Release Date: December 1, 2010
This document contains important information regarding changes to the RAM Structural System. It is important that all users are aware of these changes. Please distribute these release notes and make them available to all users of the RAM Structural System.
The Release Notes for Release 14.03 contain important information. Those Notes can be found at:http://communities.bentley.com/products/structural/structural_analysis___design/w/structural_analysis_and_design__wiki/ram-ss-v14-03-release-notes.aspx
The previous steel tables and load combination templates supplied with the program will be replaced with new tables and templates of the same name. If you have customized any Master or Design tables or load combination templates supplied with the program without changing the file names, those file names should be renamed from the original RAM table names prior to installation to prevent your changes from being lost.
This version can only be installed by downloading the installation file from the Bentley SELECT web site. It can be found on the Bentley SELECT Services Downloads and Updates web page at:http://selectservices.bentley.com/en-US/Support/Downloads+And+Updates/
Select “Search Downloads” and log in using your User Name and Password. Perform a Search by searching for the “RAM Products”, and select the latest version of the RAM Structural System.
If a previous version (prior to V14.03) of the RAM Structural System was installed on a computer with the Windows 7 or Windows Vista operating system some components of the program may have been installed in directories that were not ideal for those systems. In particular, they may have been installed in directories that required Administrator privileges in order to write to those files. Issues could also arise on XP or older operating systems if strict user policies have been set. As a result, the default directories used in the latest installation program have been revised to use locations as recommended by Microsoft for each operating system. It is recommended that the directories that can contain writable files be moved, if necessary, as explained below.
The ramis.ini file contains all of the user-specified program defaults, including the directory paths for all of the program and data files. That file was previously located in the C:\Windows directory. If it is there, it should be moved to the following location, based on the operating system:
Windows 7 and Windows Vista: C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System
The current location of the directories can be seen by opening the ramis.ini file in Notepad.exe. The [Directories] section of that file shows the location of the directories used by the RAM Structural System. The figure below shows an example of the [Directories] section of a ramins.ini file. The directories shown highlighted in yellow in that figure contain (or potentially contain) writeable files. That is, the data, tutorial, dxf, reports, cimsteel, tables and working directories are used to store files that may be written to by the program. If any of those directories are located under C:\Program Files, C:\Program Files (x86) or any other directory that restricts writable access to files for standard users, it is recommended that the files be relocated. Note that the program and manuals directories can remain located under write-restricted locations because they do not contain writable files.
To relocate the files manually, do the following
data = C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Datatutorial = C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Data\Tutorialdxf = C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\DXFreports = C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Reportscimsteel = C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Cimsteeltables = C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Tablesworking = C:\ProgramData\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Data\Working
data = C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Datatutorial = C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Data\Tutorialdxf = C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\DXFreports = C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\ Reportscimsteel = C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\ Cimsteeltables = C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\ Tablesworking = C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bentley\Engineering\RAM Structural System\Data\Working
Note that it is not mandatory that the directories be located in these locations; these are merely the default locations used by the installation program. They can be located anywhere on the computer or on a network that permits write access to all users. We do, however, strongly recommend that the working directory remain on the local computer, not over the network on a server.
The root directory entry in the ramis.ini file is no longer used and can be deleted.
Note that extreme care must be exercised in performing these steps in order to avoid loss of data files or program functionality. It may be advisable to backup any data files before proceeding with these steps.
Also note that Steps 2 and 5 (and most of Step 3) can be accomplished by re-running the Installation program and specifying the directories there. Then the data files (in the Data directory) and only any user-customized tables (in the Tables directory) would need to be copied over as part of Step 3, since the standard tables will have been installed in the new Tables directory location.
A final note, if you are not experiencing any problems associated with restricted write privileges with the current installation, you may choose not to make these changes.
Meshing in RAM Concrete Analysis ModeEnhancements were made to the meshing algorithms in RAM Concrete when walls are present. This includes better handling of meshing tolerances and better handling of stepped walls.
Vibration Design of Westok Cellular BeamsThe simple vibration analysis based on minimum frequencies, previously implemented for composite steel beams, is now available for Westok Cellular beams. The criteria for this feature can be set in the Criteria – Design Defaults command in the RAM Steel Beam module. The Westok Cellular beam design capability is only available in the UK.
CIS/2 File ExportThe CIS/2 export capability has been updated and re-enabled. CIS/2 files (CIMSteel files) of the structural model can be created using the Post-Processing – CIMSteel File command in the RAM Manager.
Some program errors have been corrected for Version 14.03.01. Corrections made to graphics, reports, Modeler functions, program crashes, etc that were considered minor are not listed here. The noteworthy error corrections are listed here in order to notify you that they have been corrected or to assist you in determining the impact of those errors on previous designs. These errors were generally obscure and uncommon, affecting only a very small percentage of models, or had no impact on the results. The errors, when they occurred, were generally quite obvious. However, if there is any question, it may be advisable to reanalyze previous models to determine the impact, if any. In each case the error only occurred for the precise conditions indicated. Those errors that may have resulted in un-conservative designs are shown with an asterisk. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Modeler BRACES: Adding a V-brace or a Special brace to a sloped elevation resulted in braces being placed with incorrect bottom coordinates. The bottom of the brace was placed directly below the beam at the top of the brace, instead of lining up with the bottoms of the sloping columns on either side.Effect: V-braces and Special braces could not be correctly added to sloped elevations.
