RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 8 Release 15.

08
Release Notes
Release Date: April 2018

This document contains important information regarding changes to the RAM Structural System. It
is important that all users are aware of these changes. Please distribute these Release Notes and
make them available to all users of the RAM Structural System.

Bentley CONNECT:
Bentley is in the process of requiring all users to sign-in in order to use any Bentley programs. This
is being done now in anticipation of the implementation of powerful and customized features
intended to better help users perform their jobs. Moving to this sign-in requirement now better
facilitates our implementing those new features.

If you do not already have a Bentley ID, go to http://www.bentley.com/profile and select the Sign
Up Now link.

Bentley CONNECT already offers several benefits, and the value continues to increase. Listed here
are two key features:

CONNECTION Center
When you sign in to your Bentley account you now have easy access to CONNECTION Center.
This personalized portal gives you easy access to Usage reports, site configuration information,
downloads, and Learning information on webinars, seminars and events, and includes a
transcript listing the Bentley courses that you have completed. Your personal portal also lists
your recent projects with a portal into analytics on that project. CONNECTION Center can be
accessed by selecting the Sign In command in the upper right corner of the RAM Manager
screen.

CONNECTED Projects
All of Bentley’s CONNECT Edition programs, including RAM Structural System, allow models
to be associated with a project. Multiple models, from any of the Bentley products, can be
associated with a given project. This simplifies the process of keeping track of work done for a
project, and will enable analytics to be performed and reported for the project.

A ProjectWise Projects portal enables you and your project teams to see project details required
to evaluate team activity and understand project performance.
• View project activity by site, application and user
• Gain insights into the users who are working on your projects and their effort
• Register and manage your CONNECTED Projects
• Access ProjectWise Connection Services including ProjectWise Project Sharing, ProjectWise
Project Performance Dashboards and ProjectWise Issue Resolution Administration

When a model is Saved in this version the program will ask for a Project to which the file is to
be associated. Projects can be registered (created) from your Personal Portal, or from the Assign
Project dialog by selecting the + Register Project command.

RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 8 Release 15.08 1

Tutorial:
Except for minor corrections, the Tutorial Manual has not been updated but is still valid. The
appearance of some parts of the program in this version may differ from that shown in the Tutorial.

Important Notices:
This version automatically converts databases created in previous versions to the new database
format. Note that a backup file is created automatically when a database is converted; the name of
the database is the same, with “Orig” and the version number appended to the name. The file has an
extension of “.zip” and is located in the same directory as the original database.

The previous steel tables and load combination templates supplied with the program will be
replaced with new tables and templates of the same name. If you have customized any Master or
Design tables or load combination templates supplied with the program without changing the file
names, those file names should be renamed from the original RAM table names prior to installation
to prevent your changes from being lost.

Installation Instructions:
This version can be found on the Bentley Software Fulfilment web page by logging into the
Personal Portal or the Enterprise Portal and selecting the Software Downloads icon. Perform a
search for “RAM Structural System”, select any of the RAM Structural System modules (e.g., RAM
Modeler; they all use the same installer), and select the latest version of the RAM Structural
System.

Product Licensing FAQ:

Appendix A at the end of these Notes contains a document describing features available in the
RAM Structural System to help prevent inadvertent use of unlicensed modules. Refer to that
document for more information.

Security Risk Advisory:

Not applicable to this release. Every effort is made to ensure that there are no security risks in the
software. There are no known security issues, no issues were addressed in this version.

New Features and Enhancements:

For details on these new features and enhancements, refer to the manual .pdf files available from
the Help menu in each module or from the Manuals folder on your hard drive.

AISC 360-16 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings

The requirements of AISC 360-16 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings have been
implemented in RAM Steel Beam, RAM Steel Column, and RAM Frame. In RAM Steel Beam the
requirements have been implemented for composite and noncomposite steel beams and cellular and
castellated C-Beams. Options for methods to satisfy the new requirement for composite beam
design to consider the effect of the ductility of the shear stud connection has been implemented, see
the description of the enhancements to Composite Beam Stud Criteria for more information.

