Hi everyone,
I have been using RAM Steel Column in the CSA S16 for the design of some WWF sections (required due to limits on column dimensions and our high loading) and are finding the Cr values (Compressive Resistance) calculated using RAM Steel Column for WWF sections to be incorrect. The Cr values for W sections work fine.
I have specified the WWF sections to be Flame Cut Plates in RAM Manager under the Canada Parameters option. According to clause 13.3.1 of CSA S16, for doubly-symmetric welded three-plaet members with flanges oxy-flame-cut , n = 2.24.
Our case is where our section is a WWF350x315, our K = 1, L = 6.6 m (==>KL/ry = 70) and Table 4-30 of the CISC Handbook of Steel Construction (9th ed., 3rd revision) shows the factored axial compressive resitance to be 9880 kN. This is while RAM Column shows it to be 6772 kN!
Another way of checking our calculations would be by using Table 4-5 (page 4-17) of the handbook for KL/ry of 70, the Cr/A = 247, (A = 40200 mm2) ==> Cr = 9929 kN, so RAM seems to be off by 40%!
I wondered if the program incorrectly uses n = 1.34 , but using Table 4-4 (page 4-14) of the handbook, leads to a Cr of 8080 kN.
Does RAM Steel Column design the WWF sections incorrectly here?
Thanks for your help!
Cheers,
Ed