Ram Concept allows users to select the code for live load reduction. I selected IBC 2018. The slab longitudinal and latitude strip trib areas were approx. 400 sq ft. each. Based on live load reduction formula, since the trib area times Kll factor was less than 450 sq ft for a two-way slab, there was no live load reduction performed. However, since I had selected IBC 2018, I was hoping Ram concept would also look at the alternate live load reduction formula where reduction for slab live load is permitted if the slab trib area is more than 150 sq ft. I did double check that the live load that was applied, was applied under reducible live load section only. How can I make Ram Concept apply the alternate live load reduction formula? Thanks!
The manual confirms what you are seeing:
You could force the issue by specifying the Trib. area and Influence area directly (and maybe a max reduction %), or you could apply pre-reduced live loads only. You might check if any of the other codes use a method that equates to the IBC Alternate method, I never took it that far myself.
Answer Verified By: Chinmay Damle
Thanks Seth! I did end up applying reduced live load for slab flexure results and had a separate model for punching check. Is it safe to assume that Ram Concept only uses the standard Live Load reduction formula (from ASCE and IBC) and does not use the alternate live load reduction even when we specify IBC as the code for live load reduction?
Correct, only the first method (1607.11.1) is implemented.
Note, you can separately control the punching shear LLr parameters if it helps you to run a single model only.