RC Manual

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RAM Connection V8i

Release 7.0
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2010 Edition
Manual
__________________________________________________________________ DAA036900-1/0002
Legal Notices
TRADEMARK NOTICE Bentley and the "B" Bentley logo are registered or non-registered trademarks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. RAM Elements, RAM Connection, RAM Connection Standalone, RAM Interaction Diagrams, RAM Beam Design, RAM Concrete Column, RAM Concrete Wall, RAM Footing Design, RAM Masonry Wall, RAM Retaining Wall, RAM Tilt-Up, RAM Truss Design and RAM Wood Design are registered or non-registered trademarks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. COPYRIGHT NOTICE Copyright (c) 2010 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Including software, file formats, and audiovisual displays; may only be used pursuant to applicable software license agreement; contains confidential and proprietary information of Bentley Systems, Incorporated and/or third parties which is protected by copyright and trade secret law and may not be provided or otherwise made available without proper authorization. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CM2 MeshTools Computing Objects SARL Portions Copyright Microsoft Corporation Includes Adobe PDF Library technology. Portions Copyright Adobe Systems, Inc. Adobe Flash Player software by Adobe Systems Incorporated, Copyright 1996 2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. Adobe and Flash are either trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States and/or other countries. RESTRICTED RIGHTS LEGENDS If this software is acquired for or on behalf of the United States of America, its agencies and/or instrumentalities ("U.S. Government"), it is provided with restricted rights. This software and accompanying documentation are "commercial computer software" and "commercial computer software documentation," respectively, pursuant to 48 C.F.R. 12.212 and 227.7202, and "restricted computer software" pursuant to 48 C.F.R. 52.227-19(a), as applicable. Use, modification, reproduction, release, performance, display or disclosure of this software and accompanying documentation by the U.S. Government are subject to restrictions as set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to 48 C.F.R. 12.212, 52.227-19, 227.7202, and 1852.227-86, as applicable. Contractor/Manufacturer is Bentley Systems, Incorporated, 685 Stockton Drive, Exton, PA 193410678. Unpublished - rights reserved under the Copyright Laws of the United States and International treaties. DISCLAIMER
Both United States copyright law and international treaty provisions protect this software and related documentation. Any unauthorized copy or reproduction is strictly prohibited and subject to civil and criminal penalties. Please refer to the License Agreement for authorization to make a backup copy of the software. You may not sell or give this software or any documentation to anyone without a previous written authorization. Except as expressly warranted in the License Agreement, Bentley Systems, Incorporated disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to the software, the accompanying written materials, and any accompanying hardware. All results should be verified to the users satisfaction. The contents of these written materials may include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors and may be revised without prior notice.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LEGAL NOTICES ..................................................................................................................3 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................7
How to learn RAM Connection? .................................................................................................................... 7 RAM Connection and Windows Least-Privileged User Account (LUA) Approach ................................. 7
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL OVERVIEW .................................................................................11

Design in RAM Connection .......................................................................................................................... 11 Units available in RAM Connection ............................................................................................................ 11 RAM Connection for RAM Structural System ............................................................................................ 12 Main Window ............................................................................................................................................................ 12 RC button menu ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Description of the RAM Connection commands.................................................................................................... 14 Home Tab: Data, Selection, Load conditions and Databases. .............................................................................. 14 Data group commands .......................................................................................................................................... 14 Selection group commands .................................................................................................................................... 14
Select all model elements. ....................................................................................................................... 14 Load conditions group commands......................................................................................................................... 15 Databases group commands ................................................................................................................................. 19 View Tab: Model and Design ................................................................................................................................ 20 Model group commands ........................................................................................................................................ 20 Design group commands ....................................................................................................................................... 21 Output Tab: Reports and Model graphic .............................................................................................................. 21 Reports group commands ...................................................................................................................................... 21 Model graphic group commands ........................................................................................................................... 22 RAM Connection for RAM Elements and RAM Structural System.......................................................................... 23 Spreadsheet Tab: Spreadsheet and Active spreadsheet tools. ............................................................................... 23 Spreadsheet group commands ............................................................................................................................... 24 Active spreadsheet group commands .................................................................................................................... 24 Design Tab: Assignment and Connections. ........................................................................................................... 24 Assignment group commands ................................................................................................................................ 24 Connections group commands .............................................................................................................................. 24 Data panel spreadsheets ....................................................................................................................................... 24 Connection spreadsheet ........................................................................................................................................ 24 Beam setback spreadsheet ..................................................................................................................................... 26 Seismic design parameters spreadsheet ................................................................................................................ 27 Connectivity and description spreadsheet ............................................................................................................. 28 Coordinated spreadsheet....................................................................................................................................... 29 Selecting members, nodes and connections ............................................................................................................... 30 Connection groups (by description) ........................................................................................................................... 31
CHAPTER 2: CONNECTIONS ............................................................................................35

What is a Connection? ................................................................................................................................. 35 How to find technical information about a specific connection? ............................................................ 35 How to Use RAM Connection? .................................................................................................................... 36 Use of RAM Connection in RAM Elements or RAM Structural System .................................................................. 36 Grouped Connections ............................................................................................................................................ 36 Individual Connections.......................................................................................................................................... 36 Designing Connections.......................................................................................................................................... 36
Inclination angles of members (Skew and Slope)....................................................................................................... 49 HSS Section Supports ................................................................................................................................................. 54 Design criteria for RE and RAM Structural System ................................................................................................... 55 Suggested steps for bracing connection design .......................................................................................................... 59 The Connection Database ........................................................................................................................... 60 Database Organization ................................................................................................................................................ 60 Defining Connections ................................................................................................................................................. 65 Databases for sections, materials, bolts and welds ..................................................................................................... 72 Connections commands .............................................................................................................................. 74 Selection options......................................................................................................................................................... 74 Selecting connections ............................................................................................................................................. 74 Selecting joints:...................................................................................................................................................... 76 Result display options ................................................................................................................................................. 77 Design and Assignment settings ................................................................................................................................. 78 Customizing the toolbar.............................................................................................................................................. 78 Connection spreadsheet .............................................................................................................................. 81 Assigning connections to the model using the spreadsheet ........................................................................................ 81 Assign selected connection template to model ....................................................................................................... 82 Replace (all) the current selected connection (s) ................................................................................................... 84 Assign connection description ............................................................................................................................... 84 Deleting model connections. ...................................................................................................................................... 84 Connection Pad ............................................................................................................................................ 84 1: Edition area............................................................................................................................................................. 85 2: Graphic area ........................................................................................................................................................... 86 3: Help area................................................................................................................................................................. 89 Connections Reports ................................................................................................................................... 90 References .................................................................................................................................................... 93
CHAPTER 3: CONNECTIONS EXAMPLE FOR RC-RE..................................................... 95

1) Retrieve the structure .............................................................................................................................. 95 2) Assign basic connections to the model ................................................................................................ 96 3) Create a connection template ............................................................................................................... 107 4) Edit the templates to be used ............................................................................................................... 111 5) Create a connection database .............................................................................................................. 112 6) Configure the toolbar ............................................................................................................................. 115 7) Assign smart connections to the model .............................................................................................. 118
CHAPTER 4: CONNECTIONS EXAMPLE FOR RC-RSS ................................................ 125

1) Run RAM Connection ............................................................................................................................ 125 2) Assign basic connections to the model .............................................................................................. 125 3) Create a connection template ............................................................................................................... 137 4) Edit the templates to be used ............................................................................................................... 140 5) Create a connection database .............................................................................................................. 141 6) Configure the toolbar ............................................................................................................................. 144 7) Assign smart connections to the model .............................................................................................. 147
Introduction
Introduction
Welcome to RAM Connection, a powerful and flexible engineering software for the design of steel connections. This program provides unequaled flexibility for the design of different types of shear, moment, bracing and splice connections. It is based upon the provisions of the ANSI/AISC 360-05 for Steel Design Specifications and considers mainly W and HSS shapes. You can call the program after RAM Structural System or RAM Elements and use automatically the results of the analysis and design of members. The connection design can also be customized to adhere to your typical office standards.
How to learn RAM Connection?

This manual provides an outline of RAM Connection. In order to address the different applications of the program, the manual includes some examples at the end. It is recommended to read the first two chapters of the manual before using the program.
RAM Connection and Windows Least-Privileged User Account (LUA) Approach

Modern networking technology, such as connectivity to Internet, has increased the risk of been attacked by malicious software and other external intruders. Although old risks are kept under control, new risks are always discovered or even created. A significant factor that increases the risks from malicious software is the inclination to give users administrative rights in their client computers. When a user or administrator logs on with administrative rights, any programs that they run also have administrative rights. When these programs activate harmful applications, that can be self-installed, they manipulate services such as antivirus programs and even hide from the operating system. A security strategy to counter these threats is the least-privileged user account (LUA) approach. The LUA approach ensures that users follow the principle of least privilege and always log on with limited user accounts. This strategy offers among other benefits reduced risks from malicious software and accidental or incorrect configuration. [http://technet.microsoft.com/es-es/library/bb456992.aspx] In previous versions, RAM Connection was installed providing all privileges to the installation folders in order to achieve compatibility with the recent versions of operating systems. With the aim to fulfill the requirements of the newest operating systems such as Windows Vista and Windows 7, RAM Connection has undergone some changes for this new version, regarding the management of the structure for program folders and user folders, so it behaves properly under the least-privileged user account approach, avoiding errors due to security restrictions and allowing a better organization of the data folders. Description of the most significant changes from the LUA approach implementation The most important change for this release is the separation of the files that are installed with the program from the files that may be modified by the user. The program files are installed, as usual, in the read-only folder "Program Files".
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Introduction
Files that may be generated, modified or deleted by the user (sections, materials and connections databases, load combinations generators, templates and LEO files, etc.) are stored in the read/write folder ProgramData. For the case of old users, the installer will extract all the user information and will save it in this folder, nothing will be lost. The path is shown in the following table:
Configuration files such as local settings and print preferences will be created in another folder with the path shown in the following table:
The new structure of program file folders (read-only) is shown below:
The read/write folders that will contain users modified files are:
Introduction
A summary of modifications made to the application data folders is shown in the following table:
Chapter 1: General Overview

The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate the basic commands required to use RAM Connection. Many of these commands are illustrated in the example in the last chapter. RAM Connection (for RAM Elements and RAM Structural System) uses a constant philosophy in the way all of its commands (actions) are applied to elements in a model. Specifically, the user has to select the desired elements (nodes, members, connections or shells) of the structure and once they are selected, the engineer can then apply any command that will only affect those elements. This select and apply rule is a fundamental feature of the program. All the provided tools for entering or generating data, together with the display and printing options adhere to this select and apply principle.
Design in RAM Connection

Connections can be designed by one of these three methods in RAM Connection (RC) and in RAM Connection Standalone (RCSA) programs. The first method could be called a "trial and error" procedure. In this method the engineer defines a database of different connections (note that many connections are already supplied with the program itself), assigning one to the joint and the program will indicate if it is suitable for the joint. The engineer can then manually either assign another connection, or adjust the first connection that was assigned. The second method would be to have the program search through a list of the database connections to find the first one in the list that works for the joint (geometry and forces). The third method is similar to the second but rather than search through a predefined list the program will assign a single smart connection to the joint. These three methods provide the engineer with complete control over the design of the individual connections.
Units available in RAM Connection

The units are imported from the RAM Structural System model. However, the user can change the unit system used for reports and graphics. The main unit system can be changed in the Units system item located in the status bar. Press and select in the menu the required units system (i.e. Metric, English, SI).
Units system menu. Besides the main unit system, the program allows a more detailed unit configuration for different groups as lengths, section dimensions, etc. To define these units, select the Units configuration option from the menu and change the units in the dialog.
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Units configuration dialog. The buttons English, SI and Metric are pre-set configurations that the user may use.
RAM Connection for RAM Structural System

