Rc Manual

__________________________________________________________________

RAM Connection V8i Release 7.0 __________________________________________________________________

2010 Edition

Manual __________________________________________________________________

TRN011920-1/0001

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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:

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Introduction

9

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 Function

ID Name

A RC button Displays a menu with basics commands such as Open a model, Save file, etc.

B Quick access toolbar Contains some commands required to be used with frequency, such as Open a model, Save file, Undo, etc.

C Ribbon 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.

D Data Panel Spreadsheet where the assigned connections data is shown and all the available connection templates.

E Display area Area where the model and any other selected display option is shown.

F Status bar 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.

RC button menu

RAM Connection button menu.

Command Function

Open a model Opens an existing model

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Save Saves the current model changes in the same model file.

Model properties Displays the properties model window.

Export Export connection to a different program (e.g. ProSteel).

Bug Report Creates a bug report to be sent to technical support.

General configuration Displays the program configuration window.

Exit 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 button. This action displays a new dialog window to choose the load condition:

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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 button; the user

may rename them with the button or delete them pressing the button.

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 button

that creates or adds a new generation file, after that, press the button to copy the formulae and

paste it with the for the new generation file. Pressing the 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 and then press the button.

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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33

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 button and select in the connection group the Select identical connection option.

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.

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-to-girder 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. 38


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 Elements to select

Beam column flange joints (BCF) Beam + node

Beam column web joints (BCW) Beam + node

Beam girder joints (BG) Beam + node

Beam beam splice joints (BS) (Right) Beam + node

Column- column splice joints (CS) (Bottom) Column + node

Continuous beam over column joints (CC)

Column + node

Column beam braces joints (CBB)

Column + node

Continuous beam braces joints (CVR)

Beam + node

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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Smart Connection example: DA BCF Weld support Bolt beam

Basic Connection example: DA_BCF_L 3x3x1/4_3B3/4

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 43


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.

For example press the buttons (Double Angle) and then the (Flange Plate) to get the 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 in the Selection group.

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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 Inclination angles

Horizontal Vertical Both

CA

Clip (shear) Angle/s

BCF Yes Yes Yes

BCW Yes Yes Yes

BG Yes Yes Yes

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SP

Shear Plate

BCF Yes Yes Yes

BCW Yes Yes Yes

BG Yes Yes Yes

BS No No No

CS No No No

EP

End Plate

BCF Yes Yes Yes

BCW Yes Yes Yes

BG Yes Yes Yes

SS

Stiffened Shr

BCF No No No

BCW No No No

US

Unstiffened Shr

BCF No No No

BCW No No No

TEE

Shear Tee

BCF No No No

BCW No No No

BG No No No

TP

Through Plate

BCF No No No

BCW No No No

BP

Bent Plate

BCF Yes No No

BCW Yes No No

BG Yes No No

DW

Direct Weld

BCF Yes Yes No

BCW Yes Yes No

EEP

Ext. End Plate

BCF Yes Yes No

BCW Yes Yes No

FP

Flange Plate

BCF Yes Yes Yes

BCW Yes Yes No

BG Yes No No

BS No No No

CS No No No

MA BCF No No No

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Moment Angles

MT

Moment Tee

BCF No No No

CP

Cap Plate

CC No No No

4A

Four Angles Splice

BS No No No

PBr

Plate Bracket

BCW No No No

TBr

Tee Bracket

BCF No No No

Bracing connections beams

CBB

CVR

No No No

Bracing connections

braces

CBB, CVR, VXB

No Yes (20-70) No

BPl

Base plate: Column

CB No No No

GBP

Base plate: braces

CB No Yes (20-70) No

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 Inclination angles

Horizontal Vertical Both

Cleat BCF No Yes No

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Angles BCW No Yes No

BG No Yes No

Fin Plate BCF Yes Yes Yes

BCW Yes Yes Yes

BG Yes Yes Yes

Flexible End Plate

BCF Yes Yes Yes

BCW Yes Yes Yes

BG Yes No No

Web Cover Plate

BS No No No

CS No No No

Bolted End Plate

BCF No Yes No

Directly Flanges Welded

BCF No Yes No

BCW No Yes No

Directly

Flanges and Web Welded

BCF No Yes No

BCW No Yes No

Flange Cover Plate

BS No No No

CS 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 with the spreadsheet tools or by changing the members geometry temporarily to 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 Family Characteristics

to beam to support

CA BCF,BCW bolted/welded welded

SP BCF,BCW bolted welded

TP BCF,BCW bolted welded

TEE BCF,BCW bolted/welded welded

US BCF,BCW bolted/welded welded

SS BCF,BCW bolted/welded welded

DW BCF,BCW welded welded

EEP BCF,BCW welded bolted (to HSS)

welded(to Doubler)

