Metal Deck Tables

In order to accurately calculate the properties of the composite section it is necessary to know certain parameters of the metal deck being used. Rather than requiring that these parameters be calculated and input each time the program is run, the program utilizes a database of decks containing the required information. You merely have to select the deck type, by name, and the program automatically uses the proper values.

The information for these decks is only used in the design of composite beams. Only decks that are used in composite design should be added to the deck tables. Only decks that have configurations that conform to the steel design specification that is going to be selected should be included. For example, some specifications limit the rib depth; in that case those deep decks should not be included in the deck tables since they would not produce valid designs. The program may not warn of unacceptable deck profiles in all cases. Note that Roof decks that are not used for composite design should not be included in the deck tables.

The metal deck information is used when defining the composite deck and slab information with the PropTable > Decking in RAM Modeler. The assignment of the deck file to be assigned to the database is made or changed using the Criteria > Design Steel Tables command in RAM Manager. The assignment may be changed at any time; however, changing it after the model has been created will not have any effect on the model since the values in the original table will have already been assigned to the model at the time the PropTable > Decking command was performed.

Provided with the program are several files containing Deck Types commonly used, with the deck properties required by the program.

RAMDECKS.DCK contains decks commonly used in the United States
RAMCAN.DCK contains decks commonly used in Canada
RAMUK.DCK contains decks commonly used in Great Britain
RAMAS.DCK contains decks commonly used in Australia.

The files are in text format that can be edited, thus allowing the engineer to customize the table to meet current needs. Decks not listed in the original file can be added while decks not used can be deleted. If desired, generic decks can be created. Deck tables for other countries can be easily created.

Tip: A backup copy of the deck table (file extension.DCK) file should be made before editing so that if errors are made, the original file can be recovered.

Rather than modifying the original deck type table, you might prefer to create a new table consisting of the most commonly used decks. A separate file of decks, perhaps for those commonly used in other countries, might be created. There is no limit to the number of deck tables that the program will support. The only criteria that must be met is that the new files be in the prescribed format.

Deck tables may be defined in either English units or SI units. It is not necessary for the units of the deck table to correspond to the current program units; the program will make the appropriate units conversion if necessary. For example, a deck table whose units are English could be selected even though the program units are currently SI, and vice versa.

Tip: The metal deck information is used when defining the composite deck with the Composite dialog. Since deck types in the decks list box are listed in the same order as they appear in the deck table file, moving the most commonly specified deck type to the top of the file will save time modeling since it will always appear first in the list box.

The deck tables must be located in the Tables directory.