| Product(s): | RAM Concept | ||
| Version(s): | Any | ||
| Environment: | N/A | ||
| Area: | Modeling | ||
| Original Author: | Bentley Technical Support Group |
Modeling pour strips or construction joints in Ram Concept is possible. Below are some suggestions for how to do it in a post-tensioned slab.
1. It is often desirable to use orthotropic properties for the pour strip area such that the axial stiffness across the strip is significantly reduced.
Note, that an R axis of 0 indicates that the R axis is left-to-right on the screen.
2. Terminate tendons either side of the pour strip. It's best to extend the tendon dead ends a very small distance into the pour strip, and generally these terminations should be at slab mid-depth. Alternatively the tendons can stop exactly at the edges of the pour strip, but then stop the design strips just short of the tendon termination.
3. The span segment design strip should be segmented at the pour strip. Model the span segments on each side of the pour strip from the support to the edge of the pour strip. When modeling the span segment within the pour strip, keep the ends of the span segment short of the tendon ends that were extended a very short distance into the strip. The tendons should not intersect cross sections in the pour strip. The span segment within the pour strip should also be defined so that it is not considered as post-tensioned (General tab of span segment properties).
Note: Modeling a pour strip in this manner does not consider the temporary situation before the strip is poured back. This could affect deflections and resultants.