the
general analysis criteria:
• Select Criteria > General.

RAM Structural System 107 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
General Analysis Criteria

• Set Rigid End Zones to Include Effects and Type 50 for Reduction %. This means that the beams in the rigid
frames will be shorted in the analysis to the face of the column.
• Set Member Force Output to At Face of Joint (when using rigid end zones you have no choice).
• Set P-Delta to Yes and Type 1 for Scale Factor. This means that second-order, P-Delta effects will be
calculated for all load cases utilizing the building mass Dead Load as the P in the P-delta calculations. If you
wanted to also consider part of the Live Loads in the P-Delta calculations, then you can increase the value
somewhat.
• Check the Use Reduced Stiffness for Steel Members checkbox, and click on the τb = 1 radio button.
• For the Wall Mesh set the Max. Distance Allowed between Nodes to 8 (2.5). This means that the program will
mesh the walls in such a way that no single element is more than 8’ on a side (though they may be smaller
due to geometric constraints). More Mesh options are available by clicking the [Advanced] button.
• Check the Store Wall Stresses checkbox for use in the Concrete Shear wall module.
• Click [OK].

RAM Structural System 108 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Diaphragm Criteria

Diaphragm Criteria
• Select Criteria > Diaphragm.

By default, all floor levels are assumed to be Rigid diaphragms. A rigid diaphragm creates a horizontal constraint
for all of the nodes connected to it. For sloped levels, the diaphragm constraint is still horizontal. The size of the
diaphragm is dictated by the extent of the slab edge. Since we entered the information for our Semirigid
diaphragm in modeler, we will demonstrate now how that information is used.
• Click in the cells for the Roof and both diaphragms on the 2nd floors.
• Select Semirigid from the drop down combo box.
• Enter 1 for the “Hard Node Density Factor”
• Leave the other floors as Rigid.
• Click [Disconnect].

• Make sure the option is checked. This means that any lateral elements that fall outside of the slab edge will
automatically be disconnected from that diaphragm. Internal nodes on beams occur in places like our
chevron braces where the beam is intersected by another lateral member.
• Set the Semirigid Diaphragm Controls at the bottom of the dialog as shown below.

RAM Structural System 109 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Ground Level

• Click [OK]

Note: For more information on diaphragm types click Help-Manual.

• The Semirigid diaphragm uses a Finite Element Mesh similar to the wall mesh for shear walls. To see the floor
mesh, click on View-Meshed Floors or use the menu button on the toolbar as seen above.

Ground Level
The Criteria - Ground Level command is used to specify the level at which the ground intersects the structure.
• Select Criteria > Ground Level.

The default is for the ground level to be at the base of the model. In this tutorial the default will be accepted
and no changes need be made. When a level other than the base is selected as the ground level two things will
happen. First, the program generated loads will be adjusted for the new building height and the forces will be
applied to the above ground levels only. Second, the ground level and any level below grade will be laterally
restrained as if by a vertical roller.
• Click [OK].

Redundancy Factors
Redundancy factors are determined by the program and then used to modify the load factors applied to the
seismic load cases in the generated load combinations. It's important to note that the redundancy factors always
calculated for every seismic load case, even if your model is in an area of low seismic activity. They only apply to
US codes.
• Select Criteria > Redundancy Factors.

RAM Structural System 110 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Assign Menu Options

• For the Code choose IBC 2000/2003 (when code references are separated with a slash, it indicates that the
two codes are identical).
• Set the other variable as indicated above and click [OK].

Assign Menu Options

In order for the program to perform a Finite Element Analysis, every lateral member must have an assigned size.
For our model, that was initially done in the Modeler, but the assign menu in RAM Frame can also be used to
assign sizes to lateral members as we will illustrate below for braces we want to make Buckling Restrained
Braces.
Buckling Restrained Braces require you to designate a section that is appropriate for the core (yielding section)
of the Buckling Restrained Brace. In this model we will assign a solid rod to the bottom braces of the Frame
along Grid F and a flat bar to the braces of the level above. This frame will become our Buckling Restrained Brace
Frame.
To Assign a Round Bar to the bottom braces.
• Select View-Elevation and click on any beam in the frame along Grid F (the chevron braced frame).
• Select Assign > Braces > Size.

RAM Structural System 111 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Assign Menu Options

• Select the Material, Shape and Size as illustrated.

• Click Assign [Fence]
The Fence cursor will appear, fence the braces of the lower chevron braces.
Repeat this exercise to assign a flat plate (1/2x6) to the next level of chevron braces to end up with a frame sizes
as shown below.

Obviously these braces are small and slender so to appropriately design we designate these as Buckling
Restrained Braces.
• If you are not still in elevation mode select View-Elevation and click on any beam in the frame along Grid F
(the chevron braced frame).
• Select Assign > Braces > Buckling Restrained.

RAM Structural System 112 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Assign Menu Options

• Select Assign Brace as Buckling Restrained

• Enter 1.4 for Axial Stiffness Multiplier.
• Click Assign [Fence].

Figure 20: Buckling Restrained Frame

• In the graphics mode, Fence all of the lower two chevron braced frame stories.
As the assignments are made, a symbol illustrated above will appear in the middle of the Buckling Restrained
Brace with the assigned multiplier value shown.
When complete if you want to turn off the labels:
• Select View > Reset Model.
To learn more about buckling restrained braces and their impact on analysis and design refer to the RAM Frame
Steel Design Manual.

RAM Structural System 113 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Mass and Exposure

A variety of information, including the tension-only symbols, the member sizes, end fixity, etc. can all be

displayed on screen using the command View – Members similar to the Steel Column module command of
the same name.

The assign menu commands can also use used to assign diaphragm connections, frame numbers, wall group
numbers and foundations springs.

Mass and Exposure

The load cases for which the structure is to be analyzed and designed must be defined. User defined and
program generated load cases can be created. If the program is to automatically generate seismic load cases it
requires information on the structure's mass properties, and for the program to generate wind loads, the
building's dimensional properties are required. (Mass information is also used any time that second order
analysis is performed).
In this model all of the information required by the program to generate seismic and wind forces is already
provided. If desired, this data can be overridden. Only the building extents affecting wind generated forces will
be modified in this example.
• Select Loads > Exposure.

RAM Structural System 114 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Wind Load

The extents that were determined by the program using the slab edges of the model are listed in the Building
Extents portion of the window. To change those values:
• Select Use Calculated Values.
The Parapet field is used to indicate the height of the parapet. If a parapet height is specified, additional wind
loads will be attributed to that level. If there is another level above the level with a parapet, then the additional
wind loads will only get applied to the portion of the lower level that is wider than the level above.
The Exposure column is used to indicate if a particular level does not resist wind loads at all. This might be the
case if there is only a partial slab at that level (such as in a mezzanine or stair landing between floors). By
changing the exposure flag from Full to None a level is designated as having no exposure, and the wind force is
distributed to the adjacent levels instead.
• Click [OK].
It's important to note that the program does not currently calculate wind uplift pressures. The program only
calculates horizontal wind forces and applies them to the meshed nodes if the deck is meshed, and the
magnitude of the force at the roof level is based on the height of the meshed surface.

Note: For Rigid diaphragms the horizontal wind forces are applied at the story height. Modifying the elevations
of the columns has no direct impact on the horizontal wind force.

For structures that are partially shielded or structures that have more than one windward and leeward face, the
wind loads will have to be entered as User Defined Story Forces (or Nodal Loads), rather than using the code
generated lateral loads as done in the next section.

Wind Load
This model already includes the gravity load cases created in the Modeler. These loads cannot be modified or
deleted within the RAM Frame program. If other load cases are to be considered, such as Wind Loads, Seismic
Loads or Dynamic Loads, they must be created in RAM Frame. To define a Wind Load case:
• Select Loads > Load Cases.

RAM Structural System 115 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Wind Load

• Type Wind in the Label edit box.

• Click the Wind option button under Type.
• Click the down arrow to access the wind load building code selection list and select ASCE 7-05 / IBC 2006
(BS6399: Part 2: 1997)
• Click [Add].
The Wind dialog box should appear allowing you to define specific characteristics of the wind load:

RAM Structural System 116 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Wind Load

• Fill out all the fields as indicated in the figure above for US models.

Note: In the section marked Natural Frequency, the load is set to use the calculated n. In order to calculate the
building frequency for Wind Load (or period for seismic load) the model must have rigid diaphragm levels
with masses defined. If diaphragm masses are zero the load case will not run.
• For SI models, select the BS6399: Part 2: 1997 as the building code rather than ASCE 7-05 and set up the load
as indicated below.

RAM Structural System 117 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Seismic Load

• Click [OK].
New load cases are now added to the Load Cases list box, one for each direction selected in the direction box.
Some building codes require consideration of winds eccentric to the building. This results in additional wind
load cases. Since the wind load here was created with additional tension-only load cases, both the positive and
negative direction load cases appear in the list.

Seismic Load
Seismic loads are input similar to wind loads.
• In the Load Cases dialog, type Seismic in the Label edit box.
• Select the Seismic option under Type.
• Click the down arrow to access various building codes and select ASCE 7-05/IBC06 Equivalent Lateral
Force option.
• Click [Add]

RAM Structural System 118 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Seismic Load

• In the dialog that opens, fill in the fields as indicated in the previous figure.

Note: Ss and S1 are percentage of gravity values. Also note that the program is set to use the calculated
period, but if the calculated period should exceed the upper bound limitation of the code, that maximum
period will be used.
• Click [OK].
8 new load cases are added to the Load Cases list box, this covers the different directions and horizontal
eccentricities.
• Without closing the Load Cases dialog, type Modes in the Label edit box.
• Select the Dynamic option under Type.
• Leave the drop down list set to Eigen Solution.
• [Add].
The Eigen Solution dialog box should appear allowing you to define the number of periods you wish to
generate.

RAM Structural System 119 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Seismic Load

Note: When Semirigid diaphragms are generated the program has to calculate how many degrees of freedom
the structure contains, then determine how many modes are associated with those degrees of freedom. For
demonstration purposes use the number of floors times 6 here. A higher number may be needed for the code
required participation, but this should be sufficient for this tutorial.

• Click [OK] to select the default number of periods.

• Without closing the Load Cases dialog, type Center in the Label edit box.
• Select the Center of Rigidity option under Type.
• Click [Add].

Note: The center of rigidity load case has no options and does not affect the analysis at all, it simply allows
you to review the center of stiffness graphically in the model.
• Without closing the Load Cases dialog, type Notional in the Label box
• Select the AISC 360-05 (BS 8110) Load case in the Notional drop down menu.
• Click [Add].

• Click [OK] to create Notional Loads with the above defaults.

• Click [OK] to exit the Load Cases Dialog box.

RAM Structural System 120 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Analysis

If you need to edit any of the load cases you can select the load case in the Load List at the bottom of the Load
cases window and click Change. When a load with multiple cases is selected, like wind load, the full set of loads
will be edited together.

Analysis
You have now defined all the load cases for which the frames will be analyzed. To start the analysis and display
the Analyze dialog box:
• Select Process > Analyze.

The Analyze dialog box displays all the load cases available for analysis. Those load cases which are preceded by
a green dot are available to be analyzed. A red light means that something is preventing that load case from
being analyzed (e.g. no diaphragm or diaphragm masses are defined). In this example all load cases should be
available.
• Click [Select All].
• Click [OK].
The analysis will commence and a status message box will keep you informed of the progress. Upon completion
of the analysis, click [OK] and notice that the status indicator light on the status bar turns green (if the self
weight reactions of beams and columns are not current then he light will be yellow - see the RAM Manager
documentation for a complete explanation on status lights). This indicates that the structure has now been
analyzed for each of the load cases selected, and analysis results can be viewed for each load case separately.
If there is a stability problem with your model it will result in a warning during the analysis. Adjusting the
member fixity can usually correct a stability problem. If there is too little stiffness in your structure, and the
analysis is being performed with the P-Delta consideration, that might result in an excess P-Delta warning. You
will see a message about the springs taking some of the lateral load. To see the report select Reports-Spring
Forces.

RAM Structural System 121 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
View/Update

The results of the analysis of each load case can now be viewed either on-screen or in printed reports. In either
case you can select the load case(s) for which you want results displayed. If you have analyzed many load cases
you may find your reports to be quite lengthy. The Reports - Select Cases command acts as an "Output Filter",
allowing you to select which load cases will appear in the output.

View/Update
The Process – View/Update command provides information about an individual selected member. While in the
Analysis mode for Load Cases, it provides access to the individual member results for each load case analyzed.
The View/Update command also allows you to change the member size if desired. To review the results for an
individual member:
• Select Process > View/Update.
• Click the cursor on one of the Roof beams in a moment frame.

• Click [View Results].

• Scroll through the report and get familiar with format of the output.
•
Click to exit the report.
• Selecting another member size does not immediately affect the member forces, but if the member size is
updated, the status light will change to yellow until the analysis is performed again.
It is not necessary to close the dialog box before selecting another member to View. Just click the target cursor
on any other lateral member and the dialog box will be updated.
• Click [Close] to close the View/Update dialog box.

