RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 16 (17.02.01.23)

RAM Structural System CE Update 16 (17.02.01.23) Release Notes - Date: January 13, 2021

Simpson Strong-Tie Yield-Link Moment Frame Connection
The requirements for the analysis and design of the Yield-Link moment frame connection have been comprehensively implemented, with close coordination with the engineers at Simpson Strong-Tie. The connection is assigned using the Assign - Beams - Frame Beam Connection Types command. The influence of the connection on the joint and frame stiffness is automatically determined and applied in the analysis. The requirements of AISC 360-10 and AISC 360-16 have been implemented for the basic steel design checks, and the requirements of AISC 341-10 and AISC 341-16 have been implemented for the seismic design checks of the connection, columns, and beams. Pertinent panel zone shear check and strong column - weak beam requirements from AISC 358 are also implemented.
Crash Reporting
In order to improve the stability and reliability of the program we have implemented a feature in which a report is delivered to Bentley anytime the RAM Structural System program crashes. When a crash occurs, a dialog is given requesting a description of the events leading to the error. Please provide us with as much pertinent information as you can (what series of events that you did prior to the crash, etc.), and then select the command to Send Error Report. This will assist us in locating the cause of program crashes, and better enable us to eliminate their causes.
Verification of File Integrity on Save
When Save is invoked, a check is now made on the integrity of the saved file. If it appears that key portions of the database have failed to save (due to, for example, a system disruption during the Save), a second attempt will be made to save the file; if there appears to still be an error, an attempt will be made to create a backup of the original database (in the state it was at the last Save, it won't contain any of the recent changes made since the last Save), and a Warning message is given notifying the user that there was problem with the Save. It is possible that the database files that would still be in the Working directory are correct, and the user is advised to copy those to another directory before closing the Warning message and the program. The user can then attempt to open the model by navigating to the directory to which the database files were copied. Note that this is intended to prevent an exceptionally rare problem of unknown cause, but one which resulted in corruption and loss of the model. It is believed that this new workflow will prevent the loss of the model. Please report to Technical Support when this message is given so that we can attempt to determine the cause.
IBC Storage Live Load Reduction on Beams
IBC 2018 Section 1607.11.1.2 and Section 1607.11.2.1 allow Storage live loads to be reduced up to 20% if the member supports load from two or more levels. This was previously implemented for columns, but not for beams, such as transfer girders, that support load from two or more levels. Storage Live Load reduction per the IBC has now been implemented for beams that support load from two or more levels, allowing of a reduction of up to 20%.
IBC Alternate Live Load Reduction Method
The IBC includes both a basic Live Load Reduction method (Section 1607.11.1) and an alternate Live Load Reduction method (Section 1607.11.2). Beginning with IBC 2015 a subtle but important change was made to the Alternate method: previous to IBC 2015 the requirement stated that the reduction for horizontal members (i.e., beams) is limited to 40% and the reduction for vertical members (i.e., columns) is limited to 60%. Note that this meant that a column carrying load from only one level could be reduced up to 60%, and a transfer girder carrying load from more than one level could only be reduced up to 40%. Beginning with IBC 2015 the requirements now say that for members receiving load from one level only the reduction is limited to 40% and for members receiving load from two or more levels the reduction is limited to 60%. In prior versions of the program the requirements of the pre-IBC 2015 were implemented but beginning with this version the requirements given in IBC 2015 and later are now used.
Detailing Values in Master Steel Tables
Previously the Master Steel Tables only contained the design section dimensions and properties, not the detailing section dimensions because those detailing values were not used by the program. The new Yield-Link feature now uses some of these values, so the Master Table format has been enhanced to include these values:
Depth_det Tw_det Bftop_det Bfbot_det Tftop_det Tfbot_det ktop_det kbot_det k1top_det k1bot_det T_det
These detailing values have been added to the RAMAISC Master tables provided with the program. At this time they have not been added to any of the other Master tables provided by the program, but the user can edit those tables to include those values if desired. See Section 8.4 of the RAM Manager Manual for a complete description of the new data format.
