AISC 360-05: The latest steel design specification, AISC 360-05 as published in the AISC Steel Construction Manual 13th Edition, has been implemented. The provisions for both ASD and LRFD have been implemented for the member and joint code checks. The provisions for slender members have also now been implemented. Design of composite and noncomposite beams, columns, baseplates, braces and beam web openings has been updated.
Direct Analysis Method: The requirements of the Direct Analysis Method of AISC 360-05 have been implemented. Options for second-order analysis include a P-delta analysis based on the Geometric Stiffness method (which includes the effects of "leaning columns") and a second-order analysis by amplified first-order elastic analysis (B1 and B2 factors) as given in the specification. Story loads for Notional Loads are automatically calculated, and Notional Loads can be generated. Options to use Reduced Stiffness are available. IBC 2006 Load Combinations can be automatically generated.
RSS Feed: An RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed on the main screen provides up-to-date announcements of program releases, downloads, seminars and training events. Clicking on a message will open a related Web page in your Web browser.
Free-form Slab Edges: Slab edges can now be modeled as free-form slab edges, allowing for the modeling of more complex edges, including the ability to vary the slab edge distance along the length of the beam. Slab edges can be imported from DXF.
Steel Tables – U.S.: The Steel design tables for the United States have been updated to reflect the properties of the currently available steel sections as outlined in the AISC Steel Construction Manual 13th Edition. The HSS column tables have been refined to give better, more consistent column designs.
Steel Tables – U.K.: The Steel design tables for the United Kingdom have been updated to include the Corus Advance sections. The deck tables have been enhanced to include the Tegral ComFlor decks, with the capability of designing those decks with FibreFlor steel fibre reinforcing. The new Corus and Tegral ComFlor 60 deck has been added.
Square Baseplates: The baseplate design capabilities of the Steel Column Design module have been enhanced to allow the engineer to specify square baseplates, even though smaller rectangular baseplates may be adequate; this conforms to common design practice.
Baseplates on Pilasters and Walls: Baseplates of columns supported on concrete columns and walls are now designed, not just those that are supported directly on the footings.
RAM Frame Enhancements: RAM Frame has been enhanced with new usability features, including:
• A Find command to find specific members and nodes has been added to the toolbar.
• A Hide/Show Gravity Members command has been added to the toolbar.
Concrete Beam Shear Design: In the RAM Concrete Beam design module the design of shear reinforcement has been enhanced to produce more consistent stirrup spacing and locations.
BS 5950 Load Combinations: The load combination generator template for BS 5950 has been enhanced to give the option of using either the Exceptional Snow load factor or the Imposed load factors. It has also been enhanced to give the option of generating the gravity combinations without the notional loads as well as with the notional loads.
RAM Structural System V11.3 is now available by download from Bentley SELECT.