RAM Elements 2024 (v.24.00.00.154) Release Notes – Updated February 2024
Features:
1. New cable element for analysis: A new cable element has been included in RAM Elements that significantly improves the modeling capabilities for various projects. Previously, cable members were typically modelled as tension-only elements, providing some level of assistance but lacking precision when it came to assessing cable behavior. With the newly introduced cable element, users can now accurately model cable members, enabling a more comprehensive analysis that includes detailed examinations of deformations and other critical parameters.
Figure 1. New cable element analyzed displaying the sag after the analysis.
All axial stiffness definition parameters were moved to a new spreadsheet in members named "Axial behavior" which include Axial rigidity used to define if a member will have Full, Tension-only, Compression-only or Cable stiffness and the Cable parameters like Length, Tension and Location of the Tension.
Figure 2. New Axial behavior spreadsheet with all axial and cable parameters.
A new cable report was added to Analysis results that shows for all selected cables the sag and tension at different stations for all selected load combinations.
Figure 3. Analysis results for cable members.
2. Update AISC steel member design to AISC 360-22: The steel member design has been updated to the latest AISC 360-22, the update includes the Beam design and Truss design modules.
Figure 4. New AISC 360-22 steel design code update.
3. Update masonry design to TMS 402-22: The masonry wall design was updated to the latest TMS 402-22 for both Strength Design (SD) and Allowable Stress Design (ASD) in the Masonry Wall module and Retaining Wall module for masonry blocks.
Figure 5. Masonry design update to TMS 402-22
4. Open multiple RAM Elements instances: Previously, users encountered difficulties when attempting to compare different models or configurations due to the limitations imposed by the singular instance. With this enhancement, users can open multiple instances of RAM Elements concurrently, providing a more flexible and efficient workflow. This empowers users to seamlessly analyze and compare various model analyses and design options without restrictions.
5. ADINA integration enhancements for axes, sections and load definitions: Now it is possible to select when exporting an ADINA IN file: the Global vertical axis, Sections to be exported as General properties or Sections by shape and if Load cases will be exported as Multiple load cases or Time functions. This helps user to better integrate RAM Elements with ADINA according to the more robust analysis options.
Figure 6. ADINA integration options
Resolved Issues:
- iTwin pulling repository over an existing model caused problems for elements deleted or no longer existing in the model. This has been resolved, and regardless of the state of the existing model, it is now correctly pulled (1318474).
- Analysis error occurred for models with zero shell stiffness modification factors, as the zero values were causing instabilities during analysis. This issue has been rectified, and RAM Elements now utilizes a small non-zero value for released degrees of freedom (DOFs) (1311387).
- The Continuous Flexural Torsional (CFT) restraint was not functioning correctly for AISC 360-16 member design. This has been fixed, and the CFT check now properly bypasses the flexural torsional limit state (1128370).
- The NDS 2018 CM factor did not consider footer table cases. This has been resolved, and all specific cases in Tables 4A to 4F are now included (1352039).
- The Retaining Wall module was not updating values calculated during analysis properly (1318474).
- The Retaining Wall module was not correctly considering the equation to calculate the shear capacity of the stem according to ACI 318-19. This has been addressed, and the capacity is now accurately calculated using equation "c" of Table 22.5.5.1 (1361829).
- The W&W.leo has been fixed to support any W section configuration, as having a top section larger than the bottom was causing section properties not to be properly calculated (1379797).
- The EN_RectBar.leo has been corrected, as properties were always being calculated as if the sections were square (1359383).