Ram Connection Manual

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RAM™ Connection CONNECT Edition

Release 11.0
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2016 Edition
Manual
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TRN011920-1/0001
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LEGAL NOTICES ..................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................7
How to learn RAM Connection? .................................................................................................................... 7
RAM Connection and Windows’ Least-Privileged User Account (LUA) Approach ................................. 7
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL OVERVIEW .................................................................................11
Design in RAM Connection .......................................................................................................................... 11
Units available in RAM Connection ............................................................................................................ 11
RAM Connection for RAM Structural System ............................................................................................ 12
Main Window ............................................................................................................................................................ 12
RC button menu ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Description of the RAM Connection commands .................................................................................................... 14
Home Tab: Data, Selection, Load conditions and Databases. .............................................................................. 14
Data group commands .......................................................................................................................................... 14
Selection group commands .................................................................................................................................... 14
Select all model elements. ....................................................................................................................... 14

Load conditions group commands......................................................................................................................... 15
Databases group commands ................................................................................................................................. 19
View Tab: Model and Design ................................................................................................................................ 20
Model group commands ........................................................................................................................................ 20
Design group commands ....................................................................................................................................... 21
Output Tab: Reports and Model graphic .............................................................................................................. 21
Reports group commands ...................................................................................................................................... 21
Model graphic group commands ........................................................................................................................... 22
RAM Connection for RAM Elements and RAM Structural System.......................................................................... 23
Spreadsheet Tab: Spreadsheet and Active spreadsheet tools. ............................................................................... 23
Spreadsheet group commands ............................................................................................................................... 24
Active spreadsheet group commands .................................................................................................................... 24
Design Tab: Assignment and Connections. ........................................................................................................... 24
Assignment group commands ................................................................................................................................ 24
Connections group commands .............................................................................................................................. 24
Data panel spreadsheets ....................................................................................................................................... 24
Connection spreadsheet ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Beam setback spreadsheet ..................................................................................................................................... 26
Seismic design parameters spreadsheet ................................................................................................................ 27
Connectivity and description spreadsheet ............................................................................................................. 28
Coordinated spreadsheet ....................................................................................................................................... 29
Selecting members, nodes and connections ............................................................................................................... 30
Connection groups (by description) ........................................................................................................................... 31
CHAPTER 2: CONNECTIONS ............................................................................................35
What is a Connection? ................................................................................................................................. 35
How to find technical information about a specific connection? ............................................................ 35
How to Use RAM Connection? .................................................................................................................... 37
Use of RAM Connection in RAM Elements or RAM Structural System .................................................................. 37
Grouped Connections ............................................................................................................................................ 37
Individual Connections.......................................................................................................................................... 37
Designing Connections.......................................................................................................................................... 37
Inclination angles of members (Skew and Slope) ...................................................................................................... 51
HSS Section Supports ................................................................................................................................................. 58
Allowable member types per connections .................................................................................................................. 60
Design Criteria .............................................................................................................................................. 65
Design criteria for RE and RAM Structural System ................................................................................................... 65
Suggested steps for bracing connection design .......................................................................................................... 69
The Connection Database ........................................................................................................................... 70
Database Organization ................................................................................................................................................ 70
Defining Connections ................................................................................................................................................. 77
Databases for sections, materials, bolts, welds and anchors ....................................................................................... 84
Connections commands .............................................................................................................................. 87
Selection options......................................................................................................................................................... 87
Selecting connections ............................................................................................................................................. 87
Selecting joints:...................................................................................................................................................... 89
Result display options ................................................................................................................................................. 90
Design and Assignment settings ................................................................................................................................. 91
Customizing the toolbar.............................................................................................................................................. 91
Connection spreadsheet .............................................................................................................................. 94
Assigning connections to the model using the spreadsheet ........................................................................................ 94
Assign selected connection template to model ....................................................................................................... 95
Replace (all) the current selected connection (s) ................................................................................................... 97
Assign connection description ............................................................................................................................... 97
Deleting model connections. ...................................................................................................................................... 97
Connection Pad ............................................................................................................................................ 97
1: Edition area............................................................................................................................................................. 98
2: Graphic area ........................................................................................................................................................... 99
3: Help area............................................................................................................................................................... 104
Connections Reports ................................................................................................................................. 105
References .................................................................................................................................................. 107
CHAPTER 3: CHAPTER 3: CONNECTIONS EXAMPLE FOR RC-RE ............................ 111
1) Retrieve the structure ............................................................................................................................ 111
2) Assign basic connections to the model .............................................................................................. 112
3) Create a connection template ............................................................................................................... 124
4) Edit the templates to be used ............................................................................................................... 128
5) Create a connection database .............................................................................................................. 130
6) Configure the toolbar ............................................................................................................................. 133
7) Assign smart connections to the model .............................................................................................. 136
CHAPTER 4: CONNECTIONS EXAMPLE FOR RC-RSS ................................................ 141
1) Run RAM Connection ............................................................................................................................ 141
2) Assign basic connections to the model .............................................................................................. 141
3) Create a connection template ............................................................................................................... 152
4) Edit the templates to be used ............................................................................................................... 157
5) Create a connection database .............................................................................................................. 159
6) Configure the toolbar ............................................................................................................................. 162
7) Assign smart connections to the model .............................................................................................. 165
Introduction
Introduction
Welcome to RAM Connection, a powerful and flexible engineering software for the design of steel
connections.
This program provides unequaled flexibility for the design of different types of shear, moment,
bracing and splice connections. It is based upon the provisions of the:
 ANSI/AISC 360-05
 ANSI/AISC 360-10
 BS 5950-2000
 GB 50017-2003
 EN 1993-2005
For Steel Design Specifications and considers mainly W and HSS shapes.
You can call the program after RAM Structural System or RAM Elements and use automatically the
results of the analysis and design of members.
The connection design can also be customized to adhere to your typical office standards.
How to learn RAM Connection?

This manual provides an outline of RAM Connection. In order to address the different applications of
the program, the manual includes some examples at the end.
It is recommended to read the first two chapters of the manual before using the program.
RAM Connection and Windows’ Least-Privileged User Account (LUA) Approach

Modern networking technology, such as connectivity to Internet, has increased the risk of been
attacked by malicious software and other external intruders. Although old risks are kept under
control, new risks are always discovered or even created.
A significant factor that increases the risks from malicious software is the inclination to give users
administrative rights in their client computers. When a user or administrator logs on with
administrative rights, any programs that they run also have administrative rights. When these
programs activate harmful applications, that can be self-installed, they manipulate services such as
antivirus programs and even hide from the operating system.
A security strategy to counter these threats is the least-privileged user account (LUA) approach. The
LUA approach ensures that users follow the principle of least privilege and always log on with
limited user accounts. This strategy offers among other benefits reduced risks from malicious
software and accidental or incorrect configuration. [http://technet.microsoft.com/es-es/library/bb456992.aspx]
In previous versions, RAM Connection was installed providing all privileges to the installation
folders in order to achieve compatibility with the recent versions of operating systems.
With the aim to fulfill the requirements of the newest operating systems such as Windows Vista,
Windows 7 and Windows 10, RAM Connection has undergone some changes for this new version,
7
Introduction
regarding the management of the structure for program folders and user folders, so it behaves
properly under the least-privileged user account approach, avoiding errors due to security restrictions
and allowing a better organization of the data folders.
Description of the most significant changes from the LUA approach implementation
The most important change for this release is the separation of the files that are installed with the
program from the files that may be modified by the user.
The program files are installed, as usual, in the read-only folder "Program Files".
Files that may be generated, modified or deleted by the user (sections, materials and connections
databases, load combinations generators, templates and LEO files, etc.) are stored in the read/write
folder “ProgramData”. For the case of old users, the installer will extract all the user information and
will save it in this folder, nothing will be lost. The path is shown in the following table:
Configuration files such as local settings and print preferences will be created in another folder with
the path shown in the following table:
The new structure of program file folders (read-only) is shown below:
8
Introduction
The read/write folders that will contain user’s modified files are:
A summary of modifications made to the application data folders is shown in the following table:
9
Chapter 1: General Overview

The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate the basic commands required to use RAM Connection.
Many of these commands are illustrated in the example in the last chapter.
RAM Connection (for RAM Elements and RAM Structural System) uses a constant philosophy in the
way all of its commands (actions) are applied to elements in a model. Specifically, the user has to
select the desired elements (nodes, members, connections or shells) of the structure and once they are
selected, the engineer can then apply any command that will only affect those elements. This ‘select
and apply’ rule is a fundamental feature of the program.
All the provided tools for entering or generating data, together with the display and printing options
adhere to this ‘select and apply’ principle.
Design in RAM Connection

Connections can be designed by one of these three methods in RAM Connection (RC) and in RAM
Connection Standalone (RCSA) programs. The first method could be called a "trial and error"
procedure. In this method the engineer defines a database of different connections (note that many
connections are already supplied with the program itself), assigning one to the joint and the program
will indicate if it is suitable for the joint. The engineer can then manually either assign another
connection, or adjust the first connection that was assigned. The second method would be to have the
program search through a list of the database connections to find the first one in the list that works for
the joint (geometry and forces). The third method is similar to the second but rather than search
through a predefined list the program will assign a single smart connection to the joint. These three
methods provide the engineer with complete control over the design of the individual connections.
Units available in RAM Connection

The units are imported from the RAM Structural System model. However, the user can change the
unit system used for reports and graphics.
The main unit system can be changed in the Units system item located in the status bar. Press
and select in the menu the required units system (i.e. Metric, English, SI).
Units system menu.

Besides the main unit system, the program allows a more detailed unit configuration for different
groups as lengths, section dimensions, etc. To define these units, select the Units configuration option
from the menu and change the units in the dialog.
11
Units configuration dialog.