Framing TablesTWO-WAY ERROR: If there was steel framing under a Two-way slab polygon but out beyond the slab edges (so that it was exposed framing with no slab), the program erroneously gave the message that those beams carry load from two-way deck and cannot be designed.Effect: Report error only. The loads and design on the beams were correct.
RAM Steel Beam SMARTBEAM DETAILED REPORT: The Detailed Report for non-composite Smartbeams listed applied moments in k-in rather than k-ft.Effect: Units error in report. The beam designs were correct.
PARTITION LOAD: Partition load reactions (point loads) on steel beams were getting doubled when user ran the analysis in steel beam before and after running it in concrete analysis. Effect: Partition point loads on steel beams may have been greater than necessary if the model was analyzed in RAM Concrete.
RAM Steel ColumnREPORT HEADINGS: The column reports indicated “LRFD 2nd Edition” when the columns were designed using LRFD 3rd Edition.Effect: Report heading error only. The designs were correctly based on LRFD 3rd Edition when that was the selected Code.
AISC 360-05 COLUMN DESIGN REPORT: The axial capacity reported for columns always listed the capacity in compression, even when the axial loads were in tension.Effect: Although the column design was correct, the report did not show the correct tensile capacity if the column was in tension.
COLUMN DESIGN MOMENTS FROM STUB CANTILEVER: If a column supported a stub cantilever at a level where that column was not braced in the same axis by beams or user-assignment, the design moment from the stub cantilever was incorrect.Effect: The design moment was higher resulting in over-conservative column design for the condition given.
RAM Frame – AnalysisWALL DISCONNECTED FROM DIAPHRAGM DURING MESHING*: The program failed to connect the wall to the diaphragm if the top two end nodes of the wall were outside of the diaphragm but the wall crossed the diaphragm (such that the ends of the wall were outside of the diaphragm but a portion of the wall was within the diaphragm).Effect: The generated diaphragm mesh was not valid for analysis since the diaphragm was not properly attached to the wall.
MASS DISTRIBUTION FOR SEMIRIGID DIAPHRAGMS: The program always used the "Use Calculated" option for distributing mass over semirigid diaphragms even when the "Uniformly Distribute Total Mass Over Diaphragm" was selected.Effect: Mass for semirigid diaphragms was always computed and distributed according to calculated (spatial) values.
ASCE 7 STABILITY REPORT*: The vertical loads used for calculating stability coefficients according to ASCE 7-05 Eq. 12.8-16 did not include Live Loads in the value used for total gravity loads on floors. Only Dead Loads were included. Effect: Reported stability coefficients did not consider the contribution of live loads, hence the stability coefficients may have been unconservative.
NBC OF CANADA RESPONSE SPECTRA*: The value specified for Sa(1.0) was used for Sa(2.0).Effect: Incorrect response spectra results.
RAM Concrete – AnalysisWALL DISCONNECTED FROM DIAPHRAGM DURING MESHING*: The program failed to connect the wall to the diaphragm if the top two end nodes of the wall were outside of the diaphragm but the wall crossed the diaphragm (such that the ends of the wall were outside of the diaphragm but a portion of the wall was within the diaphragm).Effect: The generated diaphragm mesh was not valid for analysis since the diaphragm was not properly attached to the wall.
RAM Concrete – Shear WallSHEAR WALL VIEW/UPDATE: The warnings tab was hidden in situations where the wall design group being designed had no coupling beams or boundary elements.Effect: In order to determine what the design warnings were, the user was forced to run design reports.
RAM FoundationFOUNDATION GRAVITY LOADS*: In the Criteria – Forces command, if Forces on Gravity Members From was set to the third option (material specific forces), no load was applied to continuous foundations that supported ONLY gravity steel columns.Effect: Obvious unconservative design of continuous foundations supporting only gravity steel columns.
WALL FORCES ON FOUNDATIONS*: In the Criteria – Forces command, if Forces on Gravity Members From was set to the third option (material specific forces) and if there were Negative (uplift) Live or Roof loads on the model, the loads applied to the foundations from walls may have been incorrect. The loads from the walls for the positive live load case were being applied twice and the loads from the negative live load case were not being applied.Effect: Potentially incorrect loads on continuous foundations from walls that have both positive and negative live loads.
RAM DataAccessSAVE ERRORS: The SaveDatabase() command did not save changes to user brace points, penetrations, or surface loads.Effect: Data not saved, and possible crashes due to the data being out of sync with other parts of the model. Note: this had no impact on the RAM Structural System, only on third-party programs that use the RAM DataAccess programming functions.