Included code sections - 10.1, 10.3, 10.5, 10.6

Excluded code sections - 10.2, 10.4, 10.7

Strain compatibility design is used.

Reinforcement areas are not deducted from the concrete area.

See "Concrete Behavior" for the material stress strain curves. φ _c = 0.65 for concrete; φ _s = 0.85 for reinforcement.

RAM Concept ’s design may exceed the maximum amount of allowed reinforcement, and therefore may create an over-reinforced section. See "Ductility" for more information on applying ductility requirements.

For span segments or design sections not designated as "post-tensioned", post-tensioning tendon forces are ignored.

Axial forces (loads) on the section are either considered or ignored based on the settings in the design section of design strip segment under consideration. If axial forces are chosen to be included, the cross section is designed to provide the required moment simultaneously with the given axial force.

At "T", "L" and "Z" beams, the beam stem and flanges may have significant tension and compression forces (at different elevations) that are required for moment equilibrium. If a cross section crosses the entire beam, these forces will largely cancel (while increasing the bending moment). However, if a cross section extends only part way across a flanged beam, then the section may have significant axial forces that are required for moment equilibrium; designing for the axial loads (by selecting the appropriate design section or design strip segment properties) is necessary to ensure a safe design.

User E_s values are used

For sections with multiple values of f_c’, the f_c’ of each concrete block is used appropriately.

For cross sections with very small moments, the amount of reinforcement calculated by RAM Concept may exceed the amount necessary. This is because RAM Concept will not allow cross sections to have strains greater than 20%, which would be necessary to create a smaller compression zone. The reinforcement RAM Concept selects is that necessary for axial force equilibrium in the cross section.

The shear and torsion tension forces are included in the flexural/axial design. In slabs, more longitudinal reinforcement than is required might be provided in order to eliminate the use of tranverse reinforcement. See "Section 11.3 Shear and Torsion Tension" for additional information.

For sections declared as "post-tensioned", bonded tendon strains are calculated using strain compatiblity (see detailed description "Relationship of Bonded Post-tensioning Strains to Cross-Section Strains." Unbonded tendon stresses are calculated using a strain reduction factor (see detailed description "Unbonded Post-tensioning Stress-Strain Curves – Program Implementation"). If a tendon is not perpendicular (in plan) to the cross section under consideration, then vector components of the cross section strains and the tendon stresses are used.