RAM Revit Link Meeting QA Log

Though this eSeminar covers an older version of the RAM - Revit link, there are plenty of great tips and best practices which our users have found useful. A recording is available at the Bentley website.

Questions and Answers - Integration of the RAM Structural System and Revit Structure LIVE eSeminar

(2/13/2008 answers updated 11/19/2011) If you have any further questions, please contact us!

1.        When I select "Import" as a new model, the Map screen doesn't come up

Answer: To see the mapping file click the Edit button in the Revit Link Importer dialog.

2.        Do joists take longer to import?

Answer: Yes because all of the individual elements of the joist must be drawn when they are imported from RAM.

3.        Where is the mappings file stored? Can it be stored in a network location?

Answer: You can relocate the mapping file. In Windows XP the files are located in the RAM Structural System > Prog directory and the file names are ImperialMapping.map and MetricMapping.map.

4.        When importing a RAM model into REVIT, the base elevation is 0"-0". We usually set the first floor to elevation 100'-0". Is there a way to work around this without having basements that are 100 feet high?

Answer: There is a new feature in the Revit Link that allows you to define an offset for the Revit model. When the model is exported to RAM it is created at the 0,0,0 origin. When imported back from RAM the offset is used to locate the model in Revit.

5.        Are you recommending that the model be started in RAM rather than Revit?

Answer: You can start in either. It is very easy to first create the structural model in RAM and then import to Revit - especially for the Engineer

6.       Can you show the end reactions for the beams generated in RAM on Plan in REVIT?

Answer: Yes you can. There are standard Revit tags for the beams to include this information. Use the Beam Annotation tool in Revit to set up the tags.

Our primary concern is if RAM and Risa work well with Revit. Also Ram and Risa's other software tools...Risa Floor, RAM Foundation etc. We need to choose one or the other, or should we buy Robobat?

Answer: We are demonstrating RAM and Revit which works very well together and has for years.

7.       How does one deal with the architectural unit to decimal feet when going from Revit to RAM? Rounding errors?

Answer: You can create your Revit Structure model using Decimal feet if you chose to do so during integration with RAM

8.       Do you know how to get the end reactions to be appropriately placed at the beam ends automatically? We had to move the reactions the beam ends manually after import.

Answer: There is a setting in the Beam Annotation tool that lets you adjust the tag reaction tag location.

9.       Can the model be started in RAM Elements?

Answer: You can use ISM (Integrated Structural Model) tool in RAM Elements to create a repository which can be imported into Revit.

10.   Has any solution for analyzing joist when the horizontal projection is set to top of joist, which is 2.5” above the beam because of the joist seat been worked on?

Answer: All of your analytical projections for the framing should be on the same plane for analysis regardless of the physical model.

11.   On this model, are there any cantilever conditions where the beam actually extends over the top of a column to create the cantilever? Our engineers typically have to model that with 2 beams in RAM and this creates an issue when we bring it into Revit. Let me know if this doesn't make sense to you.

Answer: The cantilevers have to be modeled in two pieces in Revit to export correctly to RAM.

12.   There seem to be lots of errors when you start a model in Revit and then export to RAM. I understand it would be preferable to start in RAM, but that's not feasible in our office. How do we avoid so many errors when we travel from Revit to RAM?

Answer: My suggestion would be to first use some of the tools in Revit Structure to verify the analytical model before you export to RAM. If you clean up the errors in Revit you will have minimal errors in the RAM model. 

13.   Do you have to have Ram installed on the same system as Revit in order to import and export?

Answer: Yes you do.

14.   Do you need to update to RAM V11.3 or can you use V11.2?

Answer: You can still use 11.2.

15.   Any idea when continuous footings will be available in Revit between columns instead of just under walls?

Answer: You can create slab foundations already that will do the same. Just sketch the condition you need. Continuous foundations cannot be imported from RAM Structural System because they are not supported in Revit.

16.   Do the vertical brace sizes update in the Revit model with the new link? Our experience with the old link did not allow us to update these elements.

Answer: Brace sizes will now update.

17.   What would then be the step to import the file into advance for connection design? Will you need to ship back to Ram SS then dxf to Ram Elements?

Answer: Yes, you would need to go through RAM Structural System to get to RAM Elements. There is no round tripping.

18.   We have had problems importing joists from RAM into Revit. Is there a solution for this?

Answer: This is fixed in the latest version and feel free to contact Steve Crabtree if you still have problems.

19.   How do we do base plates in the column schedule

Answer: You can add some rows in the columns schedule to add this information. Also, improvements are being made to the graphical column schedule in Revit Structure

20.   What about integrating RAM with Bentley's equivalent to Revit?

Answer: RAM does already integrate with Bentley Structural

21.   When we export our RAM model into Revit there are no deck properties, why is this?

Answer: The deck properties and slab edges are now exported to RAM.