Main Window
The RAM Connection main window and its work areas are displayed below:
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Main window of RAM Connection. The work areas are: Work area ID A B C Name RC button Quick access toolbar Ribbon Displays a menu with basics commands such as Open a model, Save file, etc. Contains some commands required to be used with frequency, such as Open a model, Save file, Undo, etc. Gathers all the commands for creating joints, managing load cases and databases, assigning connections, and obtaining all the results for the design of the connections. It contains tabs, groups and command buttons. Spreadsheet where the assigned connections data is shown and all the available connection templates. Area where the model and any other selected display option is shown. Shows model useful information, such as number of elements (joints and connections), units system, current load case, and some commands for font size and zoom. Function
D E F
Data Panel Display area Status bar
RC button menu
RAM Connection button menu. Command Open a model Function Opens an existing model
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Save Model properties Export Bug Report General configuration Exit
Saves the current model changes in the same model file. Displays the properties model window. Export connection to a different program (e.g. ProSteel). Creates a bug report to be sent to technical support. Displays the program configuration window. Closes RAM Connection.
Description of the RAM Connection commands Home Tab: Data, Selection, Load conditions and Databases.
Data group commands
Show the data panel.
Selection group commands
Select all model elements. Hide unselected elements. Reverse selection. Unselect all. Select elements with equal description to the first selected element. Select continuous member. Select members between selected nodes. Elements selection. Allows different element selection according to some characteristic.
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Load conditions group commands
Add and edit load condition. The load conditions management window is displayed where it is possible to create and edit load conditions and combinations.
Load conditions manager window It is possible to add load conditions automatically with the dialog window to choose the load condition: button. This action displays a new
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With the
button the user may access to the categories manager:
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Note that the categories included in the list are set by default by the program and the user cannot modify them. However, it is possible to create users own categories with the may rename them with the button or delete them pressing the button. button; the user
Delete load condition. The delete load condition window is displayed where it is possible to select several load conditions to be deleted.
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Delete load conditions window Generate load combination. The generate loads combination window is displayed where load combinations can be imported from preexisting files.
Generate load combinations window

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The user cannot modify the generator files that are installed by the program, which are identified by the icon , but the user can create generation files from the program files or simply write equations for load combinations in the text editor of the dialog window. For this purpose, use the that creates or adds a new generation file, after that, press the paste it with the for the new generation file. Pressing the button button to copy the formulae and button will save the changes for the
new file and using the
button, the files created by the user may be deleted.
The dialog box launcher of this group shows additional configuration options for loads like include load combinations from RAM Frame or to consider seismic provisions.
Additional configuration dialog Warning! The connections on gravity members will have zero loads for load combinations that include lateral load cases. Databases group commands
Section database. The section database window is displayed where they can be updated.
Material database. The material database window is displayed where they can be updated.
Connection database. The connection database window is displayed where they can be updated.
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Bolts database. The bolts database is shown where they can be updated.
Welds database. The welds database window is displayed where they can be updated.
View Tab: Model and Design
Model group commands
Model properties. Shows the selected model properties in the display area. The properties to be shown can be managed in the Model properties button menu.
Sections. Shows the member sections in the display area.
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Materials. Shows the member materials in the display area.
Hinges. Shows the member hinges in the display area.
Rendering. Shows the rendered model in the display area. The rendering menu allows showing the model transparent or lines only.
Design group commands
Status. Show the connections status for the current load condition or the controlling load combination.
Stress ratio. Show the connections stress ratio for the current load condition or the controlling load combination.
Output Tab: Reports and Model graphic
Reports group commands
Data. Report the connections data. The menu shows the available reports.
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Design. Shows the connection design report dialog where all the design results reports are depicted.
Connection design reports dialog Model graphic group commands
Print to file. Shows the dialog to save in a file the current graphic display.
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Print graphic. Print the current graphic displayed.
Text box. Shows a text box in the graphic area where the user may type notes or any desired text.
RAM Connection for RAM Elements and RAM Structural System

This section describes the common commands of RAM Connection for RAM Elements and RAM Structural System. Spreadsheet Tab: Spreadsheet and Active spreadsheet tools.
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Spreadsheet group commands These are the commands that allow the user to manage the Data panel spreadsheet as copy, cut, paste cells, etc. For more information please read the RAM Elements manual. Active spreadsheet group commands These commands are described in the Data panel spreadsheet section. Design Tab: Assignment and Connections.
Assignment group commands
Connection templates. The assign menu has the following options for assigning connections. For more references please read the next chapter.
Redesign connections. Redesign all connections.
Connections group commands
Allows to edit the selected connections if they are equal.
Data panel spreadsheets Connection spreadsheet Shows the data of all assigned connections as the template used, its description, the joint node, etc.
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The Connections Spreadsheet has the following tools: Replace the current selected connection. This tool is used to replace one of the model connections displayed (at cursor position) in the connection spreadsheet with the currently selected template in the template window. Note that the template name or any other item of the data bases cannot be manually entered. Replace all the current selected connections. This tool is used to replace all the model connections displayed in the connection spreadsheet with the currently selected template in the template window. F1 displays the Help context or click on the icon, which has useful information on: 1) The connections data to be introduced in the worksheets and 2) The use of the tool buttons to generate the data.
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Help context window. The connections spreadsheet has also the next tools:
Assign selected connection to model.
Delete selected connections.
Assign description CNX (additive).
Beam setback spreadsheet Shows the beam setback assigned to each member end.
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Seismic design parameters spreadsheet Shows the seismic frame type to which the joint, where the connection has been assigned, belongs to.
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Connectivity and description spreadsheet Shows the model members connectivity and description.
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Coordinated spreadsheet Shows the nodes coordinates.
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Selecting members, nodes and connections

To select a member, click on it and it will be highlighted, indicating that has been selected. Do the same to select a node. The same applies to connections, which are represented in the graphic with the symbol.
Members and nodes highlighted when being selected
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Selected nodes, members and connections When clicking on an element (member, shell or connection), the previously selected elements are unselected. Pressing the Shift key, the user can select (or unselect) several elements without affecting the previously selected ones.
You can select multiple elements by enclosing them in a rectangle created by clicking and dragging the mouse from one corner to the other. In this case, pressing the Shift key enables the selection of the elements within the area without affecting the selection condition of the elements outside the area. Using this technique, only the elements fully enclosed by the area are selected. That is, in the case of members, both nodes have to be enclosed in the rectangle. .- If you press the Ctrl key instead of the Shift key while you are selecting members, all the elements fully or partially covered by the area will be selected.
Connection groups (by description)

Connection description is used to identify the design groups and the program assigns it automatically when connections have been assigned by group. The program allows to modify or assign descriptions manually, however, description manage should be made carefully. It is recommended the use of the Assign description CNX (additive) tool (assigns description: CNN1,CNN2,...,CNNn) only with single connections (i.e. assigned from the spreadsheet with the Assign selected connection to model tool). Both tools are located in the Active spreadsheet tools. Note that the members description is imported from RAM SS and cannot be edited in RAM Connection.
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For example, to select all roof beams of the model shown in the figure above, select one instance of the members and then press the button in the Selection group. The program will select all members with the same Description(s) of the previously selected members. To simultaneously select several groups select one member of each group using the Shift key button. and then press the You can select any connection by entering its number in the gray column (Connection column) of the worksheet and pressing ENTER. All the current data in a worksheet may be cleared using the button located in the Spreadsheet group. Notice that this tool button does not erase the related elements. To select connections with the same template, select a connection with the desired template:
In order to select all connection with the same template, select a connection that has the template Click on the name of the connection (in the worksheet):
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Press the button located in the Spreadsheet group. All the connections with the same template will be displayed in the graphic and also in the worksheet:
If you want to select equal connections, select one instance of the connection and go to the Selection group, press the connection option. button and select in the connection group the Select identical
Note that this option selects equal connections, namely connections with equal family, type and connected members (same section and material). Therefore, connections with different descriptions can be shown simultaneously in the graphic and the worksheet, if they are equal.
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Chapter 2: Steel Connections
Chapter 2: Connections
RAM Connection allows the user to rapidly design, optimize or verify connections. The connection module may work integrated into RAM Elements or RAM Structural System, automatically utilizing member dimensions and forces in the connection designs. Connections are designed and verified according to: ANSI/AISC 360-2005 (American Standard). BS 5950 2000(British Standard).
In this chapter we first define what is considered to be a Connection within the context of RAM Connection. Then, we proceed to directly show you How To Use the program. Following this section we describe in more detail the features of RAM Connection including the Connection Database, Connection Assignment/Optimization, Connection Output and how to customize the connection designs. It is recommended that you read at least the first two sections of this chapter to help you understand how the connection module works.
What is a Connection?
RAM Connection defines a Single Connection as all the parameters that completely define the quantities and dimensions of the pieces that make up a connection. It includes the information related to the Connection Family (beam-to-column flange, beam-to-column web, beam-girder, etc), the type of connection (shear, moment, bracing, splice or combined), as well as the number of bolts, size of bolts, welds, geometry and material of the connecting pieces etc. Before a connection can actually exist, there needs to be a connection template with the connection characteristics, from which to assign to your connection in the spreadsheet or structure. All connection templates are defined in the Connection Database that is accessible from the option Connections in the Database group. RAM Connection installs with an extensive pre-defined database of templates. To get you productive on RAM Connection we will proceed directly to the section on How To Use RAM Connection. For this section we will use the installed connection database. Following this section we will describe in more detail some of the features of RAM Connection. If you will work with RAM Elements or RAM Structural System, it is recommended that the structure be analyzed with final member sizes specified before connections are assigned to joints. Both member forces and sizes are used to design the connections. However, if member sizes and forces change after the connections are designed, they can easily be redesigned.
How to find technical information about a specific connection?

When you are entering or reviewing the different parameters of a connection you can go to the help context where you will find a detailed description of the data and checks that are performed for each connection type. At the end of this chapter the list of the main references used in the development of the program is given where the user can find more information.
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How to Use RAM Connection?

RAM Connection is designed to give you extensive flexibility in the way you design and manage your connections. However, it is also set up to allow you to get productive without requiring significant work on your part. As you gain experience with RAM Connection you can customize the behavior to better suit your working practice.
Use of RAM Connection in RAM Elements or RAM Structural System

If you have a RAM Connection License and the program is not active in RAM Elements please read the Installation Manual. In general, connections are typically designed either in groups or individually. Grouped Connections Grouped connections are connections on several different joints that are designed with the same connection template. For all the joints with identical member sizes the resulting connections will be identical (same bolts number, plate sizes etc.). As the connections typically have some ability to adapt to the geometry of the connecting pieces, joints with different size members or material may produce slightly different connections. Designing connections in a group allows you to minimize the number of unique connection designs on a structure. The engineer has control as to which joints are to be grouped together. Only connections of the same family (beam-to-column flange, or beam-togirder etc.) and same type (shear, moment or bracing connections) can be grouped together. Remark: All grouped connections will have the same description, even though some connections could be different. Individual Connections Individual connections are designed for the forces and member sizes at a specific joint. No consideration is given to any other joint force or connection design. This allows for each connection to be designed for its own forces and geometry, providing the most efficient use of material. The engineer can still find out which connections end up being identical even when they were designed individually. The connections can be designed in a group or one by one. The assignment procedure (from the connection toolbar) consists of having the program select the first connection template, from a user customizable list of connections, which satisfies the joint forces and geometric conditions. This assignment procedure permits the optimization of assigned connections by placing the connections in order of increasing strength the optimum connection for the applied forces will be selected. Therefore, the assignment lists should be created keeping in mind that the list order will determine which connection is selected at a particular location. It may be preferable to initially design all connections individually, and then use some of the available connection selection tools to determine how you would like to group your connections. Designing Connections Important Note: The connection design and the inclination angles are based on the assumption that the beam local axis 2 is coincident with the global positive Y Axis (upwards). The inversion of this axis (downwards) will lead in some cases to incorrect connections or the inversion of results i.e. top plate will be bottom plate.
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1) Before connections are designed the user should set the Design Configuration options. The dialog is showed up when the user clicks in the dialog box launcher located at the bottom right corner of the Assignment group in the Design tab.
RAM Connection design configuration launcher The user should set the connections design standard (i.e. AISC-360, BS 5950), the design method (i.e. ASD or LRFD) when applies, some connections design parameters according to the selected design standard and the load conditions to be included in the design.
RAM Connection configuration design dialog

