Updated December 2010

Enhancements

1. Export to RAM SBeam v4.0 for composite steel design.
2. Added support for Japanese steel sections.
3. Structural Dashboard V8i ready!
   Launch Structural Dashboard from RAM Elements and vice versa.
4. Split View
   The screen can now be divided in two with concurrent views of the model for better modeling.
5. Section Properties report
   A new tool to print the section properties report on the fly, without opening the sections database, is now available.
6. OpenRETM™
   The new OpenRETM™ is a file format that allows engineers to build RAM Elements models from outside the software using a very simple XML format file. This new feature enables engineers communicate with RAM Elements by creating and/or reading an XML file with the structure geometry (nodes, members, shells), member sections, shell properties, shell openings, supports, springs, releases, loads, etc. A complete model can be created and then analyzed and designed in RAM Elements.
   In-house or third-party applications can now communicate somehow with RAM Elements through the import/export of this file.
7. Multiple Unbraced Lengths
   RAM Elements now allows the input of more than one unbraced length per member (L33, L22, LbTop and LbBot) for a more efficient design with AISC and AS specifications.
8. Improved design for hot-rolled built-up sections
   Using the general formulation  (from T.V. Galambos) in which the AISC specification was based to derive its equations, RAM Elements now gives an accurate design for any kind of built-up shape in its database.
9. Tapered member analysis and design improvements
   A new state-of-the-art tapered finite element with exact stiffness is used for the analysis of I-shaped web tapered members. The design is based on the upcoming AISC/MBMA design guide for web tapered members to be published in 2011.
10. New haunched member analysis, design and optimization
    Steel members with haunches can now be accurately analyzed, designed per BS 5950 or AS 4100 and optimized. A must for portal frame design.

11. Triangular loads from STAAD.Pro
    The STAAD.Pro import now reads triangular distributed loads that were being ignored in previous versions.

Resolved Issues

1. Stub cantilevers import from RAM Structural System was fixed.
2. The pedestal weight was added to the soil surcharge calculation.
3. AISI section moduli for segments under gradient stress were corrected.
4. Member end releases import from RAM Structural System was repaired.
5. Modal frequencies were added to the dynamic analysis report.
6. Concrete Beam (CB) detailing for different depth spans was corrected.
7. Footing Design for total (100%) uplift tension is now checked.
8. Section 14.3.3 (concentrated loads distribution) of ACI 318-05 was added to the tilt-up wall module in the simplified method.