The buttons English, SI and Metric are pre-set configurations that the user may use.
RAM Connection for RAM Structural System

Main Window
The RAM Connection main window and its work areas are displayed below:
12
Main window of RAM Connection.

The work areas are:
Work area Function
ID Name
A RC button Displays a menu with basics commands such as Open a
model, Save file, etc.
B Quick access toolbar Contains some commands required to be used with
frequency, such as Open a model, Save file, Undo, etc.
C Ribbon Gathers all the commands for creating joints, managing load
cases and databases, assigning connections, and obtaining all
the results for the design of the connections. It contains tabs,
groups and command buttons.
D Data Panel Spreadsheet where the assigned connections data is shown
and all the available connection templates.
E Display area Area where the model and any other selected display option
is shown.
F Status bar Shows model useful information, such as number of
elements (joints and connections), units system, current load
case, and some commands for font size and zoom.
RC button menu
RAM Connection button menu.

Command Function
Open a model Opens an existing model
13
Save Saves the current model changes in the same model

file.
Model properties Displays the properties model window.
Export Export connection to a different program (e.g.
ProSteel).
Bug Report Creates a bug report to be sent to technical support.
General configuration Displays the program configuration window.
Exit Closes RAM Connection.
Description of the RAM Connection commands
Home Tab: Data, Selection, Load conditions and Databases.
Data group commands
 Show the data panel.
Selection group commands
Select all model elements.

 Hide unselected elements.
 Reverse selection.
 Unselect all.
 Select elements with equal description to the first selected element.
 Select continuous member.
 Select members between selected nodes.
 Elements selection. Allows different element selection according to some
characteristic.
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Load conditions group commands
 Add and edit load condition. The load conditions management window is displayed
where it is possible to create and edit load conditions and combinations.
Load conditions manager window
It is possible to add load conditions automatically with the button. This action displays a new
dialog window to choose the load condition:
15
With the button the user may access to the categories manager:
16
Note that the categories included in the list are set by default by the program and the user cannot
modify them. However, it is possible to create user’s own categories with the button; the user
may rename them with the button or delete them pressing the button.
 Delete load condition. The delete load condition window is displayed where it is
possible to select several load conditions to be deleted.
17
Delete load conditions window
 Generate load combination. The generate loads combination window is displayed

where load combinations can be imported from preexisting files.
Generate load combinations window

18
The user cannot modify the generator files that are installed by the program, which are identified by
the icon , but the user can create generation files from the program files or simply write equations
for load combinations in the text editor of the dialog window. For this purpose, use the button
that creates or adds a new generation file, after that, press the button to copy the formulae and
paste it with the for the new generation file. Pressing the button will save the changes for the
new file and using the button, the files created by the user may be deleted.
The dialog box launcher of this group shows additional configuration options for loads like include
load combinations from RAM Frame or to consider seismic provisions.
Additional configuration dialog

Warning! The connections on gravity members will have zero loads for load combinations that
include lateral load cases.
Databases group commands
 Section database. The section database window is displayed where they can be
updated.
 Material database. The material database window is displayed where they can be
updated.
 Connection database. The connection database window is displayed where they can
be updated.
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 Bolts database. The bolts database is shown where they can be updated.
 Welds database. The welds database window is displayed where they can be updated.
 Anchors database. The anchors database window is displayed where they can be
updated.
View Tab: Model and Design
Model group commands
 Model properties. Shows the selected model properties in the display area. The
properties to be shown can be managed in the Model properties button menu.
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 Sections. Shows the member sections in the display area.
 Materials. Shows the member materials in the display area.
 Hinges. Shows the member hinges in the display area.
 Rendering. Shows the rendered model in the display area. The rendering menu
allows showing the model transparent or lines only.
Design group commands
 Status. Show the connections status for the current load condition or the controlling
load combination.
 Stress ratio. Show the connections stress ratio for the current load condition or the
controlling load combination.
Output Tab: Reports and Model graphic
Reports group commands
 Data. Report the connections data. The menu shows the available reports.
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 Design. Shows the connection design report dialog where all the design results reports
are depicted.
Connection design reports dialog
Model graphic group commands
 Print to file. Shows the dialog to save in a file the current graphic display.
22
 Print graphic. Print the current graphic displayed.
 Text box. Shows a text box in the graphic area where the user may type notes or any
desired text.
RAM Connection for RAM Elements and RAM Structural System

This section describes the common commands of RAM Connection for RAM Elements and RAM
Structural System.
Spreadsheet Tab: Spreadsheet and Active spreadsheet tools.
23
Spreadsheet group commands

These are the commands that allow the user to manage the Data panel spreadsheet as copy, cut, paste
cells, etc. For more information please read the RAM Elements manual.
Active spreadsheet group commands

These commands are described in the Data panel spreadsheet section.
Design Tab: Assignment and Connections.
Assignment group commands
 Connection templates. The assign menu has the following options for assigning
connections. For more references please read the next chapter.
 Redesign connections. Redesign all connections.
Connections group commands
 Allows to edit the selected connections if they are equal.
Data panel spreadsheets
Connection spreadsheet
Shows the data of all assigned connections as the template used, its description, the joint node, etc.
24
The Connections Spreadsheet has the following tools:
Replace the current selected connection. This tool is used to replace one of the model connections
displayed (at cursor position) in the connection spreadsheet with the currently selected template in the
template window. Note that the template name or any other item of the data bases cannot be manually
entered.
Replace all the current selected connections. This tool is used to replace all the model connections
displayed in the connection spreadsheet with the currently selected template in the template window.
F1 displays the Help context or click on the icon, which has useful information on: 1) The
connections data to be introduced in the worksheets and 2) The use of the tool buttons to generate the
data.
25
Help context window.

The connections spreadsheet has also the next tools:
 Assign selected connection to model.
 Delete selected connections.
 Assign description CNX (additive).
Beam setback spreadsheet

Shows the beam setback assigned to each member end.
26
Seismic design parameters spreadsheet

Shows the seismic frame type to which the joint, where the connection has been assigned, belongs to.
27
Connectivity and description spreadsheet

Shows the model members connectivity and description.
28
Coordinated spreadsheet
Shows the nodes coordinates.
29
Selecting members, nodes and connections

To select a member, click on it and it will be highlighted, indicating that has been selected. Do the
same to select a node. The same applies to connections, which are represented in the graphic with the
symbol.
Members and nodes highlighted when being selected
30
Selected nodes, members and connections

When clicking on an element (member, shell or connection), the previously selected elements are
unselected. Pressing the Shift key, the user can select (or unselect) several elements without affecting
the previously selected ones.
You can select multiple elements by enclosing them in a rectangle created by clicking and dragging
the mouse from one corner to the other. In this case, pressing the Shift key enables the selection of
the elements within the area without affecting the selection condition of the elements outside the area.
Using this technique, only the elements fully enclosed by the area are selected. That is, in the case of
members, both nodes have to be enclosed in the rectangle.
.- If you press the Ctrl key instead of the Shift key while you are selecting members, all the
elements fully or partially covered by the area will be selected.
Connection groups (by description)

Connection description is used to identify the design groups and the program assigns it automatically
when connections have been assigned by group.
The program allows to modify or assign descriptions manually, however, description manage should
be made carefully. It is recommended the use of the Assign description CNX (additive) tool (assigns
description: CNN1,CNN2,...,CNNn) only with single connections (i.e. assigned from the spreadsheet
with the Assign selected connection to model tool). Both tools are located in the Active spreadsheet
tools.
Note that the members’ description is imported from RAM SS and cannot be edited in RAM
Connection.
31
For example, to select all roof beams of the model shown in the figure above, select one instance of
the members and then press the button in the Selection group. The program will select all
members with the same Description(s) of the previously selected members.
To simultaneously select several groups select one member of each group using the Shift key
and then press the button.
You can select any connection by entering its number in the gray column (Connection column)
of the worksheet and pressing ENTER.
All the current data in a worksheet may be cleared using the button located in the
Spreadsheet group. Notice that this tool button does not erase the related elements.
To select connections with the same template, select a connection with the desired template:
In order to select all connection with the same template, select a connection that has the template
Click on the name of the connection (in the worksheet):
32
Press the button located in the Spreadsheet group. All the connections with the same template
will be displayed in the graphic and also in the worksheet:
If you want to select equal connections, select one instance of the connection and go to the Selection
group, press the button and select in the connection group the Select identical
connection option.
Note that this option selects equal connections, namely connections with equal family, type and
connected members (same section and material). Therefore, connections with different descriptions
can be shown simultaneously in the graphic and the worksheet, if they are equal.
33
Chapter 2: Steel Connections
Chapter 2: Connections
RAM Connection allows the user to rapidly design, optimize or verify connections. The connection
module may work integrated into RAM Elements or RAM Structural System, automatically utilizing
member dimensions and forces in the connection designs.
Connections are designed and verified according to:
 ANSI/AISC 360-2005 (American Standard).
 ANSI/AISC 360-2010 (American Standard).
 BS 5950 – 2000 (British Standard).
 GB 50017 - 2003 (Chinese Standard).
 EN 1993 – 2005 (Europe Standard)
In this chapter we first define what is considered to be a “Connection” within the context of RAM
Connection. Then, we proceed to directly show you How To Use the program. Following this section
we describe in more detail the features of RAM Connection including the Connection Database,
Connection Assignment/Optimization, Connection Output and how to customize the connection
designs. It is recommended that you read at least the first two sections of this chapter to help you
understand how the connection module works.
What is a Connection?
RAM Connection defines a Single Connection as all the parameters that completely define the
quantities and dimensions of the pieces that make up a connection. It includes the information related
to the Connection Family (beam-to-column flange, beam-to-column web, beam-girder, etc), the type
of connection (shear, moment, bracing, splice or combined), as well as the number of bolts, size of
bolts, welds, geometry and material of the connecting pieces etc.
Before a connection can actually exist, there needs to be a connection template with the connection
characteristics, from which to assign to your connection in the spreadsheet or structure. All
connection templates are defined in the Connection Database that is accessible from the option
Connections in the Database group. RAM Connection installs with an extensive pre-defined database
of templates.
To get you productive on RAM Connection we will proceed directly to the section on How To Use
RAM Connection. For this section we will use the installed connection database. Following this
section we will describe in more detail some of the features of RAM Connection.
If you will work with RAM Elements or RAM Structural System, it is recommended that the
structure be analyzed with final member sizes specified before connections are assigned to joints.
Both member forces and sizes are used to design the connections. However, if member sizes and
forces change after the connections are designed, they can easily be redesigned.
How to find technical information about a specific connection?