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In RAM Elements, the connections Design Configuration launcher is located at the bottom right corner of the Connection group in the Modules tab.
RAM Elements design configuration launcher The Design Configuration dialog in RAM Elements is reduced as some of the parameters are inferred from the member design options.
RAM Elements connections configuration design dialog 2) Select the option Design each connection individually in the Assign button to indicate the upcoming design will be performed individually (each connection is based only on its own forces), or unselect it if you want all the selected joints grouped for design.
Select this option to design the connections individually 3) Select the members and nodes you would like connections to be designed for. If you selected to group connections (in the previous step) all selected joints of the same family type will be grouped (one design for all joints with same member sizes and slope angles), so the selection is important.
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There are many tools available to assist you in selecting joints. One option is to use the Elements/Joints commands to select joints from a common family out of the currently selected members.
Joint selection options. Another option is to manually select each joint. The following table shows the elements that should be selected for each type of joint: Joint type Beam column web joints (BCW) Beam girder joints (BG) Beam beam splice joints (BS) Column- column splice joints (CS) Continuous joints (CC) beam over Elements to select Beam + node Beam + node (Right) Beam + node (Bottom) node Column + Beam column flange joints (BCF) Beam + node
column Column + node
Column beam braces joints Column + node (CBB) Continuous beam braces joints Beam + node (CVR) Vertical X-braces joints (VXB) Braces + node
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Column Base (CB)
Column + node
Note that for the case of brackets, you should select the related beam (usually a cantilever beam) and column. The beam will be used to pass the loads to the bracket.
Select the members and nodes for which connections are to be designed. 4) Select the connections group buttons. It is possible to select: Smart Connections, Basic Connections or gussets for braces.
Connection group buttons. Finally the connection type should be selected.
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Types of connections according to the selected group. Note that the connections types will change according to the Design standard selected. The Design standard BS 5950 has the following types:
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5) Select the connection (i.e. shear plate, bolted end plate, etc.) that is to be assigned for the selected joints. The program will automatically determine the family (beam to column flange, beam to column web, beam to girder, etc) of the joint and will apply the corresponding templates. If assigned by group, each connection will automatically be given a description (assignment button's name) that identifies the design group, it will also be given the template name used in its generation, and a tag that contains the designed features of each connection (the plate size, bolt dimensions etc). The use of the tag will be explained later. For example, if the double angle, shear connection is selected to assign Press the Double Angle button
The double angle shear connection will automatically be designed at the selected joints. Naming Convention The following connection naming convention has been adopted:
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<Connection Type Connection Family -Connection Characteristic Design Parameter> Smart Connection example: DA BCF Weld support Bolt beam Basic Connection example: Connection types Design Standard: AISC 360: CA = Shear angle(s) SP = Shear single plate EP = Shear end plate SS = Stiffened seated connection US = Unstiffened seated connection TEE = Shear tee TP = Through plate (only HSS supports) BP = Bent plate(s) DW = Directly welded moment connection EEP = Extended end plate FP = Flange plates MA = moment angles MT = Moment tees CP = Cap plate 4A = Four angles beam splice PBr = Plate bracket TBr = Tee bracket BPl = Column base plate GBP = Gusset base plate Design Standard: BS 5950 BEP = Bolted end plate FCP = Flange cover plates WCP = Web cover plates CA = Double angle web cleats FinP = Fin Plate FEP = Flexible end plate FW = Flanges welded FWW = Flanges and web welded Connection families
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DA_BCF_L 3x3x1/4_3B3/4
BCF = Beam - Column flange BCW = Beam - Column web BG = Beam - Girder BS = Beam splice CS = Column splice CC = Continuous beam over column CBB = Column, beams and braces CVR = Chevron braces VXB = Vertical X braces CB = Column Base Remark: In the detailed connection reports, all the capacity values calculated to evaluate the strength ratio and the status of the connections are included. Any supplemental verification required is the responsibility of the engineer. Connection characteristics bolted = all-bolted connection welded = all-welded connection Bolt support = bolted to support Weld support = welded to support Bolt beam = bolted to the beam Weld beam = welded to the beam n = number of bolts l = connector length In order to graphically display the number and template's name of the selected connections, the user should go to the View tab and in the Properties menu select the information to be displayed.
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Connection properties menu
Display connections number and template 6) You can combine shear connections with moment connections when the combination is possible. (Double Angle) and then the (Flange Plate) to get the For example press the buttons combined connection of a flange plated moment connection with a double angle shear. This will be shown on the screen on the joint as follows:
Shear and moment connection assigned to a joint. Note that when the connections are drawn in low-resolution (wire) mode, the shear connection is drawn under the line of the beam and the moment connection is drawn above the beam line. These positions are assuming that the direction of the local beam axis 2 is vertical upwards. If a bracing connection is adopted, no other connection is allowed in the same plane. The bracing connection has all the options to combine any arrangement of beams and braces. The only condition is to adopt a maximum number of one brace per quadrant. In this case the low-resolution connection draw will be placed over the related node.
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Bracing connection assigned to a joint
7) To view the results of the connections design on the screen, the users should press the button located in the Design group in the View tab. The capacity ratio and status of the current load condition will be displayed for all selected connections.
A shear connection displaying its capacity ratio for the current load condition Note that the capacity ratio may be different for the different selected connections because the loads acting on them are different but the connections are identical.
To draw connections in 3D, press the
button.
Three-dimensional view of a double-angle shear connection. Notice that the true dimensional characteristics of the connections are shown (plate length, bolts, etc). 8) To view the designs Double-Click on the connection to view the Connection Pad
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Connection Pad to edit and check connections. More information on the connection pad is found in the following sections of this chapter.
9) To view a detailed design report select the
button
10) To view the connection geometry report select the
button
11) It is also possible to view design reports of a group of connections. Select the required connections and choose the option Design in the Reports group in the Output tab.
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Connections reports dialog window. You can generate a report organized by family, connection type, description, tag, etc. Notice also that you can have a list of the joints and their connections with the option Data/Joint List. It is very useful to know the joints that need to be designed and the ones that have already assigned connections. 12) If you modify a member size, structure geometry or loads, you will need to redesign your
connections by clicking on the redesign button in the Assignment group. The command will act on the selected connections and will preserve the previously defined groups and connection types. Note that for grouped connections the redesign will be based on the description of the connections (connections with the same description are grouped). 13) To select all connections in a single group, click on one connection in the group and click the Selection group. in
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As you can see getting connection designs is quick and easy, however, there is significant flexibility in exactly how connections are assigned and designed. The following sections describe in more detail the features that were used above. Notes: If the strength ratio is less than the limit specified, but the status of the connection is yellow, it is because some geometric requirement is not satisfied or the members are not compatible. If this is the case, the connection drawing could be incorrect, the capacity verifications are not valid anymore and the calculation assumptions are incorrect. Besides the geometry verification and members compatibility done by the program, the user should verify if the geometry of the designed connections is appropriate. The 3D and 2D graphics can be used as a tool to verify this. An example of such situation is when the beam flange width is wider than the column internal space in a BCW connection or when there are beams with depths larger than the girder depths they frame into in BG connections. In these cases, the program could not display any error message, but the connection drawings will clearly show this incompatibility. The user could specify special copes in these cases and may independently verify some additional connection capacities. When the beam axial load is taken into account for shear connections, the program also verifies the flexural and prying action capacities of some connection elements. This may lead to the use of thicker plates or the reduction of bolt gages. In this particular case and in all cases in general, the connection calculations required to guarantee the required ductility prescribed by the code are the responsibility of the engineer. After connections assignment or after the redesign of groups of connections, it is strongly recommended to verify the design status of the resultant connections. A useful tool for this purpose is the that allows the selection of all structure connections that are O.K. or
with Error respectively, and it is activated after pressing the
Status button.
Some shear connections such as the TEE, BP, US, TP and SS does not allow axial forces, therefore, the engineer should verify that the applied connections are able to transfer all the forces between members.
Inclination angles of members (Skew and Slope)

Many of the connections allow beam inclination angles, either horizontal and/or vertical. The list of the connections that allow inclination angles are as follows: For the Design standard AISC 360-05: Connection Family Horizontal CA BCF Yes Yes Yes Clip (shear) BCW Angle/s BG Inclination angles Vertical Yes Yes Yes Both Yes Yes Yes
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SP Shear Plate
BCF BCW BG BS CS
Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No
Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes No No No No No
EP End Plate
BCF BCW BG BCF BCW BCF
SS Stiffened Shr US
Unstiffened BCW Shr TEE Shear Tee BCF BCW BG TP Through Plate BP Bent Plate BCF BCW BCF BCW BG DW EEP Ext. Plate FP Flange Plate BCF BCF End BCW BCF BCW BG BS CS MA
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Direct Weld BCW
BCF
Moment Angles MT Moment Tee CP Cap Plate 4A Four Angles Splice PBr Plate Bracket TBr Tee Bracket Bracing CBB connections CVR beams Bracing CBB, connections VXB braces BPl Base plate: Column GBP Base plate: braces The CA connection has a 15 skew limit imposed by the code. Each BP template connection has the skew angle limits specified in the connection pad. Remark: For a correct calculation and graphic representation of the connections, the beam local axis 2 must be coincident with the global Y positive axis (upwards). For the Design standard BS 5950 1:2000 Connection Family Horizontal Cleat BCF No Inclination angles Vertical Yes Both No
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BCF
No
No
No
CC BS
No No
No No
No No
BCW
No
No
No
BCF
No No
No No
No No
CVR,
No
Yes (20-70)
No
CB
No
No
No
CB
No
Yes (20-70)
No
Angles Fin Plate
BCW BG BCF BCW BG
No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No No
Flexible End Plate
BCF BCW BG
Web Cover BS Plate CS Bolted End BCF Plate Directly Flanges Welded Directly BCF BCW BCF
Flanges and BCW Web Welded Flange BS Cover Plate CS
No No
No No
No No
The inclination angles are considered as follows: Skew angle for BCF and BCW families,
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The skew angle in degrees is defined over a horizontal plane defined between the local axis of the support and the beam longitudinal axis. Counterclockwise angles are considered positive. Its default value is 0 (rectangular joint). Slope angle for BCF and BCW families,
The slope angle in degrees is defined over a vertical plane defined between the local axis of the support and the beam longitudinal axis. Upward angles are considered positive. Its default value is 0 (rectangular joint). For braces:
Remarks: The components of the beam forces (moment, axial, shear) transmitted to the support vary according to the inclination angles. When only a skew angle exists, the beam forces are conservatively assumed to remain the same, that is to say, it is considered as rectangular joint. When only slope angle exists, the beam forces are decomposed over the support axis. When skew and slope angles exist, it is treated as if only the slope angle would exist. It is the engineer responsibility to verify in each case the additional required capacity verifications due to the inclination angles.
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The maximum angle at which a connection will automatically be considered a beam-column web as opposed to a beam-column flange connection must be defined. This limit is currently assumed to be 44 from the support face (BCF) or from the support side (BCW). When a connection should be assigned with an angle larger than this limit, it can be assigned either or by changing the members geometry temporarily to with the spreadsheet tools assign the connection. The spreadsheet tools should be applied over an existing connection. They could apply even a BCF connection over a BCW connection, so you will have a BCF connection with a skew angle greater than 44. To differentiate between sloped beams and diagonals, the user should identify the braces with the option located in the spreadsheet Members\Nodes and Description\Braces. If this flag is enabled the program will assume that the member is a brace. Otherwise (default option), it will consider it as a sloped beam. The maximum slope angle allowed for members is 30. Members with bigger vertical inclination angles are not considered for the connection assignment.
HSS Section Supports

