Release Date: February 4, 2014
Installation Instructions:
RAM Concept V8i Release 5.1.1 can be installed side-by-side with previous release versions of Concept. There is no need to uninstall previous release versions.
Error Corrections in RAM Concept V8i Release 5.1.1
RAM Concept V8i Release 5.1.1 is a patch, containing error corrections and minor enhancements. Each issue addressed is summarized below.
Audit Design Section
When the user attempted to audit a cross section generated by a design section, an error with the message “Program Error (Report Parsing Error: bad master node contents)” resulted.
Large Calc Log
RAM Concept became unresponsive when the calc log had a large amount of output.
DXF Import
The import of a dxf file with missing xrefs into RAM Concept caused a program crash in specific and rare instances.
ASCE 7-10 Wind Import
When working with lateral loads that were imported from RAM Structural System, RAM Concept always treated wind loads as service loads, even when they might be ultimate level loads.
New Features in RAM Concept V8i Release 5.1
In addition to minor error corrections and enhancements, RAM Concept V8i Release 5.1 has two new features which are discussed below.
Auditor Tool Enhancements
This release includes an enhancement to the auditing tool, where results are now shown in a graphical format rather than in a text file. Results are organized in an intelligent tree structure and details can be drilled into as far as needed.
Utilization of 64-bit Memory Space
A 64-bit version of the program is now available. This removes memory limitations that may have otherwise occurred for exceptionally large and complex models, as well as computationally demanding features such as load-history calculations and vibration analysis.
New Features in RAM Concept V8i Release 5.0
In addition to numerous minor error corrections and enhancements, RAM Concept V8i Release 5.0 has a number of new features. Refer to the RAM Concept V8i Release 5.0 Quick Start Guide for additional information about the new features.
Vibration Analysis
The ability to perform vibration analysis has been added to RAM Concept, including the ability to solve for natural vibration frequencies and mode shapes and to perform dynamic modal superposition analysis to solve for RMS velocities, RMS accelerations, and response factors for footfall induced loadings.
Plot Animations
The ability to animate slab and vibration plots has been added.
Improved Integration with RAM Structural System
The integration between RAM Concept and RAM Structural System has been improved.
- The ability to launch RAM Concept as a module of RAM Structural System has been added, with automatic syncing of data and integrated files.
- The geometry export from RAM Concept to RAM Structural System has been enhanced in order to improve consistency between generated meshes.
Structural Synchronizer (ISM) 3.0 Compatible
Structural Synchronizer 3.0 is now supported including more robust slab behavior data.
Generic Eurocode 2 and AS 3600-2009 Standards Added
The ability to create a customized Eurocode 2 National Annex by inputting Annex factors has been added. The AS 3600-2009 standard has also been added.
Display the Difference Between Plots
RAM Concept now has the ability to display the difference between two plots (slab contour, reaction, or strip plots). This is useful, for example, to look at differential deflections between two load history steps for long-term deflection criteria evaluation.
Other Enhancements
There are also a number of other enhancements that have been added to RAM Concept 5.0, including:
- The ability to add/delete nodes from polygon objects.
- Improvements/enhancements to CAD import and export.
- A left/right beam tool has been added.
- The ability to append items to the clipboard from multiple Concept layers has been added.
- View history controls have been added.
Pre-Concept V8i Release 5.1 File Compatibility Warning:
RAM Concept V8i Release 5.1 can read all previous file formats, but writes files in a format that cannot be read by previous versions.