When you are entering or reviewing the different parameters of a connection you can go to the help
context where you will find a detailed description of the data and checks that are performed for each
35
connection type. At the end of this chapter the list of the main references used in the development of
the program is given where the user can find more information.
36
How to Use RAM Connection?

RAM Connection is designed to give you extensive flexibility in the way you design and manage
your connections. However, it is also set up to allow you to get productive without requiring
significant work on your part. As you gain experience with RAM Connection you can customize the
behavior to better suit your working practice.
Use of RAM Connection in RAM Elements or RAM Structural System

If you have a RAM Connection License and the program is not active in RAM Elements please
read the Installation Manual.
In general, connections are typically designed either in groups or individually.
Grouped Connections
Grouped connections are connections on several different joints that are designed with the same
connection template. For all the joints with identical member sizes the resulting connections will be
identical (same bolts number, plate sizes etc.). As the connections typically have some ability to
adapt to the geometry of the connecting pieces, joints with different size members or material may
produce slightly different connections. Designing connections in a group allows you to minimize the
number of unique connection designs on a structure. The engineer has control as to which joints are
to be grouped together. Only connections of the same family (beam-to-column flange, or beam-to-
girder etc.) and same type (shear, moment or bracing connections) can be grouped together.
Remark: All grouped connections will have the same description, even though some connections
could be different.
Individual Connections
Individual connections are designed for the forces and member sizes at a specific joint. No
consideration is given to any other joint force or connection design. This allows for each connection
to be designed for its own forces and geometry, providing the most efficient use of material. The
engineer can still find out which connections end up being identical even when they were designed
individually.
The connections can be designed in a group or one by one. The assignment procedure (from the
connection toolbar) consists of having the program select the first connection template, from a user
customizable list of connections, which satisfies the joint forces and geometric conditions. This
assignment procedure permits the optimization of assigned connections by placing the connections in
order of increasing strength the optimum connection for the applied forces will be selected.
Therefore, the assignment lists should be created keeping in mind that the list order will determine
which connection is selected at a particular location.
It may be preferable to initially design all connections individually, and then use some of the
available connection selection tools to determine how you would like to group your connections.
Designing Connections
Important Note: The connection design and the inclination angles are based on the assumption that
the beam local axis 2 is coincident with the global positive Y Axis (upwards). The inversion of this
axis (downwards) will lead in some cases to incorrect connections or the inversion of results i.e. top
plate will be bottom plate.
37
1) Before connections are designed the user should set the Design Configuration options. The dialog
is showed up when the user clicks in the dialog box launcher located at the upper left corner of the
Assignment group in the Design tab.
RAM Connection design configuration launcher

The user should set the connections design code (i.e. AISC-360, BS 5950, GB 50017 and EN 1993-
05), some connections design parameters according to the selected design standard and the load
conditions to be included in the design.
RAM Connection configuration design dialog

38
In RAM Elements, the connections Design Configuration launcher is located at the upper right corner
of the Connection group in the Modules tab.
RAM Elements design configuration launcher

The Design Configuration dialog in RAM Elements is reduced as some of the parameters are inferred
from the member design options.
RAM Elements connections configuration design dialog

2) Select the option Design each connection individually in the Assign button to indicate the
upcoming design will be performed individually (each connection is based only on its own forces), or
unselect it if you want all the selected joints grouped for design.
Select this option to design the connections individually
39
3) Select the members and nodes you would like connections to be designed for. If you selected to
group connections (in the previous step) all selected joints of the same family type will be grouped
(one design for all joints with same member sizes and slope angles), so the selection is important.
There are many tools available to assist you in selecting joints. One option is to use the
Elements/Joints commands to select joints from a common family out of the currently selected
members.
Joint selection options.

Another option is to manually select each joint. The following table shows the elements that should
be selected for each type of joint:
Joint type Elements to select
Beam – column flange joints (BCF) Beam + node
Beam – column web joints (BCW) Beam + node
Beam – girder joints (BG) Beam + node
Beam – beam splice joints (BS) (Right) Beam + node
Column- column splice joints (CS) (Bottom) Column +
node
Continuous beam over column Column + node
joints (CC)
Column – beam – braces joints Column + node
(CBB)
Continuous beam – braces joints Beam + node
40
(CVR)
Vertical X-braces joints (VXB) Braces + node
Column – Base (CB) Column + node
Note that for the case of brackets, you should select the related beam (usually a cantilever beam) and
column. The beam will be used to pass the loads to the bracket.
Select the members and nodes for which connections are to be designed.
4) Select the connections group buttons. It is possible to select: Smart Connections, Basic
Connections or gussets for braces.
Connection group buttons.

Finally the connection type should be selected.
41
Types of connections according to the selected group.

Note that the connections types will change according to the Design standard selected. The Design
standard BS 5950 has the following types:
42
Types of connections according to BS 5950 group.

The Design standard GB 50017-03 has the following types:
Types of connections according to GB 50017-03.

The Design standard EN 1993-2005 has the following types:
43
Types of connections according to EN 1993-2005.

5) Select the connection (i.e. shear plate, bolted end plate, etc.) that is to be assigned for the selected
joints.
The program will automatically determine the family (beam to column flange, beam to column web,
beam to girder, etc) of the joint and will apply the corresponding templates. If assigned by group,
each connection will automatically be given a description (assignment button's name) that identifies
the design group, it will also be given the template name used in its generation, and a tag that
contains the designed features of each connection (the plate size, bolt dimensions etc). The use of the
tag will be explained later.
For example, if the double angle, shear connection is selected to assign
Press the Double Angle button
The double angle shear connection will automatically be designed at the selected joints.
Naming Convention
The following connection naming convention has been adopted:
44
<Connection Type – Connection Family -Connection Characteristic – Design Parameter>

Smart Connection example: DA BCF Weld support Bolt beam
Basic Connection example: DA_BCF_L 3x3x1/4_3B3/4
Connection types
Design Standard: AISC – 360:
CA = Shear angle(s)
SP = Shear single plate
EP = Shear end plate
SS = Stiffened seated connection
US = Unstiffened seated connection
TEE = Shear tee
TP = Through plate (only HSS supports)
BP = Bent plate(s)
DW = Directly welded moment connection
MEP = Moment end plate (ex – EEP)
MEPKnee = Moment end plate for tapered members (Knee)
FP = Flange plates
MA = moment angles
MT = Moment tees
CP = Cap plate
4A = Four angles beam splice
PBr = Plate bracket
TBr = Tee bracket
BPl = Column base plate
GBP = Gusset base plate
Design Standard: BS – 5950
BEP = Bolted end plate
FCP = Flange cover plates
WCP = Web cover plates
CA = Double angle web cleats
FinP = Fin Plate
FEP = Flexible end plate
FW = Flanges welded
FWW = Flanges and web welded
45
Design Standard: GB 50017

CA = Shear clip angle(s)
SP = Shear single plate
FW = Flanges welded
BP = Base plate
DW = Directly welded moment connection
MEP = Moment end plate
Design Standard: EN 1993-2005
BEP = Bolted end plate
BCP flanges = Bolted flange cover plates
DAWC = Double cleat angle
WAC = Web cleat angle for columns
BCP web = Bolted web cover plates
FinP = Fin plate
EP = Flexible end plate
Connection families
BCF = Beam - Column flange
BCW = Beam - Column web
BG = Beam - Girder
BS = Beam splice
CS = Column splice
CC = Continuous beam over column
CBB = Column, beams and braces
CVR = Chevron braces
VXB = Vertical X braces
CB = Column Base
Remark: In the detailed connection reports, all the capacity values calculated to evaluate the strength
ratio and the status of the connections are included. Any supplemental verification required is the
responsibility of the engineer.
Connection characteristics
bolted = all-bolted connection
welded = all-welded connection
Bolt support = bolted to support
Weld support = welded to support
46
Bolt beam = bolted to the beam

Weld beam = welded to the beam
n = number of bolts
l = connector length
In order to graphically display the number and template's name of the selected connections, the user
should go to the View tab and in the Properties menu select the information to be displayed.
Connection properties menu
Display connections number and template

6) You can combine shear connections with moment connections when the combination is possible.
For example press the buttons (Double Angle) and then the (Flange Plate) to get the
combined connection of a flange plated moment connection with a double angle shear. This will be
shown on the screen on the joint as follows:
47
Shear and moment connection assigned to a joint.

Note that when the connections are drawn in low-resolution (wire) mode, the shear connection is
drawn under the line of the beam and the moment connection is drawn above the beam line. These
positions are assuming that the direction of the local beam axis 2 is vertical upwards.
If a bracing connection is adopted, no other connection is allowed in the same plane. The bracing
connection has all the options to combine any arrangement of beams and braces. The only condition
is to adopt a maximum number of one brace per quadrant. In this case the low-resolution connection
draw will be placed over the related node.
Bracing connection assigned to a joint
7) To view the results of the connections design on the screen, the users should press the
button located in the Design group in the View tab. The capacity ratio and status of the current load condition
will be displayed for all selected connections.
A shear connection displaying its capacity ratio for the current load condition
Note that the capacity ratio may be different for the different selected connections because the loads
acting on them are different but the connections are identical.
To draw connections in 3D, press the button.
48
Three-dimensional view of a double-angle shear connection.