The connections that accept HSS section supports include some specific and other modified capacity verifications in reference to I shape supports. The following connections allow square or rectangular HSS supports for the designs standard AISC 360-05: Connection CA SP TP TEE US SS DW EEP Family BCF,BCW BCF,BCW BCF,BCW BCF,BCW BCF,BCW BCF,BCW BCF,BCW BCF,BCW Characteristics to beam bolted/welded bolted bolted bolted/welded bolted/welded bolted/welded welded welded bolted/welded to support welded welded welded welded welded welded welded bolted (to HSS) welded(to Doubler) FP (or BCF, BCW diaphragm plate) Bracing BPl GBP
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welded
CBB CB CB
Bolted (CA, SP), welded /welded welded welded
The following connections allow circular HSS supports for the designs standard AISC 360-05: Connection SP TP BPl Family BCF,BCW BCF,BCW CB Characteristics to beam bolted bolted to support welded welded welded
The following connections allow square or rectangular HSS supports for the designs standard BS 5950 1:2000: Connection Cleat Angle Fin Plate Family BCF,BCW BCF,BCW Characteristics to beam bolted bolted bolted to support bolted welded bolted
Flexible End BCF,BCW Plate
The following connections allow circular HSS supports for the designs standard BS 5950 1:2000: Connection Fin Plate Family BCF, BCW Characteristics to beam bolted to support welded
It is important for the user to know exactly how the design process with the connection toolbar is performed. Each assignment button in the toolbar (either from the Smart Connections or Basic Connections group) is associated with a list of one or more connection templates.
Design criteria for RE and RAM Structural System

When assigning by group, and the connection template is assigned (after joints are selected) the program will check the templates in the order of the list. As soon as it finds a connection template that complies with the strength requirements and geometrical conditions of all the appropriate joint sets (joints of the same family with identical geometry and inclination angles - see the joint grouping graphic below), it will be assigned. Note that the order of the list will give the hierarchy and preference for the connection assignment. If no connection meets all the requirements, the last checked connection in the list would be assigned even if it does not satisfy the force or geometric conditions for all the joint sets. The user has to be aware that the design may not always be successful, and the program will display a message if the assignment has not been successful. The user should always check the obtained results to correct or reject the assigned connections that are not acceptable (status color red = error on design, yellow = with warnings and green = design OK).
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Any database connection template may be included in the list of an assignment button. When an assignment button is applied to the model, the resultant connections are based on one of the specified connection templates, but the model connection itself is stored with the structure and is not linked to the template after assignment. Either the assignment method is by group or individually, the resultant connections receive the name of the template used for design. If the assignment was by group, the connections will receive also as a description the name of the assignment button. It should be noted that the resultant connections of Smart Connections buttons, might have differences in the resisting elements (number of bolts, size and thickness of some pieces) between assignment joint sets. The following drawing shows schematically how the selected model joints are grouped when assigning connections by group.
Joint grouping when the connections are assigned by group. The beam axial force is not taken into account in the shear connections, and it is assumed to be taken by a moment connection when the beam moment value is relevant. As it was stated in the "Inclination angles of members" section, the beam loads are decomposed over the support axis, taking into account only the slope angle, and in this case, the design loads are the result of the most adverse load combination.
Some shear connections such as the SP, accept positive and negative shear loads (reported always as positive values), as the connection is symmetric. However, other connections such as SS or US do not allow negative shear loads.
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The next flowchart describes schematically the design procedure that is followed when the connections are designed in groups:
Thus the connections design configuration should be executed in two parts: The definition of the templates to be used. The configuration of the different assignment buttons, defining the template lists that will be included in each assignment button.
Remarks:
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The shear connections assigned to joints where the moment is bigger than a minimum value, will only take the shear force and not the axial force, as it is assumed that the required moment connection will take the axial force. The bracing connections where the geometry is imposed (it is not automatically calculated) and/or a load is specified in one connector may generate moments in the gusset-to-column or gusset-to beam connections. These moments should be transmitted only by directly welded connections. Single plates or clip angles are not allowed to deal with moments and an error message will be displayed in this case. The connection assignment will be effective only in the joints where the range check of the connection variables is fulfilled. For example, the range for the skew and slope angles, member section types, etc. If after the connection assignment a variable is modified, and it is out of the valid range, the connection is invalidated and it does not allow reporting data or results and it is not displayed. In the connections reports, such connections will be displayed with a Not Designed status.
The next sections explain all the program characteristics as the Templates Database, Connection Spreadsheet and Connection Output. Notice that the Database and the Connection Toolbar can be customized according to your requirements for connection design.
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Suggested steps for bracing connection design
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The Connection Database

RAM Connection ships with an extensive collection of pre-defined connections templates. The user is free to add, remove or modify connections from this list of connections.
Database Organization
Each connection in the database is categorized according to the family to which it belongs. RAM Connection currently has the following families of connections; each connection is given one of these designations: 1. Beam - Column Flange (BCF) 2. Beam - Column Web (BCW) 3. Beam Girder (BG) 4. Beam Splice (BS) 5. Column Splice (CS) 6. Continuous beam over column (CC) 7. Column, beams and braces (CBB) 8. Chevron braces (CVR) 9. Vertical X braces (VXB) 10. Column Base (CB) 11. Column Base Braces (CB)
To view all the available connections the user can go to the connections database using the Connections button located in the Databases group in the Home tab.
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The window that is displayed is the connection-database window. Each connection template in the database can be considered a Basic or a Smart connection. Basic Connection: A connection template that can automatically adjust the geometry (position or dimensions) of the connection pieces to fit the connection members. It does not calculate the quantity or dimensions of the connecting pieces (bolts, plates etc) to resist the applied forces. Smart Connection: A connection template that can automatically calculate the quantity and dimensions of the connecting pieces (bolts, welds, plate sizes etc) to resist the applied forces. Within each folder is a list of single connection templates. Two templates with the same name are not allowed, even in different folders. It is the engineers prerogative how to group templates within a folder. The folder name should be used as an organizational tool to assist you in grouping connections according to your own practice. The connection templates that are installed with RAM Connection are grouped in two main groups (Smart and Basic connections) and subdivided according to function (Shear, Moment or Bracing) and type (Shear plate, end plate etc). This classification keeps the shear, moment and bracing connections separate. However, the engineer can also create folders where the bracing, moment and shear connection templates are in one folder and even in one connection template (combined connection template, only for moment and shear connections). The templates tables may contain a set of basic templates and smart templates for each family and type. The smart connections have the intelligence to design some of its own properties based on the forces (this is the characteristic that makes them Smart) and members to which it is assigned. In fact, these are the connection templates assigned to the default connection toolbar that was used in the previous How To section. The Basic connections templates adjust the dimensions and location of
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the connection pieces according to the joint members. Once again it should be noticed that this organizational structure (separating the smart connection templates from the other connection templates) is not significant in terms of how RAM Connection works. However, before creating your own connection database think about how you want to organize the data, it will make it easier to locate the connections you want to consider for design. It is very important to note that in the case of Smart Connections, while some of the connection parameters are designed based on the required forces, others may be designed according to geometry. If a smart connection template does not design the connection the way you would typically like, you may create copies of the smart connection with variations on the parameter that you want designed. To identify basic templates from smart templates watch for the template name. The name of basic templates has the information of connection elements dimensions such as thicknesses, bolt diameters, angles sizes, weld sizes, etc. Smart templates do not have this information contained in the name. For example, select the United States group, Clip Angle BCF table and look at the names DA BCF All bolted and DA_BCF_L 3x3x1/2_2B1. The first one is a smart template and the second one, a basic template. The following smart connection templates are included in the program. Note that the items that are optimized in each template are listed, if an item is not listed then there is a default value associated with the connection that you can modify as required to suit your requirements: For the Design standard AISC 360-05: Type connections DA of Family and Description Optimization of following parameters double the
(Template name) BCF, BCW, connections BG angle number of bolts for bolted connections, weld size for welded connections and angle size number of bolts and size angle
DA Beam splice SP SP Beam splice EP
BS double angle bolted connections
BCF, BCW, BG, single plate angle number of bolts, plate size. connections weld size to support BS single plate angle connections BCF, BCW, BG end plate connections number of bolts, plate size number of bolts, plate size. weld size to beam for bolted connections and plate size and welds sizes for welded connections tee size, number of bolts for bolted and weld size for welded connections seated bolts rows , weld size and
ST
BCF, BG shear tee connections
SS
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BCF,
BCW
stiffened
connections, type SST, SSP, SS2L US DW FP BCF, BCW connections BCF, BCW, connections unstiffened BG directly
connector size
seated angle size bolts rows or weld size welded extended plate size for BCW connections
BCF, BCW, BG bolted flange plate bolts rows, distances between connections bolts, top and bottom plate thickness, weld size to support BCF, BCW, BG welded flange plate welds sizes, top and bottom connections plate sizes BCF extended end plate connections BCF bolted moment angle Column base plate connections bolts sizes, pf , bolts spacing, plate size bolt rows and angle size The Thickness, length and width of the base plate, the length and diameter of the anchors, and the supports weld size plate The Thickness, length and width of the base plate, the length and diameter of the anchors, and the supports weld size. See the following table for gussets details See the following table for details
FP EEP MA Base plate: Pinned, Fixed uniaxial, Fixed biaxial Gusset base plate
Column and connections
braces
base
Gussets
CBB, CVR VXB connections
Gusset All
Gusset-to-Brace
Gusset-to-Beam or Column Single Plate Required weld size Double Angles Number of bolts on support if it is bolted
For W and For L, T2L, Directly WT C, I2C y HSS Welded sections sections Number of bolts on claw angles Weld length Required (toe and heel) weld size if it is welded
Le, Le1 and Le2 distances to let the gusset be
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compatible with the connectors geometry
Number of Number of bolts on bolts if it is splice bolted plates
Number of bolts
Number of bolts on beam/gusset if it is bolted Support weld size if it is welded Beam/gusset weld size if it is welded
Plate thickness
For the Design standard BS 5950 1:2000 Type connections CleatAngle BEP FEP DA FW FWW FinP FCP Beam splice FCP splice BCF, Bolted End Plate connections Number of bolts, Weld Size, Plate thickness of Family and Description Optimization of following parameters the
(Template name)
BCF, BCW, BG, Flexible end plate Number of bolts, Weld Size, connections Plate thickness BCF, BCW, connections BG Cleats angles Number section of bolts, Angle
BCF, BCW Flanges welded connections Weld size, Plate thickness BCF, BCW Flanges and web welded Weld size, Plate thickness connections BCF, BCW, BG Fin Plate connections BS bolted flange plate connections Number of thickness Number of thickness Number of thickness Number of thickness Number of thickness bolts, bolts, bolts, bolts, bolts, Plate plate plate plate plate
Column CS bolted flange plate connections
WCP Beam Splice BS bolted web plate connections WCP splice Column CS bolted web plate connections
Basic connection templates are organized in different folders with the following naming convention: Basic + {Connections type initials} + {connection family} + {connection characteristics}.
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The connection template name thus reflects the relevant characteristics of the connection. Remark: The folders where the users modified Connection Database and Toolbar are located could be configured, by choosing any required directory, even a network directory. To do this, select the option General configuration/User folders in the RC button.
Directories configuration
Defining Connections
The steps to define a connection template and add it to the connection database are discussed next.
Go to the Home tab in the Databases group and press the Connections button. The dialog window shows a combo box with the label Group, as can be seen in the following figure:
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The program installs connections databases by group and regions. In the left side of the window the Tables for the current group are located, and they are determined by type of connection contained in the group. In the right side of the window there is the items list for each table. The user cannot modify the databases (items, tables and groups) that are installed by the program. It is possible to access to see items data and properties with the edition button , but without the chance to modify this information. However, this dialog allows the user to create and edit own groups, tables and items. The procedure to execute this is described as follows: Press the button to add a New group to the database. After that, a name for the new group is required in the displayed window:
Enter a name for the New group to define the connections. Then, add a new Table by pressing the button. A new dialog will be displayed to enter the name for the new table. It is also required to select the type of table. The following dialog will be shown:
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Enter a descriptive name for the template. The name is used to identify the template and has to be unique in the whole database. Then choose if you want to define a shear, moment, combined or a gusset connection. Also, define the design code, joint family and connection type. A single connection is comprised of either a shear or a moment connection. A combined connection is comprised of both a shear and a moment connection type. For example, the extended end plate connection is considered a combined connection. Note: It is possible to enter a new connection in the Application Data\ Bentley\Engineering\RAM Connection folder. Note that the program will not allow you to enter a template in the directory where the program files were installed.
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For any connection, first define a shear, moment, combined or gusset connection, after that, select the design code, then select the joint family type and finally choose the connection type. (1) Shear, moment, combined or gusset connection must be selected. (2) Design code: The last step consists of defining the design standard. RAM Connection designs connections according to the ANSI/AISC 360-05 (American standard) and BS 5950-00 (British standard). (3) Family: describes the type of joint, beam-to-girder, beam-to-column-flange, etc. There are eleven available families: 1. Beam - Column Flange 2. Beam - Column Web 3. Beam - Girder 4. Beam Splice 5. Column Splice 6. Continuous beam over column 7. Column, beams and braces 8. Chevron braces 9. Vertical X braces 10. Column Base
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11. Column Base Braces (4) Connection type: For simple connections only the corresponding list (Shear, Moment or Gusset) will be displayed (2), and for combined connections both connection lists will be displayed (2a and 2b). The drop down list will contain all the available connections depending on the selected family; for example, shear web plates are available only in Beam Splice or Column Splice families. button to create a new item (template) for To finish the connection template definition, press the the current table. The connection dialog (pad) with all the connection data will be displayed.
After pressing the OK button the connection pad is open. When the user is watching a connection template from the program database, after entering to the connection pad with the button, it is possible to see that the editable fields to enter the connection data are disabled, preventing data modification. The user must notice that when it is desired to add more items to the current table, the program automatically uses the same type of connection for the defined table. That is to say, for the example shown in the previous figures, after adding a new material for the table ShearConnection1, the new item will be defined with the same type and similar data will be required. Note: To create a connection copy, place the cursor at the desired connection to copy and press the button and the program will export the data to the clipboard. The following tools to manage the database are available in the window:
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Creates a new template. Copies the current template. Edits the current template. Deletes the current template. Moves the current folder or template to an upper position. Moves the current folder or template to a lower position. Exports all the templates data of the current folder to the clipboard. Imports the template data from the clipboard to the database. Orders alphabetically all folders. If you want to create multiple connections that are similar except for one or few parameters (number of anchors, or size of plates etc) then it may be preferable to use the ability to generate connections in Excel as illustrated below. 1) Select the folder to copy to Excel.
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2) As illustrated above, press the button Copy items to clipboard. Open Excel and paste the information in a spreadsheet. In Excel appear the templates and its variables names. Each template data corresponds to one table row.
3) Modify the desired data. Remember to name the connections uniquely (keep the folder name at the beginning of the name).
4) Then select all the information and copy the data to the clipboard (Ctrl+C)
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5) In RAM Connection paste the connection templates to the desired folder in the database by pressing the Paste items from clipboard button.
The new connection templates will be imported. Note: The process to import several connection templates may take some time.
Databases for sections, materials, bolts and welds

