RAM Concept column forces can be integrated into the concrete gravity analysis but only for levels which are not affected by hangers. The interaction between RAM Structural System and RAM Concrete occurs through the RAM Model. To track the current state of the forces and the interaction between the programs select the Criteria-Column Forces command to display the Column Design Forces dialog. Please note that the levels which are affected by hanger column forces are not shown in the dialog box.

To use RAM Concrete Gravity Analysis column forces (ignore any RAM Concept forces) select the Use RAM Concrete Analysis Forces at all levels. If RAM Concept forces are available to be used the user can select the ‘Use RAM Concept Analysis Forces at Selected Levels’.

The columns of the table provide the following information:

Use : Select the stories for which Concept forces are to be used. Note that only stories with a green or yellow status (see description of status below and in technical notes) can be selected.

Story : The RAM Structural System story.

Source Story : This represents the story that was originally read by RAM Concept and whose analysis results were exported to this story. RAM Concept can export member forces into any story that is of the same layout type as the story it originally imported. For example if 2nd and 3rd story in the RAM Structural model use floor type A, then Concept can read the data from story 2nd, analyze the floor and provide forces back to both stories 2nd and 3rd in the Structural System (even though no data was ever imported from story 3rd into Concept).

Read : This represents the time that RAM Concept last imported the major information (geometry) from this story.

Saved : This represents the time that RAM Concept last exported member forces for this story.

Concept File : The name and path of the Concept file that was used to produce the forces sent back to the RAM Structural System.

Status : Indicates the current state (synchronicity) between the RAM Structural System model and the RAM Concept model. Only stories whose status is Current (green) or Not Current (yellow) can be selected to have their forces integrated with RAM Structural System. Stories that have a state of Not Available (red) cannot be selected. If the use RAM Concept force is selected, clicking on any of the status dots will report the reason for the current state. Refer to the RAM Concept Column and Wall Force Integration Chapter for more detailed information.