AISC 341-16 / AISC 358-16 Seismic Design

RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 8 Release 15.08 2

The requirements of AISC 341-16 Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings and AISC 358-
16 Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for Seismic
Applications for seismic design have been implemented in RAM Frame. Changes include, among
others, updates to requirements for width-thickness ratios per Table D1.1 and use of Ecl, the
capacity-limited horizontal seismic load effect, rather than Emh, the effect of horizontal forces
including overstrength, where appropriate. The implementation is comprehensive and robust.

ASCE 7-16
The requirements of ASCE 7-16 for the automatic generation of Wind loads, Seismic loads, and
Response Spectra Analysis have been implemented.

Creep and Shrinkage Analysis

The Construction Stage Analysis feature introduced in V15.06 has been expanded to give the option
to include creep and shrinkage time effects in concrete members. Time intervals for each stage are
specified. The user can choose from three different analysis methodologies: ACI 209R-98, CEB
MC90-99, or Model B3.

Composite Beam Stud Criteria

Several powerful enhancements have been made to the Stud Criteria in RAM Steel Beam.

Previously a Minimum % of Full Composite Allowed could be specified, applicable to all

composite beams. Separate Minimum % values can now be specified for beams with Short Spans
versus those with Long Spans, and the span length that divides the two. This feature was
implemented mainly to provide one method for satisfying the new AISC 360-16 requirement for
composite beam design to consider the effect of the ductility of the shear stud connection; the
Commentary indicates that one method for doing that is to design beams with spans greater than 30
ft to be at least 50% of full composite. The option is available for all of the Codes, for anyone who
desires to specify different minimum values for longer beams versus shorter beams. Note that it is
not necessary to specify any minimum % values; the program will automatically satisfy the Code-
specified minimums. These options are provided only for those that desire to design to a higher
minimum % value.

Previously there was the ability to specify Maximum Stud Spacing, with options to limit the spacing
per the Code requirements or to a more stringent value specified by the user, applicable to all
composite beams. This has now been split into two sets of options, one for the case of the deck
parallel to the beam and one for the case when the deck is not parallel to the beam (perpendicular or
at some angle) for which an additional option, maximum spacing equal to Rib Spacing, has been
implemented. This latter option will result in a stud in every rib, properly considering the number of
ribs that actually cross the beam, whether perpendicular or at some skewed angle. When the deck is
perpendicular this option provides another way of satisfying the new AISC 360-16 requirement for
composite beam design to consider the effect of the ductility of the shear stud connection; this
won’t necessarily satisfy the requirement if the deck is skewed with respect to the beams.

When designing to any of the AISC 360 Specifications there is an option to satisfying the new
AISC 360-16 requirement for composite beam design to consider the effect of the ductility of the
shear stud connection by enforcing the method given in the Commentary, which indicates that for
beams with spans greater than 30 ft the beam must either be at least 50% composite or have shear
studs that provide at least 16kip/ft of capacity (roughly one stud per foot). It is recommended that

RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 8 Release 15.08 3

this option be selected, otherwise the user will have to verify some other way that the stud ductility
requirement is satisfied. If this option is selected it is not necessary to also specify a Minimum % of
50% for Long Spans nor to specify Maximum Stud Spacing, the program will determine how best
to satisfy the requirement automatically. Note that this option will not automatically be selected for
existing models, so it is highly recommended that you do so.

Castellated and Cellular Beams

In addition to the implementation of AISC 360-16, the design warnings for Castellated and Cellular
C-Beams have been enhanced. For an optimized C-Beam size, if the number of studs required to
satisfy a user-specified Minimum Percent Composite or user-specified Maximum Stud Spacing did
not fit on the beam (because for example the deck is skewed or the flange is narrow), the program
would call for as many studs as would fit but would not warn the user that the user-specified value
was not satisfied. The designs satisfied code-required Minimum Percent Composite and maximum
stud spacing, but may not have satisfied user-specified values, without warning to the user. Proper
warnings are now given (even though no further action is required to meet the requirements of the
Specification).

