I'm looking into the feasibility of modeling a podium-type structure using RAM SS. It will likely be 1-2 stories of concrete or steel with light framed wood or light gauge steel framing on top for another 4 stories or so. I have read the article (https://communities.bentley.com/products/ram-staad/w/structural_analysis_and_design__wiki/10202/modeling-podium-slabs) on podium slabs but am not sure this is feasible. My concerns are the following:
- Since we're using light gauge framing above, we won't be able to do any of that design in RAM, rather we'll just model those bearing walls as placeholders to get load down to the podium. This one seems unavoidable due to the limitations of RAM SS, but isn't necessarily a dealbreaker.
- It doesn't seem like we can model the lateral system very accurately for the lateral system above. The shear walls should distribute shear load to the plinth below, but also transfer tension and compression forces from the holdowns. I'm not sure this will be fully captured by modeling an "other" wall at the shearwalls.
- If we decide to just put loads on the plinth, I'm not sure how you'd go about adding the tension/compression holdown forces? I've faked them in previously using a spreadsheet and DataAccess, but that was kind of a pain...
