RAM Structural System - BRBF Baseplate Design

Question

Working on a steel project in which we're using CoreBrace BRBFs for a portion of our lateral system. We've gone through the first part of our lateral analysis and have received a table of values (including overstrength parameters) back from CoreBrace. Using these overstrength parameters, we've been able to update the RAM SS model to accurately model the forces that are seen by the buckling restrained braces. Similarly, the seismic provisions design allows us to fully design the columns in the frames for the expected forces that will be delivered by the BRBs as well. All is well in the world. 
 One question I do have is if RAM SS will allow for design of the column baseplates at the bottom of the BRBF columns. Knowing that the gussets themselves will be in CoreBrace's court, it still seems like it would be useful if RAM SS would allow us to design the baseplate and anchorage "in house" rather than bookkeeping to transfer these loads to another program. It seems like we already have the design tension and could pull the design shear (from the expected brace force). That said, is there a way to do this design in the RAM SS connection module?

Seth Guthrie · Answer

I think you can use Ram Connection for this. As it stands, the CoreBrace sections won't be recognized, so there is some work to define an equivalent section for use in the Connection program. For now, you would either have to change the section in Modeler or use Ram Connection Stand-Alone since the "Unknown_Section" problem will prevent base plate assignment. You'll also need to decide what forces (load combinations) to use in the design.

Seth Guthrie · Answer

I think I would use the Stand alone program and put the expected forces in as a brace axial force for some load combination explicitly, and then design the plate using that combination (without other seismic provisions). I'll pass along a request to allow for more automation (Backlog item 568048 BRB Gusset Base Plate Design).