	Applies To
	Product(s):	RAM Connection; RAM Elements
	Version(s):	Any
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	Design
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

This page is the landing page for user help for troubleshooting errors when assigning connections in RAM Connections Standalone (RC-SA), RAM Connection for RAM Structural System (RC for RAM SS), and RAM Connection for RAM Elements (RC for RE).

Common Error Messages

"Connection is not compatible with this type of joint
"No valid joints were found within selected member"

Beam Connections with HSS Sections

RAM Connection only supports beams with I-shaped sections (and Channels starting in version 13). It is not yet possible to assign connections to joints with beams defined with other section types, including HSS. If a beam is not an I-shaped section and a connection is assigned, the following error will be displayed:

See frequently asked question on the following web page for more information:

RAM Connection Capabilities and Modeling FAQ

Gusset Connections (RC for RE)

In order to assign a gusset connection in RC for RE, the brace member needs to be designated as a brace. This is done in the Data Panel - Members Tab - Connectivity and Description worksheet. See below. If the Brace flag is set to "No" and a gusset connection is assigned, a "Connection is Not Compatible with This Joint" error will appear. This problem does not occur in RC for RAM SS.

Conversely, if you have a beam to girder or beam to column connection where the secondary beam has been designated as a "Brace" then simple shear and moment connections cannot be applied to that beam. The Brace flag is only intended for vertical braces types.

Also, the program is looking for an intersection of a physical beam column and brace, but if the beam or column is a continuous physical member through the joint it won't identify this as a valid condition. In those cases, segment the members at the joint in order to assign gusset plate connections.

In the case of a Chevron Braced Frame, the beam should also be modeled as a physical member across the apex of the brace joint.

Finally, gusset connection cannot be assigned at any joint with a sloped beam.

In Ram Connection version 12.0 some truss type "Tubular Connections" were added. These will be available with subsequent versions of Ram Elements or STAAD.

RAM Connection will not assign a Gusset connection where the brace slope angle is not between 20 and 70 degrees. Is this an arbitrary limit by RAM or a code restriction?

It's just an arbitrary limit, though a practical one. Furthermore, the program will not assign a CBB type gusset connection when the beam is sloped.

Why can't a shear connection be assigned perpendicular to a gusset?

Since there are potential interference issues or requirements for full depth stiffener plates that can't be properly evaluated by the program, Ram Connection simply does not allow connections on beams framing into Chevron Brace (CVR) family of joints.

Truss Connections CHB

Starting in version 12, some tubular truss connections (CHB template) were added.

The requirements to model truss connections are:

Code AISC 360-16 should be selected
Chords and branches must be all Hollow Structural Sections
- Square and rectangular chords support square, rectangular and round branches, but all branches should match.
- Round chords support only round branches.
Chords should be a continuous physical member, not segmented
Branches should comply with angles limitations (>30 and <70). Branches do not need to be defined as braces, but the angles between branches and chords must be between 30 and 70 degrees based on commentary of K3 due to practical limit for good fabrication.

Base Plate Connections

In RAM Connection v8.0 and earlier, It may take a very long time to assign base plate connections, especially in models with a large number of load combinations. Improvements were made in RAM Connection v9.1 that significantly reduced the assign time for base plate connections. See the following web page for details:

Base Plate Troubleshooting

To assign a Base Plate in STAAD, only the node needs to be selected.

Column Cap Plate Connections

The beam must extend over the column in order for a column cap connection to be assigned. At perimeter column locations, a column cap connection cannot be assigned if the beam terminates at the column. A "Connection is Not Compatible with This Joint" error is displayed. To work around the problem, model an extended cantilever at the beam end in RAM Structural System. In RAM Elements, add a node on the opposite side of the column and update the member connectivity so that the beam is continuous over the column.

If beams from two directions frame into the top of the beam, then a column cap connection cannot be assigned. A "No Valid Joints Were Found Within Selected Members" error is displayed. If the beam in the other direction is intended to frame into the continuous beam over the column, it can be offset a short distance from the column grid line. A related problem occurs when attempting to assign a Beam-Girder connection at the beam intersection for this condition. A Beam-Column connection will be assigned instead. Offsetting the secondary beam from the column grid line will also resolve this issue.

RAM Connection requires the column to be a wide flange or a rectangular or square HSS. Round HSS or Pipes are not yet available.

RAM Connection requires that the webs of I-shaped columns in column cap plate connections are parallel to the beam span. In RC-SA, the following error is displayed if the column orientation is changed to 90 degrees:

In RC for RE or RC for RAM SS, a column cap connection will be assigned if the I-shaped column is orientated in the other direction. However, the connection will be displayed and designed as if the column was orientated in the opposite direction.

Column Splice Connections

Column splice joints are only allowed where there is only a column (vertical member) above and below the node. Where a beam or brace also intersects the same node the column splice is not allowed.

A sloped or canted column can still have a splice connection assigned, but only if the member local axis orientation spreadsheet is cleared (all zeros). When the orientation of the sloped column is set with a vector (NX, NY, NZ) then the joint assignment will always fail.

The column shape needs to be the same nominal depth and the bottom column must be equal or larger in depth.

Column splice connections are typically in two parts with a flange plates for moments and a web plate for shear.

Ram Connection for RAM Structural System Materials Problem

Some connection templates are limited to specific materials, eg. A36, A572 Gr50 only. In models imported from RAM SS only the yield stress Fy is known, so those connections types may not be allowed. For example, the Direct Weld template is limited to A36, A529 or A572 materials. A fix is in progress to allow RamFy50 or RamFy 36 to work there as well.

Similarly, the Ry and Rt values are not provided by Ram SS to Ram Connection, so those values should be checked closely. Imported Ram SS material constants can be edited through Ram Connection - Home ribbon menu - Databases - Materials. Do not edit the material names, however.

Troubleshooting Errors when Assigning Connections