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RAM Elements: Seismic Analysis

Rodolfo Chua Jr.
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I am from the Philippines and our seismic code is patterned after UBC 97. Unlike in STAAD, there is no option in RAM Elements on what code should be the basis for seismic analysis. Below are some concerns I have:

1) Is there an option in RAM E to calculate the design base shear using static procedure (ELF)? This value is needed in calibrating the scale factor for the dynamic analysis.

2) Given that RAM E will calculate ELF base shear, will it also calculate the period of structure using the two methods (Methods A and B) specified in UBC 97?

3) Is there a way to check strong-column weak-beam? How about checking vertical and plan irregularity of the structure?

4) In printing the story drift, I could not verify whether it is based on code or not. As per UBC 97, story drift should be calculated based on maximum inelastic response displacements (Δm) which is 70% the product of R and design level response displacements (Δs). Also, there is no status whether drift is within the limiting value (e.g. 2.5% of story height).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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  • 0 Offline in reply to Seth Guthrie
    When I purchased RAM E I was expecting that most of the tasks, as mentioned above, will be performed by the software. Here in the Philippines, MIDAS software (Korean company) is gaining popularity because of its many features that automate almost all tasks. Is there future developments to this program (RAM E) that we can expect?

    On another note, does Bentley provide step-by-step tutorials for structural analysis and design of concrete/steel structures located in high seismic zone?
  • 0 in reply to Rodolfo Chua Jr.
    Sorry if you were mislead about that. Ram Elements is our lowest cost structural analysis product and still very popular, but it does not generate code specific lateral loads. Some of our other products like STAAD.pro that you mentioned, and Ram Structural System (specifically Ram Frame) generate lateral loads per code.

    We have a training package for Concrete Structures for these latter two programs. For Ram Elements we only have basic training and tutorials. There is a Concrete Sample structure included if that helps.

    By the way, if you find yourself in a situation where you wold like to use ram Elements sometimes, STAAD.pro other times or any kind of mix of our structural products you could take advantage of our Structural Enterprise License (SEL) which gives you access to everything.



  • 0 Offline in reply to Seth Guthrie
    Thank you for the response. Now I understand that although RAM E is a very powerful software in terms of post-processing and production, it has limitations when it comes to code-based lateral loading (wind and seismic).
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