Release Date: July 2024
This document contains essential information regarding changes to the RAM Structural System. It is important that all users are aware of these changes. Subsequent update release notes:
RAM SS 2024 (24.00.01) Release Notes
RAM SS 2024 (24.00.02) Release Notes
Bentley application versions are now identified by the year of release. This is the major annual release for 2024, enhancing and correcting issues in RAM Structural System 2023 and earlier.
Installation Instructions:
The CONNECTION Client provides notification of the newest version and can be used to update the installation. Otherwise, this version can be found on Bentley Software Downloads by logging into CONNECT Center and clicking Software Downloads. Search for "RAM Structural System" and select the latest version.
To share iTwins from RAM Structural System also install the latest iTwin Analytical Synchronizer which is free to all Bentley subscribers.
Important Notices:
This version automatically converts databases created in previous versions to the new database format. A backup file is created automatically when a database is converted to the same directory as the original file.
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.
Security Risk Advisory:
Bentley is committed to continuously investigating and rectifying security vulnerabilities affecting its products and services. In this version, the legacy report engine was replaced. We have also removed the Hilti PROFIS and FloorVibe instances that were previously installed with the application. Those utilities now must be installed separately. Refer to the following knowledge base articles for details:
New Features and Enhancements:
New Report Engine
The entire program has been updated to use a new report engine. Report preview now supports Copy, Find and Bookmarks as well as direct publish to pdf. Reports can still be customized to use desired styles, fonts, margins, and a company logo.
AISC 360-22 Steel Design
Steel Beam, Column and Frame design updated for AISC 360-22 specification. Includes updated AISC Master Table and Design Tables and Deck properties for ASC, Verco and Vulcraft.
AISC 341-22 / AISC 358-22
Ram Frame seismic provisions updated for AISC 341-22 and AISC 358-22 specifications.
ASCE 7-22 Load Combinations
Updated load combination templates based on ASCE 7-22 guidelines are included. Note this template assumes higher magnitude snow loads are applied consistent with ASCE 7-22.
HSS Steel Grade parameters
For AISC Seismic Provisions options have been added to specify ASTM A500 Gr. B, Gr. C or A1085 material properties which provides the correct values of Rt and Ry.
Enhanced Concrete Column reporting
Additional information included to verify slenderness limits in ACI 318-19.
Enhanced Concrete Wall reports
Additional information included to verify the in-plane shear capacity of Special Concrete walls.
Advanced Data Check (Technology Preview)
Advanced options to check for member alignment with the global axis and with the slab edge have been added with customizable tolerances.
Error Corrections:
This version corrects some significant errors, described below. We know errors are disruptive, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Manager
INCORRECT T_det VALUE DISPLAYED IN TABLE EDITOR: For SI units, the T_det value displayed and stored for Wide Flange shapes could be incorrect.
Effect: Detailing value T_det was incorrect and displayed as a negative value.
Modeler
LINE LOADS MOVE TO SHORTEN: The Move command for line loads would not allow a load to be shorted along the original vector.
Effect: Lines had to be moved over and back or deleted and replaced to be shortened.
WHITE BACKGROUND ISSUES: When using a white background, some of the cursors or tools to highlight members were difficult to use because they were also using white.
Effect: Difficult user experience with white background in Modeler and RAM Steel Beam.
Framing Tables
REPORT VIEWER NOT REGISTERED WARNING: When running large models if the active window was switched away from RAM Steel Beam to another application a warning that the Report Viewer is not Registered would occur.
Effect: Required the warning to be dismissed to proceed.
Steel Beam
RAM STEEL BEAM VIEW REACTIONS: When viewing reactions on beams with cantilevers the text would sometimes be placed at the end of the cantilever rather than at the support.
Effect: confusion about the location of the beam reaction and difficulty reading the text in some situations.
Concrete Column
CONCRETE COLUMN UNBRACED LENGTH WITH STUB CANTILEVERS: Stub cantilevers supported by columns were considered bracing the column.
Effect: This could be incorrect for cases where there are no other beams or slabs to provide bracing.
Frame - Analysis
DXF FRAME ELEVATION SCALE: In English units the scale of the DXF Frame elevations was incorrectly using SI units leading to an incorrect drawing scale.
Effect: DXF Elevation drawings had to be rescaled and dimensioned.
RAM FRAME DRIFT MODE LOAD PAIRS: Minor changes in virtual workload cases caused existing load pairs to be deleted. Load pairs are now preserved unless the associated load cases are deleted.
Effect: Load pairs had to be redefined after making any change.
RAM FRAME ANALYSIS EDITING MERGED LOADS: When program generated load cases were already merged with nodal load cases, changes to the generated wind or seismic load case could cause the program to crash.
Effect: Crash. Merged load cases had to be deleted before a change in the generated load case could be made.
RAM Frame – Steel Mode
SINGLE ANGLE BRACES UNDER COMPRESSION: Single angles in compression and designed according to AISC 360-16 crashed during the member code check.
Effect: Single angle braces in compression and designed according to AISC 360 could only be designed using an older edition of the code.
RAM Frame – Seismic Model
CUSTOM COMBOS FOR SPECIAL ANALYSIS OF BRBF AND SCBF: The special analysis
performed in the design of BRBFs and SCBFs under AISC 341-10/16 specifications
a consideration of applicable load combinations together with Ecl or Emh. User generated
custom load combos were not considered.
Effect: The special analysis to determine the amplified seismic load Emh or Ecl for BRBFs and
SCBFs under the AISC 341-10 / 16 specifications required consideration of all applicable
load combinations. Only generated load combinations were considered during design and any
custom user generated load combinations were ignored.
Note: In addition, reported load combination texts were fixed to correctly reflect the
Emh or Ecl term.
YIELD-LINK MOMENT CONNECTION – COLUMN NET SECTION CHECK: A Column Net Section was excluded from the limit state checks for Yield-Link Moment Connections.
Effect: Although all other limit state checks for connections with the Yield-Link moment connection were correctly performed, a check for the column's net section was excluded.
YIELD-LINK MOMENT CONNECTION – SIZE RENAME: The naming convention for Yield-Link Moment Connection sizes was changed from "YL#-##" to "YLMC#-##".
Effect: Models with Yield-Link Moment Connection sizes using the old naming designation would automatically be cleared when the model is first opened in this version. The Yield-Link Moment Connections should be reassigned, and analysis performed. Note: In the Assign Frame Beam Type dialog box, verify that the default sizes show the new naming convention by selecting the Change Defaults button.
Foundation
ASSIGN SOIL WIZARD USING FORMULA ERROR: When assigning a soil to foundation using the Soil Wizard with a Formula, an improper argument error would occur.
Effect: Soil Wizard manual tables had to be used instead.