Note that existing models will not automatically use these revised tables. In order to update the tables used by a model, invoke the Criteria - Master Steel Table command in the RAM Manager, and follow the instructions given there.
If it is desired to use user-created Master tables with the Yield-Link feature it will be necessary to add the detailing values to those tables.
Updated Table of Decks - US
The ramdecks.dck file, the file that contains the composite decks used in the United States, has been updated based on the latest deck data made available by the deck manufacturers. The Wheeling decks were removed since that deck is no longer produced, and New Millennium decks were added. The values for Ybar (which only impacts the design of beams using the old ASD 9th Edition code) were slightly modified for ASC 3W and Vulcraft 1.5VL. The depth was changed from 2" to 2.0625" for Verco W2 Formlok, which also changed AcRib and Ybar (which will slightly impact designs, including loads from deck self-weight).
New models will use the updated values, existing models will continue to use the previous values. If it is desired to update the tables used by an existing model, invoke the Criteria - Design Steel Tables command in the RAM Manager, and follow the prompts given there.
Updated LH Joist Tables and 2.5K Joists
In the Steel Joist Institute's recently released 45th Edition K-Series, LH-Series, DLH-Series, Joist Girders Standard Specifications Load Tables and Weight Tables for Steel Joists and Joist Girders Catalog, the load tables for the LH-series joists have been updated. The joist series has been expanded to include several new LH joist sizes, and the range of spans listed for each joist has been increased. In many cases the allowable loads have been increased. The RAMSJILH.JST and RAMSJI.JST tables have been updated to include these changes.
The SJI Catalog also includes 2.5K joist substitutes, a series of 2.5" deep members intended for spans of 10 ft. or less. These joist substitute members have been added to the RAMSJIK.JST and RAMSJI.JST tables.
Steel Joist Camber
In the Steel Joist Institute 45th Edition K-Series, LH-Series, DLH-Series, Joist Girders Standard Specifications Load Tables and Weight Tables for Steel Joists and Joist Girders Catalog, the standard joist camber is given in Table 4.6-1. When joists are fabricated, they are fabricated with the camber given in that table unless otherwise specified by the engineer. Typically, joists are designed for strength based on the Total Load, and for deflection based on the Live Load (typically L/360). It is not an SJI requirement to assign deflection limits on Dead Load or on Total Load, and the joist tables in the joist manual are based only on a deflection limit of L/360 on the Live Load. Because it would be fairly rare to specify a deflection limit on Total Load, the program for simplicity did not consider camber when checking a deflection limit on Total Load. This has now been enhanced. The Standard Joist Selection report now lists the standard SJI camber, and lists both the Total Load deflection and the Net Total Load deflection (which is the Total Load Deflection minus the camber). In the selection of the joist, if there is a Total Load deflection limit set by the user, the program compares that limit with the Net Total Load deflection. The Deflection Summary report also now lists the Net Total Load deflection and the camber.
Ground Level for Wind
In RAM Frame the Ground Level is assumed by default to be at a level below the lowest Story. However, the user has the ability to specify any level as the Ground Level, for example when a structure has a basement. Not only does this impact the lateral constraints for the analysis of levels at and below the Ground Level, it also impacts the generation of the wind loads. The program now allows the Ground Level for wind loads to be specified independently of the Ground Level for analysis.
Eurocode Seismic Forces
In RAM Frame seismic loads per Eurocode EN 1998-1:2004 + A1:2013 can now be generated. It is based on Section 4.3.3.2 Lateral Force Method of Analysis. The Eurocode dynamic response spectra analysis can also be performed. Both methods have the option to include the accidental torsional effects defined in Section 4.3.2.
Diaphragm Section Cuts Enhancement
The Diaphragm Forces report has been enhanced. Previously the report had a section that listed the combined Diaphragm and Frame Member Forces. That section of the report is still included, but when a section cut crosses one or more beams there is a new section of the report that lists the Diaphragm Only Forces. This makes it easier to identify the forces in the diaphragm itself.
