Hi,
I watched the Bentley tutortial video "Analyzing Combined Steel & Masonry Buildings in RAM Structural System and RAM Elements" and built a simple building to play around. Basically I modeled a simple 2-story building enclosed by CMU shear walls, my intent is to model everything in RAMSS and export to RAM-Element for further detailing.
Funny thing is, when I exported the model to RAM-Elements, I'm once again confused how RAM-Elements distribute the loads to each CMU SW. Say for my first floor wind load distribution, ideally each SW (same length, same width, same everything) should take 25% of the lateral load on first floor but actually it's not even distribution (way off!), confused why it happened and if I can rely on RAM-Element in this design.
Thanks, hope you can resolve my questions here.
These two wiki should help to explain things. Whether analyzed in Ram SS or in Ram Elements the principles are the same.
RAM SS Walls FAQ
RAM SS - Rigid Diaphragm Constraints and Frame Shear [TN]