Example 1: Steel

Example 1: Steel
This example will explain step by step the creation of a basic 3D steel structure. This example will be
most effective if the user practice the illustrated skills as they are presented.
The structure to be entered in this example is shown below:

In order to simplify data entry, frame members are grouped as follows:

The assignment of the member descriptions shown here will be illustrated in this example.

1) Starting a new structure

Select New from the RAM Elements button menu.

In the event that there is an existing model open, RAM Elements will ask to save it.

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Example 1: Steel

Press the button on the status bar, a menu will be displayed. Then, select the option Units
configuration.

Select the English default unit system in the window displayed.

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 Example 1: Steel

2) Entering node coordinates

In the coordinates spreadsheet enter the coordinates shown below:

Go to the Spreadsheet Nodes/Coordinates and enter the coordinates shown above.

The entered nodes are shown on the screen.

3) Generation of frame members

Select the "path" of the frame members. Select the nodes in the sequence shown below, and then

connect the selected nodes by pressing

Select the nodes in the order shown. To select several nodes remember to press the SHIFT key while
clicking with the mouse.

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Example 1: Steel

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Nodes and Description

Then press to generate the frame members.

As can be seen the frame members were generate.

NOTE. - Remember that it is possible to undo the last operation by pressing

4) Assigning a description
It is necessary to group frame members in order to simplify later operations such as selection of
elements, optimization, and others. To assign the same description to every member of a group
proceed as follows:

Select columns

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 Example 1: Steel

Then assign the description to the selected members selecting the Column (additive) option.
Note. – To view the member descriptions graphically (on the screen) go to View tab, Model group,
press the button and select the option Description by element from the menu displayed.
Repeat the steps explained previously to assign a Description to the other members:

Select members

Assign the description to the selected members selecting the Beam (additive) option.
Generate the beam as shown in the figure below. Assign BEAM2 description to this newly created
member:
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Example 1: Steel

To create the horizontal beam, select the nodes shown in this figure and press

Assign the description to the selected members selecting the Beam (additive) option.

5) Segmenting Members
To segment frame members, follow these steps:

Select members to be segmented.

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 Example 1: Steel

Press from the menu displayed after pressing the button located in the ribbon
(visible when the Members tab is the current page in the spreadsheet and connectivity button is
pressed) and enter the desired number of segments (3 segments in this case). Then press OK. Notice
that in this case 3 physical elements will be created.

Next, segment the horizontal member BEAM2. To do this:

Select BEAM2 member.

Press and enter the desired number of segments. In this case, enter six segments. Then press OK
or the ENTER key.

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Example 1: Steel

NOTE. - Remember that it is possible to undo the last operation by pressing .

Notice that the segmented members have the same description as the original member and that each
member is treated as one physical member.

6) Generation of vertical members

To enter the vertical truss elements, follow these steps:

Select the nodes shown in this figure. Notice that it is not necessary to select the exterior nodes.

Press button to generate vertical members (plus y generates members in the vertical up
direction).

7) Generation of diagonal members

At first, generate the diagonal truss web members of the left side of the structure, and then the right
side.
Diagonal members on the left side:

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 Example 1: Steel

Select the nodes in the order shown in this figure.

Press from the ribbon (the button is visible when the Members tab is the current
page in the spreadsheet and connectivity button is pressed).
To enter diagonals on the right side proceed in the same way.

NOTE. - Remember that it is possible to undo the last operation by pressing .

The differences between the two buttons are as follows:

This button connects the selected nodes in a continuous line.

This button connects alternate pairs of nodes with a fragmented line. That is, the first member
is generated between the first pair of selected nodes, the second member between the second pair of
selected nodes, etc.

8) Assigning a Description to members

Follow these steps to assign a Description to the internal web members:

a) Select diagonal and vertical (internal) elements using the button (Home tab, Selection group)

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Example 1: Steel

To select the elements select one member of each group and then press . Remember that this
button selects elements with a common description. In this case all internal elements belong to the
group that does not have a description yet. That is to say they all have the same empty description.
b) Internal elements will be assigned a DIAG1 description. Since there is no button available to
assign this description (as opposed to COL1 and BEAM1 buttons), it is necessary to enter it
manually:

Enter DIAG1 description and then press located at Spreadsheet tab, Spreadsheet group, to fill
the column with the value. Another way to do this would the access to command from the popup menu
displayed after right click on the spreadsheet area, having selected the desired rows to fill previously.
Important - Descriptions are very important to select groups of frame members. It is also important
to have entered the descriptions correctly. If this has not been done correctly the user may experience
some difficulty following the next steps in this example.

