Greetings All,
I am working on a RAM SS model for an existing building and I've come across the condition shown in the image:
There is a low concrete slab framing into the bottom of a concrete beam and another concrete slab at a higher elevation framing into the top of the same concrete beam.
My question is what is the best approach for modeling this condition in RAM SS? The difference between the slab elevations are typically between 3 to 4 feet and a single 3 to 4 feet deep concrete beam support both slab edges.
Thank you for your guidance!
We can't really do that in RAM SS. Refer to: https://communities.bentley.com/products/ram-staad/w/structural_analysis_and_design__wiki/3432/ram-ss-modeling-faq
I would tend to put it all on one floor (basically ignoring the step), but if the depth of the step is large there are those that prefer to split into two levels.
If you model this as part of the same floor, I'd be concerned that the slab is going to "help" the beam because it is going to try and span over the beam (assuming it is part of a two-way slab). Is there a way to split the floor deck at the beam location and have one beam support two decks?