RAM Concrete Diaphragm nodal errors

Question

Hi all, 
 I am designing a concrete building with a relatively large cantilever and several transfer girders/columns. I was able to run a lateral analysis without much difficulty but am having some problems in my Ram Concrete module. The following error is being noted: 
 
 "Invalid Distance of 0.000 between Nodes 35 and 35 Found for Shell Element Diaphragm 0, Story 6. This Distance is smaller than the Accepted Tolerance (0.0100). 
 
 I have never experienced this message before, but I believe that one of the potential sources of the error is the extremely irregular slab edge, particularly at the Southern portion of the building (plan view). I have attached my model (via Secure Upload named "RAM") hoping that I can receive some assistance in this matter. FYI, I am running Ram V8i 14.00.03. 
 
 Note: the problematic node is on the 6th story. When I delete this story from my model, the issue moves to the floor below and continues to do so until there nodal error appears on "Story 0". This makes me feel that the issue may be a corruption in the Concrete module file, and not the model itself. 
 
 Thank you, 
 Abubeker

Seth Guthrie · Accepted Answer

The model you sent runs fine for me using version 14.06.02.00. If you can upgrade to that version it makes a quick solution. If not, the tips from the previous post might help. I don't see any column or wall alignment issues that might lead to a meshing problem, though I did not check everything. Using a smaller mesh size (you have 8' now) is one thing to try for sure.

Seth Guthrie · Answer

I can't really support v 15.04 any longer, but the wiki noted above still applies. Make sure the walls align, and column with walls (when that's the intent). Avoid overly complicated deck layouts (a single 2-way deck is simpler than a bunch of one way decks).

Seth Guthrie · Answer

I was able to get your model to run, Ram Concrete Analysis, version 16.01.00.20, using these settings. 
 
 I do get some local inability warnings, and the deflected shape indicates a problem between the slab and wall connection shown below:

Seth Guthrie · Answer

Your Criteria - Analysis options are junk values. Try these:

See also: https://communities.bentley.com/products/ram-staad/w/structural_analysis_and_design__wiki/15960/blank-analyze-error-dialog-during-ram-concrete-analysis 
 Note, we just recently discovered one cause of this problem (ending out of the program while the framing tables are running) and we will fix that for the next release.