Product(s): | RAM Structural System; RAM Steel | ||
Version(s): | Any | ||
Environment: | N/A | ||
Area: | Design | ||
Original Author: | Bentley Technical Support Group |
How can I set the unbraced length of the beam?
In Ram Steel, the unbraced lengths of beams are always calculated by the program. For details on exactly how this is done refer to the Ram Steel Beam Manual (RamSteelBeam.pdf), section titled Technical Notes - Unbraced Length.
Under Criteria- flange bracing the user can opt out of this by unchecking the option to Check Unbraced length, but this could be unconservative since all beams will then be assumed fully braced.
Additional brace points can also be modeled in the Modeler using Layout - Beams - Brace points.
When a shallow beam frames into a deep girder or cantilever, does it brace the top and bottom flange?
Yes, when one steel beam frames into another it braces the top and bottom flange of the support beam for bending, thus reducing the unbraced length for positive or negative bending. In situations where the girder is much deeper than the supported beam this might be unconservative. In those cases, we suggest changing the small bean into a steel joist, as steel joists only brace the top flange of the supporting beam.
Why is the unbraced length reported less than the maximum unbraced length?
The program evaluates bending for each of the various unbraced segments of a beam along with the maximum moments in that segment. The design might be controlled by a shorter unbraced segment with larger moments, or it might be controlled by a longer unbraced segment with smaller moments.
The design report shows the critical condition and indicates where from the left end the critical case occurs.
The same is true for beams checked in RAM Frame - Steel mode. Only the critical condition for the unbraced segment and load combinations that produces the highest interaction ratio is reported.