Notice that the true dimensional characteristics of the connections are shown (plate length, bolts, etc).
8) To view the designs Double-Click on the connection to view the Connection Pad
Connection Pad to edit and check connections.

More information on the connection pad is found in the following sections of this chapter.
49
9) To view a detailed design report select the button
10) To view the connection geometry report select the button

11) It is also possible to view design reports of a group of connections. Select the required
connections and choose the option Design in the Reports group in the Output tab.
Connections reports dialog window.

You can generate a report organized by family, connection type, description, tag, etc.
Notice also that you can have a list of the joints and their connections with the option Data/Joint List.
It is very useful to know the joints that need to be designed and the ones that have already assigned
connections.
50
12) If you modify a member size, structure geometry or loads, you will need to redesign your
connections by clicking on the redesign button in the Assignment group. The command will
act on the selected connections and will preserve the previously defined groups and connection types.
Note that for grouped connections the redesign will be based on the description of the connections
(connections with the same description are grouped).
13) To select all connections in a single group, click on one connection in the group and click in
the Selection group.
As you can see getting connection designs is quick and easy, however, there is significant flexibility
in exactly how connections are assigned and designed. The following sections describe in more detail
the features that were used above.
Notes:
 If the strength ratio is less than the limit specified, but the status of the connection is yellow, it
is because some geometric requirement is not satisfied or the members are not compatible. If
this is the case, the connection drawing could be incorrect, the capacity verifications are not
valid anymore and the calculation assumptions are incorrect.
 Besides the geometry verification and members compatibility done by the program, the user
should verify if the geometry of the designed connections is appropriate. The 3D and 2D
graphics can be used as a tool to verify this. An example of such situation is when the beam
flange width is wider than the column internal space in a BCW connection or when there are
beams with depths larger than the girder depths they frame into in BG connections. In these
cases, the program could not display any error message, but the connection drawings will
clearly show this incompatibility. The user could specify special copes in these cases and may
independently verify some additional connection capacities.
 When the beam axial load is taken into account for shear connections, the program also
verifies the flexural and prying action capacities of some connection elements. This may lead
to the use of thicker plates or the reduction of bolt gages. In this particular case and in all
cases in general, the connection calculations required to guarantee the required ductility
prescribed by the code are the responsibility of the engineer.
 After connections assignment or after the redesign of groups of connections, it is strongly
recommended to verify the design status of the resultant connections. A useful tool for this
purpose is the that allows the selection of all structure connections that are O.K. or
with Error respectively, and it is activated after pressing the Status button.
 Some shear connections such as the TEE, BP, US, TP and SS does not allow axial forces,
therefore, the engineer should verify that the applied connections are able to transfer all the
forces between members.
Inclination angles of members (Skew and Slope)

Many of the connections allow beam inclination angles, either horizontal and/or vertical. The list of
the connections that allow inclination angles are as follows:
51
For the Design standard AISC 360:

Connection Family Inclination angles
Horizontal Vertical Both
CA BCF Yes Yes Yes
Clip (shear) BCW Yes Yes Yes
Angle/s
BG Yes Yes Yes
SP BCF Yes Yes Yes
Shear Plate BCW Yes Yes Yes
BG Yes Yes Yes
BS No No No
CS No No No
EP BCF Yes Yes Yes
End Plate BCW Yes Yes Yes
BG Yes Yes Yes
SS BCF No No No
Stiffened BCW No No No
Shr
US BCF No No No
Unstiffened BCW No No No
Shr
TEE BCF No No No
Shear Tee BCW No No No
BG No No No
TP BCF No No No
Through BCW No No No
Plate
BP BCF Yes No No
Bent Plate BCW Yes No No
BG Yes No No
DW BCF Yes Yes No
Direct Weld BCW Yes Yes No
MEP, BCF No Yes No
Moment BCW No Yes No
End Plate
52
MEPKnee, BCF No Yes No

Moment
End Plate
for Knee
FP BCF Yes Yes Yes
Flange BCW Yes Yes No
Plate
BG Yes No No
BS No No No
CS No No No
MA BCF No No No
Moment
Angles
MT BCF No No No
Moment
Tee
CP CC No No No
Cap Plate
4A BS No No No
Four
Angles
Splice
PBr BCW No No No
Plate
Bracket
TBr BCF No No No
Tee Bracket
Bracing CBB No No No
connections CVR
beams
Bracing CBB, CVR, No Yes (20°-70°) No
connections VXB
braces
BPl CB No No No
Base plate:
Column
GBP CB No Yes (20°-70°) No
Base plate:
53
braces
The CA connection has a 15º skew limit imposed by the code. Each BP template connection has the
skew angle limits specified in the connection pad.
Remark: For a correct calculation and graphic representation of the connections, the beam local axis
2 must be coincident with the global Y positive axis (upwards).
For the Design standard BS 5950 1:2000
Horizontal Vertical Both
Cleat BCF No Yes No
Angles
BCW No Yes No
BG No Yes No
Fin Plate BCF Yes Yes Yes
BCW Yes Yes Yes
BG Yes Yes Yes
Flexible BCF Yes Yes Yes

End Plate
BCW Yes Yes Yes
BG Yes No No
Web Cover BS No No No
Plate
CS No No No
Bolted End BCF No Yes No
Plate
Directly BCF No Yes No

Flanges
BCW No Yes No
Welded
Directly BCF No Yes No

Flanges and BCW No Yes No
Web
Welded
Flange BS No No No
Cover Plate
CS No No No
54
For the Design standard GB 50017 : 2003

Skew Slope Both
CA BCF Yes Yes Yes
Clip (shear) BCW Yes Yes Yes
Angle/s
BG Yes Yes Yes
SP BCF Yes Yes Yes
Shear Plate
BCW Yes Yes Yes
BG Yes Yes Yes
DW BCF Yes Yes No

BCW Yes Yes No
MEP BCF No Yes No
Moment BCW No Yes No
End Plate
FP BCF Yes Yes Yes
Flange BCW Yes Yes No
Plate
BG Yes No No
BS No No No
CS No No No
BP CB No No No
Base Plate:
Column
For Design Standard EN 1993-2005:

Skew Slope Both
Cleat angle BCF No Yes No
BCW No Yes No
BG No Yes No
Fin plate BCF Yes Yes Yes
BCW Yes Yes Yes
55
BG Yes Yes Yes

Bolted end BCF No Yes No
plate
BS No Yes No
Bolted web BS No No No
cover plates
CS No No No
Flexible end BCF Yes Yes Yes
plate BCW Yes Yes Yes
BG Yes Yes Yes
Flanges and BCF Yes Yes No
web directly
BCW Yes Yes No
welded
Bolted flange BS No No No
cover plates
CS No No No
Bracing CBB No No No
connections:
Beams
Bracing CBB No Si No
connections:
Braces
Base plate: BP No No No
Column
The inclination angles are considered as follows:

Skew angle for BCF and BCW families,
The skew angle in degrees is defined over a horizontal plane defined between the local axis of the
support and the beam longitudinal axis. Counterclockwise angles are considered positive. Its default
value is 0º (rectangular joint).
56
Slope angle for BCF and BCW families,
The slope angle in degrees is defined over a vertical plane defined between the local axis of the
support and the beam longitudinal axis. Upward angles are considered positive. Its default value is 0º
(rectangular joint).
For braces:
Remarks:
 The components of the beam forces (moment, axial, shear) transmitted to the support vary
according to the inclination angles. When only a skew angle exists, the beam forces are
conservatively assumed to remain the same, that is to say, it is considered as rectangular joint.
When only slope angle exists, the beam forces are decomposed over the support axis. When
skew and slope angles exist, it is treated as if only the slope angle would exist. It is the
engineer responsibility to verify in each case the additional required capacity verifications due
to the inclination angles.
 The maximum angle at which a connection will automatically be considered a beam-column
web as opposed to a beam-column flange connection must be defined. This limit is currently
assumed to be 44º from the support face (BCF) or from the support side (BCW). When a
connection should be assigned with an angle larger than this limit, it can be assigned either
57
with the spreadsheet tools or by changing the members’ geometry temporarily to

assign the connection. The spreadsheet tools should be applied over an existing connection.
They could apply even a BCF connection over a BCW connection, so you will have a BCF
connection with a skew angle greater than 44º.
 To differentiate between sloped beams and diagonals, the user should identify the braces with
the option located in the spreadsheet Members\Nodes and Description\Braces. If this flag is
enabled the program will assume that the member is a brace. Otherwise (default option), it
will consider it as a sloped beam.
 The maximum slope angle allowed for members is 30º. Members with bigger vertical
inclination angles are not considered for the connection assignment.
HSS Section Supports