Member Forces
The analysis results may also be displayed on-screen. While in Load Cases mode all results, whether on-screen
or in reports, are for the individual, unfactored load cases. By switching to the Load Combinations mode and
generating load combinations, you can also review the combined values for reactions, member forces and
deflections.
• Select Process > Results > Member Forces.

RAM Structural System 122 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Member Forces

• In the Load Case Member Forces dialog box that opens, select the first Wind Load case.
• Click [OK].
• In the Load Case Member Forces dialog that opens, select Shear – Major as the Force type.
• Check the box labeled Show Diagrams with a Scale Factor of 1.
• Click [Apply].
• The 3D graphic will now indicate the member strong axis (Major) shear values diagrammatically.

Note: The commands in the View menu, such as Zoom, View - Extents, View - Options - Scale Text and View -
Members, can be used to make the output on the screen more readable (see the on-line Help for instructions).

To review forces in Elevation view

• Select View – Elevation and select one of the Moment Frame beams.
• To view the member forces that resulted from a different load case click the [Change Case] button in the
Load Case Member Forces dialog box.

RAM Structural System 123 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Deflected Shape

• Highlight the Dead Load.

• Click [OK].
• Set Force Type to Axial.
• Click [Apply].
• Click [Close] to close the Load Case Member Forces dialog box.
Your last force display remains on the screen. Use the View - Reset Model command to clear the display.

Deflected Shape
The deflected shape which results from applying any of the load cases can be viewed on screen. This is a great
way to identify any unusual model behavior.
• Select Process > Results > Deflected Shape.
• In the Load Case Deflected Shape dialog box that opens highlight the first Wind load case, Wind_IBC06_1_X.
• Click [OK].

• In the Load Case Deflected Shape dialog type 100 for Scale Factor.
• Click [Apply].

Note: If the Include Undeflected Shape box is checked, then both the deflected and undeflected shapes will be
displayed
• Click [Start].

Note: The scale factor and speed can be altered and the animation can be restarted if necessary.
• Click [Stop].
The deflected shape for other load cases can be displayed by clicking the [Change Case] button and making a
new selection from the list box.
• Click [Close].
• Click View > Reset Model.

RAM Structural System 124 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Mode Shape

Mode Shape
If an Eigen Solution load case has been analyzed, then the Modal Shapes menu choice can be selected:
• Select Process > Results > Mode Shapes.

• In the Mode Shapes dialog box that opens click [Start].

The on-screen graphic will be animated to show the first principal mode of the structure. In this tutorial, that's
the principal X mode, the period of which will is used in the seismic load calculations.
• When finished, click [Stop].
• Change the Mode number to 2 and click [Apply] or [Start].
• When finished, click [Close].
As with the Member Forces and Deflected Shapes, [Close] removes the dialog box from the screen and the View
– Reset Model returns you to the screen display you had prior to issuing this command.

Drift
A drift report for all the load cases can be displayed on screen for any point on the model. The Drift report will
only include the load cases selected using the Select Cases button. The drift is only reported for locations within
the diaphragm. For points outside the diaphragm or points on levels with no diaphragm, zero drift is always
reported. In those cases, the report - Nodal Displacements can be used. To view a Drift Report for a point:
• Select Process > Results > Drift > At a Point.

RAM Structural System 125 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Drift

• In the Select Plan dialog box that opens, Highlight Roof from the list box.
• Click [OK].
• This takes you back to the graphics screen. Click the cursor on any point on the floor plan to view drift for
that point for all load cases.
• This report starts with a listing of the load cases by name. Click the Forward arrow "►" to continue to the
next page where the results begin. The report includes the total displacement as well as the inter-story
displacement.
•
Click to exit the report.
Upon exiting the drift report, you are returned to the floor plan with the target cursor indicating that you are still
in Results – Drift – At a Point mode. You can either continue investigating drift at other points or issue other
commands.
A drift report for up to four predefined points, can also be displayed on screen. To Obtain a Drift Report at
Control Points:
• Select Process > Results > Drift > At Control Points.
The Drift at Control Points dialog box will appear on the screen:

• In the row marked 1 type 0 for X and 0 for Y (you can use the arrow or tab keys to move from cell-to-cell.
• In the second row type 125 (40) for X and 60 (18) for Y.

RAM Structural System 126 Tutorial

RAM Frame - Analysis
Reports

• Click [View Results] to get the drift values at these two corners of the building.
•
Click to exit the report.

Reports
Many different reports can be generated from the results of the analysis of the structure subject to the various
load cases. All reported values are for the unfactored, uncombined load cases while in Load Cases Mode. In the
next section you'll see how to get combined results. Printed output is generated using the Reports menu, but the
reports can be viewed on screen as well.
• Select Reports > Screen (if it's not already checked).
• Select Reports > Reactions.

• Click [Unselect All].

• Highlight 2 from the Frame Number list box.
• Click [OK]. The Frame Reactions report should come up for the support nodes of Frame #2 only.

Note: The report can be printed from within the report viewer or it can be printed directly to the printer by
selecting Reports - Printer, rather than Reports - Screen.
•
Click to exit the report.
Feel free to review other reports. Some of the reports can be quite long and make take some time to generate
onto the screen.

Load Combinations
The Load Combinations Mode allows you to manually define or generate a set of custom load combinations. The
member forces and other analytical results from those combinations of load cases can then be displayed on
screen or reported. If your model is made of steel frames and if you are going to be using the RAM Frame - Steel
Mode for the design of those frames, then there will be a separate set of load combinations defined in that mode
which are used only in the steel member design. To initiate the Load Combinations Mode:
• Select Mode > Analysis > Load Combinations.

The mode will change and some of the menu options will be affected.

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RAM Frame - Analysis
Load Combinations

• Select the new menu item Combinations > Custom Combinations.

The program can generate load combinations using templates. The templates are text files stored along with the
rest of program tables. The templates are grouped in categories like Concrete combos, Soil Combos, LRFD
combos, etc. Those templates are further broken down by building code (at least in the US).
• In the Custom Load Combinations dialog box that opens select CONCRETE_ACI (CONCRETE_BRITISH) as the
template ID.
• In the Code for Combinations select ACI 318-08 (BS8110 1997).
Different codes modify load combinations in various ways and the program doesn't always know which
approach to take. In the case of ACI 318-08 load combinations, the program needs to know if the seismic load
was initially defined as a service level load case or an ultimate load case. In our case, the ASCE 7-05 seismic load
case we defined was an ultimate level load case.
• Uncheck the first box labeled Seismic is Service. Multiply by 1.4
• Leave the second box checked, this model did utilize the Kd factor in our wind load case (for British code
users check the box labeled Use 0.9 Instead of 1.0 for Dead Load Factor).
• Click [Generate] and the program will generate the full set of code combos. This could result in several
hundred load combinations. The new load combinations are automatically checked to be Used. You can
uncheck any of the boxes in the "Use" column to inactivate a particular load combination without deleting it
entirely.

Note: If you generate more load combinations in the Custom Load Combinations dialog box, those additional
combos are appended to the end of the list.

Now the analysis results of the selected load combinations can be viewed using the same commands as
described in previous sections.
• Select Report > Member Force Envelope > Single.
• Select any lateral member.

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RAM Frame - Analysis
Load Combinations

The program will generate a report of the minimum and maximum forces in that member for any load
combination. The envelope values reports are algebraic. In other words, the minimum moment might be a bigger
negative number than the maximum, positive moment. Note that the maximum value may occur at the end or at
any point along the length of the member. The location of the maximum force, along with the load combination
which produces it are both reported.
• Select Mode > Analysis > Load Cases to return to that mode.
You have completed the analysis of the structure for each of the individual load cases. You will now proceed to
design your frame members using combinations of those loads.

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 RAM Frame - Shear Wall Analysis Module
8
Whether your shear walls have opening in them or not, the RAM Frame - Shear Wall Analysis module can be
used to get more precise information about the force in the lateral walls.
To start the Shear Wall Analysis Module:
• Select Process > Results > Wall Analysis Results.
The program launches a separate application in the 3D view akin to the Steel Column module. Most of the
actions in this mode are done from an elevation view of a shear wall.
• Select View > Elevation and select the wall elevation on Grid F.

Note: If you start this program from an elevation view in the RAM Frame analysis mode, the same elevation will
automatically come up.

Section Cuts
The Shear Wall Module works by reporting the forces on user-specified section cuts through walls. The section
forces can be obtained graphically or through reports. When the program is launched from the RAM Frame
Analysis Mode - Load Cases, then the results are for individual load cases. When the program is launched from
the Load Combinations mode, then the section results are all given for the combinations.
• Select Assign > Section Cuts > Add.
The cursor will change into a cross-hair type cursor at this point.
• Click and hold the mouse just left of the wall and drag the mouse horizontally through the entire length of the
wall as pictured below.

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RAM Frame - Shear Wall Analysis Module
Section Cuts

Figure 21: Final Section Cuts

When you let go of the cursor, an options box will pop up.

• Set the offset distance to 12 (300).

• Click [OK].
The Green section cut will be adjusted to be exactly 12" from the lowest left corner of the wall where the section
cut started.
• Create a second section cut by dragging horizontally through the left part of the wall only, just below the top
of the opening.

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RAM Frame - Shear Wall Analysis Module
Section Cuts

• Set the elevation of the section cut to 96 (2500) and click [OK].
• Now drag a slice vertically through the lintel near the middle of the opening, starting inside the opening and
dragging up.
• For this cut the distance is measured relative to the corner of the opening (since the slice started in the
opening). Set the offset distance to 24 (600) and click [OK].
• To see the labels on the section cuts, select View > Section Cut Labels.

Note: Section cuts can be altered after created using the command Assign - Section Cuts - Change. To review a
table of the section cuts all at once, select Assign - Section Cuts - List.

Once complete, the three completed cuts should look like the following figure.

Figure 22: Completed Section Cuts

To see the shear forces on the various section cuts:

• Select Process > Results > Display.

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RAM Frame - Shear Wall Analysis Module
Reports

• In the options box that opens, select the first wind load case in the Y direction (Wind_IBC06_1_Y).
• For the Force Type select Shear – Major. At this point, the shear forces will appear on the graphic. If the text
is too large or too small to read, it can be adjusted using the buttons to increase or decrease text size in the
top menu bar.
• When finished, click [Close].
To see a table of the forces on an individual section:
• Select Process > Results > Wall Section Forces.
• With the Target cursor, select one of the section cuts.

A table of the section forces will appear. The forces are separated into axial forces P (positive = compression),
overturning moment (Mmajor), out-of-plane moment (Mminor), shear along the length of the cut (Vmajor),
shear perpendicular to the wall (Vminor) and torsion. For a wall with no included lateral columns, the minor
axis shear and moment values (as well as torsion) will be zero since the walls are not assumed to have any
significant out-of-plane stiffness in the analysis.
• When finished, Click [OK].

Reports
The reports menu has printable versions of the section cut information. For a printable version of the section cut
forces:

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RAM Frame - Shear Wall Analysis Module
Reports

• Select Reports > Wall Section Forces > Single.

• Select a single section cut to generate a printable report.
• Close the report when finished.
Another useful report is the Envelope report. This report includes the maximum and minimum forces on each
section cut similar to the force envelope reports in the analysis mode of RAM Frame. It is more useful to generate
this report while working with load combinations. To get such a report:
• Select File > Exit to exit the Shear Wall Module and return to the primary RAM Frame window.
• Select Mode > Analysis > Load Combinations to switch into that mode.
• Select Process > Results > Wall Analysis Results to reopen the Shear Wall Module now in Load
Combinations mode.
• Select View > Elevation and reselect the west shear wall.
• Select Reports > Envelope > Single.
• Select one of the section cuts previously defined.
• Close the report when finished.
• Select File > Exit to close the module and return to RAM Frame.

RAM Structural System 134 Tutorial

 RAM Frame Steel - Standard Provisions
9
Within RAM Frame there are two steel post-processing modes: the Standard Provisions mode and the Seismic
Provisions mode. In Standard Provisions mode the ability of the structural members to carry the applied gravity
and lateral loads (including seismic) is checked according to the primary design code. In Seismic Provisions
mode the structure is checked for the seismic detailing and design requirements of the selected seismic code (US
codes only).
These are optional modules and are not always included with the RAM Frame basic module. In order to perform
this section of the tutorial you must have the RAM Frame - Standard Provision Module installed and licensed.
To switch to the Steel - Standard Provision mode:
• Select Mode > Steel > Standard Provisions.

• In the Steel Design Code dialog box that opens, check the button for AISC 360-05 LRFD. If your model was
built using SI and British code selections, feel free to select the BS 5950:2000 code.
• Click [OK].
• This dialog can be displayed any time while in Standard Provision mode by selecting the Criteria – Codes
menu item.
• The AISC 360-05 LRFD Load Combination Generation dialog box should appear:

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RAM Frame Steel - Standard Provisions
Design Criteria

• Select IBC06/ASCE7-05 LRFD (BS 5950) from the Code Combo drop-down list.
• Type 0.5 for LL Factor f1
• For Sds type 1.113 (this was taken from the loads and Applied Force report in Analysis Mode – Load Cases).
• Select Use for Rho, with values of 1.0.
• For Snow Factor, select Use Reduced Factors on Snow in Combinations with Seismic (for British code
models Generate the combinations using the default criteria).
• For the Notional Loads select, Consider with Combinations containing only gravity loads.
• Click [Generate].
• Click [OK].