FP (or diaphragm plate)

BCF, BCW bolted/welded welded

Bracing CBB Bolted (CA, SP), /welded

welded

BPl CB - welded

GBP CB - welded

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The following connections allow circular HSS supports for the designs standard AISC 360-05:


to beam to support

SP BCF,BCW bolted welded

TP BCF,BCW bolted welded

BPl CB - welded

The following connections allow square or rectangular HSS supports for the designs standard BS 5950 1:2000:


to beam to support

Cleat Angle BCF,BCW bolted bolted

Fin Plate BCF,BCW bolted welded

Flexible End Plate

BCF,BCW bolted bolted

The following connections allow circular HSS supports for the designs standard BS 5950 1:2000:


to beam to support

Fin Plate BCF, BCW bolted 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. 56


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 of connections (Template name)

Family and Description Optimization of the following parameters

DA BCF, BCW, BG double angle connections

number of bolts for bolted connections, weld size for welded connections and angle size

DA Beam splice BS double angle bolted connections number of bolts and angle size

SP BCF, BCW, BG, single plate angle connections

number of bolts, plate size. weld size to support

SP Beam splice BS single plate angle connections number of bolts, plate size

EP BCF, BCW, BG end plate connections number of bolts, plate size. weld size to beam for bolted connections and plate size and welds sizes for welded connections

ST BCF, BG shear tee connections tee size, number of bolts for bolted and weld size for welded connections

SS BCF, BCW stiffened seated bolts rows , weld size and

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connections, type SST, SSP, SS2L connector size

US BCF, BCW unstiffened seated connections

angle size bolts rows or weld size

DW BCF, BCW, BG directly welded connections

extended plate size for BCW connections

FP BCF, BCW, BG bolted flange plate connections

bolts rows, distances between bolts, top and bottom plate thickness, weld size to support

FP BCF, BCW, BG welded flange plate connections

welds sizes, top and bottom plate sizes

EEP BCF extended end plate connections bolts sizes, pf , bolts spacing, plate size

MA BCF bolted moment angle bolt rows and angle size

Base plate:

Pinned,

Fixed uniaxial,

Fixed biaxial

Column base plate connections The Thickness, length and width of the base plate, the length and diameter of the anchors, and the supports weld size

Gusset base plate Column and braces base plate connections

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

Gussets CBB, CVR VXB connections See the following table for details

Gusset Gusset-to-Brace Gusset-to-Beam or Column

All For W and WT sections

For L, T2L, C, I2C y HSS sections

Directly Welded

Single Plate

Double Angles

Le, Le1 and Le2 distances to let the gusset be

Number of bolts on claw angles

Weld length (toe and heel) if it is welded

Required weld size

Required weld size

Number of bolts on support if it is bolted

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compatible with the connectors geometry

Number of bolts on splice plates

Number of bolts if it is bolted

Number of bolts

Number of bolts on beam/gusset if it is bolted

Plate thickness

Support weld size if it is welded

Beam/gusset weld size if it is welded

For the Design standard BS 5950 1:2000

Type of connections (Template name)

Family and Description Optimization of the following parameters

CleatAngle

BEP BCF, Bolted End Plate connections Number of bolts, Weld Size, Plate thickness

FEP BCF, BCW, BG, Flexible end plate connections

Number of bolts, Weld Size, Plate thickness

DA BCF, BCW, BG Cleats angles connections

Number of bolts, Angle section

FW BCF, BCW Flanges welded connections Weld size, Plate thickness

FWW BCF, BCW Flanges and web welded connections

Weld size, Plate thickness

FinP BCF, BCW, BG Fin Plate connections Number of bolts, Plate thickness

FCP Beam splice BS bolted flange plate connections Number of bolts, plate thickness

FCP Column splice

CS bolted flange plate connections Number of bolts, plate thickness

WCP Beam Splice BS bolted web plate connections Number of bolts, plate thickness

WCP Column splice

CS bolted web plate connections Number of bolts, plate thickness

Basic connection templates are organized in different folders with the following naming convention:

Basic + {Connections type initials} + {connection family} + {connection characteristics}. 64


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.

To finish the connection template definition, press the button to create a new item (template) for 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.

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.

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 app

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