The connections that accept HSS section supports include some specific and other modified capacity
verifications in reference to I shape supports. In HSS BCF implies that the connection is on the HSS
wall with larger value on width, BCW in the shorter wall.
The following connections allow square or rectangular HSS supports for the designs standard AISC
360:
Connection Family Characteristics
to beam to support
CA BCF,BCW bolted/welded welded
SP BCF,BCW bolted welded
TP BCF,BCW bolted welded
TEE BCF,BCW bolted/welded welded
US BCF,BCW bolted/welded welded
SS BCF,BCW bolted/welded welded
DW BCF,BCW welded welded
MEP BCF,BCW welded welded(to Connection
Plate)
FP (or BCF, BCW bolted/welded welded
diaphragm
plate)
Bracing CBB Bolted (CA, SP), welded
/welded
BPl CB - welded
GBP CB - welded
The following connections allow circular HSS supports for the designs standard AISC 360:
58
to beam to support
TP BCF,BCW bolted welded
BPl CB - welded
The following connections allow square or rectangular HSS supports for the designs standard BS
5950 1:2000:
to beam to support
Cleat Angle BCF,BCW bolted bolted
Fin Plate BCF,BCW bolted welded
Flexible End BCF,BCW bolted bolted
Plate
The following connections allow circular HSS supports for the designs standard BS 5950 1:2000:
to beam to support
Fin Plate BCF, BCW bolted welded
The following connections allow square or rectangular HSS supports for the designs standard GB
50017:2003:
to beam to support
CA BCF,BCW bolted/welded welded
DW BCF,BCW welded welded
FP BCF, BCW bolted/welded welded
BP CB - welded
The following connections allow square or rectangular HSS supports for the designs standard EN
1993-2005:
to beam to support
Base plate CB - welded
59
Fin plate BCF,BCW bolted bolted

Cleat angle BCF,BCW bolted bolted
Flexible end BCF,BCW bolted bolted
plate
The following connections allow circular HSS supports for the designs standard EN 1993-2005:
to beam to support
Fin plate BCF, BCW bolted welded
Allowable member types per connections

AISC 360 connections:
CONNECTION FAMILY MEMBER BUILT UP BUILT UP MEMBER FLANGE
TYPES SYMMETRIC ASYMMETRIC ROTATION
Base plate CB Prismatic YES YES NO

CB Tapered YES YES NO
Bent plate BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
BCW Prismatic YES NO NO
BG Prismatic YES NO NO
Bracket Bracket Prismatic YES NO NO
plate
Tee bracket Prismatic YES NO NO
BS4Angles BS Prismatic YES YES NO
Cap plate CP Prismatic YES NO NO
Clip angle BCF Prismatic YES YES Column "YES"
BCW Prismatic YES YES NO
BG Prismatic YES YES NO
Directly welded BCF Prismatic YES YES Column "YES"
End plate BCF Prismatic YES YES Column "YES"
60
Flange plate CS Prismatic YES YES Top Column "YES
BCF Prismatic YES YES NO

BS Prismatic YES YES NO
Gusset base plate GBP Prismatic YES Column "YES" - Column "YES"
Braces "NO"
Gusset chevron CVR Prismatic YES BEAM "YES" - NO
Braces "NO"
Gusset column CBB Prismatic YES Column "YES" - Column "YES"
beam brace Beams "YES" -
Braces "NO"
Gusset VXB VXB Prismatic YES NO NO
Moment end plate BS Prismatic YES YES NO

BS Tapered YES YES NO
BS Haunched YES YES NO
BCF Column, Beam YES YES Column "YES"
"Prismatic"
BCF Tapered YES YES Column "YES"
"Beam"
BCF Haunched YES YES Column "YES"
"Beam"
BCW Column, Beam YES YES NO
"Prismatic"
BCW Tapered YES YES NO
"Beam"
BCW Haunched YES YES NO
"Beam"
Moment end plate BCF Tapered YES YES Column "YES"
Knee
PRConnector PR Prismatic YES NO NO
Single plate BS Prismatic YES YES NO
BCF Prismatic YES YES Column "YES"
61

CS Prismatic YES YES Top Column "YES"
Standard tee BCF Prismatic YES NO NO

Stiffened seated BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
Through plate BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
Unstiffened seated BCF Prismatic YES NO NO

BS 5950 connections:
TYPES SYMMETRIC UNSYMMETRIC ROTATION
Bolted end plate BS Prismatic YES NO NO

BS Tapered YES NO NO
BS Haunched YES NO NO
Cleat angle BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
Fully welded BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
Flanges welded BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
Fin plate BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
62
Flange cover plate BS Prismatic YES NO NO
CS Prismatic YES NO NO
Flexible end plate BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
Moment end plate BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
BCF Haunched YES NO NO
Web cover plate BS Prismatic YES NO NO
GB 500017 connections:
CONNECTION FAMILY MEMBER BUILT UP BUILT UP MEMBER FLANG
Base plate CB Prismatic YES NO NO
Tapered YES NO NO
Clip angle BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
Directly welded BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
Flange plate BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
Moment end plate BCF Column, Beam YES YES NO
"Prismatic"
BCF Tapered YES YES NO
"Beam"
BCF Haunched YES YES NO
"Beam"
BCW Column, Beam YES YES NO
"Prismatic"
63
BCW Tapered YES YES NO

"Beam"
BCW Haunched YES YES NO
"Beam"
Single plate BS Prismatic YES NO NO
BCF Prismatic YES NO NO
EN 1993-2005 connections:
Base plate CB Prismatic YES YES NO
Bolted end plate BS Prismatic YES YES NO

BS Haunched YES YES NO
BCF Column, Beam YES YES Column "YES"
"Prismatic"
BCF Haunched YES YES Column "YES"
"Beam"
Cleat angle BCF Prismatic YES YES Column "YES"
Cleat angle CS Prismatic YES YES Top Column "YES"
Fully welded BCF BCF Prismatic YES YES Column "YES"
Fully welded BCW Prismatic YES YES NO
BCW
Flanges welded BCF Prismatic YES YES Column "YES"
BCF
Flanges welded BCW Prismatic YES YES NO
BCW
End plate BCF Prismatic YES YES Column "YES"
64

Fin plate BCF Prismatic YES YES Column "YES"

Flange cover plate BS Prismatic YES YES NO
CS Prismatic YES YES Top Column "YES
Gusset column CBB Prismatic YES Column "YES" - Column "YES"
beam brace Beams "YES" -
Braces "NO"
Web cover plate BS Prismatic YES YES NO
CS Prismatic YES YES Top Column "YES
Design Criteria
It is important for the user to know exactly how the design process with the connection toolbar is
performed. Each assignment button in the toolbar (either from the Smart Connections or Basic
Connections group) is associated with a list of one or more connection templates.
Design criteria for RE and RAM Structural System

When assigning by group, and the connection template is assigned (after joints are selected) the
program will check the templates in the order of the list. As soon as it finds a connection template
that complies with the strength requirements and geometrical conditions of all the appropriate joint
sets (joints of the same family with identical geometry and inclination angles - see the joint grouping
graphic below), it will be assigned. Note that the order of the list will give the hierarchy and
preference for the connection assignment. If no connection meets all the requirements, the last
checked connection in the list would be assigned even if it does not satisfy the force or geometric
conditions for all the joint sets.
The user has to be aware that the design may not always be successful, and the program will display a
message if the assignment has not been successful. The user should always check the obtained results
to correct or reject the assigned connections that are not acceptable (status color red = error on
design, yellow = with warnings and green = design OK).
Any database connection template may be included in the list of an assignment button. When an
assignment button is applied to the model, the resultant connections are based on one of the specified
connection templates, but the model connection itself is stored with the structure and is not linked to
the template after assignment.
Either the assignment method is by group or individually, the resultant connections receive the name
of the template used for design. If the assignment was by group, the connections will receive also as a
description the name of the assignment button.
65
It should be noted that the resultant connections of Smart Connections buttons, might have
differences in the resisting elements (number of bolts, size and thickness of some pieces) between
assignment joint sets.
The following drawing shows schematically how the selected model joints are grouped when
assigning connections by group.
Joint grouping when the connections are assigned by group.

The beam axial force is not taken into account in the shear connections, and it is assumed to be taken
by a moment connection when the beam moment value is relevant. As it was stated in the "Inclination
angles of members" section, the beam loads are decomposed over the support axis, taking into
account only the slope angle, and in this case, the design loads are the result of the most adverse load
combination.
Some shear connections such as the SP, accept positive and negative shear loads (reported always as
positive values), as the connection is symmetric. However, other connections such as SS or US do not
allow negative shear loads.
The next flowchart describes schematically the design procedure that is followed when the
connections are designed in groups:
66
Thus the connections design configuration should be executed in two parts:

 The definition of the templates to be used.
 The configuration of the different assignment buttons, defining the template lists that will be
included in each assignment button.
Remarks:
 The shear connections assigned to joints where the moment is bigger than a minimum value,
will only take the shear force and not the axial force, as it is assumed that the required
moment connection will take the axial force.
67
 The bracing connections where the geometry is imposed (it is not automatically calculated)
and/or a load is specified in one connector may generate moments in the gusset-to-column or
gusset-to beam connections. These moments should be transmitted only by directly welded
connections. Single plates or clip angles are not allowed to deal with moments and an error
message will be displayed in this case.
 The connection assignment will be effective only in the joints where the range check of the
connection variables is fulfilled. For example, the range for the skew and slope angles,
member section types, etc. If after the connection assignment a variable is modified, and it is
out of the valid range, the connection is invalidated and it does not allow reporting data or
results and it is not displayed. In the connections reports, such connections will be displayed
with a Not Designed status.
The next sections explain all the program characteristics as the Templates Database, Connection
Spreadsheet and Connection Output. Notice that the Database and the Connection Toolbar can be
customized according to your requirements for connection design.
68
Suggested steps for bracing connection design
69
The Connection Database

RAM Connection ships with an extensive collection of pre-defined connections templates. The user
is free to add, remove or modify connections from this list of connections.
Database Organization
Each connection in the database is categorized according to the family to which it belongs. RAM
Connection currently has the following families of connections; each connection is given one of these
designations:
1. Beam - Column Flange (BCF)
2. Beam - Column Web (BCW)
3. Beam – Girder (BG)
4. Beam Splice (BS)
5. Column Splice (CS)
6. Continuous beam over column (CC)
7. Column, beams and braces (CBB)
8. Chevron braces (CVR)
9. Vertical X braces (VXB)
10. Column – Base (CB)
11. Column – Base – Braces (CB)
To view all the available connections the user can go to the connections database using the
Connections button located in the Databases group in the Home tab.
70
The window that is displayed is the connection-database window.

