Shrinkage Area Load Properties
The following is a list of RAM Concept shrinkage area load properties:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Δε Top | Strain change at the top of the slab. |
| Δε Bot | Strain change at the bottom of the slab. |
Notes:
- Positive strain changes expand elements. Negative strain changes contract/shrink elements.
- When different values are input for Δε Top and Δε Bot, a curvature is induced in the elements.
- The area strain change cannot linearly vary. Only a single strain change value can be input for Δε Top and Δε Bot.
- Shrinkage area loads must be at least partially located on finite elements; Concept issues a warning if you violate this rule. Concept ignores any part of an area not on a finite element.
- Overlapping shrinkage area loads are not permitted.
- Where elements intersect multiple shrinkage area loads, the shrinkage area load covering the larges are of the element is used for the entire element.