Note: Load combinations will only be generated using the load cases checked in the Analyzed Load Cases to
include section. If the program generates any load combinations that you do not wish to be considered, uncheck
the Use box for that combo.

Additional Customized Load Combinations can be defined and selected in the same way that they are in Analysis
- Load Combinations Mode. The load combinations created within each mode are unique to that mode. Load
combinations can be copied from one custom combination dialog to another using the cut and paste tool buttons
in the dialog box.

Design Criteria
As in the analysis mode, the Steel Mode has a set of criteria that govern effect the design results of the structure.
A complete discussion of these criteria appears in the RAM Frame documentation. It is recommended that you
review and understand each of these criteria before accepting RAM Frame design results.
• To assign the characteristic of the building:
• Select Criteria > B1 and B2 Factors (Moment amplification factors).

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RAM Frame Steel - Standard Provisions
Design Criteria

• In the dialog box that opens, select Both Apply B1 Factors and Apply B2 Factors.
• Leave the Rmx and Rmy at 1.00.

Note: Since P-delta was selected in the original analysis, these factors are not necessary to complete the
Direct Analysis Method set forth by the AISC 360-05 design spec. If P-delta was not selected this step would
be required to complete the selected analysis.
• Click [OK].
To assign Global Effective Length or K factors,
• Select Criteria > K Factors (Effective Length).
• In the K Factor dialog box that opens, notice the only values that can be modified are the braces. Again this is
due to the analysis code chosen at the beginning. Different codes give different levels of control (for British
code models use the defaults).

• Click [OK].
To set the flange bracing criteria for beams and columns:
• Select Criteria > Flange Bracing.

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RAM Frame Steel - Standard Provisions
Design Criteria

• Check Top Flange Continually Braced for Beams.

• Check Deck Braces Column for Columns.
• Uncheck the other options.
• Type 60 for Maximum angle from column axis for which beam or brace braces column.
• Click [OK].
The Column Moments criteria can be used if you wish for the moment connections in the building to transfer
only a portion of the end moment to the supporting column. This can be helpful in designing partially restrained,
Type 2 connections (Refer to AISC Steel Specifications for more information), but will not be covered in this
Tutorial.
To turn off the Axial Slenderness limits prescribed by the code:
• Select Criteria > Axial Slenderness Limits.

• Check both options.

• Click [OK].
Besides member design criteria, RAM Frame also checks moment connections for stiffener and web plate
(doubler) requirements.
To assign the criteria to be used in the Joint Design:
• Select Criteria > Joints.
• Click [OK] to accept all the defaults.

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RAM Frame Steel - Standard Provisions
Design Criteria

For the Special Moment Frames in this model, we can also assign Reduced Beam Section Criteria (US models
only).
• Select Criteria > Reduced Beam Sections.

• For the W16X40, type 8,10 and 1.75 (200,, 250, 44) for a, b and c respectively.
• Click [OK].
• In order to have the reduced beam sections considered an assignment must be made to the Beams in the
Special Moment Frames.
• Select View > Elevation and pick one of the moment frames.
• Select Assign > Beams > Reduced Beam Sections.

• Set the Action to Use Reduced Beam Section and select the beams with a single or fence option.
• Repeat for all other Moment Frame beams.

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RAM Frame Steel - Standard Provisions
Member Code Check - Standard Provisions

Member Code Check - Standard Provisions

You will now perform a code check on all lateral members using the load combinations you selected previously.
To perform a code check:
• Select Process > Member Code Check.
A progress bar will keep you informed of the progress of the code check. Because the program needs to check
each unbraced segment of each member for each load combination, the process can take several minutes.
When the code check is complete, the lateral system of the model will appear color coded to indicate to what
degree the members are stressed. A color scale correlates the colors to the interaction values of the members.
The display of each member is based on the controlling Interaction Equation from all the selected load
combinations.
• Click [Show Values] to display the interaction equation values on screen.

Note: An interaction value of "-1" indicates that the member fails some prescriptive limitation (e.g. KL/r >
200).

The View/Update command can be used to interactively modify individual member sizes to improve the design.
• Select Process > Member View/Update.
• With the cursor, select one of the red beams in the braced frames at the roof level.

The Beam View/Update dialog box should appear. In the lower left hand corner is an indication of the maximum
interaction equation or design warning. In this case, the bottom flange of the beam is completely unbraced.
When there is compression in the member it will thus fail the KL/r limit of 200 (US codes) or it will fail the L/r
limit of 300 when the member is in tension. The stoplight in the box will be red to indicate when the member has
a design warning.
• Click [Close].
• Select one of the Moment Frame beams.
• This beam should pass and the interaction value will be listed at the bottom.
• To see the details of the design Click [View Results].

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RAM Frame Steel - Standard Provisions
Joint Code Check - Standard Provisions

The Member Code Check Report should come up. Review the report. In particular, take note of the unbraced
length for bending - Y-axis value.. A beam is typically broken into several unbraced segments, each with a
different unbraced length. The single segment that yields the highest interaction ratio is the one segment that
gets reported on the design report.

Note: When a member fails a prescriptive limit, the reports results are for the first combo that causes the
problem. The reported forces are not necessarily the critical forces.

For more information on the design performed in this check, refer to the technical portion of the RAM Frame
Manual.
•
Click to exit the report.
• Select a different section from the Beam Size list box.
• Click [Analyze]. The interaction equation and signal light will be updated to reflect the results of the analysis.
• Click [Close] to exit without saving the modified design.(Click [Update Database] if you want to make the
change permanent.)
If you modify any member size using the view/update command, the color of the member will change to indicate
the new level of stress. As with View/Update in Analysis Mode, a second member can be selected without closing
the View/Update dialog box.

Note: The program uses the member forces from the original analysis, but uses the section properties of the
currently selected size when a redesign is performed. Once sizes have been changed the analysis of the model is
no longer technically valid. Notice that the status indicator light on the status bar in the lower right corner has
turned yellow to indicate that you should view all results with caution as they no longer represent the analysis of
the current member sizes in the database. Whenever member sizes are changed, the analysis should be re-run to
insure accuracy. This applies to all of the View/Update commands in RAM Frame.

To rerun the analysis and verify the new sizes:

• Select Mode > Analysis > Load Cases.
• Select Process > Analyze.
• When the Analyze dialog box opens, make sure that all of load cases are selected and Click [OK].
• Select Mode > Steel > Standard Provisions.
• If you want to skip the slenderness limit checks this time, select Criteria > Axial Slenderness Limits and
turn off both parameters.
• Select Process > Member Code Check.
The new code check results should be indicated on screen. By working through a few cycles of this process, you
can quickly converge on an efficient working design.

Joint Code Check - Standard Provisions

You will now perform a code check on the rigid beam to column connections. To perform a joint code check:
• Select Process > Joint Code Check.
A progress bar will keep you informed of the progress of the code check. When the code check is complete, the
nodes of the lateral system will appear as colorful dots indicating the status of the joint. The status represents if
the joint is valid (refer to Technical Section in the RAM Frame manual), and what strengthening is required of
the joint.

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RAM Frame Steel - Standard Provisions
Joint Code Check - Standard Provisions

The View/Update command can be used to interactively modify individual column sizes to improve the
connection design.
• Select Process > Joint View/Update.
• With the cursor, select one of the green colored nodes.

The Joint Web Plates and Stiffeners dialog box should appear. A graphic shows the various member sizes that
meet at the selected joint and the signal light indicates the status of the column. The size of stiffeners and web
plate are listed when necessary.

Note: The graphic displayed in the View/Update dialog represents a view from the minor axis direction of the
column. The graphic shows the steel beams that frame into the flanges of the steel column. No members
supported on the web of the column are shown.

As with Member – View/Update, this dialog box allows you to select other column sizes and investigate the
stiffener plate requirements by clicking [Analyze]. You can view the Joint Code Check Report by selecting [View
Results] and you can update the column size if desired by Clicking [Update Database].

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RAM Frame Steel - Standard Provisions
Reports - Standard Provisions

Figure 23: Moment frame joint code check

Reports - Standard Provisions

Many different reports can be generated from the design results of the structure subject to the various load
combinations. The printed output is generated using the Reports menu. The print options available in Steel
Mode are different than those available in Analysis Mode. The forces and reactions printed while in Steel Mode
are based on load combinations in that mode. To print the minimum and maximum reactions for any load
combination:
• Select Reports > Screen.
• Select Reports > Reaction Envelope.

• In the Select Frame Numbers dialog box that opens, choose which frames you would like to review and click
[OK].
The Reactions Envelope report should come up. Hit the Page Down Key to see the rest of the report. Notice that
the reaction values are given for the worst case among all load combinations in that mode.
•
Click to exit the report.

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RAM Frame Steel - Standard Provisions
Reports - Standard Provisions

To print a summary of the results for all the member code checks:
• Select Reports > Member Check Summary.
• Select a frame or frames and click [OK].
• The Member Check Summary report should come up.
•
Click to exit the report.
Take time now to review the various reports available in the Reports menu. See the Direct Analysis Validation
report in particular for the AISC 360-05 design code.

RAM Structural System 144 Tutorial

 RAM Frame Steel - Seismic Provisions
10
In Seismic Provision mode the structure is checked in accordance with the detailing and design requirements of
a selected seismic code. The checks performed in this mode rely heavily on the load combinations and design
criteria established in the Standard Provision Mode. Note that only the AISC 05 - LRFD post processor will be
used in this tutorial although the AISC-02, AISC - 97 and UBC - 97 codes work in a similar manner.
The Seismic Provision Mode is only accessible if one of the AISC Steel Design codes (ASD or LRFD) is used in
Standard Provision Mode. There must also be at least one seismic load case defined. If your model is based on
the British code or if you do not have a license of the Special Seismic provisions module, skip this entire section.
To switch to the Steel - Seismic Provision mode:
• Select Mode > Steel > Seismic Provisions.

• In the Special Seismic Provision Codes dialog box that opens, select the button for AISC 05 > LRFD.
• Under Options, Check all checkboxes.
• Type 1.1 for the Cpr Factor and 4 for the EBF Cd Factor.
Note that you are not able to change to the AISC-05 ASD or the UBC 97 - ASD code because this requires that an
AISC - ASD Steel Design Code be selected in Standard Provision mode prior to entering the seismic mode.
This dialog can be displayed any time while in Seismic Provision mode by selecting the Criteria - Codes menu
item.
• Click [OK].

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RAM Frame Steel - Seismic Provisions
Assign Frame Type

In the Seismic Provisions Load Combinations dialog box that opens

• Set the Live Load factor to 0.5
• Set the Sds value to 1.113
• Set Omega to 3.
• Click [Generate].
• Click [OK].
Additional Customized Load Combinations can be defined and selected in the same way that they are in Standard
Provision mode.

Assign Frame Type

In order to check the members and joints for these provisions you must first define what type of lateral frames
exist in the model:
• Select View – Elevation and pick the Moment frame on Grid 4, if not already selected.
• Select Assign > Frame Type.

• In the Assign Frame Type dialog box select Special Moment Resisting Frame as the Frame Type.
• Click [Fence].

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RAM Frame Steel - Seismic Provisions
Member Code Check - Seismic Provisions

• Fence the entire moment frame.

• Click the 3D View icon in the toolbar to return to the 3D View.

• Select View – Elevation and pick the braced frame on Grid A, if not already selected.
• Select Assign > Frame Type again.
• Change the Frame Type to Eccentrically Brace Frame.
• Click Fence and fence all of the steel members in the braced frame on Grid A.
• Repeat for the braced frames on grid F except change the frame type to Special Concentric Braced Frame for
the upper 2 bays, and SCBF -Chevron for the lower bay.
• Return to 3D View.

Member Code Check - Seismic Provisions

To check the member design against the special seismic provisions, you will follow the same steps as for
standard provisions: To start the code check:
• Select Process > Member Code Check.
A progress bar will keep you informed of the progress of the code check. When the code check is complete, the
lateral system of the model will appear color coded to indicate the design status of the members.
The View/Update command can be used to interactively modify individual member sizes to improve the design.
• Select Process > Member View/Update.
• With the cursor, select one of the lowest steel columns in the moment frame.

The Column View/Update dialog box should appear. In the lower box is a list of the various design provisions
and an indication of which checks the member has passed, or failed. The signal light in the box will be lit red to
indicate the member has failed one of these provisions.

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RAM Frame Steel - Seismic Provisions
Joint Code Check - Seismic Provisions

Note: Double click on any icon in the results list box to view a short explanation of that icon. Refer to the
technical manual for a description of all the View/Update icons.

• To see the details of the design Click [View Results].