Each connection template in the database can be considered a ‘Basic’ or a ‘Smart’ connection.
Basic Connection: A connection template that can automatically adjust the geometry (position or
dimensions) of the connection pieces to fit the connection members. It does not calculate the quantity
or dimensions of the connecting pieces (bolts, plates etc) to resist the applied forces.
Smart Connection: A connection template that can automatically calculate the quantity and
dimensions of the connecting pieces (bolts, welds, plate sizes etc) to resist the applied forces.
Within each folder is a list of single connection templates. Two templates with the same name are not
allowed, even in different folders. It is the engineer’s prerogative how to group templates within a
folder. The folder name should be used as an organizational tool to assist you in grouping
connections according to your own practice. The connection templates that are installed with RAM
Connection are grouped in two main groups (Smart and Basic connections) and subdivided according
to function (Shear, Moment or Bracing) and type (Shear plate, end plate etc). This classification
keeps the shear, moment and bracing connections separate. However, the engineer can also create
folders where the bracing, moment and shear connection templates are in one folder and even in one
connection template (combined connection template, only for moment and shear connections).
The templates tables may contain a set of basic templates and smart templates for each family and
type. The smart connections have the intelligence to design some of its own properties based on the
forces (this is the characteristic that makes them ‘Smart’) and members to which it is assigned. In
fact, these are the connection templates assigned to the default connection toolbar that was used in the
previous ‘How To’ section. The ‘Basic’ connections templates adjust the dimensions and location of
71
the connection pieces according to the joint members. Once again it should be noticed that this
organizational structure (separating the smart connection templates from the other connection
templates) is not significant in terms of how RAM Connection works. However, before creating your
own connection database think about how you want to organize the data, it will make it easier to
locate the connections you want to consider for design.
It is very important to note that in the case of Smart Connections, while some of the connection
parameters are designed based on the required forces, others may be designed according to geometry.
If a smart connection template does not design the connection the way you would typically like, you
may create copies of the smart connection with variations on the parameter that you want designed.
To identify basic templates from smart templates watch for the template name. The name of basic
templates has the information of connection elements dimensions such as thicknesses, bolt diameters,
angles sizes, weld sizes, etc. Smart templates do not have this information contained in the name. For
example, select the “United States” group, “Clip Angle BCF” table and look at the names “DA BCF
All bolted” and “DA_BCF_L 3x3x1/2_2B1”. The first one is a smart template and the second one, a
basic template.
The following smart connection templates are included in the program. Note that the items that are
optimized in each template are listed, if an item is not listed then there is a default value associated
with the connection that you can modify as required to suit your requirements:
For the Design standard AISC 360:
Type of Family and Description Optimization of the
connections following parameters
(Template name)
DA BCF, BCW, BG double angle number of bolts for bolted
connections connections, weld size for
welded connections and
angle size
DA Beam splice BS double angle bolted connections number of bolts and angle
size
SP BCF, BCW, BG, single plate angle number of bolts, plate size.
connections weld size to support
SP Beam splice BS single plate angle connections number of bolts, plate size
EP BCF, BCW, BG end plate connections number of bolts, plate size.
weld size to beam for bolted
connections and plate size
and welds sizes for welded
connections
ST BCF, BG shear tee connections tee size, number of bolts for
bolted and weld size for
welded connections
SS BCF, BCW stiffened seated bolts rows , weld size and
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connections, type SST, SSP, SS2L connector size

US BCF, BCW unstiffened seated angle size bolts rows or weld
connections size
DW BCF, BCW, BG directly welded extended plate size for BCW
connections connections
FP BCF, BCW, BG bolted flange plate bolts rows, distances between
connections bolts, top and bottom plate
thickness, weld size to
support
FP BCF, BCW, BG welded flange plate welds sizes, top and bottom
connections plate sizes
MEP. MEPKnee BCF Moment end plate connections Bolt rows, weld sizes, plate
thickness.
MA BCF bolted moment angle bolt rows and angle size
Base plate: Column base plate connections The Thickness, length and
width of the base plate, the
Pinned,
length and diameter of the
Fixed uniaxial, anchors, and the support’s
Fixed biaxial weld size
Gusset base plate Column and braces base plate The Thickness, length and
connections width of the base plate, the
length and diameter of the
anchors, and the support’s
weld size. See the following
table for gussets details
Gussets CBB, CVR VXB connections See the following table for
details
Gusset Gusset-to-Brace Gusset-to-Beam or Column
All For W and For L, T2L, Directly Single Double

WT C, I2C y HSS Welded Plate Angles
sections sections
Le, Le1 and Number of Weld length Required Required Number of
Le2 distances bolts on (toe and heel) weld size weld size bolts on
to let the claw – if it is support – if
gusset be angles welded it is bolted
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compatible Number of Number of Number Number of

with the bolts on bolts – if it is of bolts bolts on
connectors splice bolted beam/gusset
geometry plates – if it is
bolted
Plate Support weld
thickness size – if it is
welded
Beam/gusset
weld size – if
it is welded
For the Design standard BS 5950 1:2000

(Template name)
CleatAngle
BEP BCF, Bolted End Plate connections Number of bolts, Weld Size,
Plate thickness
FEP BCF, BCW, BG, Flexible end plate Number of bolts, Weld Size,
connections Plate thickness
DA BCF, BCW, BG Cleats angles Number of bolts, Angle
connections section
FW BCF, BCW Flanges welded connections Weld size, Plate thickness
FWW BCF, BCW Flanges and web welded Weld size, Plate thickness
connections
FinP BCF, BCW, BG Fin Plate connections Number of bolts, Plate
thickness
FCP Beam splice BS bolted flange plate connections Number of bolts, plate
thickness
FCP Column CS bolted flange plate connections Number of bolts, plate
splice thickness
WCP Beam Splice BS bolted web plate connections Number of bolts, plate
thickness
WCP Column CS bolted web plate connections Number of bolts, plate
splice thickness
For the Design standard GB 50017:2003:
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(Folder name)
CA BCF, BCW, BG double angle Number of bolts for bolted
connections connections and angle size
SP BCF, BCW, BG, single plate angle Number of bolts, plate size
connections and weld size.
DW BCF, BCW, BG directly welded
connections
FP BCF, BCW, BG bolted flange plate Bolts rows, distances
connections between bolts, top and
bottom plate thickness, weld
size to support
FP BCF, BCW, BG bolted flange plate Welds sizes, top and bottom
connections plate sizes
MEP BCF Moment end plate connections Bolts sizes, Weld sizes , bolt
rows, plate thickness
Base plate Column base plate connections Thickness, length and width
of the base plate, the length
and diameter of the anchors
For the Design standard EN 1993-2005:

(Folder name)
Smart BEP BCF, Bolted End Plate connections Bolt sizes, Weld sizes, plate
Thickness, Flush extension
distance
Smart BEP BS BS, Bolted End Plate connections Bolt sizes, Weld sizes, plate
Thickness, Flush extension
distance
Smart BCP Flanges BS, CS, bolted flange plate connections Bolt sizes, plate Thickness.
Smart BCP web BS, CS, bolted web plate connections Bolt sizes, plate Thickness.
Smart DAWC BCF, BCW, BG Cleats angles Angle section, bolt number to
connections beam and support.
Smart WAC CS Bolt number in plate and
support
Smart FinP BCF, BCW, BG Fin Plate connections Bolt sizes, Weld Sizes, plate
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Thickness
Smart EP BCF, BCW, BG, Flexible end plate Bolt number, Weld sizes,
connections plate Thickness
Smart DW BCF, BCW, Directly welded beam to Weld sizes, plate Thickness
column connections
Base plate: Column base plate connections Thickness, length and width
of the base plate, the length
Pinned,
and diameter of the anchors
Fixed uniaxial, and the support’s weld size
Fixed biaxial
Bracing Connections CBB_DB See the following table for
details
Gusset Gusset-Brace Gusset-Beam or Column

All To sections L, C, Directly welded
I2C y HSS
Le, Le1 and Le2 Weld length (toe Weld sizes
distances to let and heel) – if it is
the gusset be welded
compatible with
the connectors
geometry Bolt number if it is
bolted connection
Basic connection templates are organized in different folders with the following naming convention:
Basic + {Connections type initials} + {connection family} + {connection characteristics}.
The connection template name thus reflects the relevant characteristics of the connection.
Remark: The folders where the user’s modified Connection Database and Toolbar are located could
be configured, by choosing any required directory, even a network directory. To do this, select the
option General configuration/User folders in the RC button.
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Directories configuration
Defining Connections
The steps to define a connection template and add it to the connection database are discussed next.
Go to the Home tab in the Databases group and press the Connections button.
The dialog window shows a combo box with the label “Group”, as can be seen in the following
figure:
The program installs connections databases by group and regions. In the left side of the window the
Tables for the current group are located, and they are determined by type of connection contained in
the group. In the right side of the window there is the items list for each table.
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The user cannot modify the databases (items, tables and groups) that are installed by the program. It
is possible to access to see items data and properties with the edition button , but without the
chance to modify this information. However, this dialog allows the user to create and edit own
groups, tables and items. The procedure to execute this is described as follows:
Press the button to add a New group to the database. After that, a name for the new group is
required in the displayed window:
Enter a name for the New group to define the connections.
Then, add a new Table by pressing the button. A new dialog will be displayed to enter the name
for the new table. It is also required to select the type of table. The following dialog will be shown:
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Enter a descriptive name for the template. The name is used to identify the template and has to be
unique in the whole database. Then choose if you want to define a shear, moment, combined or a
gusset connection. Also, define the design code, joint family and connection type.
A single connection is comprised of either a shear or a moment connection. A combined connection
is comprised of both a shear and a moment connection type. For example, the extended end plate
connection is considered a combined connection.
Note: It is possible to enter a new connection in the Application Data\ Bentley\Engineering\RAM
Connection folder. Note that the program will not allow you to enter a template in the directory
where the program files were installed.
For any connection, first define a shear, moment, combined or gusset connection, after that, select
the design code, then select the joint family type and finally choose the connection type.
(1) Structural type: Steel frame, truss, etc. must be selected.
(2) Design code: Define the design standard. RAM Connection designs connections according to the
ANSI/AISC 360-05 (American standard), ANSI/AISC 360-10 (American standard), BS 5950-00
(British standard), GB 50017-2003 (Chinese standard) and EN 1993-2005 (Europe standard).
(3) Connector type: Shear connection, moment, combined or gusset connection can be selected.
(4) Joint type: Describes the type of joint, beam-to-girder, beam-to-column-flange, etc. There are
eleven available families:
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1. Beam - Column Flange

2. Beam - Column Web
3. Beam - Girder
4. Beam Splice
5. Column Splice
6. Continuous beam over column
7. Column, beams and braces
8. Chevron braces
9. Vertical X braces
10. Column – Base
11. Column – Base – Braces
(5) Connector name: The combo contains all available connections according to the connector type
chosen. Example, Single plate.
(6) Table name: Enter the name of the new table template.
To finish the connection template definition, press the button to create a new item (template) for
the current table. The connection dialog (pad) with all the connection data will be displayed.
After pressing the OK button the connection pad is open.

