RAM Structural System Help

IS 875: 1987 Wind

SettingDescription
Load Case States the Label of the load case being defined.
Direction Use the Direction box to indicate the direction of the force (X, Y, or both) by clicking on the corresponding box so that the box is marked. One load case will be generated for each direction at which the force acts.
Mean Roof Height/Structure Height

Building height used in the calculation of Gust Response and Pressure Coefficients (It is not used in the calculation of the actual exposed area). Building Height refers to the height of the building above ground level as defined in the Ground Level dialog. If parapet height is to be included, it is defined in the Exposure dialog.

You have the option to override the program’s selection of Building Height by selecting the third option, Use, and entering a value in the corresponding edit box.

See building code for more information.

Design Wind Speed
SettingDescription
Basic Wind Speed Type the basic wind speed input.
k1 / k3 Type the probability factor, k1, and the topography factor, k3, respectively.
k2 You can select the Use option to type the terrain, height, and structure size factor, k2, manually.

Alternately, you can select the Use calculated option and then select the Terrain Category and terrain Class type.

External Pressure Coefficient (Cpe) In both X and Y directions, you can either select Use calculated to use the program determined coefficients or select the Use option to specify both Windward and Leeward coefficients.
Generate Additional Load Cases for Analysis with Tension-Only Members

RAM Frame utilizes a nonlinear analysis algorithm to keep track of tension-only members during solution of the structural model under applied loads. Since the process has a nonlinear (iterative) nature, analysis results can not be simply superposed with other results as in load combination option in RAM Frame. Therefore, each lateral load case (wind or seismic) are solved separately.

Since the direction of the lateral loads become important in an iterative analysis, RAM Frame provides an option such that additional load cases can be created upon user request. When Generate Additional Load Cases for Analysis with Tension-Only Members in generating lateral load cases (wind and seismic load cases only) is invoked, additional load cases are created. For instance, there are 12 load cases generated for a regular IBC 2000 (ASCE 7-98) Wind load case. If this box is checked, the number of the load cases becomes 22. Additional load cases are created to account for directional effects of applied loads so that the most severe loading case is captured.

Conceptual example of additional load cases for tension-only members