9) Copying the structure

It is advisable to enter all the descriptions of a structure before copying it, because when a structure is
copied the Descriptions are also copied.
To copy a structure, follow these steps:

Select all the elements that should be copied. In this case, press (Home tab, Data tab) to select
the entire structure.
Execute the Copy command (Home tab, Modeling group).

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 Example 1: Steel

Enter the number of copies and the distances in X, Y, and Z between each copy. In this case, enter the
values shown in this figure. Then press OK.

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Example 1: Steel

10) Generation of the roof beams (purlins)

To generate the roof beams, follow these steps:

Select the initial nodes or end nodes of the roof beams.

Then press (Press button if nothing occurs). Note that the +/- refers to the direction that
the members are projected.

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 Example 1: Steel

Note. - Notice that the middle portal is not connected to the roof beams. The model can be left
without making any changes and the program will interpret the roof beams as continuous physical
members. However, if the roof beams are going to be modeled as simply supported beams (as they
normally are), it is necessary to segment the beams and connect one end to the middle portal. The

command Segment Selection may be applied in this case.

Notice that roof beams do not connect with the middle frame

With the roof beams selected, press to split roof beams and connect them with the middle
portal. It is necessary to select the member and the node of the middle portal that will become the
point of break.

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Example 1: Steel

Choose the options shown in the figure. The members will be divided into two physical members.

11) Assigning a Description to roof beams

To assign a Description to roof beams, proceed as follows:
a) Select roof beams by description.

Select a member of the group and then press . Since the selected element does not have a
description, all members with empty description will be selected.
b) ROOF1 description will be assigned to roof beams. There is no button available to automatically
assign the description (as opposed to COL1 and BEAM1 descriptions). Therefore, the Description
has to be entered manually:

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 Example 1: Steel

Enter ROOF 1 under description and then press to fill the column with the entered value.
Generating DIAG2 and BEAM3 members
Now proceed to enter the DIAG2 and BEAM3 members that are shown in the figure below. Generate
these elements as explained before.

12) Supports
To enter supports proceed as follows:

Select support nodes

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Example 1: Steel

Go to the Spreadsheet Nodes/Restraints and click on the corresponding support. In this case click on

the button.

The Supports have been entered

13) Assigning sections to frame members.

To assign a section to some member, and this section is available in the section database, proceed as
follows:
Select the members to which a section will be assigned. In this case, select all the columns.

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 Example 1: Steel

To do this, first select one column and press .

Then go to the Spreadsheet Members/Sections. Select W10x12 profile and press (double click on
the profile will assign the selected item).
Assign sections to all members of the structure in a similar manner.

To select all the elements of the truss, select one element of each group and press .

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Example 1: Steel

Assign section T2L 2-1_2x2-1_2x1_4 to the truss elements.

Now assign sections to the DIAG2 and BEAM3 elements

Select the elements DIAG2 and BEAM3

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 Example 1: Steel

Assign section T2L 2x2x1_4

14) Adding sections to the database.

In this example, a cold-formed C-section will be assigned to the Roof beams. This cold-formed C
(with lips) profile is not available in the section database. Therefore, a new section should be added.
Proceed as follows:

Go to the Home tab, Databases group and execute the Sections button

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Example 1: Steel

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, to perform this action press the
button and the following dialog will be shown:

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 Example 1: Steel

In the dialog window, select the desired type of profile and press OK. In this case, select the aisiClip
profile.

Once the type of table is selected, a LEO file for the definition of the type of sections is assigned to
the table.

Press the button to create a new item (section) for the current table.

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Example 1: Steel

Select the units system (English) and enter the values of the profile. In this case, enter the values
shown in the figure. Do not forget to enter the name.
Note. - The name of a section should have the following format:
Type<space>description
For example, W 10x45, where W is the type and 10x45 the description.
The space character should be placed after the type name. A description of the section should be
entered. For example 10x25, 10x15x2 (the "/" character is not accepted. It should be replaced by "_"
(underscore) character)
Note – A section “Type” is determined by the characters entered before the space, e.g. W, C etc
Tip. - The Description of the profile should be self-explanatory containing the dimensions of the
profile or other pertinent data.
Example of valid names:
ROOF 10X15X25
W 10X25
2L 15x2 unequal
Example of non-valid names:
W10x25 (space between Type and Description is missing)
W15/22 ("/" character is not accepted. Replace it with "_" (underscore) character)
15x22 (Type is missing)
Press OK and notice that a new section "Roof 3x6x1" has been created and saved into the sections
database. A new "ROOF" group, which will contain all profiles of type "ROOF”, has been created.
Important. - The Type of a profile determines the group in which this profile will be saved. Thus a
"W 10x22" profile will be saved in a "W" group or type. In the same way a "TUBE 15x22" profile
will be saved in a "TUBE" group. If the group does not exist, RAM Elements automatically creates a
new group.
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 Example 1: Steel

Remark. Note that the program already has a section with the name “Roof 3x6x1”. The procedure
described previously explains adequately the manner to perform this operation. It is recommendable
that the user practices the creation of new sections for the structure in order to acquire proficiency in
this task.
To assign the new section to the roof beams proceed as follows:

Select roof beams

Assign the section by pressing .