The Seismic Provisions Member Code Check Report should come up. Review the report. For more information
on the designs performed in this check refer to the technical portion of the RAM Frame - Special Seismic
Provisions documentation.
•
Click to exit the report.
• Select the W14x43 section from the Column Size list box.
• Click [Analyze]. The design checks and signal light will be updated to reflect the results of the analysis.
• Click [Cancel] to revert to the original size.

Note: Some of the beams and braces in the chevron braced frames will fail the special seismic provisions code
check. Feel free to increase the size of those members now. An HSS6x6x3/8 should work for the braces and a
W12x30 should work for the beams. Besides using the View/Update command, member sizes can also be
assigned directly using the assign menu options.

Joint Code Check - Seismic Provisions

You will now perform a code check on of the rigid beam to column connections according to the Special Seismic
Provisions of the selected code. To perform a joint code check:
• Select Process > Joint Code Check.
When the code check is complete, the steel beam - column joints of the lateral system will appear as colorful dots
indicating the status of the joint.
The View/Update command can be used to interactively modify individual column sizes to improve the
connection design.
• Select Process > Joint View/Update.
• With the cursor, select one of the top floor (blue) nodes in the moment frame (Frame on Grid F).

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RAM Frame Steel - Seismic Provisions
Reports - Seismic Provisions

• To see the details of the design Click [View Results].

• Feel free to investigate other sizes and click [Cancel] when finished. If you make the column slightly larger
you can possibly avoid the need for stiffener plates.

Reports - Seismic Provisions

Many different reports can be generated from the seismic code check of the structure. The printed output is
mostly generated using the Reports menu. The print options available in Seismic Provisions Mode are different
than those available in Analysis Mode. To print the detailed seismic code check results for one or more member:
• Select Reports > Member Code Check > Single.
• Pick any lateral member.
• Close the report.
To print a summary of the results for all the member code checks:
• Select Reports > Member Check Summary.
A similar output is available for the joint code checks.
• Select Reports > Joint Check Summary.
Take time now to review the various reports available in the Reports menu.

RAM Structural System 149 Tutorial

 RAM Frame - Drift Control
11
In addition to the member design provisions of each design code, building structures are also required to meet
certain drift limitations. The Drift Control Module provides you with a means to see how each of the lateral
members contributes to the resistance of that drift. For the Tutorial, drift at the Roof Level in the X and Y
directions is the primary concern. In this section you will define a virtual load case in both directions, pair those
load cases with the governing seismic load cases and review the results in order to determine which members
provide the greatest resistance to that drift. You will also determine how to improve the overall structural
performance.
This is an optional module and is not included with the RAM Frame basic module. In order to perform this
section of the Tutorial you must have the RAM Frame - Drift control Module installed and the hardware lock
programmed for that module. You can skip this section otherwise.

Defining Virtual Load Cases

To define the virtual load cases for analyzing roof drift:
• Select Mode > Analysis > Load Cases.
• Select Loads > Load Cases. The Load Cases dialog box will open.
• Type VX in the Label edit box.
• Click the Virtual Work option button.
• Click [Add] and the Virtual Load Case Story Forces dialog box will open.

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RAM Frame - Drift Control
Defining Load Pairs

• For the Roof Level Type 100 in the Force column (100 can also be used for SI models).
• Leave the Dir. Angle set to 0.
• Leave the X and Y coordinates at the default. This represents the calculated center of mass for the respective
level.
• Leave the forces for the other floors set to 0.
• Click [OK].
This returns you to the Load Cases dialog box.
• Type VY in the Label edit box.
• Click the Virtual Work option button.
• Click [Add].
• For the Roof Level Type 100 (100) in the Force column.
• Type 90 for Dir. Angle.
• Click [OK].
• Click [OK] to dismiss the Load Cases dialog box.
Next, you need to analyze the new virtual load cases:
• Select Process > Analyze.
• When the Analyze dialog box opens, make sure that all of load cases are selected by clicking [Select All].
• Click [OK].

Defining Load Pairs

In Order to pair the virtual loads with real load cases and perform the Drift Control Analysis, you must now enter
the Drift Control Mode of RAM Frame:
• Select Mode > Drift Control.
• Select Loads > Load Pairs. The Load Pairs dialog box should appear:

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RAM Frame - Drift Control
Defining Load Pairs

In the center portion of the box under Define Pairs:

• Type X Pair for Label.
• Type 1.0 for Factor.
• Type or select W1 for Real column.
• Type or select V1 for the Virtual column.
• Click the Blue Down Arrow to establish the pair.
• Type Y Pair for Label.
• Type 1.0 for Factor.
• Type W2 for Real.
• Type V2 for Virtual.
• Click the Blue Down Arrow to establish the pair.
• Click [OK].
This takes you back to the graphics screen. To analyze the load pairs:
• Select Process > Analyze.
The screen should now display a color coded image of the structure. Members shown in warm colors (i.e. red,
orange, yellow…) are participating more in the resistance of the roof drift based on the current load pair (X Pair)
and the current evaluation method (Total Displacement). In this case, you can see the beams of the north
moment frame do the most work, indicated by their color.

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RAM Frame - Drift Control
Defining Load Pairs

To review the results for the other load pair:

• Click the center drop-down list in the toolbar that indicates the current load pair. Select Y Pair from this list.
The screen should be updated to reflect the results of Y direction loads.
Another way of reporting participation is to divide a member's participation by its own volume. In this way you
can see where increasing a member provides the most benefit.
To review the results as Total Displacement/Volume:
• Select Process > Results > Total Displacement/Volume or use the third drop-down list.
A dramatic change should occur in the screen output. The walls that were red or yellow are now blue. This
happens because while that member does a lot to resist drift in the Y direction (even at the roof), it is also has a
much larger volume than the steel members. Now the lower level braces the frames should be the highest
participating members by volume.
There are several other features in the Drift Control Module as described in the Drift Control portion of the RAM
Frame manual. Examine some of those options now.
To review an individual member to evaluate its participation:
• Select Process > View/Update.
• With the cursor select a brace in the lowest level of the EBF.

The Brace View/Update dialog box should appear. In the center of the box you can see the participation of that
beam due to the current load pair.
As in the other modes, you can investigate other member sizes by selecting them from the list and clicking
analyze.
• Select another brace size from the list.
• Click [Analyze].
• The participation values will change slightly.
• Click [Update Database] if you want to make the change official.
• Click [Close] to dismiss the View/Update dialog box.

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Reports

The fact that one or more members are drawn red is only an indication that those members are working the
hardest on a relative scale. It does not mean that they are failing in any way. An optimized structure in terms of
drift is one where the majority of the members are all performing equally. If a model has a few red members and
the rest are blue, that is an indication that the red members are overworked while the rest of your framing isn't
helping that much with respect to drift control.
As with any Update Database command, the analysis results considered when recalculating the participation
factors are from the previous analysis run, and those results are invalidated by any modification to the stiffness
matrix. Another analysis run should be performed before the Drift Control results are accepted.
To rerun the analysis and review the new sizes:
• Select Mode > Analysis > Load Cases.
• Select Process > Analyze.
• When the Analyze dialog box opens, make sure that all of load cases are selected and Click [OK].
• Select Mode > Drift Control.
• Select Process > Analyze.
The participation factors should be shown on screen. The colors may be a little different than they appeared
before.

Reports
Reports can be generated from the Drift Control Mode just like the other modes. The printed output is generated
using the Reports menu. To print the Displacement Participation / Volume Summary report:
• Select Reports > Displacement/Volume Summary.
The Displacement Participation / Volume Summary report should appear:
• Hit the Page Down Key to see the rest of the report.
•
Click to exit the report.
Take time now to review the various reports available in the Reports menu.
• Select File > Exit to exit RAM Frame and return to RAM Manager.
This completes the RAM Frame portion of the tutorial. Proceed to the next section to perform the concrete
member design. If you do not own that module you can skip ahead to the RAM Foundation section of the
Tutorial.

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 RAM Concrete Analysis
12
RAM Concrete is completely integrated into the RAM Structural System. It uses the same model and database as
RAM Frame and RAM Steel. While most of the information needed for concrete gravity analysis and design is
taken from the database, some data does need to be entered in the Concrete program itself.
You must have a license to RAM Concrete to perform this part of the tutorial. If no license is available, skip to the
next section, RAM Foundation. At this point, only the US codes are implemented in the RAM Concrete module. SI
units will not be presented in this section, but an SI units model can still be used.
To invoke RAM Concrete from the RAM Manager:
• Select Design > RAM Concrete or select the 5th square button depicting a concrete beam and column.
In order for the program to design the concrete members correctly, a separate gravity analysis needs to be
performed. The lateral force results from RAM Frame are added to these gravity results automatically. For this
reason you should always perform a RAM Frame analysis prior to running RAM Concrete.

Concrete The RAM Concrete program is comprised of three modes: the Concrete Gravity Analysis
Program Module, the Concrete Beam Design module and the Concrete Column Design module. When
Organization you enter RAM Concrete you will always be placed in the Concrete Gravity Analysis Module.
These modules function as follows:
Concrete Gravity When you select Design - RAM Concrete you will be placed in the Concrete Gravity Analysis
Analysis Module Mode. The mode drop-down on the upper left toolbar will indicate you are in this mode.
In this mode a finite element analysis of each story is performed. This analysis determines
the gravity forces for both concrete column and beam design. In this module you have some
control over the finite element analysis which will be discussed. You also assign beam lines
which affects how the beams are detailed.
It's important to note that the concrete analysis requires all members, even steel members
to have an assigned size. If a model includes optimized members, then the RAM Steel Beam
and Column design modules must be run prior to analyzing the model in RAM Concrete.
Concrete Beam In this module the design of all concrete beams is performed. The gravity analysis forces are
Design Module automatically combined with the lateral forces (from RAM Frame) to obtain design beam
forces. The program automatically designs reinforcement considering user preferences and
code requirements. An interactive view/update command provides a means of modifying
the programs design.
Concrete In this module the design of all concrete columns is performed. The gravity analysis forces
Column Design are automatically combined with the lateral forces (from RAM Frame) to obtain design
Module column forces. Column forces from the external program RAM Concept can also be utilized.
A comprehensive moment interaction surface is calculated for the design of each column.
Multiple reinforcement patterns can be considered for each column line, and the program

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RAM Concrete Analysis
Assign Beam Line Numbers

automatically selects the optimal pattern and reinforcement size. An interactive view/
update dialog provides a means of altering the programs designs.

Assign Beam Line Numbers

In order to establish which beams will be skip loaded, and which gravity concrete beams should be considered
continuous for analysis, you must first assign beam line numbers to the beams. A beam line number defines
which beams will be designed as a single continuous beam in the beam program. Beams in a contiguous line are
typically assigned the same beam line number, but you can manually assign almost any continuous line of beams
to the same beam line as described below.
• Select Assign > Beam Line > Automatic from the menu bar to display the dialog box.

Our model should not have any skewed beams but the beams on either side of a girder might be slightly off
center.
• Set the Beam offset to accept as continuous to 2.
• In the Gravity Beam Fixity box, check the box to Automatically Assign Fixity and Fix all beams.
• Click [OK].
• Select View > Plan and select the Second story.
The second story (the story with concrete beams) will have the following beam lines automatically generated.
Notice that the only concrete beams are assigned beam line numbers.

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RAM Concrete Analysis
Assign Beam Line Numbers

Figure 24: Generated Concrete Beam Lines

We will now the end segments of beam line eleven and assign it to be a separate line manually. Zoom into the
area if you cannot easily see the beam line numbers using View - Zoom Fence.
• Select Assign > Beam Line > Manual from the menu bar.
If you are not already in plan mode you will be asked to select a floor plan,
• Select the 3rd floor and click [OK].
The Assign Beam Line manual dialog will open. It may be helpful to turn off the decks display at this point by
selecting View-Members, Then selecting Decks/Slabs (Last icon).

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RAM Concrete Analysis
Analysis Criteria

• Select the option to Remove from Beam Line.

• Click [Single].
• Click on the beam between Grids A and B and E and F on Grid 4.
Hint: Beams in a single beam line must be must be continuous. If you select two beams, that are not continuous,
to be in the same beam line you will be issued an error message.
• Right click to return to the previous window
• Set the Assign Mode to Add to New Beam Line.
• Click [Single] and pick one of the beams again.
• Repeat for the other beam
This span will now be detailed separately from the beams in the moment frame. To clear up the display:
• Select View > Reset Model.

Analysis Criteria
Before the analysis is performed make sure the analysis criteria are appropriate.
• Select Criteria > Analysis. The analysis criteria dialog will appear.