The program already comes with the most common types of bolts, welds, materials and sections. If materials and sections that do not exist in the database are required, this can be defined in the same way the new connection templates are.
Go to the required item and click in the right button of the combo to access to the available database. For example, to watch a material existing in the database, press the Materials button in the Databases group, Home tab.
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A dialog window will appear with the list of available items and the tool buttons to create, edit and manage the database. Then, press the button.
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To edit or create an item, a new dialog will show up with all the required data To create a new material, Press the button to add a New group to the database. After that, a name for the new group is required in the displayed window. button. A new dialog will be displayed to enter the name Then, add a new Table by pressing the for the new table. It is also required to select the type of table. Press the button to create a new item (material) for the current table.
There are similar tools to the connection template dialog to manage data in other databases dialogs. For more information, see the sensitive context help.
Connections commands
The connection commands helps in the design and management of connections.
Selection options
Selecting connections The different options are located in the Elements/Connections command in the Selection group.
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Different options to select connections The program offers many graphical ways for selecting model connections. You can click on the desired connection or you can drag around it with the mouse. To select multiple connections, press Shift while clicking with the mouse on each connection.
You can click with the left button of the mouse over each desired connection.
You can make a fence over the desired connections clicking and dragging the mouse from one corner to the other. Available options for the connection selection If you want to select connections by description (remember that a design group has the same description), select an instance of the desired connection and press in the Selection group. All connections in the model that share the same description will be selected.
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Selecting joints: The different options are located in the Elements/Joints command in the Selection group.
Different options to select joints Notice that you have a Special selection... option, which allows the selection of joints of a particular family, with special characteristics as a determined range of beam heights and end conditions.
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Special selection of joints. Notice that you can limit the selection by beam depth and beam end conditions. Another important option for joints selection is the command Select connection nodes and members in Elements/Connections options. This tool is very useful if you want to change or modify the design of a group of connections. The related members and nodes will be highlighted in the model. Then you can erase the connections of the selected joints and/or proceed with a new design by pressing any assignment button of the connection toolbar. Note: The beam local axis 2 is supposed vertical. Other orientation would lead to nonsense connections.
Result display options

There are different display options for connections. For more references please read the Chapter 1. When a smart connection template is assigned, certain parameters are designed automatically (plate thickness, bolts, welds etc). The user can get quick visual feedback of the designed parameters by pressing the button, located in the Properties/Connections options in the Model group, which displays a line summary (tag) with the value of the designed
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parameters on the selected connections. For basic connections this button will show the connection template name. Select Elements/Connections/Select connection with the same tag name option to select all smart connections with the same designed elements (expressed in the tag). This tool is useful when connections are designed individually, and the user wants to find all the connections that have similar designs so as to assist in determining an appropriate grouping of connections. Note that connections with the same tag could have different connection data as for example the members sections. Select the Numbering and Templates options to display graphically the number and template name of the selected connections.
Display of the connection number and the template name (for smart connections). To select connections by status, you have to first display the status of the connections using the
button. This will enable the select all the OK connections or press
buttons at the top of the graphic screen. Press the to select all the not good (N.G.) connections.
to
Design and Assignment settings

The connection Assignment group and its buttons were described in the previous chapter. The Assign button displays the assignment options(e.g. Basic, Smart and Gusset connections).
Customizing the toolbar

It is important that the connection assignment buttons are configured according to users preferences. This determines the list of connections that will be associated with the assignment options in the Assignment menu, and the order in which these connections will be attempted. To configure this buttons, go to the Design tab, Assignment group, press the Assign button, and select the Customize the toolbar...option. The configuration window will appear with the current template arrangement.
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Connection toolbar configuration window. In the area (1), the available database templates is shown, in the area (2), the assignment buttons that are defined for the menu can be found, in the area (3) there are tools to configure the list, in the area (4) there is a command to add a template to the selected button, in area (5) there is the group of the database and in area (6) the user may choose the toolbar to configure. The user should notice that it is not possible to modify the toolbar defined by the program (the tools does not enable), but the user can configure an own assignment toolbar, based on groups, tables and templates of the program or those previously created. For this purpose, the USER toolbar may be selected from the combo box located at the upper-right corner of this window. The assignment buttons created in the Root folder will always be visible along with the main group buttons. Therefore, it is recommended to include in this folder only the assignment buttons that are frequently used. It is possible to create a new group button with the asked. button. The name of the new group will be
Dialog window asking the name of the new group.

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To create a new assignment button, place the cursor at the desired place.
For example locate a new assignment button in the recently created group. Then press the button and enter the name of the button.
Then go to the list of available connections of the database and choose the templates for the button (1). Press the button to include the current template in the button list (2). Note that if a folder of the database is selected, all the connection templates of the folder will be assigned to the button keeping the same order as in the database (3).
Select the connection templates desired to be associated with the button My Button in the group My ButtonsGroup. It is very important to specify the order of the templates within a list because this order will be used during the assignment. To sort the templates use the buttons template up or down.
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and
to move the selected
To delete a button use the command
. .
Notice that all buttons that are created have by default the same bitmap. The user can define the bitmap to be associated for each button with the button tool
The bitmap has to be a bmp file of 22x22 pixels. There are ready-to-use choices in the ConnectionToolBars\Images folder. The user can draw an own bitmap with any drawing application like Microsoft Paint.
Connection spreadsheet
The data of the currently selected connections is displayed in the connection spreadsheet. It is also possible to use it to assign "single" connections or delete connections. A single connection, unlike other model connections, has not been assigned by an assignment button.
Assigning connections to the model using the spreadsheet

Once connections templates have been created in the database, connections can be assigned using the spreadsheet. Note that if assigned from the spreadsheet, the connections will always be designed individually. Note: It is recommended to interact and verify the status of the single connections in the model separately from the other model connections. This is because the redesign button (in the connections toolbar) does not display warning messages for these connections when they are inadequate. The steps to assign single connections to a model are shown below. There is also a way to replace existing connections that is explained below.
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Assign selected connection template to model
Select members and nodes where you want the connection designed. You can select several members and nodes at once.
In the spreadsheet database area select the desired connection template to be assigned.
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Press the
button to assign the template connection.
The single connections are assigned. This command will only assign connections where it is possible. For example, you cannot assign a column splice connection on a beam to girder joint. Therefore, you can select indiscriminately a large group of members and nodes and the connection will only be applied where that connection is possible. If the user is going to assign a Beam to Girder connection, the girder must be defined in RAM Elements or RAM Structural System as a physical member; otherwise the Beam to Girder connection will not be assigned. When a new connection template is created it can be directly assigned to a joint with the Assign selected connection to model button. Other way will be to configure the connection toolbar to consider the new template in an assignment button. Therefore, one of the main functions of this button is to test and assign recently created templates.
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Replace (all) the current selected connection (s) This option allows you to replace one or all the model connections currently selected and displayed in the connection spreadsheet. In the spreadsheet select the desired connection template to replace. Press one of the replace one or all of the selected model connections respectively. buttons to
This tool is very useful to replace existing connections with other connections of the same family, because the user only needs to select the connections and not the members and the nodes. Note that it is not possible to assign a template from another family. Assign connection description It is possible to modify or assign the descriptions of your model connections. However the engineer should be aware that the description for these connections is used to identify the design groups and will be used also for the redesign of connections. It is recommended to only change the description when two or more identical groups/connections need to be grouped together and designed as one new group. To assign the same description to the currently selected connections you may copy them to the clipboard (Ctrl+C) and then paste them to all the desired connections (Ctrl+V). Another method to assign the same description to the currently selected connections (recommended
button. Alternatively the only for single connections) is to apply the assign description user can type any description label into the spreadsheet description column.
Deleting model connections.
To delete a connection of the model select it and press . This button will delete only the selected connections even if members, shells and nodes are also selected. If only connections have been selected, they can also be deleted with the tool button.
Note: The connection label (identification number) once assigned to a model connection does not change, even if connections with lower value labels are deleted.
Connection Pad
The connection pad or connection dialog is required for the creation of templates for the database and also to review/edit a model connection, or many model connections with the connections detailer. It is accessed when any template of the database is edited, when the user double clicks a model connection, or when several identical model connections are selected and the detailing command is invoked from the Design tab, Connections group and Edit button. The connection pad has the following areas:
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Connection pad. Area ID A Ribbon Name General commands for accessing to data and result reports, printing graphics and modifying tridimensional and DXF model view. In this area the user may enter or modify the required data for the connection. Shows the 3D and DXF view of the connection. Function
B C D E
Edition area Graphic area
Sensitive context help Displays helpful information about the data for the area connection. Traffic light Shows the design status of the connection.
1: Edition area
In this section the user enters all the necessary data to define the connection template (or reviews/modifies the properties of the selected model connections). The following connection data
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should be provided: Units system, Code, Loads, Tag, and all the specific data required in Shear, Moment, Combined or Gusset connections. The available units systems are Metric, English and SI. The available codes are AISC 360-05 ASD, AISC 360-05 LRFD and BS5950-00. The loads can be entered in a spreadsheet that enables only certain loads according to the selected connection (i.e., in a bracket plate connection only shear load is allowed). Note that when editing model connections, the joint loads are transferred to the connection automatically. Notes: All data with the icon (when editing model connections) is transferred to the connection pad directly from RAM Connection or RAM Elements. When editing a model connection, any change in this data will not be permanent. The parameters marked with the for each model joint. icon may be modified
Choose the unit system as is appropriate to enter and display the connection data. Notice that the current units of each property are shown beside their value. When entering a value without units, the currently units will be considered for the value. It is also possible to enter a value with its own units, which could be different from the current unit system; in this case the program will transform the entered value to the current units system. The following length units are displayed according to the unit system selected. Metric: cm, m. English: in, ft. SI: mm, m. Note: All the connection properties with units (as edge distances, plate length, etc.) will show their value and will be edited according to the current unit system. When entering a property value with small units, a dimension in centimeters for example, the default units when editing the property will be cm, inches or mm, according to the current unit system. On the other hand, if big units would have been used (as meters or feet), the default units would be m or feet. Consider that this modification is applied only to the template or connection being modified. For example (If the current units system is English): Entering 1.5 in Setback means 1.5 inches Entering 0.1 ft in Setback means 0.1 feet (the default unit becomes ft). Notice that the program will allow to enter, for example, 1.5 kip for a length. Although this is accepted, the resulting value may not be the expected. Also, this will not change the units of the property (in this case a length measure will not be changed to a force measure). When creating a connection template in the database through the connection pad, the first time the connection pad is displayed it is filled with the default connection properties values. To see it drawn with some specific member sections (and materials) or to get preliminary (test) reports, assign the required sections and materials.
2: Graphic area
In this part of the Connection Pad a true 3D or 2D visual representation of the selected connection is shown. Change to the Extruded View tab to view the tridimensional model of the joint. Switch to the DXF View tab to view the bidimensional drawing of the joint. Notice that only one visualization may be set at a time.
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3D representation of a single plate BCW.
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2D Drawing with different views and the option to export as a DXF file. The following command buttons are used to modify the view of the connection:
The
button allows seeing the 3D image as transparency.
The DXF).
button allows seeing the 3d image only with lines (This view is different to the

