Is there a way to identify/see/plot which elements in a flat RC slab are cracked at the end of RAM Concept's analysis?
I'd like to be able to compare the deflection results that RAM Concept calculates with those produced by a consultant in a generic FEA program, but I need to get an understanding of whether we're using the same baseline assumptions. In the generic program, the slab must be "softened" using a cracked section factor which assumes a certain percentage of the slab has cracked and results in an effective moment of inertia. Since RAM adjusts the stiffness of each element depending on whether or not it cracks, I'd like to have RAM output WHICH elements are cracked and which are using gross section properties.
Is there a table or plot that can show this?
Regretfully, there is no way to plot the final cracked factors of the elements in a Ram Concept run after the Load History analysis. It's been suggested a time or two so I'll pass along your request.
You can plot an effective curvature ratio for strips, however. For example go to Rule Set Design - Service Design - any plot will do. then change the pot option to Section Analysis - Effective Curvature Ratio with context Max Demand.
The program manual, section "51.1.12 Cracked Section Analyses" has some details about this.
Hi Seth, I know this an old post. But I'd just like to mention that developing a plot of 'cracked factors' would be very well received by most users I'm sure. It can even be as simple as showing the ratio of the uncracked ECR to the cracked ECR. I know this ratio is another way of describing the Effective to Gross second moment of inertia (given curvature is a function of M, E and most importantly I).
This would save users having to manually calculate these simple ratios using the user defined Creep Factor and the ECR. It's a really simple measure as to how the structure is performing under the applied loads.