RAM Connection 2023 (v23.0.0) Release Notes

RAM Connection 2023 (v23.0.0) Release Notes – Updated April 2023

Features:

1. Update to CSA S16-19. The Canadian steel design code has been updated to the latest CSA S16-19 for all available connections under CSA S16 design code.

Figure 1. New CSA S16-19 steel connections design code.

2. New AISC Column Cap-Brace gusset connection for bracing frames at column caps. All users using vertical bracing connections will now have this option to assign a gusset connection at columns ends without the need to use workaround solutions.

Figure 2. New AISC column cap-brace gusset connection

3. AISC tubular truss connection classification enhancements. Now users have different options to handle the Mro chord moment that can be designed for the K, X or prorated when the joint is clasiffied in several connections.

Figure 3. Mro moment allocation option for tubular truss connections.

4. Steel materials enhancement to use materials with several Fy and Fu values depending on the thickness. Several design codes allow the use for a given material, different values of Fy and Fu depending on the thickness. These design codes when using a material like ASTM that only have one value for Fy and Fu were not providing the values expected.  Now, the values of Fy and Fu depend on the material, if a design code uses values depending on the thickness and the material has them then these will be used and material with only on value of Fy and Fu will user these values correctly.

Figure 4. Steel material defined with several Fy and Fu values for different thicknesses.

5. EN 1993 base plates update to use EN 1992-4: 2018. The design of fastening to concrete was updated from the EN 1992-4: 2013 (draft) to the official relesed specification EN 1992-4: 2018.

Figure 5. EN 1993 base plate design updated to the EN 1992-4: 2018 fastening to concrete design.

Resolved Issues:

• AISC 360 beam flexural yielding limit state for top and bottom copes with different lengths was always conservatively considering the beam as double coped. Now both lengths are correctly addressed to check whether the beam is single coped or double coped.
  
  
• AISC 360 claw angle connection for braces was calculating erroneously the net area and U factor as number of bolt rows and bolt columns were switched. This is fixed now, and the net area and shear lug factor are calculated properly.
  
  
• AISC 360 local tension capacity in gusset connections was conservatively considering the maximum axial load regardless if it is tension or compression. This is fixed now, and the demand is not considering only axial tension.
  
  
• AISC 360 gusset base plate connection was incorrectly calculating the cantilever N length when the gusset was connected to the column web.
  
  
• AS 4100 base plate was showing the fasteners in invalid location warning incorrectly as the fasteners were being detected to close to the column section. The geometric check is fixed and the distances from the fasteners to the column are being calculated accurately.
• NZS 3404 bolted cover plate connection was incorrectly checking inner flange plates as it was considering their thickness to be the same as outer flange plates. This is fixed now, and check for inner and outer plates consider their thickness accordingly.

• Tubular truss connections for branches in the lower sides had a glitch in the calculation of the slope angles and the joint classification. These are fixed now, and two branch joints are designed identically regardless if the branches are in the upper or lower side of the chord.