15) Assigning materials

In this example, all material elements are of steel grade A36. To assign the material, proceed with
these steps:
Select elements to which a material will be assigned. In this case, select all the elements of the

structure by pressing .

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Example 1: Steel

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Materials. Double click on the desired material, or select it and
press
Material “A36” from folder Steel has been assigned to all elements.

Note. - To show/hide the section and material names on the screen, press the button and
the button from the View tab, Model group.

16) Articulated joints (pinned joints)

By default, all frame members are rigidly connected (fixed) to the nodes. This condition is
appropriate to model a fully welded joint.
For joints that cannot resist flexural moments it is necessary to release the respective moments so the
model adequately represents the real structure. An element is pinned when both ends of the members
are released to both bending moments. To pin a member proceed as follows:

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 Example 1: Steel

Select the members to be pinned. In this case, select DIAG1 and DIAG2 elements. To do this, select
one DIAG1 element and one DIAG2 element. Then press .

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Hinges (Releases) and press button .

Note. - To rigidly connect pinned elements, press .

Elements have been pinned

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Example 1: Steel

17) Rotating columns

Pressing (in the View tab, Model group) the elements with three-dimensional sections are
displayed. This allows the user to see whether the elements are orientated correctly in space or need
to be rotated. If necessary, sections can be rotated as required. Tool buttons are available to rotate a
member 90 and 180 degrees, or as required. In this case, the middle columns will be rotated by 90
degrees.

Press button to see the element profiles in 3D.

Columns in the middle will be rotated 90 degrees.

To rotate 90 degrees, proceed as follows:

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 Example 1: Steel

Select columns to be rotated

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Local axes and press button .

18) Rotating beams 180 degrees

In this example, the elements shown below need to be rotated 180 degrees.

BEAM2, BEAM3 elements need to be rotated 180 degrees

To do this, follow the next steps:

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Example 1: Steel

Select BEAM2 and BEAM3 elements (select one BEAM2 and BEAM3 elements and press button ).

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Local axes, and press button to rotate 180 degrees.

Elements have been rotated 180 degrees.

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 Example 1: Steel

Note. - Notice that it is possible to rotate the members by entering the required angle in the
spreadsheet and pressing to fill the column with the entered value.

19) Entering loads

In this example, a 300 Lb/ft distributed force acting downward in the "Dead Load" case will be
introduced. Concentrated forces of 1200 Lb, which are acting downward on the nodes, will be added
as well.
Notice that RAM Elements automatically creates a load case named "Dead Load". Therefore, it isn't
necessary to create it. Later the user will see how to create a new load case and a load combination.
Before entering a load, determine if it is a:
1) Load on node
2) Load on frame members, or
3) Load on shell elements.

Load on frame members

To enter loads on frame members, proceed as follows:

Select frame members where the load is acting. In this case, select beams on top of the truss.

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Example 1: Steel

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Loads on members, select the adequate command tools by pressing

the button and then press the button.

Enter the value of the distributed load (do not enter the minus sign). Then press OK.

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 Example 1: Steel

The load has been entered.

Load on nodes
To enter load forces on nodes, follow the next steps:

Select the nodes on which the force is acting.

Go to the Spreadsheet Nodes/Forces and moments, enter a force value (enter the –1.2 value) and
press to fill-in the column.

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Example 1: Steel

Notice that the force should include its sign. Forces on nodes have been entered.

20) Creating Wind in X load case

The Second load case acting on the structure is due to the wind force in the X direction. These steps
show how to create a new load case:

Execute the shown button located in the Home tab, Load conditions group to enter a new load case.

Then enter a load condition identifier consisting of 2-4 characters (first character should not be a
number), then enter a load description and the category. In this case, enter what is shown in the
figure. Press OK and the new load case in the drop-down list will be shown.

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 Example 1: Steel

Drop-down list for load cases at the status bar.