The report has been expanded to also now show the force values at discrete points along the section cut.
Vertical Modal Response
When the option to Include nodal mass in Z-direction in the Criteria - General command is selected in RAM Frame, and the diaphragms have been specified as Semirigid, the Periods and Modes report has been modified: Z-direction (vertical) values have been added to Modal Participation Factors, Modal Direction Factors, and Modal Effective Mass Factors.
DuraFuse Option for Rigid Panel
For the DuraFuse moment frame connection there is now an option to specify the Panel Zone Stiffness to be considered rigid in the analysis (rather than using the Calculated Spring Stiffness). Contact DuraFuse Frames, LLC, for information on when it is appropriate to assume that the panel is rigid.
Stress Display in Concrete Wall
In the option to display stress contours (the Mesh Options button in the View/Update command in the Concrete Wall module), options to show the contours for SVMax, SavgMax, and S Von Misses have been added. Options have also been added to show the stresses on the Primary Face versus the Secondary Face.
Data Extractor
The Data Extractor is invoked using the Post-Processing - Extract Data command; it provides a powerful means of extracting model, design, and analysis results data. Several improvements have been made, both in this version and in version V17.01 but were not documented. It has been enhanced to extract additional data. For more information, see Appendix D RAM Data Extractor in the RAM Manager Manual.
The following new fields have been added to existing tables in the Geometry category:
- ColumnData table:
. Size
. Depth
. Width
. StoryHeight
. Grid_Label
. Several values associated with the DuraFuse connection
- BeamData table:
. LeftOfBeam (condition at left: Beam, Edge, or Opening)
. RightOfBeam
. DistanceToLeft (distance to adjacent beam, edge, or opening; -1.0 indicates that there is no deck on the beam)
. DistanceToRight
. Size
. CantLeftLength
. MidSpanLength
. CantRightLength
. Some values associated with the DuraFuse connection
- BraceData table:
. Length
The following new fields have been added to an existing table in the Criteria category:
- RAMManagerCriteria table:
. Model_Name
. Export_Time_Stamp (the time at which the data was extracted)
Several new tables have been added to the Geometry category:
- DeckData
- DeckProp_Comp
- DeckProp_NonComp
- DeckProp_Conc
- JointData
A new table has been added to the Criteria category:
- SteelBeamJoistCriteria
Several new tables have been added to the Loads category.:
- LoadCombosData
- GravLoadReactionsOnBeams
- GravLoadReactionsOnColumns
- GravLoadReactionsOnWalls
- LnLoadTakeDownOnWalls
- PtLoadTakeDownOnWalls
ISM - Typical Layout Types
Previously if a model used a layout type on more than one story it was necessary to modify the model such that each story had its own layout type before the model could be exported to ISM. That is no longer necessary; a model in which a layout type is used on two or more stories can be exported to ISM, and the relationship of the stories and layout types will be preserved.



The RAM Structural Systemis powerful and versatile special purpose software for the analysis and design of building structures. It is useful in the design and analysis of commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. The RAM Structural System includes the following modules: RAM Manager, RAM Modeler, RAM Steel Beam and Column, RAM Frame, RAM Concrete, and RAM Foundation.
RAM Structural System Steel Tutorial
Basic tutorial on inputs for a gravity model for a steel framed building using Bentley's RAM Structural System.
Bentley Systems, Incorporatedis the global leader dedicated to providing architects, engineers, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive architecture and engineering software solutions for sustaining infrastructure. Founded in 1984, Bentley has nearly 3,000 colleagues in more than 45 countries, $500 million in annual revenues, and, since 2001, has invested more than $1 billion in research, development, and acquisitions.
Product:RAM Structural System
Version:CONNECT Edition Update 16 (17.02.01.23)
Supported Architectures:x64
Website Home Page :www.bentley.com
Languages Supported:english
System Requirements:PC *
Size:1.1 Gb