Ram Elements Wood Design Repetitive Member Factor Cr

I am using spaced wood sections defined by your Leo SPCa.leo.  There is one section in the standard United States group and we added several sections to a custom group for our office.

Our sections typically use 4 combined members.  The members are typically 2x12's.  So, we would have (2)2x12's nailed together with a space of 5.5" and another set of (2)2x12's on the other side.  The total width of the beam-column is 11.5".  These sections have bending in the major axis and axial stress.  I have attached an Output Report for a beam-column  that has a total of (2)4x12's and (2)2/12's as one example.

The program has a check box to apply the Repetitive Member Factor Cr in the Wood Design Parameters.  The output shows that the member is a repetitive member under the heading "DESIGN CRITERIA", but the section "DESIGN FOR FLEXURE" for M33 shows Cr = 1.00 instead of 1.15.  I checked the box to use 1.15.  Why is Ram Elements ignoring this factor?

On another note for the same type spaced sections using SPCa.leo, the program will let me set Lu, but the spreadsheet tools will not assign Le.  The error message says it only works for rectangular or circular sections.  Why?

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  • Seth, The reference you provided states that the members must be 2-4" thick and these members may be in contact or spaced no more than 24".  Also, there needs to be 3 or more members for this criteria to apply.  A beam with (2)2x12's would not meet the criteria, but a beam with (3)2x12's would.  This section has 4 members.  There are 2 members (1.5"+3.5"=5") in contact, a space and then two more members (1.5"+3.5") in contact.

    I did another test file with 1 beam using your S4S Leo to make a beam with (4)2x12's.  I got the same result.  The member gets marked as a Repetitive member but the Cr = 1.00 instead of Cr = 1.15 in the Wood Design output.  Section 4.3.9 and the commentary C4.3.9 both indicate the Repetitive Use factor can be used here.

  • We have a different interpretation of that code section. We are looking at the total width of the section. It means that if you have, for example, 3 (or more) rafters spaced 24" on center (or less) and that the rafters are each 4" wide (or less) you can apply Cr. You could use a section made up of 2 x 1.5" wide shapes and those would still get the advantage of the Cr factor, because each is 3" wide, but if you make a section with 3 x 1.5" layers (4.5" wide) that would no longer qualify.  LIkewise a section using 2 x 1.5" sections with a 1.5" gap in the middle would also be too wide. 



  • I felt much the same way as you do until I read the NDS Commentary C4.3.9.  It is clear. The last paragraph reads:

    "The repetitive member increase also applies to an assembly
    of three or more essentially parallel members of
    equal size and of the same orientation which are in direct
    contact with each other (28). In this case the transverse
    elements may be mechanical fasteners such as nails, nail
    gluing, tongue and groove joints, or bearing plates. The
    required condition is that the three or more members act
    together to resist the applied moment. "

  • That helps, my copy of the NDS doesn't have the commentary. 



  • We asked for a clarification to the NDS and they replied. The dimension limit should not be applied to assemblies. Therefore, we will implement and remove the size validation. In this way, the user will have the freedom to check it where it is required, but also will have the responsibility to check the size limitation when needed. 



    Answer Verified By: SVGregory