I have three levels of a 9" slab with perimeter beams on top of steel construction. I am trying to check the size of the steel framing below. The values that RAM FRAME is using is not realistic for the actual loads for steel design. A typical interior column with a bay of 31'x32'-4", based of trib area is around 150 kips per floor in self weight. RAM FRAME shows 150 kips for all three levels. I know FRAME uses finite elements to distribute the loads but, it seems to be way off. Is there a way to get realistic values so i can size the steel and foundations?
Try making all the columns lateral. See also: https://communities.bentley.com/products/ram-staad/w/structural_analysis_and_design__wiki/3262/ramss-two-way-decks-tn
When looking at the RAM FRAME Elements it show 21.3 kips. Which is less than the weight of the slab and columns self weight
I can't tell from the picture, but it looks like the column might be setting on a soft beam or transfer slab. The axial load that the column takes is determined by the stiffness below. Remember, gravity beams don't count. See: https://communities.bentley.com/products/ram-staad/w/structural_analysis_and_design__wiki/6513/ram-ss---analysis-types-tn
All the Concrete columns sit on top of steel columns. So I would expect the load to go straight down. The load values do not seem accurate. The axial load from the two way slab shows 9.32 kips from dead load from roof. Which doesnt not even come close to how much its self weight is. which is turned on. Below is a section cut of an interior column. The bay trib area is 31' x 32'
When checking equilibrium here are a few things I like to do.
Check loads - masses or loads - gravity dialog and note the totals. Compare totals to the sum of reactions in the Reports - analysis log (this works where all the base level supports are lateral). If the totals all match up, but individual member forces are small, then it must be a matter of an alternate load path. In that case a review of the deflected shape is usually effective in understanding the big picture.