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 types are equally important, and normally more difficult to design.  You may download a quick reference PDF of these connection types at the bottom of this blog post.

All gusset and base plate connections in RAM Connection are designated as “smart.”  If I lived in Boston I’d even call them “wicked smaht.”  A smart connection optimizes certain aspects of the connections, such as plate thickness, weld size, number of bolts, etc.  The optimized aspects vary depending on the template you assign.

So without further ado, here are the majority of the gusset and base plate connections available in RAM Connection.  This is not an exhaustive list.  RAM Connection is customizable and it would be difficult to list every single connection available.

Gusset Connections

     G1. Columns Beams Braces _ Double Angle

     G2. Columns Beams Braces _ Double Angle Continuous

     G3. Columns Beams Braces _ Single/Shear Plate

     G4. Columns Beams Braces _ Directly Welded

     G5. Chevron (Shown with Bolted Angles)

     G6. Vertical X-Brace

     G7. Columns Beams Braces _ Directly Welded _Concentric Braced Frame

     G8. Chevron_Concentric Braced Frame (Shown with Welded Tubes)

     G9. Gusset Base Plate – See Base Plate Connections

 

Base Plate Connections

     BP1. Pinned Base Plate

     BP2. Fixed Uniaxial Major Axis Base Plate

     BP3. Fixed Uniaxial Minor Axis Base Plate

     BP4. Fixed Uniaxial Both Axis Base Plate

     BP5. Fixed Biaxial Base Plate

     BP6. Gusset Base Plate (Shown with Welded Tube)