The user must notice that when it is desired to add more items to the current table, the program
automatically uses the same type of connection for the defined table. That is to say, for the example
shown in the previous figures, after adding a new material for the table “ShearConnection1”, the new
item will be defined with the same type and similar data will be required.
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Note: To create a connection copy, place the cursor at the desired connection to copy and press the
button and the program will export the data to the clipboard.
The following tools to manage the database are available in the window:
Creates a new template.
Copies the current template.
Edits the current template.
Deletes the current template.
Moves the current folder or template to an upper position.
Moves the current folder or template to a lower position.
Exports all the templates data of the current folder to the clipboard.
Imports the template data from the clipboard to the database.
Orders alphabetically all folders.

If you want to create multiple connections that are similar except for one or few parameters (number
of anchors, or size of plates etc) then it may be preferable to use the ability to generate connections in
Excel™ as illustrated below.
1) Select the folder to copy to Excel.
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2) As illustrated above, press the button “Copy items to clipboard”. Open Excel and paste the
information in a spreadsheet.
In Excel appear the templates and its variables names. Each template data corresponds to one table
row.
3) Modify the desired data. Remember to name the connections uniquely (keep the folder name at the
beginning of the name).
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4) Then select all the information and copy the data to the clipboard (Ctrl+C)
5) In RAM Connection paste the connection templates to the desired folder in the database by
pressing the “Paste items from clipboard” button.
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The new connection templates will be imported.

Note: The process to import several connection templates may take some time.
Databases for sections, materials, bolts, welds and anchors

The program already comes with the most common types of bolts, welds, anchors, materials and
sections. If materials and sections that do not exist in the database are required, this can be defined in
the same way the new connection templates are.
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Go to the required item and click in the right button of the combo to access to the available database.
For example, to watch a material existing in the database, press the Materials button in the Databases
group, Home tab.
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A dialog window will appear with the list of available items and the tool buttons to create, edit and
manage the database.
Then, press the button.
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To edit or create an item, a new dialog will show up with all the required data
To create a new material, Press the button to add a New group to the database. After that, a name
for the new group is required in the displayed window.
Then, add a new Table by pressing the button. A new dialog will be displayed to enter the name
for the new table. It is also required to select the type of table.
Press the button to create a new item (material) for the current table.
There are similar tools to the connection template dialog to manage data in other databases dialogs.
For more information, see the sensitive context help.
Connections commands
The connection commands helps in the design and management of connections.
Selection options
Selecting connections
The different options are located in the Elements/Connections command in the Selection group.
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Different options to select connections

The program offers many graphical ways for selecting model connections.
You can click on the desired connection or you can drag around it with the mouse. To select multiple
connections, press Shift while clicking with the mouse on each connection.
You can click with the left button of the mouse over each desired connection.
You can make a fence over the desired connections clicking and dragging the mouse from one corner
to the other.
Available options for the connection selection
If you want to select connections by description (remember that a design group has the same
description), select an instance of the desired connection and press in the Selection group. All
connections in the model that share the same description will be selected.
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Selecting joints:
The different options are located in the Elements/Joints command in the Selection group.
Different options to select joints

Notice that you have a Special selection... option, which allows the selection of joints of a particular
family, with special characteristics as a determined range of beam heights and end conditions.
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Special selection of joints. Notice that you can limit the selection by beam depth and beam end
conditions.
Another important option for joints selection is the command Select connection nodes and members
in Elements/Connections options. This tool is very useful if you want to change or modify the design
of a group of connections. The related members and nodes will be highlighted in the model. Then you
can erase the connections of the selected joints and/or proceed with a new design by pressing any
assignment button of the connection toolbar.
Note: The beam local axis 2 is supposed vertical. Other orientation would lead to nonsense
connections.
Result display options

There are different display options for connections. For more references please read the Chapter 1.
When a smart connection template is assigned, certain parameters are designed automatically (plate
thickness, bolts, welds etc). The user can get quick visual feedback of the designed parameters by
pressing the button, located in the Properties/Connections
options in the Model group, which displays a line summary (tag) with the value of the designed
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parameters on the selected connections. For basic connections this button will show the connection
template name.
Select Elements/Connections/Select connection with the same tag name option to select all smart
connections with the same designed elements (expressed in the tag). This tool is useful when
connections are designed individually, and the user wants to find all the connections that have similar
designs so as to assist in determining an appropriate grouping of connections. Note that connections
with the same tag could have different connection data as for example the members sections.
Select the Numbering and Templates options to display graphically the number and template name of
the selected connections.
Display of the connection number and the template name (for smart connections).
To select connections by status, you have to first display the status of the connections using the
button. This will enable the buttons at the top of the graphic screen. Press the to
select all the OK connections or press to select all the not good (N.G.) connections.
Design and Assignment settings

The connection Assignment group and its buttons were described in the previous chapter.
The Assign button displays the assignment options(e.g. Basic, Smart and Gusset connections).
Customizing the toolbar

It is important that the connection assignment buttons are configured according to user’s preferences.
This determines the list of connections that will be associated with the assignment options in the
Assignment menu, and the order in which these connections will be attempted. To configure this
buttons, go to the Design tab, Assignment group, press the Assign button, and select the Customize
the toolbar...option. The configuration window will appear with the current template arrangement.
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Connection toolbar configuration window.

In the area (1), the available database templates is shown, in the area (2), the assignment buttons that
are defined for the menu can be found, in the area (3) there are tools to configure the list, in the area
(4) there is a command to add a template to the selected button, in area (5) there is the group of the
database and in area (6) the user may choose the toolbar to configure.
The user should notice that it is not possible to modify the toolbar defined by the program (the tools
does not enable), but the user can configure an own assignment toolbar, based on groups, tables and
templates of the program or those previously created. For this purpose, the “USER” toolbar may be
selected from the combo box located at the upper-right corner of this window.
The assignment buttons created in the Root folder will always be visible along with the main group
buttons. Therefore, it is recommended to include in this folder only the assignment buttons that are
frequently used.
It is possible to create a new group button with the button. The name of the new group will be
asked.
Dialog window asking the name of the new group.
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To create a new assignment button, place the cursor at the desired place.
For example locate a new assignment button in the recently created group.
Then press the button and enter the name of the button.
Then go to the list of available connections of the database and choose the templates for the button
(1). Press the button to include the current template in the button list (2). Note that if a folder of
the database is selected, all the connection templates of the folder will be assigned to the button
keeping the same order as in the database (3).
Select the connection templates desired to be associated with the button “My Button” in the group
“My ButtonsGroup”.
It is very important to specify the order of the templates within a list because this order will be used
during the assignment. To sort the templates use the buttons and to move the selected
template up or down.
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To delete a button use the command .

Notice that all buttons that are created have by default the same bitmap. The user can define the
bitmap to be associated for each button with the button tool .
The bitmap has to be a bmp file of 22x22 pixels. There are ready-to-use choices in the
ConnectionToolBars\Images folder.
The user can draw an own bitmap with any drawing application like Microsoft Paint.
Connection spreadsheet
The data of the currently selected connections is displayed in the connection spreadsheet. It is also
possible to use it to assign "single" connections or delete connections. A single connection, unlike
other model connections, has not been assigned by an assignment button.
Assigning connections to the model using the spreadsheet

Once connections templates have been created in the database, connections can be assigned using the
spreadsheet. Note that if assigned from the spreadsheet, the connections will always be designed
individually.
Note: It is recommended to interact and verify the status of the single connections in the model
separately from the other model connections. This is because the redesign button (in the connections
toolbar) does not display warning messages for these connections when they are inadequate.
The steps to assign single connections to a model are shown below. There is also a way to replace
existing connections that is explained below.
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Assign selected connection template to model
Select members and nodes where you want the connection designed. You can select several members
and nodes at once.
In the spreadsheet database area select the desired connection template to be assigned.
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Press the button to assign the template connection.
The single connections are assigned.