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displays the DXF drawing layers. increases the arrow head size.
decreases the arrow head size. activates grip point of movement. The button sets the original joint view. button and drag a rectangle to select the area of the graphic to amplify the view.
Press the
Zoom in button. Zoom out button. Increases the font size for the graphic in the screen. Reduces the font size for the graphic in the screen.
opens a dialog window to print the graphic.
opens a dialog window to print to a file the graphic.
Press , name the file and save it. The graphic will be saved in a DXF format available to open with any CAD program.
To rotate the 3D view of the connection, right-click and drag freely over the graphic area. With a mouse wheel it is possible to zoom in or out.
3: Help area
In this section of the Connection Pad the help information related to the selected data in the Edition area is displayed:
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Click the Click the
button to return to the previous explanation of the help window. button to print the current explanation of the help window.
The Connection Pad has also a status bar in the bottom part of the window that contains a design status semaphore . If the red light is on, it shows that the status and strength ratio of the connection are not good. When the yellow light is on, the strength ratio is OK but there is a design requirement not fulfilled and finally, if the green light is on, the connection design status is OK.
Press the
button to save the changes made over the connection.
Press the
button to close the dialog window but asking the user to save the changes.
The
button displays the data report of the connection.
The
button displays the results report of the connection.
Connections Reports
It is possible to obtain connection reports from the Connection Pad or from the program ribbon commands. To obtain data or results reports from the Connection Pad, while reviewing/editing a connection or
creating/editing a connection template, press one of the following buttons,
or
The data report provides the full description of the connection(s) considering the geometry and characteristics of the members and connection elements.
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The results report provides all the connection capacity values for the critic load condition. At the beginning of the report there is a list of the load conditions considered. The second section of the report checks that the critical dimensions are within allowable code prescribed ranges or geometrical requirements. If a dimension is out of range, the status of the connection will reflect it (semaphore light turns into yellow. There is also a geometric verification to see the compatibility of the connection with the members (for example, this check will indicate if a plate exceeds the support width) in which case warning messages will also be reported. The third section shows the different capacity checks that are performed comparing the calculated capacity of the connection with the connection demand. If any capacity is not sufficient, the status of the connection will change to N.G. (not good). Finally, at the bottom of the report, the most critical strength ratio of the connection is reported. RAM Connection for RE or RAM SS also offers the possibility to have detailed or summary reports of several connections.
Geometry, Loads and the joint list reports of the selected connections To obtain the design reports for a group of connections, select the desired connections and go to Results/Connections design
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Select the type of report, summary or detailed. You can specify if the connections will be grouped by tag, by type, by family, by description or connectors. The Connectors report is a summary of all the connectors with their main characteristics (note that the connections are grouped according to the listed parameters, so, within the connections of a group there could be differences in the parameters not listed), while the rest of reports are a review of the design that include the strength ratio and status considering the selected load conditions. Note that you have an option to report a list of joints. There is also the possibility to print the 3D graph with a descriptive text box. To do this set the view and press the button from the Output tab, Model graphic group.
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Enter the desired text that will be included in the graphics printing.
To print the actual view, execute the action pressing the graphic group, then select the printer options and accept printing.
button from Output tab, Model
References
The references used for connections are: For AISC 360-05 design code: ANSI/AISC 360-05 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. ANSI/AISC 341-05 Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings. ANSI/AISC 358-05 Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for Seismic Applications. Federal Emergency Management Agency Recommended Seismic Design Criteria for New Steel Moment-Frame Buildings, FEMA-350/June 2000. Murray Thomas M., Extended End-Plate Moment Connections, Steel Design Guide Series 4, AISC, 1990. Ellifritt Duane S. and Sputo Thomas, Design Criteria for Stiffened Seated Connections to Column Webs, Proceedings of NSCC Sponsored by AISC, New Orleans, April, 1-3, 1998 J. H. Garret, JR. and R. L. Brockenbrough, Design Loads for Seated-beam in LRFD, Engineering Journal, AISC, 1986.
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Akbar R. Tamboli, Handbook of Structural Steel Connection Design and Details, McGraw Hill, 1999 Sherman, Donald R., Ales, Joseph M., The Design of Shear Tabs with Tubular Columns, Master of Engineering Project, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, 1990. Thornton, William A., Loescher Michael, AISC - Hollow Structural Sections Connections Manual, American Institute of Steel Construction, 1997. Bull Moose Tube HSS Connections Manual, Bull Moose Tube Company, 1999. J.A. Packer, J.E. Henderson, Hollow Structural Section - Connections and Trusses - A Design Guide, Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, 1997. Sherman, D. R. and J. M Ales, 1991, The Design of Shear Tabs with Tubular Connections, Proceedings of the 1991 National Steel Construction Conference, pp.1.1-1.22, AISC, Chicago, IL. Dowswell Bo, Connection Design for Steel Structures (Lecture Notes), Structural Design Solutions, LLC, 2003. Blodgett, O. W. (1966), Design of Welded Structures, The James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. DeWolf, J.T. and Ricker, D.T. (1990), Column Base Plates, Steel Design Guide 1, American Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago, IL. Drake, R.M. and Elkin, S.J. (1999), Beam-Column Base Plate DesignLRFD Method, Engineering Journal, American Institute of Steel Construction, Vol. 36, No. 1, First Quarter. Fisher, J.M. and Kloiber, L.A. (2006), Base Plate and Anchor Rod Design, Steel Design Guide 1, American Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago, IL. ACI (2008), Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary, ACI31808/ACI 318R-08, American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI. PCA (2005), Notes on ACI 318-05 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete with Design Applications, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Illinois. BS 5950-1:2000. Structural use of steelwork in building. Joints in Steel Construction - Simple Connections, Steel Construction Institute and the British Constructional Steelwork Association, United Kingdom, 2002. Joints in Steel Construction - Moment Connections, Steel Construction Institute and the British Constructional Steelwork Association, United Kingdom, 1997. Trahair N.S., Bradford M. A., Nethercot D.A., The Behaviour and Design of Steel Structures to BS5950, Third Edition - British, Spon Press, Great Britain, 2001. Joannides Frixos, Weller Alan, Structural Steel Design to BS 5950: part 1, Thomas Telford Publishing, Great Britain, 2002.
For BS 5950-00 design code:
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Chapter 3: Connections examples for RC-RA
Chapter 3: Connections example for RC-RE

This chapter will take you step by step through the design of steel connections. The structure to be used in this chapter is only illustrative and is shown below:
It is a small steel building with steel columns, beams and girders. See the previous examples for more details regarding to the generation and analysis of a structure. The file of this example is available in the Data\Samples folder of RAM Elements.
1) Retrieve the structure
Select the Open a model command.
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Open Connections Example.etz.
2) Assign basic connections to the model

RAM Elements is shipped with ready-to-use connections templates called basic connections. You will see in the following sections how you can customize them to your work practice. For the moment we will work with the standard settings. Remark: The example model comes already with connections. To erase all connections follow the next procedure: 1.- Select all the structure, using the Select all elements button on the Home tab.
2.- Verify that the Spreadsheet worksheet.
button is pressed in the Home tab and select the Conn
3.- Use the Delete selected connections button in the Active spreadsheet tools group in the Spreadsheet tab to erase all the connections in the model.
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Note. - Previous start assigning the connections, the user should take care to make distinction between inclined beams and braces in the worksheet to let the program assign the connections correctly. For that:
Select all the braces of the model, go to Members/ Connectivity and description worksheet and change No to Yes by making double click on the Brace cell. Once the user has done this distinction, he is ready to start assigning connections. To customize the connection design press the Design configuration button in the lower right side in the Connections group on the Modules tab. The customization includes the configuration of the load conditions included in the design, design standard, maximum strength ratio limit and structural integrity.
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Select all load conditions and keep a stress ratio limit of 1.0 (default value). The structural integrity is a design parameter only for the BS 5950-1:2000 design standard. In order to apply any command you have to use the 'select and apply rule'. So, first, select the whole structure. Press Select all elements button in the Selection group on the Home tab.
Now you are ready to assign your first connections. As a first try you need to know exactly the required connection on each joint. A recommended procedure is to design individually each joint and evaluate the obtained connections. Select the Design each connection individually option pressing the Assign button.
Then press the Basic Connections
button group and select the Basic SP (Single Plate) connection
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Steps to assign basic single plate connections to the whole structure. In few moments the program will suggest an optimum single plate connection for each joint of the structure that can have a shear connection.
Model with all shear joints with a single plate connection. The user can display the template name of each connection in the graphic window, which includes the family. To evaluate the different single plate connections required, select first one instance of the desired connection family; in this case select a BCW connection. Finally select the option Templates from the Properties button on the View tab.
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Display connection templates The program includes several options for the selection of the connections. These options are available in the Connections option of the Elements selection button on the Home tab.
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Connection selection options
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Single Plate BCW connections designed individually for each joint. It is possible review the particularities of each connection selecting this and pressing the Edit button in the Connections group on the Modules tab.
Note that some connections require 4 bolts while others require only 3 bolts. Lets suppose that for construction we decide to adopt the same connection for all BCW connections. Select all the structure (pressing ), deactivate the option for design each connection individually.
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Press again the button to assign single plate connections ( .) You can select the BCW connections and you will see that all BCW connections are with 3 bolts (as expected). The other families have also 3 bolts. When you design by group you can obtain the same connection for each family independently of the related sections and materials of the joints. It is possible check the status and strength ratio for the current load condition pressing the Status button. It also possible to check the ratio for the controlling load combination; in order to do that, select the option For the controlling load combination in the menu of the Status button. Notice that a different ratio is shown for each connection.
Similarly it is possible to have the stress ratio pressing the Stress ratio button.
Notice that you can select all connections that have an OK or N.G. status pressing one of the following buttons. You can print a summary report. Select all the structure and go to the Output tab and select Design/Connections in the Reports group. Finally choose Group by tag in the Connection design dialog. With this report you will obtain a summary of all adopted connections with their main characteristics and the critical strength ratios.
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The report looks like:
Now you can continue with the design of the moment connections. Press Hinges button in the Model group in the View tab to view all the hinges of the structure (you have to select previously all members). The moment connections will be designed only for the fixed joints.
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Select all the structure (pressing ), activate the option to design individually each connection and select the Basic FP Bolted connection. To see the designed connections pick samples of the FP connections (one for BCW and one for BCF), go to the Home tab and finally activate Connections/Select all connections of the same type option pressing the Elements selection button .
Flange plate connections individually designed. In the same way to the shear connections is possible check the status and stress ratio for the moment connections designed. Next, you can continue with the design of the brace connections, for that, select all the structure (pressing ), press the Gusset Angle) connection . button and select CBB_DA (Column, Beams and Braces-Double
As you can see 6 CBB Connections were assigned. Now you have finished the connection design. Notice that the task was performed very fast and in a simple way. What you need to know now, is how to configure your connections design. This will be shown in the next sections. If you want to review in detail a connection or several connections of the same type and members, select it and press the Edit button in the Connections group on the Modules tab.
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For example select the SP BCF connections of the first floor (perimeter columns) and go to the detailing of connections.
Review all the data for the selected connections in the connection pad. You can print the data or the results reports by pressing or respectively.
You can edit any parameter of the connections. This is very useful when the design was not successful in order to achieve an adequate connection. Notice, however, that any manual change will be lost if the connections are redesigned or reassigned. Now it is time to save your structure with all your connections. Press the RE Button and choose Save or use the quick access toolbar.
What if the loads, geometry or any design condition change? No problem, you can redesign all or part of your connections very fast. For example, select your FP BCW connections (tip: use the option Select connections of the same type from the Home/Selection/Elements selection/Connections). Change the connection configuration with a stress ratio limit of 0.80 and check the status and ratio for the selected connections.
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To upload the design of the connections, press the Redesign button in the Connections group in the Modules tab. Note that the strength ratio for the critical load is now under the new limit and that some connections have been modified to comply with the new limit.
3) Create a connection template