22.   Do you have to re-adjust the grid bubbles every time you re-import the RAM model?

Answer: After importing the grid system and adjusting it turn of the grid update in the Import dialog.

23.   Once you've made changes to the model in Revit, shouldn't the RAM analysis 'lights' be red due to the addition of new beams? They appeared green.

Answer: That is not a feature at this time but has been discussed for a future release.

24.   After talking with many sources regarding whether to start with RAM or REVIT for the model, most individuals recommend starting with REVIT and taking the model to RAM. I have been told that you get a more reliable and stable model when starting in REVIT. You are recommending the opposite. Have you heard or experienced any data corruption or modeling issues with starting a Revit model with RAM?

Answer: You can go in either direction but to have a successful export to RAM you must consider what can and cannot be modeled in RAM. You also have to pay close attention to the analytical model in Revit to successfully export to RAM.

25.   Can the shear wall openings be transferred both ways?

Answer: Wall openings are now transferred for lateral walls.

26.   Do you still have to break columns at each floor or can you have continuous columns through two floors?

Answer: You can now model multistory columns in Revit and they remain multistory when you update the model from RAM. If you start in RAM they are always imported as story to story.

27.   Do column lines import into RAM from REVIT. i.e. adding a new col. line or moving an existing one.

Answer: Yes new grid lines will be imported and existing ones updated.

28.   Is RAM compatible with MicroStation?

Answer: RAM Structural System models can be imported into Structural Modeler, PowerStructural Modeler and StructuralDocumentation Center which are built on the MicroStation platform.

29.   Can you talk about the transferring of slab edges between Ram and Revit?

Answer: You need to add mapping for the slabs and there needs to be an equivalent floor type already existing in the Revit model.

30.   Is STAAD compatible with MicroStation?

Answer: STAAD models can be imported into the Bentley Structural products which are built on MicroStation.

31.   What about concrete walls that are off center of the columns? Do they come in correctly and transfer back correctly?

Answer: Walls that are modeled off center of the columns can be exported correctly. The analytical lines of the walls need to line up with the columns lines.

32.   When you add members in Revit, do the loads get redistributed (floor loads in psf) in the RAM model?

Answer: After you export the new members to RAM Structural System you have to run the analysis again.

33.   What is the best way to manage area loads between both platforms?

Answer: Load combinations must conform to RAM Structural System criteria (no more than five load cases, no combinations comprised of other combinations) to be imported. All load combinations with gravity load cases only are imported into the RAM Frame Steel Post Processor Mode.

34.   Can Revit identify frame beams on the framing plans (moment connection symbols)?

Answer: If the beams are modeled with moment connections in the RAM Structural model they will generate moment symbols in Revit. This of course depends on the symbology set in the Revit Structural Settings.

35.   Do skewed grid lines export from Revit to RAM?

Answer: Yes, skewed, circular and radial grid lines all export to RAM Structural System.

36.   I have had problems with importing double cantilevers from RAM into Revit. One of the cantilevers does not get imported. What should we do?

Answer: This has since been resolved.

37.   Discuss how different top of steel elevations is addressed. Example; at a depressed slab condition.

Answer: You need to set the vertical projection for all of the beams to the story level. When the model is exported to RAM all floor framing members are at the same level for analysis. Otherwise you would get unsupported member errors in RAM.

38.   You are setting your roof steel to 3D, do you have your columns set to auto detect or top of column?

Answer: You should set the vertical project to top of column or the story level if possible.

39.   Does the new link pull RAM defaults from the RAMIS.ini file or do you still need ramdataaccess.ini?

Answer: The link uses ramdataaccess.ini and RAM Structural System uses the defaults in the RAMIS.ini during analysis.

40.   Will the slides used in the presentation today be available for download somewhere?

Answer: The recording of the eSeminar and the slides will be available on the Bentley website.

41.   Can Autodesk post a copy of the beam tag with reactions?

Answer: The beam end reaction tags are standard in Revit.

42.   How do you plan to connect RAM connections to Revit?

Answer: ISM can export RAM Connection data from RAM Elements.

43.   As you go through design and transfer data back and forth between RAM and Revit - Do the changes settle down so there is less and less "fix up"?

Answer: If you maintain the analytical model in Revit you will have minimal errors transferring the models back and forth.

44.   Does the link handle intentional inconsistencies, such as having a beam slightly off a column center in REVIT, but not wanting to model that in RAM?

Answer: You must always make sure that the analytical lines are consistent in Revit to be able to successfully analyze the RAM Structural model. Use the analytical checks in Revit and address errors before sending the model to RAM. The physical position of the beam is not considered.

45.   Will Revit recognize concrete T-beams modeled in RAM Concrete?

Answer: At this time only rectangular beams are supported in the Revit Link. .