Analysis of slab and beam elements
RAM Concept assumes that beam elements and slab elements behave the same; unless their "behavior" is specified for the finite elements.
The first analysis assumption that RAM Concept makes for slab elements is that "linear sections remain linear"; this is analogous to "plane sections remain plane" in beam theory.
The second analysis assumption that RAM Concept makes for slab elements is that the force and stress patterns in the element are that of a typical slab location. The following table shows the possible slab element forces and their associated stresses.
Symbol | Force | Related Stress |
---|---|---|
Fx |
Axial force on x-face |
Uniform axial stress, σx |
Fy |
Axial force on y-face |
Uniform axial stress, σy |
Vxy | In-plane shear force | Uniform shear stress, σxy |
Vxz | Transverse shear force on x-face | Parabolic (along z-axis) shear stress, σxz |
Vyz | Transverse shear force on y-face | Parabolic (along z-axis) shear stress, σyz |
Mx | Bending moment about x-axis | Linear (along z-axis) axial stress, σy |
My | Bending moment about y-axis | Linear (along z-axis) axial stress, σx |
Txy | Torsional moment | Linear (along z-axis) shear stress, σxy |