• Did You Know? RAM Connection Gussets and Base Plates

    Did You Know… RAM Connection has an extensive library of connection types built into the program? I frequently am asked, "Can RAM Connection do [     ]?" where the blank is filled in by a specific connection type.

    I previously wrote a couple of blogs discussing shear and moment connection types.  There are two additional connection types available in RAM Connection: gussets and base plates.  These connection…

  • Did You Know? RAM Steel for Gerber Beam Systems

    Did you know that you can model a Gerber beam system in RAM Steel?  A Gerber beam system is also known as a cantilever drop-in beam system or a cantilever girder system or cantilever span system.  (Or just about any combination of the words “cantilever,” “span,” “drop-in,” “beam,” and “girder” that your heart desires.)

    A Gerber beam system can often be used…

  • Did You Know? RAM Elements for Concrete Design & Detailing

    When using RAM Elements for concrete structures, did you know that there are multiple ways to have the program perform design and detailing functions?  Method #1 uses design options from directly within your 2D/3D model.  Method #2 uses design and detailing options located in the Modules.

    Let’s take a look at a sample concrete structure and review the design and detailing options available.

    Our model is a two…

  • Did You Know? RAM Connection Moment Connections

    Did You Know… RAM Connection has an extensive library of connection types built into the program? I frequently am asked, "Can RAM Connection do [ ]?" where the blank is filled in by a specific connection type.

    This is the second of two blogs providing an overview of connection types in RAM Connection. In today’s blog, I will cover moment connections and combined connections. Shear connections were…

  • Did You Know? RAM Connection Shear Connections

    Did You Know… RAM Connection has an extensive library of connection types built into the program? I frequently am asked, "Can RAM Connection do [     ]?" where the blank is filled in by a specific connection type.

    This will be the first of two blogs providing an overview of connection types in RAM Connection. In today’s blog, I will cover shear connections. Moment connections and combined connections…

  • Did You Know? RAM Concept Plans and Perspectives

     

    RAM Concept is an information behemoth.   There’s an incredible amount of information available for input and review in the software.  The tree structure of layers does a fantastic job of sorting it all out into easily digestible views.  Folders are prepopulated in RAM Concept for geometry, loads, design strips, reinforcement, deflections, etc.

     

    But what if there’s a certain piece of information that doesn’t…

  • Insider Skills: Increase Your Engineering Edge

    You've heard of insider trading? That means by which Wall Street types gain a competitive advantage using clandestine information?


     

    Except for the whole illegality thing, that's exactly what Bentley's new series of Insider Skills seminars offers -- insider tips and tricks to use your Bentley software to your greatest advantage.

    These events are FREE live 1-hour seminars that you can use to gain knowledge…

  • Did You Know? Design Parameters in RAM Elements

    Did You Know…

    That RAM Elements allows you to specify steel, wood, and concrete design code parameters, including special seismic parameters for steel?

    Today’s sophisticated software programs allow the engineer to perform complex analyses and designs quickly and accurately.  However, to ensure an accurate output, the design code parameters must be specified correctly by the user.

    I’ve discovered that one…

  • Did You Know? Boundary Elements in RAM Concrete

    Did You Know…

    That RAM Concrete performs concrete shear wall boundary element design checks?

    If you’re already using RAM Structural System and RAM Frame for your lateral analysis, why not use the same model to perform the design of your concrete shear walls, including boundary elements?

     

     

    Once you’ve run the lateral analysis and have entered the RAM Concrete Shear Wall module, there are a few easy steps…

  • NASCC Wrap-Up: Engineering Evolution

    In the shadow of the St. Louis Arch – itself a testament to steel construction – the NASCC Steel Conference concluded today.  Amid the presentations on cutting-edge research, practical construction techniques, and design theory, one thing stood out to me:  evolution.

    When I hear the word “steel,” it evokes black and white images of a historic industry.  Rockefeller and Carnegie.  The Eiffel tower…

  • Building a Strong Base (Plate)

    Everyone knows that in order to achieve great heights, you must start with a strong base.  Connecting the two together is the all-important, and often complicated, base plate.  Did you know that RAM Connection provides comprehensive base plate design capabilities, including pinned, fixed, biaxial, and gusset base plates?  Using this tool saves hours of time over more old-fashioned methods, such as hand calculations, spreadsheets…

  • RAM Structural System – ISM – Revit Structure Integration: The greatest thing since cassette tapes

    Because I work for a technology company, it is with significant embarrasment that I admit I am not an early adopter.  For quite some time I refused to see the value in texting.  “I have my phone in my hand.  You have your phone in yours.  Why not just call each other?”  Try as they might, my friends could not convince me to join Facebook.  I scoffed at needing an iPad in addition to a laptop.

    It is a mentality…

  • World of Concrete Wrap-Up

    World of Concrete, unlike the inappropriately named World Series, is truly a global event.  Anyone who is anyone in concrete design, fabrication, and construction turned out in Las Vegas this past week.  Calling it "ConcreteWorld” might even more correctly impart the true amusement-park like atmosphere.

    From the hands-on installation classes held in the outdoor booths, to the larger-than-life placing equipment…