Seismic Load Effects in RAM for non lateral members

We don't handle this automatically.

The engineer may want the gravity columns to be designed for seismic moments induced into the gravity columns when the building is displaced. This displaced shape forces the gravity columns into curvature, which results in moments in the columns.  Most engineers don't consider this because it is generally insignificant.

The engineer can do the following:

Select one representative column and change it to a Frame column. Pin the base. If the diaphragms are rigid it isn't necessary to do anything with beams that frame in. Rerun the analysis and steel standard provisions design. Note that since the load combinations now include seismic forces the factors on the Dead and Live are more favorable (especially the Live). It will usually be seen that the forces in the column are very small, so this condition won't control (when compared to the moments from connection eccentricity used in Ram Steel Column design).

Note, the requirements for leaning columns are accounted for in RAM Frame, because the gravity columns don't take any of the P-Delta effect, lateral columns take it all, based on global loads.

We don't handle this automatically.

The engineer may want the gravity columns to be designed for seismic moments induced into the gravity columns when the building is displaced. This displaced shape forces the gravity columns into curvature, which results in moments in the columns.  Most engineers don't consider this because it is generally insignificant.

The engineer can do the following:

Select one representative column and change it to a Frame column. Pin the base. If the diaphragms are rigid it isn't necessary to do anything with beams that frame in. Rerun the analysis and steel standard provisions design. Note that since the load combinations now include seismic forces the factors on the Dead and Live are more favorable (especially the Live). It will usually be seen that the forces in the column are very small, so this condition won't control (when compared to the moments from connection eccentricity used in Ram Steel Column design).

Note, the requirements for leaning columns are accounted for in RAM Frame, because the gravity columns don't take any of the P-Delta effect, lateral columns take it all, based on global loads.