Although RAM Elements has by default several templates in the database, the user may want to define new templates with all the specific characteristics required by the user practice. It is always suggested to back up your connections database (file Connections.ini in the DB folder of main directory) before generating or changing your templates. To access to the connections database go to the main window and press the Connections button in the Databases group on the Home tab.
A dialog window showing the available connections grouped in folders will appear:
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Create a new group with the button. Enter a name for the new group of connections. For the example you can adopt the "MyShearConnections" group. Then, add a new table with the button.
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Enter the name, family, type, design code and press OK. In this case enter the options shown in the figure. With the former table selected, press the button to create a new connection.
Notice that the name of the template is used to identify the connection and has to be unique in the whole database (including all folders). Thus you have to assign a name that describes the geometry and main characteristics of the connection. The following window will be displayed:
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You can review/change all the parameters of the template connection. The following data are required: Loads, Tag name, Main Data and the specific data required in Shear and/or Moment connections. For the units choose the English system. icon, which means that these data For the case of the loads, notice that they are preceded with the will be transferred automatically to the connection from the main program. Therefore you can leave this field with no entries. Now you can enter the specific parameters for the connection. Note that the beam, support sections and materials are also transferred from the main program and they are not required to be defined. The default values shown are used only for the 3D drawing. Notice also that you have to enter only the parameters that are different from the desired values and are constant for all connections to be generated with the template. For this case accept all the default values, pressing the Close button.
Common tools are available for the manipulation of the drawing area in the status bar. Also specific tools are available in the 3D Options and DXF Options to manipulate the drawing area in the Extruded View and DXF View respectively. Right click in the drawing area allow manipulating the views and perspective for the extruded view.
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The help context ( ) is also available to give technical information related to the current parameter to be edited (where the cursor is located).
4) Edit the templates to be used

If you want to enter a similar connection of the existing ones, you can use the Copy item button. For example, place the cursor at the connection SP_1/4_BCF_2_3/4 and press the below: button as shown
The new item will be copied with the name SP_1/4_BCF_2_3/4 Copy(1). Introduce the new name of the connection accessing the connection pad with the SP_1/4_BCF_3_3/4. button. For this example use
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Edit the new connection. In this example change the number of bolts from 2 to 3 and press the OK button. Note that the connection is displayed with 3 bolts and that the length has automatically changed to fit the bolts.
Change the number of bolts from to 2 to 3 for the new template. Enter the desired name for the template.
5) Create a connection database

If you want to create several connections, the procedure outlined in steps 1 and 2 might be very lengthy and time consuming. A very fast procedure can be adopted in order to change/create a set of connections. First, you have to create a connection prototype as performed in steps 2 and 3. Lets generate a whole set of Single Plate connections of the database.
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Select the former generated folder. Press the button Copy items to clipboard. Open Excel and paste it in a worksheet The spreadsheet will look similar to the following figure:
Note that each column of the spreadsheet contains the different values of a specific parameter of the connection. You can use the different tools available on Excel to copy or change the values. In this example copy the data line (row 4) 4 times. The following columns will be edited in the following way:
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The name and the number of bolt rows (Nrow) are changed. The user can keep or even erase the rest of the columns. In the latter case the connection will take the default values. Once the data is defined, the user may proceed with the generation. Then select ALL the information and copy the data to the clipboard (Ctrl+C)
Press the Copy items from clipboard
button to paste the connections into the database.
The program will ask if the existing connections are going to be replaced. Answer yes and then a message with the number of generated connections (6) will be displayed. The following connections will be generated:
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As you can see, this way of generating the connections is fast and allows creating the complete set of templates that a design office may need with the required custom values.
6) Configure the toolbar

Normally, a reduced list of connections of the same type may be required for a specific project. This list may be defined in an assignment button in the following way: Go to Connections group on the Modules tab, then press the Assign button and select the Customize the tool bar option.
The following window will appear:
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There are groups of connections that are predefined by the program and cannot be edited but it is possible to define a new users group. For this purpose, select the USER group in the Toolbar combo box. Press to define a new group. Enter the name of the group (My group).
Dialog window to define a new group of buttons in the toolbar. Press to define a new assigning button.
Dialog window to define the name of the new button.

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Steps to assign the group of SP templates to the new button. Select the desired template or group of templates and press the button. Repeat the process until you have assigned all the connections of the list. Note that the order in the list is very important because it will define the priority in the selection of the template. To change the order in the list you can use the and buttons. and select the bitmap for the single
You can assign an adequate bitmap to your button. Press plates.
Remark: You can create your own bitmaps with any drawing tool like PaintTM.
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Dialog window for selecting the bitmap for the new assigning button. Now you have a new button ready to be used in the connection design with your single plate connections. You can try it in the model following a similar procedure was performed with the basic connections.
7) Assign smart connections to the model

The program comes with another group of templates besides the basic connections. They are the Smart connections, where the program determines all the main design parameters as the connector size, number of bolts, size of welds, etc. based on the connection forces. This allows having one smart connection template per family and connection type. These self-optimizing templates are included in the Smart Connections group. Remark: If you have previously created connections from the basic group, erase all connections with the same procedure described previously. First, select the whole structure. Press .
Select the Design each connection individually option from the Assign button.
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Then press the Smart Connections connection.
button group and select the Smart SP (Single Plate)
As you may notice the different Single Plate connections have been assigned to the model. To view button in the Connections group on the Modules the main designed parameters, press the Edit tab. If you review the results of the design you can see that they are similar to the results obtained with the basic connections in the first part of the example. Notice however that the result for a design by group will not be the same because the program will design an optimum connection for each subgroup (same family and member sections). 8) Assign base plate connections to the model The program allows the creation of column base plate connections using predefined templates. The base plate templates are defines as 'Smart', as they allow the program to determine the main design parameters as the base plate dimensions, weld sizes, anchor embedment length and diameter based on the acting forces. In order to assign a base plate connection, select the Design each connection individually option pressing the Assign button.
Select all the support joints at the model base:
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Next, from the available template list, select from the Base Plate Connection group the template as it is show in the next figure.
Choose Smart Fixed Uniaxial Base Plate as the template for the connections. If there are braces connected to the joint then choose the Smart Gusset Base Plate template.
Choose Smart Gusset Base Plate as the template for the base plate with braces connection. Press the Edit button in the Connections group on the Modules tab to check the main design parameters from the selected connections. In this window select the Analysis tab to review the results of the base plate analysis.
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Choose the Concrete stresses option to display the bearing stresses at the concrete support. This Analysis tab has the following options: Concrete stress : Display the bearing stresses at the concrete support for the Condition and Axis selected. Anchor tension : Display the tension at the anchors for the Condition and Axis selected. Print graphic : Opens a dialog to print the stress graphic Print to file: Opens a dialog to print to a file the stress graphic. For a detailed connection report, select the Extruded view tab and choose the Results The report shows all the verifications performed for the connection. option.
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The report of the Base plate connection include detailed information of the analysis and design of the base plat
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The critical groups of anchors considered in the design are reported at the end of the report for the design axis. Remark: The anchors are designed for the code ACI 318-08 and due method compatibility only are available when the design method selected is AISC 360-05 LRFD.
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Chapter 4: Connections examples for RC-RSS
Chapter 4: Connections example for RC-RSS

This chapter will take you step by step through the creation, design and optimization of steel connections in RAM Connection. The structure to be used in this chapter is only illustrative and is shown below:
It is a small building with steel columns, beams and girders. The perimeter beams and columns will be the lateral framing while the interior columns and beams will be part of the gravity framing. See the examples in the RAM Structural System Tutorial for more details for the generation and analysis of a building. The file of this example is available in the Data folder of RAM Structural System.
1) Run RAM Connection

Once the structure is created in RAM Modeler (gravity and lateral framing, slab data, load data and story data of the structure) you can define or design the steel gravity columns and beams with the design modules, then you can perform the lateral analysis in RAM Frame. Once the sections of the structure are completely defined, you are ready to use RAM Connection. This module is a powerful tool to help in the rapid, interactive, design of the most common connections. For this example, exit RAM Manager, run RAM Connection and open the file ConnEx.rss. Notice that the model is completely defined and analyzed. The RAM Connection window will appear. You can review your model using the commands of the View tab described in Chapter 1.
2) Assign basic connections to the model