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RAM Concrete Analysis
Analysis Criteria

Set the various analysis criteria as follows:

• Minimum number of stations per beam: 10.
• Maximum spacing between stations: 12in (250mm).
• Rigid End Zones: Include Effects.
• Reduction %: 50
• Check: Skip-Load the Live Load on Beam Line Beams
• Check: Skip-Load the Live Load on Non-Beam Line Beams
• Check: Consider Live Load Reduction
• Concrete Beam Torsional Constant Reduction: Use Torsional Cracked Factor from Section Property
This prevents girders with unbalanced loads from taking too much torsion. It accounts for the additional
cracking in the concrete.
• Check: Consider Column Slenderness
• No checks in the Analysis Constraints section.
• Accept the defaults for Mesh Controls.
• Check: Save Results for Display Purposes (slower analysis).
• Use the In-Core Sparse Solver (Speeds up analysis slightly for complex models).
• Click [OK].

Note: Many of the settings in this dialog can have a significant effect on the speed of the analysis and design. In
particular the greater the number of stations per beam and the larger the number of load cases to be analyzed
the longer the analysis and design. If you are only interested in performing a quick preliminary design, increase
the maximum space between stations and switch off skip loading. You can also turn off the option to Save results
for display purposes - this won't prevent you from designing the members.

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Other Criteria

Other Criteria
The other criteria should also be set before running the analysis. Start with the design code.
• Select Criteria > Code.
• Select ACI 318-08 (BS 8110-97) for the code.
• Click [OK].
The criteria for column Design Forces allows you to choose whether to use the forces from the RAM Concrete
analysis or to use the column design forces from one or more RAM Concept models instead.
• Select Criteria > Column Forces.

• Click [OK].
The sidesway criteria establishes whether the column should be considered Braced or Unbraced.
• Select Criteria > Sidesway.

• Select the option for Partially Braced.

• Check the second box for Global Y axis.
This means that our moment frames will be unbraced in the X axis and braced in the Y where there are shear
walls.

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Gravity Analysis

• Click [OK].
• Select Criteria > K Factor.

• Select to use the Nomograph Values in both axes.

• Click [OK].

Gravity Analysis
Now that the various criteria are set it time to perform the analysis. To perform the analysis:
• Select Process > Analyze.
The analysis progress window will appear:

This window shows the progress of the analysis and the number of load cases that were automatically generated
for each story. The two progress bars at the top of the window show the progress of the analysis.
It is required that all members have an assigned size to complete the concrete analysis. In order to assure that all
the steel members have an assigned size, be sure to run the steel beam and columns modules first.

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RAM Concrete Analysis
On-Screen Results

In the RAM Concrete analysis, a finite element model is generated for each story and skip load patterns are
automatically generated for the live loads. For each story a full finite element analysis is performed and the
reactions carried down to be applied to the analysis of the story below. For this reason mainly, the results
obtained from RAM Concrete may differ from the results for the gravity loads in RAM Frame or in RAM Steel for
that matter.
• When the analysis is complete click [Close] to close the window.

On-Screen Results
Once the analysis is complete you can display several different analysis results on the screen. Depending on the
current view and the model size the screen could be extremely cluttered when results are displayed. It may be
desirable to view the results in elevation or plan view and/or with the extruded shape setting removed (i.e., in
stick drawing mode).
To ready the model view for best display of results on the entire structure:
• Select View > 3D.
• Select View > Zoom > Full.
• Select View > Resolution > Low.

Results - Finite Element Model information

To view the finite element model for a particular story:
• Select Process > Results > FE Model.

The FE Model Information dialog will open. To view the finite element model that was created and analyzed
for the second story:
• Select 3rd from the Story drop down box.
• Keep all the display options selected.
• Click [Apply].
The display will change to show only those members that were considered in the analysis of the 3rd floor. The
member fixity conditions (released, fixed) are displayed, as are the finite elements, node numbers and restraint
conditions. Note that nodes are restrained, at the levels above and below the current story, where they are
braced according to the column bracing criteria.

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On-Screen Results

You can zoom, rotate and print the screen display while the FE Model Info window is displayed. Closing the
window will reset the model and remove all the finite element settings.
If there is an error during the analysis it is possible that a node number (or location) will be provided in the
error message. The analysis will terminate, but the Finite Element Model of the story under analysis should be
available so that you can identify the location (node) of the problem and perform corrective action.

Results - Vertical Reactions

To view the vertical reactions for each load case on a particular story:
• Select Process > Results > Vertical Reactions.

The Vertical Reactions dialog will open. To view the vertical reactions from each load case in the analysis of the
second story:
• Select 2nd from the Story drop down box.
• Select DL1 from the Load Case drop down box.
• Click [Apply].
The display will change to show only the members used in the selected stories analysis, and the vertical
reactions from the selected load case. The reactions displayed represent the reactions for the current story
and load case analysis. However, one or more of the load cases will include the reactions from all the upper
stories analyses. For dead load the loads from the previous stories analysis will have been transferred into
the analysis for the current story. The reactions for the DL1 case therefore include the loads that are
transferred from the upper stories.
Notice that the Live Loads have been separated into several load cases to account for load patterns. The total
live load reaction can be obtained more easily through a report.

Results - Member Forces

To view the beam and column forces for each load case on a particular story:
• Select Process > Results > Member Forces.

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RAM Concrete Analysis
On-Screen Results

• Select 3rd from the Story drop down box.

• Select DL1 from the Load Case drop down box.
• Check Beam Force Major Moments (1/4 pts).
• Uncheck Column Force and Wall Force.
• Click [Apply].
• Select View - Plan or zoom in if the text is difficult to read.
Only significant member forces are shown for each load case selected. If beams are skip-loaded then each type
(reducible, unreducible, roof or storage) of live load on a single span will be considered its own load case. The
loads on one member will affect other members due to the continuity, but the forces are not displayed when the
values are insignificant.

Results - Displacements
To view the displacements of members and decks on a particular story:
• Select Process > Results > Displacements.

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RAM Concrete Analysis
View Options

• The Displacements dialog will open with some options and controls.
• Select 2nd in the Story drop down
• Select DL1 from the Load Type drop down.
• Leave all the checkboxes checked
• Click [Apply].
The graphics screen will now display the members and meshed surface of the two-way flat slab of the 2nd
story (Decks/Slabs must be turned on in the view menu to display). The Displacements dialog will remain on
the screen. By selecting and dragging the small triangles (sliders) at each end of the legend the engineer can
set the limit at which all displacements larger than will be colored in the extreme color (red or blue). This
way an engineer can easily identify locations where the slab deformation exceeds a specific user defined
limit. Also, the transparency of the meshed surface can be controlled by the Transparency slider. Take this
opportunity to use the various controls and familiarize yourself with the dialog.
• Click [Close] to leave the dialog and return to the normal view.

View Options
In the concrete gravity analysis mode there are several other useful display options under the view menu. Take
the time to select the various menu options to view different model data or adjust your view of the model. Two
menu options are particularly relevant to the Concrete Gravity Analysis mode, namely the command for viewing
Beam Lines and for viewing Gravity Loads.

View Beam Lines

To view the currently assigned Beam Line Numbers:
• Select View > Beam Lines.
The View Beam Line window will be displayed.

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RAM Concrete Analysis
View Options

• Select 3rd from the Story drop down box.

• Select the beam line numbers whose beams you want to highlight.
If the Show Beam Line Numbers check box is checked, the beam line number will also be displayed on screen
for the selected beam line/s.
• Click [Apply].

View Gravity Loads

To view all the member line and point loads that were applied by the user and also calculated by the program:
• Select View > Gravity Loads.

• Select one of the gravity load types that you would like to view.
• Click [Apply].

Note: Depending on the current view and the selected load to display the screen could be extremely cluttered. It
may be desirable to view the gravity loads in elevation view and/or with the extruded shape setting removed
(i.e. in low resolution drawing mode).

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RAM Concrete Analysis
Reports

More complete gravity load information can be obtained in report form. Select the Reports - Load Diagram
command to obtain beam gravity loads.

Reports
Reports can be generated from the Concrete Analysis just like the other modes. The printed output is generated
using the Reports menu. There are several important and useful reports generated in the Concrete Gravity
Analysis Mode, some of which are discussed below.
To view the analytical member properties used in the finite element analysis (this includes the calculation of
effective flange width for concrete T beams and consideration of cracked section factors):
• Select Reports > Member Analysis Properties.
• After a few seconds the Analysis Member Properties report will open. Hit the Page Down Key to see the rest
of the report.
•
Click to exit the report.
For column design the program considers the worst skip loaded condition for live loads about each axis of the
column, both top and bottom. To view the gravity column forces that will be used in the column design mode:
• Select Reports > Column Design Forces > Single.
• Click on one of the concrete columns below the Third floor.
For beam design, the program also considers an envelope of results. To view the gravity beam envelope forces
that will be considered in the beam design mode:
• Select Reports > Beam Line Force Envelope > Single.
• Click on one of the concrete columns below the second floor

Note: For lateral beams and columns the gravity forces shown in these reports will normally be combined in the
Design Modes with lateral forces from the analysis performed in RAM Frame.

Take the time now to review the various other reports available in the Reports menu.

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 RAM Concrete Beam
13
To design all your concrete beams you need to be in the Concrete Beam Design Mode. To switch to the concrete
beam mode:
• Select Mode > Concrete Beam.
The mode drop-down on the toolbar will indicate when you are in the Concrete Beam Design Mode. The same
toolbar can be used to switch between modes rather than using the menus.

Note: Before you can enter the concrete beam design mode, the concrete gravity analysis must be performed. If
you have lateral concrete beams you will also want to make sure your model has been analyzed in RAM Frame. If
you are unsure of the current status of the model:

Beam Design Criteria

The program has an extensive set of design defaults to customize the way concrete beams are designed and
detailed. First you need to designate the concrete moment frame type:
• Select Criteria > Frame Type.

• Set the Frame Type to Special Moment Frame.

• Set the Load Combination Factors to ACI 318-02 Sec. [Link].
• Click [OK].

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RAM Concrete Beam
Beam Design Criteria

To set up the beam design defaults which will be used for all beams:
• Select Criteria > Beam Design.

• For Clear Bar Spacing, Clear Bar Cover and Longitudinal Reinf. Ratio, select the Code option.
This will result in the program using the code limits for all cover and spacing.
• For Bar Sizes to Consider for Design select the following:

For Longitudinal #5 through #10

For Transverse #3 and #4
• Use the defaults for Cover to Center of Bars.
This is the value used by the program to establish the depth of the reinforcing.
• Click on the Bar Selection Tab to set the more beam design defaults:

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RAM Concrete Beam
Beam Design Criteria

• Enter 2 for both Minimum Number of Bars Top and Minimum Number of Bars Bottom
• Deselect Keep all bars in layer the same size.
• Type 2 for Adjacent bars may differ in size by ___ sizes.
• For Transverse Bars, set the following:

Type 12 for Segment Length Increment

Type 3 for Bar Spacing Increment
• Accept the defaults for both "Select bars base on" and "Bar Selection Bias".
• Click on the Design Checks/Forces tab:

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RAM Concrete Beam
Detailing Defaults

• For now, include both Design Checks.

At this time, the concrete beam design program does not design beams for additional torsional reinforcing.
Nor does it consider the special detailing requirements of deep beams. When a beam exceeds the torsional
limit of the concrete or the maximum depth to span ratio a warning will be given. Some users prefer not to
get these warnings so that they can concentrate of other types of design issues.
• For Gravity Forces on Lateral Beams. Select to Use RAM Concrete Analysis Forces.
In rare cases, the 3D finite element analysis performed by RAM Frame may actually be more accurate than
the floor-by-floor approach used in the Concrete Analysis mode.
• Click [OK].

Detailing Defaults
To set the defaults for concrete beam bar placement
• Select Criteria > Detailing Defaults.
The Detailing Defaults window will open with separate tabs for Gravity Beams, Gravity Joists and Lateral Beams.
Set the various bar lengths and Stirrup start Locations to the values shown in the figure below.

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RAM Concrete Beam
Detailing Defaults

• Set the Longitudinal Bar End Condition to be Hooked.

• Set the Stirrup Type to be Closed.
• Set the number of Stirrup Legs to be 2.
• Accept all other defaults.
• Click on the Lateral Beam tab.

• Set the Minimum number of Continuous Top Bars to 2.

• Change the Splice Type to Class B
• Change the Stirrup Type to Hoop.
• Set the Stirrup legs to 4.

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RAM Concrete Beam
Load Combinations

• Accept all other defaults.

• Click [OK].
At this point you could also choose to make individual member assignments using the options under the Assign
Menu, but for this example we will allow the default settings to apply to all members.

Load Combinations
Before any beams can be designed, you must specify the load combinations to consider. These may be created
manually as User Defined Load Combinations or Code Generated Combinations can be utilized. To establish the
Combinations for Concrete Design:
• Select Combinations > Generated.

• Select IBC 2006 from the Code for Combinations drop down box.
• Type 1.113 for Sds.
• Set Rho to Use Calculated.
• Set the Snow Factor to Use Reduced Factor (0.2)…
• Click [Generate].
The Load Combinations box will be filled with load combinations and each should be checked to Use.
• Click [OK].

Design All and View/Update

With the design criteria set and the load combinations defined, we are ready to design the concrete beams. At
this point, the beams should have changed from a light blue color to yellow, indicating that they are ready to be
designed. To design the concrete beams:
• Select Process > Design All.
The design process requires numerous code checks for all of the Load Combinations and may take some time to
run on large concrete models. The status indicator again displays the progress of the design and indicates when
the design is complete.