Note that it is necessary to select a category. This feature is very useful to generate load combinations
based on their categories. The user can create a template file for the local building code from which
load combinations can be generated (based on the load case category, DL for dead loads, LL for live
loads, etc.). The program is capable to generate load combinations according to the design standards
it handles and it has example files (located at main RAM Elements directory/combos) which have the
basic load combinations to consider for the different codes. For more details see the chapter of Other
Advanced Subjects in the program manual.

21) Entering wind loads

In this case, wind loads are applied perpendicular to the roof. There is a pressure of 150 Lb/ft on the
left side of the roof, and a suction of 200 Lb/ft on the right side of the roof. Wind load entry is similar
to the entry made before for the dead load condition. Notice that the distributed forces act
perpendicular to the elements, not parallel to Y-axis. To enter these loads, proceed as follows:

Select the elements on which the load acts. In this case, select one member of each portal and press
to select the aligned elements.

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Loads on members and press the button.

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Example 1: Steel

Enter the value of the distributed force (do not enter the minus sign), and press OK.

The distributed forces of the left side of the structure have been entered.

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 Example 1: Steel

To enter the forces on the right side of the structure proceed as before. The load should be seen as
illustrated in the figure.

Notice that it is necessary to press button instead of button to enter suction.

22) Creating load combinations

In this example, the following load combination will be created:
1.1dl + 1.2wx (1.1 times dead load plus 1.2 times wind in X)
To create it proceed as follows:

Execute the shown button located in the Home tab, Load conditions group to enter a new load case.
Fill the combination equation factors in the second spreadsheets in the dialog window that appears.

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Example 1: Steel

In the dialog window, enter the information shown in the figure.

a) Enter a load condition identifier of two to four characters (the first character should not be a
number).
b) Enter the formula factors for the load combination (1.1 for dl and 1.2 for wx).

Then press OK and the new load combination in the drop-down list for load cases at the status bar
will be shown.

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 Example 1: Steel

Notice that the formula factors can contain the minus sign. For example, a -1.2 factor for wx load
case would define "1.1dl -1.2wx"
Note. - It is not possible to enter or edit loads data while a load combination is selected as the current
load condition. Notice that the spreadsheets are locked for edition to enter loads.

23) Analyzing the structure

After the structure has been defined, the model is ready to be analyzed, designed, optimized and the
results can be viewed.
To analyze the structure proceed as follows:

Execute Analyze model by pressing the shown button in the Process tab, Process group.
For this example a Second Order Analysis (P-Delta) will be performed. This analysis takes longer to
analyze a structure as it involves iteration, but it is more accurate. In addition, buckling instability is
detected in certain cases when P-Delta analysis is performed. For more about P-Delta analysis, see
the Chapter of Analysis in the Manual.

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Example 1: Steel

Select the same options as shown in the figure above. Then press the Analyze button.

24) Designing the structure

Select the command Design all in the Process tab, Process group.

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 Example 1: Steel

After that, a dialog window will be shown to specify the design standard to be used in the design of
members. For this example select AISC 360-05, AISI-01 (ASD) for steel members. The other
material options may use the code defined by default.

Select the design code shown above and press the Design button.
Once the elements are designed, the user has the option to optimize the sections with the following
command.

Select the command Optimize model in the Process tab, Process group.
For this example the optimization is not performed.

25) View results graphically

As can be seen, several buttons (in the Analysis and Design groups of the View tab) are enabled once
the structure has been analyzed and designed. These newly enabled buttons allows the user to select
what results to display.

Result buttons from the Analysis and Design groups are enabled when the structure has been
analyzed/designed.
In order to see results graphically, press the button corresponding to those desired items, and then
select the elements to see the results.
Notice that the selected display options will only be seen on the selected elements.

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Example 1: Steel

Select the load condition.

26) Deformed shape

One of the first display options that should be viewed is the deformed shape of the structure.

To see the deformed shape, press . The graphic shown corresponds to the Wind in
X load case.
In this view the elements are drawn as lines. To see the deformed shape with the original shape select
the option .

27) 3D Sections Deformed shape

It is possible to see the deformed shape with the extruded sections.

Activate the deformed shape accessing the option from the Rendering button menu (View tab, Model
group). Notice that this view may take a longer time to draw.

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 Example 1: Steel

The graphic shown corresponds to the Dead load case.

28) Stress
Another important view option is the information related to the element stress contour. This is of
particular importance in light gage structures where stress concentrations are significant to the design.

Press the button to see frame member stresses. Note that the button has a menu where
there are some options to see the stresses in the deformed shape or in shrunken members.
To select only those elements that are stressed within a certain range, mark a block of stresses with
the mouse and press .

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Example 1: Steel

To see element stresses within a certain range, mark the range and press .