RAM Connection is shipped with ready-to-use connections templates called basic connections. You will see in the following sections how you can customize them to your work practice. For the moment we will work with the standard settings. Remark: The example model comes already with connections.
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To delete all connections follow the next procedure: 1.- Select all the structure, using the Select all elements button on the Home tab.
2.- Verify that the Spreadsheet spreadsheet.
button is pressed in the Home tab and select the Connection
3.- Use the Delete selected connections button in the Active spreadsheet tools group in the Spreadsheet tab to erase all the connections in the model.
In order to start assigning connections the user needs to use any of the default assignment group buttons.
Assignment buttons But first, select the load conditions that will be considered in the design. Go to the Assignment group configuration menu and select all load conditions for the example (1).
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Select all load combinations and keep the Maximum strength ratio limit in 1.0 for the example. Note that the load combinations generated in RAM SS (RAM Frame) will be used for the connections design. In order to do this, go to the Load conditions group configuration menu and select the Include RAM Frame steel provision mode load combinations
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Include RAM Frame Steel Provision Mode load combinations In order to apply any command you have to use the 'select and apply rule'. So, first, select the whole structure. Press Select all elements button in the Selection group on the Home tab (2).
Now you are ready to assign your first connections. As a first try you need to know exactly the required connection on each joint. A recommended procedure is to design individually each joint and evaluate the obtained connections. Select the Design each connection individually option pressing the Assign button (3).
Then press the Basic Connections connection(5).
(4) button group and select the Basic SP (Single Plate)
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Steps to assign smart single plate connections to the whole structure. In few moments the program will suggest an optimum single plate connection for each joint of the structure that can have a shear connection.
Model with all shear joints with a single plate connection. The user can display the template name of each connection in the graphic window which includes the family. Select first one instance of the desired connection family; in this case select a BCW connection and then select the option Templates from the Properties button in the View tab.
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Display connection templates The program includes several options for the selection of the connections. These options are available in the Connections option of the Elements selection button on the Home tab.
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Connection selection options
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Single Plate BCW connections designed individually for each joint. It is possible review the particularities of each connection selecting this and pressing the Edit button in the Connections group on the Design tab.
Note that some connections require 4 bolts while others require only 3. Let suppose that for construction we decide to use the same connection for all BCW connections. Select all the structure (pressing ), deactivate the option for design each connection individually.
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Press again the button to assign single plate connections ( .) You can select the BCW connections and you will see that all BCW connections are with 3 bolts (as expected). The other families have also 3 bolts. When you design by group you can obtain the same connection for each family independently of the related sections and materials of the joints. It is possible check the status and strength ratio for the current load condition pressing the Status button. It also possible to check the ratio for the controlling load combination; in order to do that, select the option For the controlling load combination in the menu of the Status button. Notice that a different ratio is shown for each connection.
Similarly it is possible to have the stress ratio pressing the Stress ratio button.
Notice that you can select all connections that have an OK or N.G. status pressing one of the following buttons. You can print a summary report. Select all the structure and go to Design in the Reports group and in the reports dialog select the option Group by tag.
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Now you can continue with the design of the moment connections. Press Hinges button in the Model group in the View tab to view all the hinges of the structure (you have to select previously all members). The moment connections will be designed only for the fixed joints.
Select all the structure (pressing ), activate the option to design individually each connection and select the Basic FP Bolted connection. To see the designed connections pick on instance of the FP connections (for BCW), go to the Home tab and activate Connections/Select all connections of the same type option in the Elements button .
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Flange plate connections individually designed. In the same way to the shear connections is possible check the status and stress ratio for the moment connections designed. Next, you can continue with the design of the brace connections, for that, select all the structure ), press the Gusset (pressing Angle) connection . button and select CBB_DA (Column, Beams and Braces-Double
As you can see 6 CBB Connections were assigned. Now you have finished the connection design. Notice that the task was performed very fast and in a simple way. What you need to know now, is how to configure your connection design. This will be shown in the next sections. If you want to review in detail a connection or several connections of the same type and members, select it and press the Edit button in the Connections group in the Design tab.
Review all the data for the selected connections in the connection pad. You can print the data or the results reports by pressing or respectively.
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You can edit any parameter of the connections. This is very useful when the design was not successful in order to achieve an adequate connection. Notice, however, that any manual change will be lost if the connections are redesigned or reassigned. Now it is time to save your structure with all your connections. Press the RE Button and choose Save or use the quick access toolbar.
What if the loads, geometry or any design condition change? No problem, you can redesign all or part of your connections very fast. For example, select your FP BCW connections (tip: use the option Select connections of the same type from the Home/Selection/Elements selection/Connections). Change the connection configuration with a stress ratio limit of 0.80 and check the status and ratio for the selected connections.
Some FP BCW and SP BCW connections do not comply with the conservative stress limit ratio used
(0.80). To change this press the redesign button ( ) in Assignment group. Note that the strength ratio is now under the new limit and that some connections have been modified to comply with the new limit.
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3) Create a connection template

Although RAM Connection has by default several templates in the database, the user may want to define new templates with all the specific characteristics required by the user practice. It is always suggested to back up your connections database (file Connections.ini in the DB folder of main directory) before generating or changing your templates. To access to the connections database go to the main window and press the Connections button in the Databases group on the Home tab.
A dialog window showing the available connections grouped in folders will appear.
Create a new group with the button. Enter a name for the new group of connections. For the example you can adopt the "MyShearConnections" group. Then, add a new table with the button.
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Enter the name, family, type, design code and press OK. In this case enter the options shown in the figure. With the former table selected, press the button to create a new connection.
Notice that the name of the template is used to identify the connection and has to be unique in the whole database (including all folders). Thus you have to assign a name that describes the geometry and main characteristics of the connection. The following window will be displayed:
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You can review/change all the parameters of the template connection. The following data are required: Loads, Tag name, Main Data and the specific data required in Shear and/or Moment connections. For the units choose the English system. icon, which means that these data For the case of the loads, notice that they are preceded with the will be transferred automatically to the connection from the main program. Therefore you can leave this field with no entries. Now you can enter the specific parameters for the connection. Note that the beam, support sections and materials are also transferred from the main program and they are not required to be defined. The default values shown are used only for the 3D drawing. Notice also that you have to enter only the parameters that are different from the desired values and are constant for all connections to be generated with the template. For this case accept all the default values, pressing the Close button.
Common tools are available for the manipulation of the drawing area in the status bar. Also specific tools are available in the 3D Options and DXF Options to manipulate the drawing area in the Extruded View and DXF View respectively. Right click in the drawing area allow manipulating the views and perspective for the extruded view.
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The help context ( ) is also available to give technical information related to the current parameter to be edited (where the cursor is located).
4) Edit the templates to be used

If you want to enter a similar connection of the existing ones, you can use the Copy item button. For example, place the cursor at the connection SP_1/4_BCF_2_3/4 and press the below: button as shown
The new item will be copied with the name SP_1/4_BCF_2_3/4 Copy(1). Introduce the new name of the connection accessing the connection pad with the SP_1/4_BCF_3_3/4.
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button. For this example use
Edit the new connection. In this example change the number of bolts from 2 to 3 and press the OK button. Note that the connection is displayed with 3 bolts and that the length has automatically changed to fit the bolts.
Change the number of bolts from to 2 to 3 for the new template. Enter the desired name for the template.
5) Create a connection database

If you want to create several connections, the procedure outlined in the former Section might be very lengthy and time consuming. A very fast procedure can be selected in order to change/create a set of connections. First, you have to create a connection prototype as performed in Section 3. Lets generate a whole set of Single Plate connections.
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Select the former generated folder. Press the button Copy items to clipboard. Open Excel and paste it in a worksheet The spreadsheet will look similar to the following figure:
Note that each column of the spreadsheet contains the different values of a specific parameter of the connection. You can use the different tools available on Excel to copy or change the values. In this example copy the data line (row 4) 4 times. The following columns will be edited in the following way:
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The name and the number of bolt rows (Nrow) are changed. The user can keep or even erase the rest of the columns. In the latter case the connection will take the default values. Once the data is defined, the user may proceed with the generation. Then select ALL the information and copy the data to the clipboard (Ctrl+C)
Press the Copy items from clipboard
button to paste the connections into the database.
The program will ask if the existing connections are going to be replaced. Answer yes and then a message with the number of generated connections (6) will be displayed. The following connections will be generated:
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As you can see, this way of generating the connections is fast and allows creating the complete set of templates that a design office may need with the required custom values.
6) Configure the toolbar

Normally, a reduced list of connections of the same type may be required for a specific project. This list may be defined in an Assignment button in the following way: Go to Connections group in the Design tab, then press the Assign button and select the Customize the tool bar option.
The following window will appear:

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There are three groups of connections that are predefined by the program and cannot be edited but it is possible to define a new users group. For this purpose, select the USER group in the combo box Toolbar. Press to define a new group. Enter the name of the group (My group).
Dialog window to define a new group of buttons in the toolbar. Press to define a new assigning button.
Dialog window to define the name of the new button.

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Steps to assign the group of SP templates to the new button. Select the desired template or group of templates and press the button. Repeat the process until you have assigned all the connections of the list. Note that the order in the list is very important because it will define the priority in the selection of the template. To change the order in the list you can use the and buttons. and select the bitmap for the single
You can assign an adequate bitmap to your button. Press plates.
Remark: You can create your own bitmaps with any drawing tool like PaintTM.
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Dialog window for selecting the bitmap for the new assigning button. Now you have a new button ready to be used in the connection design with your single plate connections. You can try it in the model following a similar procedure was performed with the basic connections.
7) Assign smart connections to the model

The program comes with another group of templates besides the basic connections. They are the Smart connections, where the program determines all the main design parameters as the connector size, number of bolts, size of welds, etc. based on the connection forces. This allows having one smart connection template per family and connection type. These self-optimizing templates are included in the Smart Connections group. Remark: If you have previously created connections from the basic group, erase all connections with the same procedure described previously. First, select the whole structure. Press .
Select the Design each connection individually option from the Assign button.
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Then press the Smart Connections connection.
button group and select the Smart SP (Single Plate)
As you may notice the different Single Plate connections have been assigned to the model. To view the main designed parameters, press the Edit button in the Connections group on the Design tab. If you review the results of the design you can see that they are similar to the results obtained with the basic connections in the first part of the example. Notice however that the result for a design by group will not be the same because the program will design an optimum connection for each subgroup (same family and member sections). 8) Assign base plate connections to the model The program allows the creation of column base plate connections using predefined templates. The base plate templates are defines as 'Smart', as they allow the program to determine the main design parameters as the base plate dimensions, weld sizes, anchor embedment length and diameter based on the acting forces. In order to assign a base plate connection, select the Design each connection individually option pressing the Assign button.
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Select all the support joints at the model base:
Next, from the available template list, select from the Base Plate Connection group the template as it is show in the next figure.
Choose Smart Fixed Uniaxial Base Plate as the template for the connections. If there are braces connected to the joint then choose the Smart Gusset Base Plate template.
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Choose Smart Gusset Base Plate as the template for the base plate with braces connection. Press the Edit button in the Connections group on the Modules tab to check the main design parameters from the selected connections. In this window select the Analysis tab to review the results of the base plate analysis.
Choose the Concrete stresses option to display the bearing stresses at the concrete support. This Analysis tab has the following options: Concrete stress : Display the bearing stresses at the concrete support for the Condition and Axis selected. Anchor tension : Display the tension at the anchors for the Condition and Axis selected.
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Print graphic : Opens a dialog to print the stress graphic Print to file: Opens a dialog to print to a file the stress graphic. For a detailed connection report, select the Extruded view tab and choose the Results The report shows all the verifications performed for the connection. option.
The report of the Base plate connection include detailed information of the analysis and design of the base plat
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The critical groups of anchors considered in the design are reported at the end of the report for the design axis Remark: The anchors are designed for the code ACI 318-08 and due method compatibility only are available when the design method selected is AISC 360-05 LRFD.
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RAM Connection V8i

CHAPTER 1: GENERAL OVERVIEW .................................................................................11

CHAPTER 2: CONNECTIONS ............................................................................................35

CHAPTER 3: CONNECTIONS EXAMPLE FOR RC-RE..................................................... 95

CHAPTER 4: CONNECTIONS EXAMPLE FOR RC-RSS ................................................ 125

How to learn RAM Connection?

RAM Connection and Windows Least-Privileged User Account (LUA) Approach

The new structure of program file folders (read-only) is shown below:

Chapter 1: General Overview

Chapter 1: General Overview

Design in RAM Connection

Units available in RAM Connection

Chapter 1: General Overview

RAM Connection for RAM Structural System

Chapter 1: General Overview

Data Panel Display area Status bar

Chapter 1: General Overview

Save Model properties Export Bug Report General configuration Exit

Data group commands

Show the data panel.

Selection group commands

Chapter 1: General Overview

Load conditions group commands

Chapter 1: General Overview

button the user may access to the categories manager:

Chapter 1: General Overview

Chapter 1: General Overview

Generate load combinations window

Chapter 1: General Overview

new file and using the

button, the files created by the user may be deleted.

Chapter 1: General Overview

View Tab: Model and Design

Model group commands

Sections. Shows the member sections in the display area.

Chapter 1: General Overview

Materials. Shows the member materials in the display area.

Hinges. Shows the member hinges in the display area.

Design group commands

Output Tab: Reports and Model graphic

Reports group commands

Chapter 1: General Overview

Connection design reports dialog Model graphic group commands

Chapter 1: General Overview

Print graphic. Print the current graphic displayed.

RAM Connection for RAM Elements and RAM Structural System

Chapter 1: General Overview

Assignment group commands

Redesign connections. Redesign all connections.

Connections group commands

Allows to edit the selected connections if they are equal.

Chapter 1: General Overview

Chapter 1: General Overview

Assign selected connection to model.

Delete selected connections.

Assign description CNX (additive).

Chapter 1: General Overview

Chapter 1: General Overview

Chapter 1: General Overview

Coordinated spreadsheet Shows the nodes coordinates.

Chapter 1: General Overview