RAM Concept Users,
We currently are using RAM Concept to solve a wide variety of reinforced/post-tension concrete floor problems and would appreciate some guidance with regards to the use of templates in RAM Concept, specifically when it comes to applying them to models generated externally either via Revit or RSS.
Specifically, the type of problems we are using RAM Concept for range from entire new builds (default RAM Concept template works fine for this) however, we also do a lot of temporary works design involving existing, older slabs where we use RAM Concept to check existing floors for new loading conditions, moving equipment loads and so forth. Many of these slabs can be 30 to 50 years old and hence are constructed with concrete and reinforcement grades/sizes that are no longer available (including old imperial sizes and material grades, cold worked deformed bars and so forth). When dealing with problems involving moving equipment loads, we have been adding extra load cases and using them in conjunction with the pattern loading tools to model the effects of the equipment moving around on the slab and working our back propping forces and so forth.
Furthermore (and after a lot of trial and error), we have managed to get ourselves to a stage whereby we can generate most of the floor plate geometry (and we hope to shortly start modelling existing rebar where applicable) in Revit and reliably transfer it into RAM Concept via ISM as we find that this is far quicker than modelling floor plate geometry in RAM Concept itself.
We have set up some additional RAM Concept templates with additional non-standard load cases and older material sizes and grades which we can easily apply to floor plate models generated entirely within RAM Concept. I have attached some screenshots showing samples of the additional, non AS 1170 load cases and combinations and some area loads we use to represent and excavator moving around on top of an existing slab and a screenshot showing our template file with older reinforcement sizes and grades to give you a better understanding of what we are aiming to achieve.
Where we are having a problem is when it comes to slabs generated in RAM Concept via ISM import. All floor plate models generated in this manner are set up using the RAM Concept defaults for AS 3600 and there appears to be no option to load from an alternative, predefined template. Is this the case?
If this is in fact not possible, then I presume that the defaults materials and load cases for AS 3600 that RAM Concept applies to models generated from ISM are being read from some file or database saved somewhere in the program directory? Is this the case and if so, is this an editable file? If so, then as a work around I propose to add the additional load cases and materials into this file to have them available to all RAM Concept models as I reckon it will still be easier than re-entering them each time I create a new RAM Concept model from ISM.
Anthony
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