I was wondering if there is any literature on the best way to approach the design of a simple four sided moment frame building using RAM Structural System?
Thanks,
Scott
There's really nothing special to it, just model what you have. If there are corner columns and you need to consider orthogonal effects, that's an option in the seismic load generator. Maybe I’m missing the heart of the question.
Yea, maybe I didn't explain my question correctly. Currently RAM SS optimizes gravity beams and columns using the RAM Steel Beam and RAM Steel Column Modules. It appears to me that there is currently no method to optimize a simple moment frame building other than inputting sizes by using the view/update under steel code checks in RAM Frame.
My question is that is there a certain way I should approach that? For instance should I put everything in as gravity, use the RAM Steel Beam and RAM Steel Column modules, and then go back to modeler and change all of the beams to lateral? My first question would be that if I do it this way will the sizes that were just found using the gravity loads still stay assigned to the beams/columns (I am assuming I need to freeze the design in the respective modules).
Then after this step I would go into RAM Frame, run the analysis, load combinations, and then the Steel Designer, and I would have to go in an manually change the sections to meet the design loads imparted on them.
I have included my approach in number format below for ease of reading.
1. Assign all beams and columns as gravity members.
2. Design beams as gravity members using the RAM Steel Beam Module (Freeze design after it has been completed)
3. Design Columns as gravity members using the RAM Steel Column Module (Freeze design after it has been completed)
4. Go back to RAM Modeler and assign all frame members to be lateral.
5. Go to RAM Frame and run the analysis, load combinations, and Steel Design processor
6. Manually go an update beams/columns that fail during the member check under the steel post processor.
I hope this better explains my question, if you need any further information please feel free to ask me a question back in the forum.
If my approach is close to what I stated above, is there anything in the works in the future in RAM Frame that would allow the engineer to assign a set of beams that would be checked and the program would pick the most efficient beam?