The speed of design of Westok beams has been enhanced substantially.

AISC 341 Buckling Restrained Braced Frames

In addition to the implementation of the updated AISC 341-16 requirements, Sections F4.2 and F4.5
of the Buckling Restrained Braced Frames Report were enhanced to better clarify the design state.

Bentley CONNECT Advisor

Bentley Connect Advisor provides links to valuable resources, including training courses, Bentley
Communities articles, and YouTube videos. This feature has been enhanced with more material,
filtered to provide more pertinent links. This feature is available under the Bentley Cloud Service
menu in the RAM Manager.

ProjectWise Projects
A new command is available, ProjectWise Projects under the Bentley Cloud Service menu in the
RAM Manager, that provides a list of all of the projects that you are associated with. The list
provides the Project Number, Name, Asset Type and Location. The items in the list provide a link
to the Project Portal for that project, where models and project information can be shared and
monitored.

ISM Interoperability
Substantial work has been done to the implementation of ISM and the Structural Synchronizer,
including correction of several defects, to make the interoperability with Bentley AECOsim
Building Designer, Revit, and Tekla more robust and complete.

Error Corrections:

Some program errors have been corrected for Version 15.08. Corrections made to graphics, reports,
Modeler functions, program crashes, etc., that were considered minor are not listed here. The
noteworthy error corrections are listed here in order to notify you that they have been corrected or to
assist you in determining the impact of those errors on previous designs. These errors were
RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 8 Release 15.08 4
generally obscure and uncommon, affecting only a very small percentage of models, or had no
impact on the results. The errors, when they occurred, were generally quite obvious. However, if
there is any question, it may be advisable to reanalyze previous models to determine the impact, if
any. In each case the error only occurred for the precise conditions indicated. Those errors that may
have resulted in un-conservative designs are shown with an asterisk. We apologize for any
inconvenience this may cause.

Defaults Utility
RAM FRAME GENERAL CRITERIA - EIGENSOLVER SETTING: If the user specified Ritz
Vectors as the default for the Eigenvalue Analysis, the program assigned Eigen Vectors
(Lanczos) to new models, and vice versa.
Effect: If Eigen Vectors (Subspace Iteration) was specified in the Defaults Utility, new models
were correctly assigned that method, but if either Ritz or Lanczos were specified in the Defaults
Utility, RAM Frame used the reverse, unless corrected in General Criteria in RAM Frame by the
user.

RAM FOUNDATION OPTIMIZATION DEFAULTS: The optimization criteria for RAM

Foundation was not saved when set in the Defaults Utility.
Effect: The program defaults, not the user-intended defaults, were used in new models. The
optimization criteria had to be changed on a per model basis.

DXF Output
COLUMN AND FOOTING - TEXT OPTIONS: Default values were not displayed when dialog
opened.
Effect: Display error only. The error gave the impression that no default values existed for these
DXF settings.

COLUMN AND FOOTING CRASH: When a model was predominantly walls, with few or no
columns, the program sometimes crashed when attempting to generate the column and footing
DXF file.
Effect: Program crash. Incomplete file generated.

3D Viewer
GRID DISPLAY IN 3D VIEW: The 3D viewer only displays the grids associated with the lowest
layout type, but if that layout type didn't use the first Grid System in the list the 3D viewer
would not show one of the Grid Systems used by that layout type. For example, if the layout
type didn't use the first Grid System in the list and used one other Grid System, no grids would
display in the 3D view; if the layout type didn't use the first Grid System in the list and used two
other Grid Systems, only one of those grid systems would display in the 3D view.
Effect: Display error only, some grids may have been missing in the 3D Views.

STIFFNESS MODIFIER KF FOR GENERIC BUCKLING RESTRAINED BRACES: Using the

Buckling Restrained options on the Braces tab of the View - Members command, the Stiffness
Modifier KF value did not display for generic buckling restrained braces.
Effect: Could show assigned KF value for CoreBrace and Star Seismic buckling restrained braces,
but not for generic buckling restrained braces.

