Maximum Search Radius - This radius defines the circular area around a column that RAM Concept will investigate in its search for potential failure locations. A punching zone radius that is set to be a very large distance will always be conservative. However, having a very large radius has two detrimental effects. First, RAM Concept will need to review a larger area of the slab, and hence will take longer to check the column. More importantly, slab holes and slab edges that are far from the column will be considered in determining the potentially critical sections which may result in a smaller critical section than is appropriate.

Cover to CGS - This is the distance from the top of slab to the centroid elevation of the top reinforcement. In general this is the distance from the top of the slab to the bottom of the top bar (or the top of the bar under the top bar). This distance is subtracted from the slab thickness to determine the "d" distance.

Angle - The plan angle about which punching reactions are enveloped. For some codes this also defines the angle about which the punching calculations are performed. In general, this should either be set to the angle of the column or (if the column is at a slab edge) the angle of the slab edge. The "Align Punch Check Axis with Rectangular Columns" checkbox can be used to automatically set the angle.

Edge/Hole Treatment - See the second figure in this chapter.

Connection Type - Corner, edge, interior or auto. Refer to "About Connection Type".