RAM Concrete Analysis has implemented a special method to more accurately analyze the scenario of a pinned concrete beam supported on the face of a column. For this situation RAM Concrete Analysis introduces an additional finite element (stub) for the distance between column centerline and column face (full rigid end zone length). This element is assigned section properties 1,000 times that of the beam itself to ensure rigid behavior and avoid numerical inaccuracy. By implementing the pinned end in this manner we assume that there is very little panel zone deformations considered in analysis. The original pinned beam is assumed to span into the end of this internal stub rigid element. When this occurs at both ends of the beam, the beam length is redefined in such a way that it extends for the clear length between columns (as illustrated below).

This approach enables the columns to experience more accurate moments when subject to only gravity loading. Note that all forces are presented in terms of the physical member, and this internal manipulation should be transparent to the user.

For each load case where a beam is loaded, the joint will be subject to a moment equal to the reaction of the gravity member times the rigid end zone distance (face to centerline). A good application for this may be where a column supports precast concrete beams and the user would like to consider the effect of beam skip loading on the design of the column.