
	Applies To

	Product(s):	RAM Connection
	Version(s):	Various
	Area:	Modeling; Design
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

Can I assign a section such as a HSS or channel to a beam?

Several connection types do allow either an I-Shaped or Channel-Shaped sections to be defined as the beam section. For more information regarding the permitted sections for each of these connection types, refer to the following RAM Connection Key Features Wiki articles:

In addition, the Mitred Knee (beam-support) connection and the End Plate (beam splice) connection can be designed with hollow structural sections:

What is the difference between Basic Connections and Smart Connections?

The RAM Connection Manual defines these connections as follows:

Basic Connection: A connection template that can automatically adjust the geometry (position or dimensions) of the connection pieces to fit the connection members. It does not calculate the quantity or dimensions of the connecting pieces (bolts, plates, etc) to resist the applied forces.

Smart Connection: A connection template that can automatically calculate the quantity and dimensions of the connecting pieces (bolts, welds, plate sizes etc) to resist the applied forces.

When basic connections are designed, the program searches through a list of predefined connection templates and selects the first connection in the list that satisfies the design requirements.

When smart connections are designed, the program optimizes the connection parameters. See the RAM Connection Manual for a list of parameters that are optimized for each connection type. If a parameter is not optimized, the program uses a default value that be modified in the Connection Pad as needed.

Some complex connection templates like gusset pate or base plates only have a smart variety.

Where are the abbreviations used for joint types and connections defined?

The abbreviations are defined in the RAM Connection Manual (available from the help ? or as a pdf from the Windows Start menu). The naming conventions for both joints and connections are listed in Chapter 2, The Connection Database - Database organization. Here is a list of the joint types from that section:

Beam – Column Flange (BCF)
Beam – Column Web (BCW)
Beam – Girder (BG)
Beam Splice (BS)
Column Splice (CS)
Continuous beam over column, column Cap (CC)
Column, beams and braces (CBB)
Chevron braces (CVR)
Vertical X braces (VXB)
Column – Base (CB)
Column – Base – Braces (CB)

What kinds of forces are considered in various connection types?

In the Joint Help is a table of the forces considered in each of the different connection types. Here's an example from v13.04 for BCF joints:

We also offer on demand training for the basic connection configurations. See our RAM Connection Learning path.

How can I change the design code (AISC 360 or BS 5950) or the design method (ASD or LRFD)?

In general, once a connection has been assigned it is associated with a specific design code. In some cases you can change the design code for a connection after the face, but when changing county codes, the connections will have to be replaced after changing the code.

RAM Connection Standalone version 10.0 or earlier:

Click on the Design menu tab at the top of the program window.
Find the Assignment toolbar.
Double click on the small square box with arrow pointing to the lower right corner to open the Customize Connection Design dialog. Beginning in v10.0, the Customize Connection Design dialog is opened by clicking on the button in the Assignment toolbar that matches the design code selected.
Edit the design code (or design method in version 8).

Note, in Ram Connection Stand-alone version 9.0, changing the design code does NOT retroactively alter the assigned code for the existing joints in the file. This was done intentionally so that the user can have some joints designed to one code and other joints designed to another code within a single file. Consequently, if the design code for existing joints needs to be changed, the code should first be changed, then reassign connections to the joints.

Ram Connection Stand Alone version 11.0 and higher:

The current design code used for any future assigned connections to joints within the current model or any model is set under the Design Tab.
Use the drop down list at the right of the main graphic to change the code for an existing connection. Note, changing from ASD to LRFD or 2005 to 2010 is generally supported, but changing countries will invalidate most connections since different design templates are used.

RAM Connection 10.0 or earlier for RAM Structural System:

Click on the Design menu tab at the top of the program window.
Find the Assignment toolbar.
Double click on the small square box with arrow pointing to the lower right corner to open the Customize Connection Design dialog.
Edit the design code (or design method).

RAM Connection 11.0 for RAM Structural System:

The current code for assigning connections is selected in the Design menu similar to Ram Connection 11 Stand Alone.

RAM Connection 10.0 or earlier for Ram Elements:

The design code and design method is controlled by the code selected for design when performing a design in the RAM Elements model. To change the design code or design method, redesign the model and choose the desired design code.

Changing the design code will not automatically update generated load combinations. After changing the design method, delete and regenerate the load combinations.

RAM Connection 11.0 or higher for Ram Elements:

The current code for assigning connections is selected in the Modules menu.

Furthermore, once a connection is assigned each one includes a an editable field in the spreadsheet for the code:

RAM Connection in STAAD.Pro:

The current code for assigning connections is selected in the RAM Connection settings:

Why is the controlling load condition reported as a single load case?

RAM Connection completes a design check for all load conditions, including individual load cases and load combinations. For some connection types, such as a base plate connection with wind uplift, the design for an individual load case may control the design. The single load cases can be removed from consideration as follows:

Open the "Customize Connection Design" dialog using the instructions under "How can I change the design code (AISC 360 or BS 5950) or the design method (ASD or LRFD)?" above. In the dialog, click on the button marked in red below to select the load combinations only.

RAM Connection Standalone (Versions Prior to v9.0)

Enter the Connection Pad by either double-clicking the large 3D display of the connection or clicking on the Design menu tab – Connections toolbar – Edit.
In the Connection Pad, click on <Loads> to open the Loads worksheet.
Click on the Load # associated with the load case and then click on the Delete button on the keyboard to delete it from the worksheet.

Please note that this will not permanently delete the load case results from the worksheet. See frequently asked question above for details.

Information like Loads modified in the Connection Pad is not saved after clicking the Save button and exiting the dialog.

Any item in the Connection Pad that is marked with a blue arrow (version 9.0 and later) or a red arrow (versions before 9.0) is defined in a dialog outside the Connection Pad. These parameters can be edited in the Connection Pad, but the information will be lost after closing the dialog. To change the parameters permanently, modify the values in the dialog where the information is initially defined. Edit the Joint to modify loads, sections, materials, etc. Edit the seismic provision options in the Customize Connection design dialog.

RAM Connection Capabilities and Modeling FAQ