RAM Steel Beam

RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 8 Release 15.08 5

MAX STUD SPACING WARNING: If the rib spacing is greater than the user-specified Maximum
Stud Spacing (such as can occur when the deck is skewed), a message is correctly given that the
Max Stud Spacing exceeds the Rib Spacing, but no warning was given to indicate that the
maximum spacing wasn't satisfied (because of that). The additional warning is now given, that
the stud spacing exceeds the Maximum Stud Spacing.
Effect: In that case the design was correct except that it did not satisfy the user-specified Maximum
Stud Spacing. There was a stud in every rib, but the ribs were spaced too far apart to satisfy the
criteria.

AISC ASD 9TH PARTIAL STUDS: The View/Update command lists the number of studs
corresponding to Full (full composite), Partial (number of studs required to satisfy all
requirements), and Actual. In some cases, the values listed for Partial were incorrect based on an
error in a calculation related to stud requirements at point loads.
Effect: This was a display error only, it did not affect the actual design. It only occurred for AISC
ASD 9th Edition designs, and only on beams with point loads (such as girders supporting other
beams).

ASSIGN DEFLECTION CRITERIA IN MODELS IMPORTED FROM ISM: If the user had
created several Deflection Criteria sets in the RAM Defaults Utility, only the Default Deflection
Criteria was recognized and available to be assigned if the model was created from ISM using
"New From Repository".
Effect: Could only assign the Default Deflection Criteria to Concrete/Steel beams for models
created by importing a repository. This was a rare defect that would only occur if the user had
created multiple Deflection criteria in the RAM Defaults Utility.

RAM Steel Column

AISC 360 Cb AMPLIFICATION*: The provisions of Section H1.2 were applied to singly
symmetric sections.
Effect: While the provision for Cb amplification under section H1.2 was intended for doubly
symmetric members, the code check process erroneously applied an amplified Cb to singly
symmetric sections. Designs for doubly symmetric members were correctly performed.

AISC 360 Cb FOR COMBINED TENSION AND BENDING: The reported Cb for doubly
symmetric members subjected to combined tension and bending may have been incorrect
Effect: Doubly symmetric members under combined tension and bending loads were designed using
an increased Cb as permitted by AISC 360-05/10 Section H1.2. While the reported capacities
were correct, the reported Cb was based on bending alone rather than the increased Cb
permitted with axial tension.

RAM Concrete Analysis

INCORRECT LOADS CALCULATED FOR OVERLAPPED SURFACE LOADS ON DECKS*:
In case of overlapped surface loads, the program considers the surface load defined last. In some
cases, in RAM Concrete - Analysis module the loads calculated for overlapped surface loads
were incorrectly resolved. Hence, some loads were missed. This error appears to be very rare
and did not generally occur.
Effect: The program may have missed loads related to overlapped surface loads. Incorrect analysis
values may have resulted in unconservative designs due to missed loads.

RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 8 Release 15.08 6

RAM Concrete Beam
BS8110-97 MINIMUM STEEL*: When designing beams to BS 8110, the minimum requirement
for tension reinforcement was underestimated if grade 500 steel was used. The requirement in
3.12.5.3 is 0.13%. The minimum percentage used was 0.12%.
Effect: Beams designed to BS 8110 may have been under-designed for conditions outlined above.

ACI SEISMIC SHEAR*: The design shear Ve per ACI 318-11 section 21.5.4.1 requires the
consideration of gravity loads. However, the gravity shear was ignored for beams under two
way decking when computing Ve per 21.5.4.1. The gravity shear contribution from point loads
was also ignored for all beams when computing Ve.
Effect: The seismic shear Ve could have been underestimated if the conditions outlined above were
met. This could have affected the final design shear, depending on the design combinations.
This affected all ACI design codes.

