There are two kinds of lateral loads possible in RAM Structural System. The most common are Program Generated Diaphragm forces. The program can generate Wind and Seismic loads, including Dynamic Response Spectrum Analysis cases for most codes. This is done through RAM Frame - Analysis mode using Loads - Load Cases.
The generated diaphragm forces are only applicable to models with rigid, semi rigid or pseudo-flexible diaphragms. In structure with no diaphragms, only lateral Nodal loads can be applied. Nodal loads are defined and applied in Ram Modeler, in the Elevation View.
Details for all analyzed load cases is available through Reports - Loads and Applied Forces.
Process - Results - Applied Story Forces can be used to visualize static diaphragm forces.
Note, if nodal loads are merged with story forces only the resulting merged load case will be listed for analysis and reporting.
Gravity loads and Nodal loads that are defined in Ram Modeler are listed here in gray as RAMUSER loads. These can only be edited in Ram Modeler, though the Ram Frame user can include or exclude them when performing the analysis.
The program uses a shorthand to identify each type of loading, code, direction and commentary so that there is a unique label for every load case.
type label = [type]_[code]_[subgroup]_[direction]_[commentary]
Below is a summary of the most common abbreviations used in load case names and reports, refer to the RAM Frame manual, Section 3.3.5 Load Case Type Labels for compete details.
Dead load (may include self-weight)
Codes are generally abbreviated with the code acronym and year.
Larger collections of loads are grouped into subgroups. For example IBC wind loads are grouped as follows:
RAM Frame - Building and Frame Story Shear
RAM Frame - Wind Loads [FAQ]
RAM Frame - Seismic Loads [FAQ]
RAM Frame Semirigid Diaphragms
RAM Frame Pseudo Flexible Diaphragms FAQ