Can you assign/design an eccentric braced frame connection in RAM Connection? We are using the integrated RAM Connection/RAM Structural System method, and are having no success with either CVR or CBB type connection assignment.
Thanks
I'm afraid not, the gusset plate connections can accommodate a small work point offset but not the kind of eccentricity that comes with EBFs. Are you using a lot of EBFs? I was under the impression they were not as popular since the advent of Buckling Restrained braced frames.
Answer Verified By: TLiebhold
Thanks, that's what I was afraid of. This particular instance is driven by an Architectural door layout, and not due to the use of EBF's for Seismic.
Yeah, doors or other obstacles are the reason for 99% of the eccentric braces we see. I too wish RAM Connection did those. I was able to get the standalone module to kind of analyze it by inputting the beam as a column in the CBB joint with no beam input and only 1 brace, but I never was very confident in the result... That was also a way of trying to get RC to finally analyze an HSS beam member since we see those on almost EVERY project...