Dead and Mass Loads on Sloped Diaphragms
Dead loads are entered in the program as actual loads, based on actual weights. If a dead line\surface load is defined on a sloped diaphragm, RAM Frame accounts for effects of sloping of diaphragm by modifying dead load values. It should be noted that such a modification is not needed for live loads because they are specified as projected loads. The modification is only applied to dead and mass line\surface loads if they are defined on a sloped diaphragm containing two-way decks.
In calculation of load modification factors due to sloped geometry of diaphragm, the program tries to calculate vertical angle of deck located inside the sloped diaphragm (i.e., angle of elevated plane of deck measured from X-Y plane). For complex deck configurations (or invalid diaphragm geometries), it is possible that improper modification factor is calculated and applied to loads. The program produces a warning message if modification factor is larger than 2.0:
In calculation of mass and gravity loads on sloped decks, a large correction factor applied to line or surface loads on sloped decks. Calculated results in Diaphragm Gravity Loads dialog and Diaphragm Mass dialog may not be correct for sloped diaphragms.
It is advised that total dead\mass load applied on sloped diaphragms should be verified if the above warning message is produced.