RAM Elements selects those elements whose maximum stress is within the marked range of stresses.
Note that the remaining members are recalibrated (color changes).

Note. – To see only the axial stress (without bending moments, press ).

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 Example 1: Steel

29) Stress and deformation

To view stress and deformation of the elements, activate these buttons .

30) Forces diagrams

The buttons shown above (View tab, Analysis group, Member forces displayed menu) allow the user
to see the forces diagrams of the frame members:
Bending moment around element axis 3 (Typically strong axis bending)

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Example 1: Steel

Bending moment around element axis 2 (Typically weak axis bending)

Shear forces in element axis 2 (typically weak axis) (Dead load case)

Shear forces in element axis 3 (typically strong axis) (Dead load case)

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 Example 1: Steel

Torsion (Wind in X load case)

Axial forces (Dead load case)

Select the Show values option (Member forces menu) to simultaneously display the magnitude of the
forces.

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Example 1: Steel

Select Show units option (menu displayed for units at the status bar) to display the units.

31) Displacements of nodes

To see the nodal displacement values, press (View tab, Analysis group) and
choose the degree of freedom to be viewed:

The relation between a degree of freedom and its respective displacement in the global coordinate
system is as follows:
1: Tx: X translation

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 Example 1: Steel

2: Ty: Y translation
3: Tz: Z translation
4: Rx: Rotation about X
5: Ry: Rotation about Y
6: Rz: Rotation about Z
Note. – Notice that X, Y, and Z represents the global coordinate system.
Each element has its own system of coordinates, named local axes. These axes are designated with
the numbers 1, 2 and 3, which are equivalent to X, Y, and Z-axis. Local axes are Cartesian and follow
the right hand rule. To see the local axes, press (View tab, Model group).

Press and the degree of freedom corresponding to the displacement.

To see the displacement units press the Show units option in the Units menu at the status bar.

32) Reactions
To see reactions, press (View tab, Analysis group) and the degree of freedom
corresponding to the desired action.

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Example 1: Steel

This is the relation between degree of freedom and force:

1: Tx: X force
2: Ty: Y force
3: Tz: Z force
4: Rx: Moment about X
5: Ry: Moment about Y
6: Rz: Moment about Z

Press and the degree of freedom that corresponds to the desired reaction. (Case: Wind
in X)

33) Deflections
One of the most important results of an analysis is the ratio between deflection and length of the
element. To view this ratio press (View tab, Analysis group).

Options displayed in the Deflections button menu.

This ratio may vary across an element. RAM Elements displays the maximum ratio found within an
element.
Note. – The Defl/L ratio should never exceed a value suggested by the design code and judgement.

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 Example 1: Steel

Press to see the element colored Defl/L ratios.

In this panel mark a range of Defl/L ratios and press to select the elements that have slopes
within the marked range.

34) Deflection values

To see the Deflection values (in function of L) in local axis 2 direction, selection
option .
To see the Deflection values (in function of L) in local axis 3 direction, press
button .

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Example 1: Steel

Deflection in function of L for the Load combination C1.

35) Design: Colored Interaction Values

To view interaction values graphically, by color, press (View tab, Design group).
Important!

To view the interaction colors scaled from 0 to 1.0, press . To view the controlling
interaction value for all Load Combinations (not load cases) press

Press to see interaction values.

To select the elements with stress ratio within a certain range, mark a range of stress ratios and
press .

Mark a block with the mouse and press button to select elements with stress ratio within the
range.
Note that most of the results displayed to this point are for the selected load condition.

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 Example 1: Steel

36) Design: Interaction Values

To see interaction values for the currently selected load condition, press

Choose the Stress ratio option to view interaction values for the current load condition. The last
option of the menu should be enabled to see the ratios for the governing load combination.

37) Design: OK and NG (No Good) elements

To view the elements that failed code check (for the current load condition), press (View tab,
Design group):

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Example 1: Steel

Press to view elements that failed code check.

Press button to see elements that pass code check.

Press button to quickly select all elements that failed code check.
The user can print the results of the steel design in a report. To print them, go to the Output tab,
Reports group. For more information about reports see the Printing Graphics and Reports Chapter in
the manual.
The user can also use the optimization feature that is valid only for steel and wood members. This
option allows the user to change the existing sections with sections that are recommended (based on
explicit criteria) from a collection of sections. In other words, the original section can be replaced
with another that resists the imposed loads with an allowable deflection and that is located above the
original section in the list of sections specified for the optimization. To use the optimization feature
go to the Process tab, Process group, Optimize model command. For more details see Chapter 11:
Steel and Wood Structure Optimization and Code Check of the Manual.

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