RAM Concrete Shearwall

ACI 318 COUPLING BEAM SEISMIC SHEAR*: The seismic design shear for coupling beams in
walls designed to seismic requirements was based on 1.0 fy (unmagnified steel yield strength)
instead of 1.25 fy as stipulated in ACI 318-11 21.5.4.1.
Effect: The seismic component of design shear was underestimated which could have impacted the
final design shear. This affected all coupling beams subject to seismic design conditions
designed to ACI codes.

SHEAR WALL PMM CURVE*: The force points shown on the P-M and M-M interaction curves
in the V/U dialog may have been plotted in the incorrect location on the curve.
Effect: This was a display error limited only to the plot that appears in the V/U dialog; the designs
and reports were correct. This applied to all design codes.

MODEL GEOMETRY CHANGES AFFECTING SECTION CUTS *: Some model geometry

changes would invalidate the layout of existing section cuts. This resulted in the Concrete Shear
Wall module crashing when invoked.
Effect: Concrete Shear Wall would crash on startup.
Note: To fix this problem in existing models, section cuts that cannot be validated when module is
invoked are automatically deleted. Deletions are shown in a startup status dialog.

RAM Frame – Analysis

CONSTRUCTION STAGE ANALYSIS FOR MODEL WITH TENSION-ONLY MEMBERS*:
The program mishandled tension-only members during a construction stage analysis (similar to
gravity analysis, tension-only members are not included in construction stage analysis).
Effect: Analysis results for constructions stage load case were not correct for model with tension-
only member included.

RESPONSE SPECTRA MODAL COMBINATION SELECTION: The Modal Combination option

(SRSS vs CQC) used in analysis may not have been the one selected in the load case dialog. The
option used by the program was correctly shown in the report but it may not have been the one
selected by the engineer. This defect affected only the following response spectra load cases:
China GB50011-2001, AS 1170.4-2007, NBC of Canada 2005, 2010, and IS 7893:2002, 2016.
Effect: The Modal Combination option used in analysis may not have been the one specified by the
user for the load case. The report correctly showed which option was used in analysis.

RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 8 Release 15.08 7

DIAPHRAGM SECTION FORCES FOR MODELS WITH ARBITRARY OPENING
GEOMETRY: The program produced an error (or did not show diaphragm forces) for a user-
defined cross-section cut line that was placed over an opening with arbitrary geometry (i.e.,
defined with more than 4 vertices). If opening geometry is defined with 4 vertices, this defect
does not occur.
Effect: The report for diaphragm forces is not produced for a cross-section that is defined over an
opening with arbitrary geometry.

SHEAR WALL FORCES MODE: The program would crash if a wall with a saved section-cut was
deleted.
Effect: Could not select RAM Frame Shear Wall Forces mode.

RAM Frame – Steel Standard Provisions

IS 800-07 Cmz AND Cmlt*: The reported Cmz and Cmlt values were erroneous for some member
designs performed according to the IS 800-07 specification.
Effect: Incorrect Cmz and Cmlt values were used and reported for some member designs.

AISC 360 HANGER DESIGN MOMENTS FOR TEES: For AISC 360-05 and 360-10, the design
moment for Tee hanging columns carried signs that were inconsistent with the face of the
member under compression.
Effect: Report error only. The reported moment capacity for Tee hangers designed according to
AISC 360-05 and 360-10 were correct but the sign on the reported moments were not consistent
with the face of the T-section under compression.

IS 800-07 LATERAL TORSIONAL BUCKLING CAPACITY*: The Lateral Torsional Buckling

check for members designed according to the IS 800-07 Specification may have been incorrect
if the LTB length exceeded the unbraced length of the member about the major axis.
Effect: For members designed according to IS 800-07 and subjected to lateral torsional buckling,
the unbraced length in the major axis was erroneously used in lieu of the LTB length. The
flexural capacity reported may have been incorrect if the LTB length exceeded the unbraced
length in the major axis.

ISM / Structural Synchronizer

Several ISM defects were corrected, in addition to those described below. These include program
crashes, complicated geometries, and errors associated with models with peculiar conditions.
The interoperability through ISM is more robust in this version.

