Reinforcement areas are not deducted from the concrete area.
Strain compatibility design is used. See "General Design Approach" for a description of RAM Concept’s strain compatibility design.
See "Concrete Stress-Strain Curves" and for tendon, concrete and mild steel reinforcement stress strain curves
User Es values are used
For sections with multiple values of f’c, the f’c of each concrete block is used appropriately.
RAM Concept’s design may exceed the maximum amount of allowed reinforcement, and therefore may create an over-reinforced section. See "Ductility" for applying ductility requirements.
If the section or strip is declared as not being post-tensioned, then 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 or 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.
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 diversion of post-tensioning forces into supports (and other regions of the structure) will cause a hyperstatic (secondary) tension in many cross sections, as is appropriate.
RAM Concept does not consider section 19.3.5 which states that unbonded tendons should only be used on grade; the engineer needs to take this into account before starting the design.
Section 8.1.8 (Detailing of flexural reinforcement and tendons) is not implemented.
The standard strength reduction factor (φ) of 0.8 is used.
