Member Code Check - Seismic Provisions

To check the member design against the special seismic provisions, you will follow the same steps as for standard provisions: To start the code check:

Select Process > Member Code Check.

A progress bar will keep you informed of the progress of the code check. When the code check is complete, the lateral system of the model will appear color coded to indicate the design status of the members.

The View/Update command can be used to interactively modify individual member sizes to improve the design.

Select Process > Member View/Update.
With the cursor, select one of the lowest steel columns in the moment frame.

The Column View/Update dialog box should appear. In the lower box is a list of the various design provisions and an indication of which checks the member has passed, or failed. The signal light in the box will be lit red to indicate the member has failed one of these provisions.

Note: Double click on any icon in the results list box to view a short explanation of that icon. Refer to the technical manual for a description of all the View/Update icons.

To see the details of the design Click [View Results].

The Seismic Provisions Member Code Check Report should come up. Review the report. For more information on the designs performed in this check refer to the technical portion of the RAM Frame - Special Seismic Provisions documentation.

Click to exit the report.
Select the W14x43 section from the Column Size list box.
Click [Analyze]. The design checks and signal light will be updated to reflect the results of the analysis.
Click [Cancel] to revert to the original size.

Note: Some of the beams and braces in the chevron braced frames will fail the special seismic provisions code check. Feel free to increase the size of those members now. An HSS6x6x3/8 should work for the braces and a W12x30 should work for the beams. Besides using the View/Update command, member sizes can also be assigned directly using the assign menu options.