Working with Columns

Below is a list along with a brief description of each command available for modeling columns. Directions on the precise use of each command are provided in the on-line help. Many of the commands are also covered in the Tutorial.

The program is capable of modeling, analyzing and designing standard columns (those that extend down from the current layout) as well as hanging columns (those that extend up from the current layout). Most of the column commands require that Column Type – either Standard Column or Hanging Column – be specified. Only the columns of the Column Type selected are affected by the column commands. When the story data is defined, the RAM Modeler automatically determines how the hanging columns stack up or the standard columns stack down from level to level.

Icon	Description
	The majority of columns are laid out using the Layout > Columns > Add On-Grid command, as most are located on the major grid intersections. The Layout > Columns > Text and Layout > Columns > Add Off-Grid commands are provided for those columns not located on major grid intersections. If one of the Add commands is issued in a location where a column already exists, the command will be ignored. No error message will be given.
	The Layout > Columns > Move command allows the repositioning of a column by specifying a new position or incrementing the existing position. This action has the options of moving walls with the columns, and adjusting secondary beams to maintain global orientation or relative spacing. It allows the user to move both the top and bottom of the column, just the top or just the bottom. By moving just the top or just the bottom, sloping columns can be created.
	The Layout > Columns > Offset command allows a column to be offset, with rigid link automatically inserted or deleted. This action has the options of moving walls with the columns, and adjusting secondary beams to maintain global orientation or relative spacing.
	The Layout > Columns > Assign Rigid Links command allows rigid links to be added to or deleted from columns.
	A delete command is provided for the deletion of columns. The Layout > Columns > Delete command affects only the columns modeled in the currently selected material mode. For example, if the current material mode is Steel, only steel columns will be deleted. The appropriate material mode must be selected to delete the corresponding members.
	The Layout > Columns > Change Properties command is used to change the properties or orientation of an existing column. A commonly used modeling technique is to enter all the columns on the floor type by setting the properties and orientation common to the majority of the columns. Properties of the other columns are then modified using the Change Properties command. This is generally a faster way to model columns than laying out columns individually.
	The material designation of a column can be changed using a combination of the Material command and the Layout > Columns > Change Material commands. The new material designation is selected from the Material menu first. The Layout > Columns > Change Material command is then used to make the change. This command is used to change steel columns to concrete columns, for example.
	Column coordinates and properties can be inspected by using the Layout > Columns > Show command.
	For members carrying loads from one-way decks, the reductions on Live Loads are automatically calculated based on the specified Building Code. The reductions can be limited or over-ridden using the Layout > Columns > LL Reduction command. The Use Calculated Value option will result in the Code-specified reduction being applied. The Use Calculated Value, limited to a Maximum of option will result in the lesser of the Code-specified value and the user-specified value being applied. The Use option will result in that value being applied (even if it exceeds the value permitted by Code). No automatic Live Load reduction calculation is performed for members carrying loads from two-way slabs. The reduction to be applied to the Live Load on such members must be assigned to the member using the Use option.
	Sloping framing can be modeled by modifying the top of a standard column elevation or the bottom of a hanging column elevation using the Layout > Columns – Modify Elevation command. Beams that frame into these columns will automatically be sloped, as will the beams that frame into those beams, etc. See Section 3.4 for more information.
	The RAM Frame program requires information on the end fixity condition for the lateral analysis. The default for columns is fixed at both ends about all three axes. The default settings can be modified on a column-by-column basis using the Layout > Columns > Assign Frame Fixity command. The fixity conditions can be graphically displayed using the Options > Show Frame Fixity command.
	The RAM Steel Column module automatically determines the column moments due to the beam reaction acting at the eccentricity caused by the beam-to-column connection. By default, for Standard Columns the program uses the Eccentricities setting specified in the Options > Set Defaults command. However, by default for Hanging Columns the program assigns zero eccentricity (and hence no eccentric moment would be applied). The Layout > Columns > Assign Eccentricity command is used to assign eccentricities when those values differ from the defaults. This data is only used by the RAM Steel Column Design module. The assigned values can be seen using the Layout > Columns > Show command.
	RAM Frame requires that all lateral columns have sizes assigned before an analysis can be performed. This can either be performed manually in the RAM Modeler or in RAM Frame, or automatically in the RAM Steel Column module (lateral members are designed for gravity loads in these modules). In the RAM Modeler sizes are assigned to either gravity or lateral columns using the Layout > Columns > Assign Sizes command.
	The Layout > Columns > Clear Sizes is used to clear the user assigned sizes from a column.
	The Layout > Columns > Text command provides a convenient way of editing some of the basic column data, such as coordinates, yield strength, and shape in a spreadsheet-type format.
	RAM Concrete requires that all members, both lateral and gravity, have sizes assigned before an analysis can be performed. Sizes can be assigned to concrete beams and columns either in the Modeler or in the RAM Concrete module, however, concrete column section properties must be defined in the PropTable > Column Sections command in RAM Modeler. All other members should be assigned sizes in the RAM Modeler or designed in the RAM Steel design modules.

RAM Foundation also uses column sizes. Any foundations that have unsized columns sitting on them will not be able to be designed. As mentioned above, sizes can be assigned to the lateral steel columns either in the Modeler or can be sized by RAM Steel. Gravity columns of a material type other than steel must have sizes assigned in the RAM Modeler.