The top and left edges of the trapezoidal area are modeled as 5' deep x 16" wide beams that separate the high trapezoidal slab from the lower slab . The upper and lower slabs are pt but the 5' x 16" beams are mild reinf.
Do I designate a design strip along these 5' deep beams? If so, what do I enter for CS and MS properties for these design strips? (I am designing the 5' deep beams by hand but want to make sure I am modeling the slabs and their supports correctly.)
Thank-you.
I would model a strip for the 2 z-beams. That might be a span on each design strip layer or two spans on the same layer depending out your layout for latitude and longitude. If you are using this strip to block out a region only (since you are designing the beam by hand), then it can be a full-width strip and the CS properties don't matter, but you might wa well put in something reasonable. I would consider the z-beam to be a support for strips that intersect it. Here are some tips related to strips for beams: https://communities.bentley.com/products/ram-staad/w/structural_analysis_and_design__wiki/4507/ram-concept-design-strips-tn
Answer Verified By: Michael L Nouwens