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RAM Concrete Beam
Design All and View/Update

Click [Close] to dismiss this window. The Model graphics will be updated to display in design colors.

Green – Indicates that the beam was designed successfully with no design warnings.
Red – Indicates some aspect of the Concrete Beam design is insufficient or incomplete. Design warnings that
elaborate on why a beam design failed can be seen in the View/Update dialog.
Blue – Indicates a successful design is Frozen. (A beam that has failed will always appear red even if it is
frozen.) In either case, the way to review the details of the design and make changes if desired is through the
View/Update command.

• Select View > Plan and choose the 3rd Floor plan.
• Select Process > View/Update.
• With the mouse, select a beam in the southernmost beam line between Grids 3 and 4.
The View/Update dialog box will open as shown below. There are many options available from this dialog. For a
complete explanation of the View/Update window see the RAM Concrete manual. For this example, we will
touch a couple of the highlights.

The View\Update dialog is broken into 5 separate tabs. The first tab for Longitudinal reinforcement shows by
default. The Top Reinforcement is shown by default.
Notice the diagram at the bottom which graphically indicates the reinforcing and plots the demand envelope
(yellow diagram) and capacity (blue line) for the length of the member.
To switch the display to show Bottom Reinforcement:
• Click the radio button near the top labeled Bottom Reinforcement.
The graphic along with the reported Capacity information will be updated.
To see the capacity at a particular location:
• Click on the bottom graphic where the moment diagram is displayed somewhere near the greatest moment.
The red line slider will move to that position and the required and provided member capacity information on
the right side will be updated to reflect that particular location.

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RAM Concrete Beam
Design All and View/Update

Changes to the reinforcement can be made in the spreadsheet of reinforcement in the top portion of the dialog.
While reviewing Bottom Reinforcement,
• Click in the Bar Size field for the first bar set
• Increase the bars by one size (#7).
After doing this, the traffic light changes to yellow indicating that the results are no longer current.
• Repeat for the second bar set.
• Click [Analyze] to have the results updated.
The light should still be red in this case indicating that this new layout fails the design checks.
Now we will look at the Transverse Reinforcement.
• Click on the Transverse Reinforcement tab.
Notice that the bottom graphic is adjusted to show shear information rather than bending now.

Here the stirrups are grouped into three sections. The first section has #3 stirrups at6" on center and continues
for 13' from the face of the column.
• Click in the second row where the bar size is blank.
• Reduce the End location by 3 ft (e.g. from 13.33 to 10.33).
The third row start location will automatically be bumped back as well, making the third bar set longer.

• Click in the 4th row and increase the end location by 3 ft (e.g. from 8.67 to 11.87) Be sure to modify the 5th
row to match.

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Design All and View/Update

• Click [Analyze] again to review the altered design.

• To see the reported details of the design click [View Results].
The Concrete Beam Design Report will open. Review the report. For more information on the designs performed
in this check refer to the technical portion of the RAM Concrete Manual.
• Close the report and return to the View/Update dialog box.
• Assuming the modified design works, click [Update Database] to save the changes.
• Click [Close] to return to the screen display.
If the new design is acceptable, the color of the member will change to dark blue indicating that the design has
been modified. This design will not change again unless it is changed manually, or the design is cleared using the
Process – Clear Beam Design command.
• Now select one of the frame beams on Grid F with View/Update.
There are two significant differences about this beam line. First note that the envelope of the demand moments
(the yellow diagram) is thicker than the earlier gravity beam. That's because this is a lateral member with more
load combinations to consider. The second is the traffic light. If the traffic light is red then some aspect of the
design has a warning.
To see what that warning is:
• Click the Design Warnings tab at the top of the window.
This beam happens to have the following warning for each span:

Note: Torsional Reinforcement Required. Section Torsional Capacity Not Acceptable (Ld/Cap = 2.72) per ACI
318-02 Sec. [Link] a.

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Concrete Beam Deflection

This warning will occur whenever the member Torsion exceeds the minimal capacity of the concrete as specified
in the code. It is important to note that the rest of the design is still applicable, despite this warning. To avoid
seeing torsion warnings at all:
• Select Criteria > Beam Design.
• Click on the Design Checks/Forces tab.
• Uncheck both optional design checks for Torsion and Deep Beams.
• Click [OK].
When you change one of the design criteria you will get a reminder that the designs will have to be rechecked.
• Select Process > Design All.

Concrete Beam Deflection

Any beams that are still red at this point have some other kind of warning.
• Select Process > View/Update.
• Pick the center girder on Grid 5.
• Click on the Deflections tab.

Here the table lists the controlling deflection criteria. The first and long spans of the beam line are all within the
long term deflection limits set in the deflection criteria.
To see the deflection ratios for all beams at once:
• Select Process > Results > Deflections.
The screen will be updated to display the deflection using a color scale. The graphic can also be set to show Span
to deflection ratio, Effective moment of Inertia or Deflection ratio.
• Click [Close] when finished.
• Select View > Reset Model to clear the screen.

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Copy Design

Copy Design
Because the design and detailing of concrete beams can be complicated, it is often desired to use an identical bar
layout for typical beams. In this example, many of the beams can be detailed the same. To apply identical design
of one beam to another:
• Select Process > Copy Design.

• In the Items to Copy box,

Check Reinforcing
Check Beam Section Assignments
• Under Tolerance Settings, select Perform copy only if beam lines are geometrically identical.
• Click [Single-to-Single].

A target cursor with an arrow will appear with the arrow pointing up indicating that the
program is expecting you to select the beam to copy the design from.

• Click on the infill beam behind the beam previously designed between Grids 3 and 4 The beam will highlight
in white to show it has been selected as the “copy from” beam.

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Copy Design

The arrow on the cursor will now point down indicating that the program expects you to
select the beam to copy that design to.

• Click on the infill beam behind it.

When a design is copied to a beam, the new design is checked for code compliance. If the design is acceptable,
the color of that beam will change to Blue indicating the design is frozen.
If the design is insufficient in the applied beam, then it will be painted red to show that the new design has failed.
The new design can be cleared from the beam by using the Process – Clear Beam Design command as before.
The beam will then be colored Yellow to indicate it is no longer frozen and it is ready to be designed. The
optimum design will be restored during the next Design-All or View/Update.

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RAM Concrete Beam
Reports

While the Tolerance Setting is set to "Perform copy only if beam lines are geometrically identical" copying the
design from one beam to another will only occur if the geometry is identical. For example, you could not copy the
beam reinforcing from a beam that spans between two columns to one of the infill beams because the support
conditions are different. This makes the Single-to-Fence and Single-to-All copy options quite useful because you
don't have to worry about copying rebar that won't fit in the various beams.
When the Tolerance Setting is set to "Perform copy if clear length of each corresponding spans is with ___%", a
greater number of beams can receive the copied design.
• Select Process > Copy Design > Single to All.
• This time click on the same beam that was designed during the View/Update portion of the tutorial (running
between Grids 3 and 4).
Because we selected to only allow copying between beams with identical geometry, the only beam that is
affected by this copy is the other beam on gridline 1. The rest of the beams maintain their design.

Reports
Many different reports can be generated from the Concrete Beam Module. The printed output is mostly
generated using the Reports menu.
To print the load combinations used in concrete design:
• Select Reports > Screen (if it is not already selected).
• Select Reports - Load Combinations.
•
Click to exit the report.
To print a summary of the concrete beam designs:
• Select Reports > Beam Design Summary.
• Close the report.
A similar output is available for a single member through the View/Update dialog box by clicking [View
Summary]. The complete design results are also available from the report menu.
Take time now to review the various reports available in the Reports menu.

RAM Structural System 180 Tutorial

 RAM Concrete Column
14
To design all of your concrete columns you need to be in the Concrete Column Design Mode.
Before you can enter the concrete column design mode the concrete gravity analysis must have been performed.
If you have lateral concrete columns you will also want to make sure your model has been analyzed in RAM
Frame. Finally, if you are using Special Moment resisting frames, all of the concrete beams must be designed
before designing the columns.
To switch to the concrete column mode:
• Select Mode > Concrete Column.
The mode drop-down on the toolbar will indicate you are in column design mode.

Column Design Criteria

The program has an extensive set of design defaults to customize the way concrete columns are designed and
detailed. To set up the column design defaults which will be used for all columns in the model:
• Select Criteria > Column Design.
• Select the Code for each of the options under the Reinforcement tab.

• Click on the Bar Selection Tab to set more column design defaults.

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RAM Concrete Column
Column Design Criteria

• For Transverse Design Spacing,

Type 12 for Segment Spacing Increment.

Type 1 for Transverse Bar Spacing Increment (the special moment frame columns may require tie
spacing other than 3', 6" etc.)
• For Shear Legs, Type 3 for the Number of Shear Bar Legs for both the Major and Minor directions.
• Click on the Design Checks/Forces tab.

• Uncheck the option to Include the Max Column Axial Load Limit.
• For Gravity Forces on Lateral Columns, select Use RAM Concrete Analysis Forces.
• Click [OK].
The other design criteria for Reinforced Concrete Columns is the Lap Spacing which can be customized.

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RAM Concrete Column
Assign Bar Patterns

• Select Criteria > Column Lap Splice.

• Use the Lap Splice options shown above.

Assign Bar Patterns

Before the Columns can be designed we must specify a bar patterns that we wish to use. You can define any
number of bar patterns or layout and the program can consider up to three of these layout for each column that
it designs. To define the bar patterns:
• Select Assign > Edit Bar Patterns.

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RAM Concrete Column
Assign Bar Patterns

For this example we will define three bar patterns.

• Select 3 for Top/Bottom Face Bars (B).
• Select 1 for Additional Bars Each Side (H).
• Select #5 (T08) for Min. Longitudinal Bar Size.
• Select #9 (T12) for Max Longitudinal Bar Size.
• Select #3 (T06) for Transverse Bar Size.
• Click [Add].
A new line of data will appear in the Bar Pattern Groups Created list box.
• Increase the Min Longitudinal Bar size to #8(T10).
• Increase the Max Longitudinal Bar size to #11(T32).
• Increase the Transverse Bar Size to #5(t08).
• Click [Add] to create the second pattern.
• Increase the Additional Bars Each Side to 2.
• Select #5(T08) for Min. Longitudinal Bar Size.
• Select #9 (T12) for Max Longitudinal Bar Size.
• Select #3 (T06) for Transverse Bar Size.
• Click [Add] to create the last pattern of 10 total bars.
• Click [OK].
Now the bar patterns we just defined must be assigned to the concrete columns in the model. To do this:
• Select Assign > Bar Patterns.

• Check the box next to each of the patterns that we defined. The graphic on the side indicates the pattern
information for the highlighted pattern.

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Design All and View/Update

Note: As you click on each bar pattern the graphic and data to the right are updated to provide a description
of that bar pattern.
• Click [All] to assign those two pattern options for design to all of the concrete columns.

Note: You can access the Edit Bar Patterns dialog box directly from this window as well.

At this point you could generate the Load Combinations for design, but the combinations used in the Concrete
Beam Module are already defined so we can skip ahead to designing the columns.

Design All and View/Update

With the design criteria set and the load combinations defined, we are ready to design the concrete columns. At
this point, the columns should have changed from a light blue color to yellow, indicating that they are ready to be
designed. To design the concrete columns:
• Select Process > Design All.
The design process requires numerous code checks for all of the Load Combinations and may take some time to
run on large concrete models. The status indicator again displays the progress of the design and indicates when
the design is complete.
• Click [Close] to dismiss this window.
The Model graphics will be updated to display the interaction colors similar to Steel Column. Design colors are
either Green or Red columns. To see the design colors: View-Colors-Design Colors.

Green – Indicates that the column was designed successfully with no design warnings.
Red – Indicates some aspect of the Concrete Column design is insufficient or incomplete. Complete design
warnings can be seen in View/Update.
Blue – Indicates a successful design that is Frozen or Updated. (Columns that have failed will always appear
red even if they are frozen.)

• Select Process > View/Update.

• With the Target cursor select one of the interior gravity columns (this can be done from any plan view,
elevation view or directly from the 3D view).
The View/Update dialog box will open. There are many options available to in this dialog. For a complete
explanation of the View/Update window see the RAM Concrete manual.

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RAM Concrete Column
Design All and View/Update

The Column View/Update dialog box is separated into three tabs for Longitudinal Reinforcement which is
initially displayed, Transverse Reinforcement and Material Properties.
The program determined bar pattern is listed in the upper left corner. This reflects the optimum working design
from the assigned bar pattern groups. The design can be changed by simply clicking in the cell with the design
and picking another set of bars.
On the right side is an interaction surface for the currently selected level of the column. The program creates an
interaction surface for each 2-degree increment around the column. When designing the column, the program
investigates each data point (a set of axial forces and moments from a particular load combination or pattern).
The data point that is closest to the interaction surface is the point initially shown in the diagram.
At the bottom of the widow is an area for design warnings related to longitudinal reinforcement. There is a
separate area for transverse design warnings on the second tab.
• Click in the Final Design Pattern cell for the 1st level
• From the drop down list, select 8-#11 (3x1), #5.