ISM IMPORT OF REVIT MODELS WITH SLOPING FRAMING: For models originating in
Revit, sloping framing may not have imported accurately.
Effect: Beams would not have correct story assignments.

EXTRANEAOUS STORIES IN IMPORTED MODELS: For an ISM repository created from a

program devoid of defined “stories”, the program attempts to create stories for import by
scanning the model for unique Z value (elevation) and creating stories based off of these. When
the model had numerous framing members at end points at different elevations, it could result in
excessive stories created automatically. A hardcoded 12-inch tolerance has been added for

RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 8 Release 15.08 8

 successive story elevations, to minimize excessive creation of stories. This is a temporary
imperfect solution and will be enhanced in future releases.
Effect: Extraneous layout types were created that included framing members intended to be part of a
larger layout type.

ORTHOGONAL GRID EXTENTS: If the Extents of Orthogonal grids were defined using the Limit
to Minimum or Limit to Maximum options, these limits were lost when the model was updated
from a repository.
Effect: User-specified limits on extents of grids were lost, the grids were shown full length across
the layout.

REPORTED CHANGES: When a model was updated, Structural Synchronizer may not have
identified and flagged all of the changes from the previous model, especially for models with
coordinate mappings.
Effect: Changes between versions of a model may not have all been flagged.

BRACE PROPERTIES: Some brace properties may have been corrupted when an model was
imported or updated.
Effect: Properties lost, needed to be reassigned in the Modeler. The error was obvious when it
occurred, an error message was given indicating a data error.

CANTILEVERS: Beam segments identified as cantilevers in Revit may not have imported correctly
as cantilevers.
Effect: Cantilevers may not have been correctly imported as such.

RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 8 Release 15.08 9

Appendix A

PRODUCT LICENSING FAQ –

RAM STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
LICENSING OPTIONS

The RAM Structural System is composed of several modules, each of which has their own licenses. The
program also contains links to two related Bentley products, RAM Concept and RAM Connection,
providing design interoperability, as well as a link to Bentley’s ProjectWise for project management. Each
of those programs also have their own licenses. It is possible to have several licenses of one or more
modules, and few or no licenses of other modules. Because of the ease with which these various modules
and programs can be invoked, a method of restricting the use of each has been incorporated in order to
prevent unwanted or inadvertent usage by an unsuspecting user from being logged against the licenses
that the company actually owns.

These modules are invoked using the tool bar buttons on the left of the RAM Manager screen:

or by using the Model or Design menu items:

RAM Structural System CONNECT Edition Update 8 Release 15.08 10

If RAM Concept or RAM Connection are not installed, they will not be available to be selected.

There is no license associated with RAM Manager, so no usage data is logged against it, but usage data is
logged against each of the other modules as soon as they are invoked.

There is no demo version available for the RAM Structural System modules.

VERSIONS 14.07 AND NEWER

In RAM Manager, the Tools – Manage License Restrictions command opens the following dialog:

This provides a mechanism for the user to prevent a module from being inadvertently executed. When the
program is first installed all of these options are selected. It is important therefore to execute this
command and deselect any modules or links for which the user wants to restrict access.

To prevent a module or program link from being executed, deselect that item.

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If a module is deselected here and that module or link is subsequently invoked, the following dialog
appears:

If Allow is selected the module will open, and usage will be logged. If Cancel is selected the module will not
open and no usage will be logged. Settings opens the previous command, allowing the user to modify the
selections of the allowed modules.

VERSIONS 14.06 AND EARLIER

Versions prior to V14.07 lacked the ability to manage these license restrictions, restrictions could only be
achieved by deleting the module from the installation Prog directory. If you are using an earlier version and
want to prevent use of a module, delete the file(s) listed here for the module to be prevented:

RAM Steel: RamBeam.exe, RAMColumn.dll

RAM Concrete: RAMConcAnalysis.dll, RAMConcreteBeam.dll,
RAMConcreteColumn.dll, RAMConcreteShearWall.dll
RAM Frame Analysis: RAMFrameAnalysis.dll
RAM Foundation: RamFoundation.exe

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