Beam properties

Beam properties fall into two categories: general and behavior.

The following is an explanation of RAM Concept beam properties:

Setting	Description
Name	User-defined label used to identify the beam in output. This label is automatically transferred to meshed beam elements during mesh generation.
Concrete Mix	Type of concrete used (defined in Materials Specification).
Thickness	is the same as beam depth.
Surface Elevation	It is customary to set the typical elevation as 0. Setting the elevation to a very large value (such as 100 feet or 30 m) may result in round off errors in the analysis. You create surface and soffit steps by using different surface elevations for different areas.
Width	The beam width automatically appears to scale.
Priority	Generally, beams have higher priorities than slabs.
Mesh As Slab	If checked, this beam will be meshed identically to slabs using the priority method.

The beam behavior properties are very similar to the slab area properties. The beam R-Axis is automatically set to the beam longitudinal axis.

Setting	Description
Behavior	This defines the beam’s behavior type. It has four possible values: Standard The beam is isotropic and behaves in the same manner in all directions. No-torsion The beam behaves like a two-way slab, except that it has only minimal torsional stiffness (Mrs). Custom All of the stiffnesses (relative to the isotropic slab stiffness) can be specified by the user. These values are called KMr, KMs, KMrs, KFr, KFs and KVrs. In general, we do not recommend using this option. Refer to Orthotropic behavior for further information on the use of Behavior properties.

Setting

Description

Behavior

This defines the beam’s behavior type. It has four possible values:

Standard The beam is isotropic and behaves in the same manner in all directions.
No-torsion The beam behaves like a two-way slab, except that it has only minimal torsional stiffness (Mrs).
Custom All of the stiffnesses (relative to the isotropic slab stiffness) can be specified by the user. These values are called KMr, KMs, KMrs, KFr, KFs and KVrs. In general, we do not recommend using this option.

Refer to Orthotropic behavior for further information on the use of Behavior properties.