The Process-Member View/Update command is a powerful feature that allows the user to view detailed results of the stress and capacity checks based on the currently selected steel design code (in the Criteria-Code command). If desired the member size and yield strength can be modified and the Code Check repeated. The modified data can then be saved to the database without requiring returning to the RAM Modeler.

When the View/Update command is issued, the target cursor appears with which the user selects the frame member on which the Code Check is to be performed. The steel standard provision member Code Check is then performed on the member selected. The check is performed for all generated and user-defined load combinations that are selected, and the results, along with other member data, are displayed in a dialog box. The header of this dialog box provides information about the frame member selected: floor type, member number, story level, and span coordinates.

The currently assigned member size appears in the top box of the Member Sizes box with other available sizes listed below it. The yield strength (Fy, fy, or py) is also displayed. The results of the Code Check, in terms of an interaction equation value, appear at the bottom of the dialog box. If the interaction equation value is less than 1.0 the value appears in black and the stop light is green; if the interaction equation value is greater than 1.0 the value appears in red and the stop light is red, indicating that the member fails.

Changes can be made to the member size by selecting any size in the list or to the yield strength by editing the value, and the member Code Check re-run by clicking the Analyze button. The interaction equation value and the stoplight will be updated based on the results of the new Code Check. The modified member size and yield strength can be saved to the database using the Update Data Base button. When the database is changed in this way, the status indicator light at the right end of the status bar turns yellow. The model should be reanalyzed to calculate an accurate distribution of forces.

The View Results button causes the Member Code Check output to appear on the screen. It is a detailed report of the Code Check results. The report includes design parameters and criteria, the controlling load combinations, calculated stresses and capacities, and the interaction equation results.