RAM Structural System Help

Defining Virtual Load Cases

To define the virtual load cases for analyzing roof drift:

  • Select Mode > Analysis > Load Cases.
  • Select Loads > Load Cases. The Load Cases dialog box will open.
  • Type VX in the Label edit box.
  • Click the Virtual Work option button.
  • Click [Add] and the Virtual Load Case Story Forces dialog box will open.
  • For the Roof Level Type 100 in the Force column (100 can also be used for SI models).
  • Leave the Dir. Angle set to 0.
  • Leave the X and Y coordinates at the default. This represents the calculated center of mass for the respective level.
  • Leave the forces for the other floors set to 0.
  • Click [OK].

    This returns you to the Load Cases dialog box.

  • Type VY in the Label edit box.
  • Click the Virtual Work option button.
  • Click [Add].
  • For the Roof Level Type 100 (100) in the Force column.
  • Type 90 for Dir. Angle.
  • Click [OK].
  • Click [OK] to dismiss the Load Cases dialog box.

Next, you need to analyze the new virtual load cases:

  • Select Process > Analyze.
  • When the Analyze dialog box opens, make sure that all of load cases are selected by clicking [Select All].
  • Click [OK].