Layout - Beams/Joists - Size Restriction
This information pertains to both the Layout - Beams - Size Restriction and the Layout - Joists - Size Restriction commands.
Size restrictions are valid for Gravity beams and joists only, and are only used by the RAM Steel Beam Design module. Any steel beam which is assigned a size restriction will be optimized utilizing that restriction. You will be warned if no steel beam of the depth or width specified passes the design criteria and the deflection criteria, and the optimum size will then be selected by the program.
In the RAM Steel Beam Design module, Standard Joists which are selected from Joist Design Tables are limited in depth not to exceed the maximum depth restriction specified, nor to be less than the minimum depth restriction specified. For Custom Joists, Special Joists and Joist Girders, which are not selected from Joist Design Tables but are merely assigned labels, the depth restriction is taken as the actual depth, and is used in the Joist label. If no depth restriction is assigned to such joists, the depth will be indicated as " XX " in the joist label.
Size Restrictions on steel beams and joists can be either set or cleared. To set restrictions, select the Set Restriction option button. To clear any restrictions already imposed, select the Clear Restriction option button. If Set Restriction is selected, the restriction must be entered.
To specify a maximum depth, check the box next to the Maximum Depth option and enter a value in the Maximum Depth edit box. This is an absolute depth, not a nominal depth.
To specify a minimum depth, check the box next to the Minimum Depth option and enter a value in the Minimum Depth edit box. This is an absolute depth, not a nominal depth.
To specify a minimum width, check the box next to the Minimum Width option and enter a value in the Minimum Width edit box.
Once the restrictions have been entered, click either Single or Fence.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Single: | Click the target cursor on a steel beam or steel joist whose depth restriction you wish to set or clear. |
| Fence: | Fence an area in which all beams ' depth restriction will be cleared or set. |
Return to the Beam Size Restriction Mode dialog box with the Right Mouse Button or the "D" key.
Return to the Layout - Beams menu with the "M" key.
Clicking the Cancel button or selecting any other RAM Modeler Layout command will end the Layout - Beams - Size Restriction command.
View the Size Restrictions using the Options - Show Size Restrictions command, or highlight the beams to which size restrictions have been assigned using the Options - Set Show Options command.