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Copy Design

• Click [Analyze] to check the validity for the modified design.

The display will update to provide feedback on the success of the design.
• Notice that the program optimized to the 10 bar pattern since none of the 8 bar patterns worked. The 8 bar
pattern selected issues a design warning. Feel free to create new bar patterns or edit the existing ones to get a
feeling of the design process.
• Click [Close] to return to the main graphic.
The lateral columns in this model have many more design requirements, not only because of the additional
loads, but also because they were designated as Special Moment Frames.
• While in View/Update mode, select one of the moment frame columns.
In this case, the program selects one of the bar sets with #5 ties. To review the transverse reinforcement click on
the Transverse Reinforcement Tab.

Notice that the shear reinforcement has to be quite concentrated near the ends of the column in order to meet
the special detailing requirements of the code.
To review the complete design results.
• Click [View Results].
The Concrete Column Design Report will open. Review the report. For more information on the designs
performed in this check refer to the technical portion of the RAM Concrete Manual. Note; with multi-level
columns, the report will start from the top level and work down to the base.
• Close the report to return to the View/Update dialog box.
• Click [Close] to return to the main graphics window.

Copy Design
As with concrete beams, it is often desired to use an identical bar layout for typical columns. To apply the same
design to another column:
• Select View > Elevation.

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RAM Concrete Column
Reports

• Click on any beam on Grid 3 to see the interior columns.

• Select Process > Copy Column Line > Single to Fence.
A target cursor with an arrow will appear with the arrow pointing up indicating that the program is expecting
you to select the column to copy the design from.
• Click on the gravity column previously modified.
• The fence cursor will then be ready for you to select all other columns that you wish to use this same design.
Fence all the interior gravity columns from B-3 to E-3.
An analysis of the new design for the columns will be performed. The log window will open to provide
feedback while this is happening.
• Click [Close] to close the pop-up window.
If the design is acceptable, the color of that column will change to Blue indicating the design is frozen.
The new design can be cleared from the beam by using the Process – Clear Column Line command. The
columns selected will then be colored Yellow to indicate they are no longer frozen and are ready to be designed.
The optimum design will be restored during the next Design-All or View/Update.
Unlike the copy beam design command, the copy column design command transfers not only the reinforcement,
but the column size as well. Do not copy to columns that need to retain their size. It should also be noted that the
entire column line is copied with this command so you will not be able to copy column of different height or
number of stories.

Reports
Many different reports can be generated from the Concrete Column Module. The printed output is mostly
generated using the Reports menu.
To print a summary of the concrete column designs:
• Select Reports > Column Design Summary.
•
Click to exit the report.
A similar output is available for a single member through the View/Update dialog box by clicking View
Summary. The complete column design results are also available from the report menu.
Take time now to review the various reports available in the Reports menu.

RAM Structural System 188 Tutorial

 RAM Concrete Shear Wall
15
To design all your concrete Shear Walls you need to be in the Concrete Shear Wall Design Mode. To switch to the
concrete column mode:
• Select Mode > Concrete Shear Wall.
Before you can enter the concrete Shear Wall design mode the RAM Frame analysis should have been performed.
The mode drop-down on the toolbar will indicate you are in Shear Wall design mode.

Concrete Shear Wall Criteria

The criteria by which concrete shear walls are designed is dependent on the design code selected. For this
example, select the ACI 318-08 (BS8110:1997) design code.
• Select Criteria > Code…
• Choose ACI 318-08 and click [OK]

Review the Design Code Parameters

For the purposes of this tutorial, copy these settings:

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RAM Concrete Shear Wall
Wall Design Groups

Figure 25: Review the Design Code Parameters:

Wall Design Groups

In the Concrete Shear Wall program, walls are grouped for design into "Wall Design Groups". A Wall Design
Group can consist of a single wall or multiple walls. To assign Wall Design groups, do the following:
• Select Assign > Wall Design Groups…

• Click [Add > Single]

• Click on the bottom L shaped walls in both stacks (4 walls total).

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RAM Concrete Shear Wall
Wall Design Groups

Right click the mouse to return to the Assign Wall Design Groups dialog.
Note that the Wall Design Group number is update to 2, indicating that the next assignment will default to Wall
Design Group number 2. The "new" in parentheses denotes that no walls are currently assigned to Wall Design
Group 2.
• Click [Single]
• Click the target cursor on the remaining walls that comprise the elevator shaft boundaries.
• Right click to return to the dialog.
• Click [Fence]
• Fence the remaining 2 walls of the model.
Now all of the walls in the model belong to a wall design group.
You can also assign a wall panel priority to any wall panel which will force the program to design that wall panel
first. To assign a Wall Panel Priority:
• Select Assign-Wall Panel Priority
• For Priority Enter 1.

Note: This is an arbitrary number, but the higher number will get the higher priority. All walls have Priority
zero unless otherwise assigned.
• Click [Single].
• Select the two walls in Wall Group 1 between grids B and C.

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Assign Section Cuts

Assign Section Cuts

There are two ways to assign section cuts to a wall design group: automatic generation or manual assignment.
We'll start with automatically generating section cuts.
• Select Assign > Section Cuts > Add Automatic…

The Assign Autogenerated Section Cuts dialog will open with the following defaults. Note that the "Max Cut
Spacing" of 0.0 results in the greatest possible spacing between cuts.

• Click [Single]
• Click the target cursor Wall Design Group 1. Notice how the section cuts are generated around the wall
opening per the selected criteria.
• Right click to return to the dialog
• Click [Single]
• Click the target cursor on Wall Design Group 2.
Now we will manually add section cuts to Wall Design Group 3. To assign section cuts manually, you must be in
elevation view. You can select elevation view before issuing the add command or, if you issue the command first,
you will be prompted to do so.
• Select the Elevation View toolbar button

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Assign Section Cuts

• Click the target cursor on the wall in Wall Design Group 3.

• Select Assign > Section Cuts > Add Manual…

Before the dialog opens, you must draw a line through your wall using the mini-target cursor at the approximate
location of where you want your section cut.
When you release the mouse, the Add Section Cut dialog will open.
• Adjust the value in the Offset Distance edit box to 100.00 inches (2550 mm).
• Click [OK].
• Add another to the upper wall at 10 inches.
If there were multiple walls in this wall design group, checking the "Include All Wall in Wall Design Group"
would result in the section cut being assigned to all walls, even if they are out of plane of the originally selected
wall.
• Click the 3D View toolbar button to return to 3D View.

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RAM Concrete Shear Wall
Create and Assign Bar Pattern Templates

Create and Assign Bar Pattern Templates

During the design process, reinforcement is selected for the walls based on the Bar Pattern Template assigned to
the Wall Design Group. This is similar to the bar groups in the concrete column program.
You can access the "Edit Bar Pattern Template" dialog to create bar pattern templates either from the menu or
from the Assign Bar Pattern Template dialog. For this example, we will access it through the assign dialog.
• Select Assign > Bar Pattern Templates…

• Click [Edit Templates] at the bottom of the dialog.

• Check the Automatically Generate box beside the label

• For the SI Model use the defaults.
• Enter 2 for the Number of Curtains
• For Horizontal Bars select:

Minimum Bar Size = #5

Maximum Bar Size = #14
Maximum Spacing = 12 in
Minimum Spacing = 4 in
Spacing increment = 4 in
• For Vertical Bars select:

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RAM Concrete Shear Wall
Manual Reinforcement and Special Boundary Elements

Minimum Bar Size = #6

Maximum Bar Size = #18
Maximum Spacing = 12 in
Minimum Spacing = 4 in
Spacing increment = 4 in
• Click [Add].
• Click [OK] to return to the Assign Bar Pattern dialog.

• Select the newly created bar pattern template in the list box.
Notice that the information about that template is shown on the right.
• Click [All] to assign this bar pattern template to all of the wall design groups in the model.

Manual Reinforcement and Special Boundary Elements

In accordance with the design requirements of many design codes, Special boundaries can be assigned to a wall
or walls through the manual reinforcing command.
• Select Assign-Manual Reinforcement.
• Use the target cursor to select left most wall of Wall Group 1.

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RAM Concrete Shear Wall
Generate Load Combinations for Design

• When the Manual reinforcement dialog comes up add 3 new reinforcing zones.
• Use your cursor in the graphics portion of the dialog to move the boundaries as displayed. Change the 2nd
zone boundary to No, but Check.
• Click [OK].
• Repeat for the adjoining wall but move the boundaries to the wall edges.

Generate Load Combinations for Design

The design of concrete shear wall is based on combinations of loads rather than individual loads. Use the load
combination generator to create the code specified load combinations.

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RAM Concrete Shear Wall
Design Wall Design Group 1

• Select Combinations > Generated….

• Select IBC2006 (BS 8110 1997) in the Code for Combinations dropdown.
• Enter 1.113 for Sds
• Use reduced factor for snow.
• Click [Generate]
• Click [OK]
Load combinations can be turned on and off for consideration in the design. The more load combinations that
are turned "on", the longer a design will take.

Design Wall Design Group 1

• Select Process > View/Update…

• Select Wall Design Group 1

When the View/Update dialog opens, use the target cursor to select a section cut for which results will be
displayed. The selected section cut will be highlighted in orange. At the top of the wall is a group of buttons that
allow you to zoom and alter the keyboard and mouse functions. Familiarize yourself with these buttons. In the
bottom portion of the screen you will notice the manual reinforcement you entered earlier displayed graphically.

Review Axial-Flexural Design Results

• Select Axial/Flexural from the back row of tabs. This is the default and most likely already selected.

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RAM Concrete Shear Wall
Design Wall Design Group 1

• Select Results from the front row of tabs.

The axial-flexural design results for the selected Section Cut are displayed in tabular form in the screen to the
right. Each row in the spreadsheet corresponds to a load combination. Above the spreadsheet is a summary of
the design, including information on the controlling load combination.
• Select a load combination in the spreadsheet by clicking on it.
The locally (Mumaj, Mumin) and globally (Muxx, Muyy) oriented required moments for the selected load
combination is then displayed below the spreadsheet.

• Once the Section cut has been selected and a load combo chosen, you can view the wall stresses from RAM
Frame.
• At the bottom of the graphics screen select the show/hide mesh button. Then click the next one called mesh
options.

• Notice that the wall now has a stress contour.

• In the mesh options menu you will see several stress types to select from. Take this opportunity to switch
between them and see the behavior of the program. The stresses correspond to the load combos at a section
cut, so changing the section cut and combo will yield different results.

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RAM Concrete Shear Wall
Design Wall Design Group 1

• Select Interaction Surface from the front row of tabs.

The axial verses flexural plot that is shown corresponds to the angle resulting from Mumaj and Mumin for the
selected load combination, referred to as the β angle.

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RAM Concrete Shear Wall
Design Wall Design Group 1

Review Shear Design Results

• Select Shear from row of tabs.

Review the boundary Element Design Results

• Select Boundary Elements from row of tabs.

• Select the Tie/Link Design tab for information about the Tie design.
• Further information on boundary element design can be found in the shear wall manual.

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RAM Concrete Shear Wall
Modifying the Design

Modifying the Design

Design wall group 3 in a similar fashion to Wall Group 1 by using the View/Update command. Notice that only
the 2 user assigned section cuts are available for display.
• Select the elevation view button in the toolbar above the 3D view window.

• Select a wall in the Wall Design Group to indicate the elevation view to display. Note that, just as in the main
program, the zoom, pan and rotate commands can be used to adjust the view on the screen. See the Concrete
Shear Wall manual for more details.
• From the mouse tool bar button, select Mouse Selects Section Cut

• Select horizontal section cut SC3H:2

• Display the wall stresses for the controlling load combo, or display the reinforcing for the walls using the
reinforcing button next to the show/hide mesh button.
• Select the Reinforcing tab.
• Change to Reinforcing select mode by using the drop down menu shown in the figure below.

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RAM Concrete Shear Wall
Modifying the Design

• Select any of the vertical reinforcing bars in the upper wall section. It will be highlighted in light gray and the
bar will be selected in the table on the right.

• Change the bar size to #11.

Note that the Section Cuts for the Wall Panel to which the bar belongs have turned yellow, indicating that the
design is not current and needs to be run again.
• Make the same change in bar size to the next four cells directly below.

Note: When a new cell is selected, the bar is highlighted in the 3D view window.
• Click [Analyze]

Review the Design Results

• Select the 3D View button from the toolbar.

• Select Mouse Selects Section Cut

• Select horizontal section cut SC3H:2
• Click [View Summary] to review the design report. (Additional reports are available from the Reports
menu).
• Click [Close] to exit View/Update
This completes the Tutorial for RAM Concrete. Proceed to the next section in order to work the RAM Foundation
Tutorial.

RAM Structural System 202 Tutorial

 RAM Foundation
16
This section illustrates the analysis and design of the spread footings and continuous foundations in an
integrated model. This section can only be completed if you have licensed and installed the RAM Foundation
module. You may begin with the model that you generated in the previous portions of this tutorial, or you may
open the model called RAMTutorial_v14_US.rss from the RAM Manager.

RAM Foundation Basics

To invoke RAM Foundation from the RAM Manager:
• Select Design > RAM Foundation or click the last square button on the left.
Because RAM Foundation is integrated into the RAM Structural System, it uses the same model and database as
RAM Frame and RAM Steel when designing foundations. In order for the program to design the foundations, the
loads must be determined by running the gravity column design and/or lateral analysis in RAM Frame. If this
has not been done, do so now, then proceed with this Tutorial. While most of the information needed for
foundation design is taken from the database, some data does need to be entered in the Foundation program
itself.
Before foundations can be designed, the following must be defined:

Soil Capacity
Base plate size for lateral steel columns.
Width for Continuous foundations.
At least one load combination for Concrete.
At least one load combination for Soil.
Pile capacity information and layout.

Once this is complete, a design can be performed, but we recommend that you review the design and
optimization criteria closely first.
To establish the source for the design loads:
• Select Criteria > Forces.

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RAM Foundation
RAM Foundation Basics

Leave the Forces on Gravity Members criteria set to use the third option: RAM Steel for steel members and
RAM Concrete for concrete members.
Since this model has 2 way decks RAM Steel cannot account for the loads on members underneath those decks.
This is why the first option is grayed out.
To set the design criteria:
• Select Criteria > Design.
• Choose ACI 318-08 (BS8110-97) as the desired code on the Code Tab
• Click the Design tab.

These parameters have a significant effect on the way the foundations are designed. For a complete description
of the option see the RAM Foundation manual. For this example:
Under Design Method:
• For Spread Footings,

Select Design footings based on applied forces (rather than soil capacity)

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RAM Foundation
Optimization Criteria

sub-option = Select optimum footing design for each column.

• For Pile Cap Footings select Design pile caps based on pile load.
Under Design Method:
• Check all three footings for Include Moments Due to Shear in Column for:
• Check: Include Spread Footing Self-Weight When Checking Soil Stress.
• Check: Keep Spread Footing Square During Optimization.
• Uncheck to Increase Spread Footing Size to Prevent Uplift in Concrete Load Combinations.
• Check to Design Continuous Footing as Beam when Footing’s Full Width to Depth Ratio is less than.
• Enter 2 for the ratio.
• Click on the Reinforcement tab

• Set the Clear Bar Spacing, Clear Bar Cover and Reinforcement Ratios to Code (as shown above)
• For Bars Sizes to Consider for Design, select

Shear: #3 and #4 bars (F08 and F10)

Flexure: #4 through #14 (F10-F20).
• Click [OK].

Optimization Criteria
There are additional criteria that affect the design of the foundations. To set those options now:
• Select Criteria > Optimize.

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RAM Foundation
Optimization Criteria

• Set the Minimum distances from the base plate to 12 (250).

• Set the minimum from the column center to 18 (500).
• Set the Plan dimension increment to 6 (125).
• Set the minimum Thickness to 18 (500).
• Set the Thickness Increment to 6 (250).
• Set the Uplift Safety Factor to 1.
• Click on the Pile/Pile Cap tab.

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RAM Foundation
Assign Soil Capacity

• Set the spacing variables to 0.5, 18 and 6 (0.5, 450 and 150).
• Set the Center to Center of Piles options to 2, 32, and 24 (2, 800, 600).
• Set the Thickness options to 24, 6 (600, 150).
• Click [OK].

Assign Soil Capacity

To assign soil capacity to this model
• Select Assign > Soil.
Initially, only the Allowable Bearing Capacity option for entering the soil capacity is available. This option allows
the engineer to idealize the soil capacity by using just one value to represent the soil capacity regardless of
dimensions of the foundation or depth of the soil.
You can also create a soil table by using the wizard. This feature allows you to assign the modulus of subgrade
reaction that affects the springs that will be used in the analysis of the footing.
To assign an Allowable Bearing Capacity:
• Enter 4 (200) in the Allowable Bearing Capacity edit box.
• Click [All].

Note: All of the Assign commands in RAM Foundation give the option of Single, Fence or All for making
assignments. [Single] will change the cursor to the target and allow for assignments on a foundation - by -
foundation basis. [Fence] will change the cursor to a rubber band. Assignments are made to foundations
completely enclosed within the rubber band. [All] assigns the value to all foundations within the model. If a new
foundation is added to the model it must also have a soil assignment made.

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RAM Foundation
Assign Base Plate Sizes to Lateral Columns

Assign Base Plate Sizes to Lateral Columns

The Assign - Base Plate Size command allows the engineer to assign different base plate sizes to different
columns on a continuous foundation.
In our example the columns are mostly concrete columns with a specified size. For the gravity steel columns,
base plates are already provided by the RAM Steel Column design. These sizes can be overridden with the Assign
- Base Plate Size command. This size will only be used in RAM Foundation. It will NOT be exported back to RAM
Steel Column Design. Additionally, once an override is made in the foundation module, this size will continue to
be used by RAM Foundation even if the size is changed in RAM Steel Column Design. To update a base plate so
that that the optimum base plate size is again obtained from the RAM Steel Column Design module, the "Clear
User Defined Base Plate Size" option must be selected and assigned. Upon re-running the RAM Steel Column
Design, the new optimized base plate size will automatically be assigned.

Assign Geometry
The footing module allows you to assign any of the footing dimensions that you do not wish to have optimized.
For spread footings, all of the dimensions may be optimized. Continuous footing design requires you to assign at
least the width.
To assign the geometry of the spread foundations:
• Select Assign > Geometry > Spread.

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RAM Foundation
Assign Geometry

• In the Assign – Spread Footing Geometry dialog box that opens, Check the Assign boxes for all three
dimensions.
• Check the Optimize box for all variables.
• Click [All].

Note: The footing need not be centered under the column. Any of the length dimensions may be set or limited
and the eccentricity will be considered in the design.

To assign the geometry of the continuous foundations:

• Select Assign > Geometry > Continuous.

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RAM Foundation
Assign Surcharge

• Check the Optimize box for lengths and thickness.

• Type 3 (1) for both width dimensions.
• Type 4 for the Number of Shear Reinforcement Legs.
• Click [All].

Assign Surcharge
Since the footing is typically underground, you can assign a surcharge load to be considered in the design. The
surcharge will affect the soil check and the possibility of uplift, but does not enter into the design calculations for
the foundation itself. The self weight of the foundation is automatically accounted for by the program.
To assign a surcharge:
• Select Assign > Surcharge.

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RAM Foundation
Assign Pile Geometry

• Type 120 (6) for the Dead Load Surcharge.

• Click [All].

Assign Pile Geometry

In order for the program to check the pile design, you must provide the unfactored capacity of the piles and the
layout which should be used.
• Select Assign > Edit Piles.

• For the Label type 14in.

• Set the Diam to 14 (300)

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RAM Foundation
Load Combinations

• Compression capacity to 120 (500)

• Tension Capacity to 20 (100)
• Shear capacity to 5 (25)
• Click [Add].
• Click [OK].
To assign the pile cap geometry:
• Select Assign > Geometry > Pile Cap.

• Select the 14in pile on the left and the 3 Pile Group on the right
• Leave the other options in the default position and click [All].

Load Combinations
Before any foundations can be defined, you must specify the load combinations to consider. These may be
created manually as User Defined Load Combinations or Code Generated Combinations can be utilized.
• Select Combinations > Generate for Concrete.

• Select IBC 2006 (BS 8110 1997) from the Code Combo list box.

RAM Structural System 212 Tutorial

RAM Foundation
Design All and View/Update

• Type 0.5 for Live Load Factor

• Type 1.113 for Sds.
• Set Rho to Use Calculated.
• Choose reduced snow factor…
• Click [Generate].
The Load Combinations box should be filled with load combinations and each should be checked to Use.
• Click [OK].
• Select Combinations > Generate for Concrete.
• Select IBC 2006/ASCE7-05 (BS 8110 1997) from the Code Combo list box.
• Type 1.113 for Sds.
• Used Reduced factor for snow…
• Set Rho to Use Calculated.
• Click [Generate] and click [OK].

Design All and View/Update

The foundations should now appear yellow indicating that the foundations are all ready to be designed (with the
exception of the mat foundation which can only be designed using RAM Concept). To design the foundations:
• Select Process > Design > All Footings.
The program will calculate the optimum sizes for all of the footings. When finished, each should be drawn in
green and sized appropriately. Any foundations that appear in red could not be successfully designed.
This may take a few minutes to complete. Keep in mind that the program is running an individual finite element
analysis of each continuous foundation considering compression-only springs representing the soil below. The
progress is indicated in the status bar in the lower left hand corner of the screen. For a complete explanation of
how foundations are designed by the program refer to the RAM Foundation manual.
To investigate the design of individual spread footing:
• Select Process > View/Update.
With the target cursor, select the spread footing at Grid B > 2.

RAM Structural System 213 Tutorial

RAM Foundation
Design All and View/Update

The dialog box will open to the Results Tab provided a successful design was accomplished. From here you can
see the size of the footing and the reinforcement required. The signal light indicating the status of the design is
shown. From here you can change the sizes or the reinforcement, redesign the footing and update the model if
desired.

Note: The orientation of the foundation in the view/update dialog box is adjusted to so that the footing length
points to the right. This may not match the orientation on the plan.

• Uncheck the box marked Optimize Reinforcement. New text boxes will appear allowing you to specify the
reinforcement to use.
• Select #6 for Major and Minor Axis Bar Size. Notice that the provided steel area is immediately updated and it
appears red since the quantity of bars is no longer adequate.
• Type 8 for Major and Minor Axis Bar Quantity.
• Click [Redesign].
• Take a moment to become familiar with the contents of the other two Tabs: Design and Material Properties.
The Design tab summarizes the current design. When there is a problem with the foundation design this page
will indicate why the footing could not be designed. There is no need to change any of the Material Properties
at this time.
• Click [View Results].
• The Spread Footing Design Report should appear. Read through the results.
• Close the report and return to View/Update.
• Click [Update Database].
• Click [Close].
The foundation will now appear blue since it is user assigned. Note that the arrow should still appear green. This
indicates that the design is still satisfactory. If something should change later causing the foundation to fail, the
arrow will change to red.

RAM Structural System 214 Tutorial

RAM Foundation
Design All and View/Update

To investigate the design of individual continuous foundations:

• Select Process > View/Update.
• With the target cursor, select the continuous footing along Grid A.

The dialog box will open to the Results Tab provided a successful design was accomplished. From here you can
see the size of the footing and the reinforcement required. The signal light indicated the status of the design as
shown. In this case you have optimized for the length of the footing beyond the last column as well as the
thickness. Furthermore, the top and bottom reinforcement has been selected. The reinforcement box shows
what reinforcing bars have been selected. It defaults to the Longitudinal Top bars.
To change the selection:
• Select Longitudinal Reinf - Bottom from the drop down list. The data in the box should be updated for bottom
bars. You can also view the transverse and shear reinforcement in this way.
• If you wish to change the bar selection - uncheck the Optimize Reinforcement box. Then you can change the
numbers in the table directly.
• When finished Click [Redesign] to have the foundation checked.
Take a moment to become familiar with the contents of the other two Tabs: Design and Material Properties.
• Click [View Results] to see a complete design report for the foundation.
• Close the report when finished and click [Close] to exit the View/Update dialog box without making any
changes.
To investigate the design of individual continuous foundations:
• Select Process > View/Update.
• With the target cursor, select one of the pile cap foundations.

RAM Structural System 215 Tutorial

RAM Foundation
Reports

As with the other foundations, the pile cap thickness or rebar may be altered through the view/update
command.
• To see the design results, select [View Results].
• To see the maximum individual pile forces click [View Pile Forces].
• Click [Close] when finished.

Reports
Many different reports can be generated from the Foundation Module. The printed output is mostly generated
using the Reports menu.
To print the service loads for a foundation design:
• Select Reports > Screen.
• Select Reports > Foundation Loads > Single.
Click the same continuous footing along Grid A. The Foundations Load report should appear. Notice that the
various elements that are supported by the foundation are listed separately. For an explanation of sign
convention see the Foundation manual.
•
Click to exit the report.
To print a summary of the spread footing designs:
• Select Reports > Spread Footing Design Summary.
•
Click to exit the report.

RAM Structural System 216 Tutorial

RAM Foundation
Reports

For a continuous foundation design report:

• Select Reports > Continuous Footing > Single.
• Select one of the continuous foundations.
•
Click to exit the report.
The foundation envelope report is also available from the reports menu. This report lists the maximum design
forces and soil stresses along the length of the foundation. This is the same report that you see when you select
[View Envelope] from the View/Update dialog box.
Take time now to review the various reports available in the Reports menu.
Thank you for taking time to complete this tutorial for the RAM Structural System. Refer to the various program
manuals for additional information on any aspect of the program that you do not fully understand.

RAM Structural System 217 Tutorial