This command will only assign connections where it is possible. For example, you cannot assign a
column splice connection on a beam to girder joint. Therefore, you can select indiscriminately a large
group of members and nodes and the connection will only be applied where that connection is
possible.
If the user is going to assign a Beam to Girder connection, the girder must be defined in RAM
Elements or RAM Structural System as a physical member; otherwise the Beam to Girder connection
will not be assigned.
When a new connection template is created it can be directly assigned to a joint with the Assign
selected connection to model button. Other way will be to configure the connection toolbar to
consider the new template in an assignment button. Therefore, one of the main functions of this
button is to test and assign recently created templates.
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Replace (all) the current selected connection (s)

This option allows you to replace one or all the model connections currently selected and displayed in
the connection spreadsheet.
In the spreadsheet select the desired connection template to replace. Press one of the buttons to
replace one or all of the selected model connections respectively.
This tool is very useful to replace existing connections with other connections of the same
family, because the user only needs to select the connections and not the members and the nodes.
Note that it is not possible to assign a template from another family.
Assign connection description

It is possible to modify or assign the descriptions of your model connections. However the engineer
should be aware that the description for these connections is used to identify the design groups and
will be used also for the redesign of connections. It is recommended to only change the description
when two or more identical groups/connections need to be grouped together and designed as one new
group. To assign the same description to the currently selected connections you may copy them to the
clipboard (Ctrl+C) and then paste them to all the desired connections (Ctrl+V).
Another method to assign the same description to the currently selected connections (recommended
only for single connections) is to apply the assign description button. Alternatively the
user can type any description label into the spreadsheet description column.
Deleting model connections.
To delete a connection of the model select it and press . This button will delete only the
selected connections even if members, shells and nodes are also selected.
If only connections have been selected, they can also be deleted with the tool button.
Note: The connection label (identification number) once assigned to a model connection does not
change, even if connections with lower value labels are deleted.
Connection Pad
The connection pad or connection dialog is required for the creation of templates for the database and
also to review/edit a model connection, or many model connections with the connections detailer. It
is accessed when any template of the database is edited, when the user double clicks a model
connection, or when several identical model connections are selected and the detailing command is
invoked from the Design tab, Connections group and Edit button.
The connection pad has the following areas:
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Connection pad.
Area Function
ID Name
A Toolbar General commands for saving, printing and accessing to data
and result reports, modifying tridimensional and DXF model
view.
B Edition area In this area the user may enter or modify the required data for
the connection.
C Graphic area Shows the 3D and DXF view of the connection.
D Sensitive help area Displays helpful information about the data for the
connection.
E Traffic light Shows the design status of the connection.
F Tab Choose the 3D and DXF view of the connection.
G Navigation control Tool that rotates, translate the model and also contain tools to
change to default view models.
1: Edition area
In this section the user enters all the necessary data to define the connection template (or
reviews/modifies the properties of the selected model connections). The following connection data
should be provided: Units system, Code, Loads, Tag, and all the specific data required in Shear,
Moment, Combined or Gusset connections.
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The available units systems are Metric, English and SI. The available codes are AISC 360-05 ASD,
AISC 360-05 LRFD, AISC 360-10 ASD, AISC 360-10 LRFD, BS5950-00, GB 50017-03 and EN
1993-2005. The loads can be entered in a spreadsheet that enables only certain loads according to the
selected connection (i.e., in a bracket plate connection only shear load is allowed). Note that when
editing model connections, the joint loads are transferred to the connection automatically.
Notes: All data with the icon (when editing model connections) is transferred to the connection
pad directly from RAM Connection or RAM Elements. When editing a model connection, any
change in this data will not be permanent. The rest of the parameters may be modified for each
connection.
Choose the unit system as is appropriate to enter and display the connection data.
Notice that the current units of each property are shown beside their value. When entering a value
without units, the currently units will be considered for the value. It is also possible to enter a value
with its own units, which could be different from the current unit system; in this case the program
will transform the entered value to the current units system.
The following length units are displayed according to the unit system selected. Metric: cm, m.
English: in, ft. SI: mm, m.
Note: All the connection properties with units (as edge distances, plate length, etc.) will show their
value and will be edited according to the current unit system. When entering a property value with
small units, a dimension in centimeters for example, the default units when editing the property will
be cm, inches or mm, according to the current unit system. On the other hand, if big units would have
been used (as meters or feet), the default units would be m or feet. Consider that this modification is
applied only to the template or connection being modified.
For example (If the current units system is English):
Entering “1.5 in” Setback means 1.5 inches
Entering “0.1 ft” in Setback means 0.1 feet (the default unit becomes “ft”).
Notice that the program will allow to enter, for example, “1.5 kip” for a length. Although this is
accepted, the resulting value may not be the expected. Also, this will not change the units of the
property (in this case a length measure will not be changed to a force measure).
When creating a connection template in the database through the connection pad, the first time the
connection pad is displayed it is filled with the default connection properties values. To see it drawn
with some specific member sections (and materials) or to get preliminary (test) reports, assign the
required sections and materials.
2: Graphic area
In this part of the Connection Pad a true 3D or 2D visual representation of the selected connection is
shown.
Change to the Extruded View tab to view the tridimensional model of the joint. Switch to the DXF
View tab to view the 2D drawing of the joint. Notice that only one visualization may be set at a time.
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3D representation of a single plate BCW.
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2D Drawing with different views and the option to export as a DXF file.
The following command buttons are used to modify the view of the connection:
 The button allows seeing the 3D image as transparency.
 The button allows seeing the 3d image only with lines (This view is different to
the DXF).
 displays the DXF drawing layers.
 Increases the font size for the graphic in the screen.
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 Reduces the font size for the graphic in the screen.
 opens a dialog window to print the graphic.
 opens a dialog window to print to a file the graphic.
 Press , name the file and save it. The graphic will be saved in a DXF format
available to open with any CAD program.
To rotate the 3D view of the connection, right-click and drag freely over the graphic area. With
a mouse wheel it is possible to zoom in or out.
The graphic area is referred to the area in the main screen where the 3D joint view is shown. In this
area the joint view can be rotated, can be zoomed in or out. When pressing the navigation control
several buttons popup with several view options.
 The button activates top view.
 The button activates lateral view.
 The button activates front view.
 The button activates an isometric view.
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 The button inverts the views described.

Other commands that affect the view in the graphic area are in toolbar besides navigation control.
A brief description of these commands is presented as follows:
 The button extends the view.
 Press the button and drag a rectangle to select the area of the graphic to amplify the
view.
Example of area zoom
 Zoom in button.
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 Zoom out button.
3: Help area
In this section of the Connection Pad the help information related to the selected data in the Edition
area is displayed:
Click the button to return to the previous explanation of the help window.
Click the button to print the current explanation of the help window.
The Connection Pad has also a status box in the top right part of the window that shows
the design status and ratio of the model. If the red light is on, it shows that the status and strength
ratio of the connection are not good. When the yellow light is on , the strength ratio is OK
but there is a design requirement not fulfilled and finally, if the green light is on , the
connection design status is OK.
Press the button to save the changes made over the connection.
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The button displays the data report of the connection.
The button displays the results report of the connection.
Connections Reports
It is possible to obtain connection reports from the Connection Pad or from the program ribbon
commands.
To obtain data or results reports from the Connection Pad, while reviewing/editing a connection or
creating/editing a connection template, press one of the following buttons, or .

The data report provides the full description of the connection(s) considering the geometry and
characteristics of the members and connection elements.
The results report provides all the connection capacity values for the critic load condition. At the
beginning of the report there is a list of the load conditions considered. The second section of the
report checks that the critical dimensions are within allowable code prescribed ranges or geometrical
requirements. If a dimension is out of range, the status of the connection will reflect it (semaphore
light turns into yellow. There is also a geometric verification to see the compatibility of the
connection with the members (for example, this check will indicate if a plate exceeds the support
width) in which case warning messages will also be reported. The third section shows the different
capacity checks that are performed comparing the calculated capacity of the connection with the
connection demand. If any capacity is not sufficient, the status of the connection will change to N.G.
(not good). Finally, at the bottom of the report, the most critical strength ratio of the connection is
reported.
RAM Connection for RE or RAM SS also offers the possibility to have detailed or summary reports
of several connections.
Geometry, Loads and the joint list reports of the selected connections
To obtain the design reports for a group of connections, select the desired connections and go to
Results/Connections design…
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Select the type of report, summary or detailed. You can specify if the connections will be grouped by
tag, by type, by family, by description or connectors.
The Connectors report is a summary of all the connectors with their main characteristics (note that
the connections are grouped according to the listed parameters, so, within the connections of a group
there could be differences in the parameters not listed), while the rest of reports are a review of the
design that include the strength ratio and status considering the selected load conditions.
Note that you have an option to report a list of joints.
There is also the possibility to print the 3D graph with a descriptive text box. To do this set the view
and press the button from the Output tab, Model graphic group.
106
Enter the desired text that will be included in the graphics printing.
To print the actual view, execute the action pressing the button from Output tab, Model
graphic group, then select the printer options and accept printing.
References
The references used for connections are:
For AISC 360 design code:
 ANSI/AISC 360-05 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings.
 ANSI/AISC 341-05 Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings.
 ANSI/AISC 358-05 Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment
Frames for Seismic Applications.
 ANSI/AISC 360-10 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings.
 ANSI/AISC 341-10 Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings.
 ANSI/AISC 358-10 Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment
Frames for Seismic Applications.
 Federal Emergency Management Agency – Recommended Seismic Design Criteria for New
Steel Moment-Frame Buildings, FEMA-350/June 2000.
 Murray Thomas M., Extended End-Plate Moment Connections, Steel Design Guide Series 4,
AISC, 2003.
107
 Ellifritt Duane S. and Sputo Thomas, Design Criteria for Stiffened Seated Connections to
Column Webs, Proceedings of NSCC Sponsored by AISC, New Orleans, April, 1-3, 1998
 J. H. Garret, JR. and R. L. Brockenbrough, Design Loads for Seated-beam in LRFD,
Engineering Journal, AISC, 1986.
 Akbar R. Tamboli, Handbook of Structural Steel Connection Design and Details, McGraw
Hill, 1999
 Sherman, Donald R., Ales, Joseph M., The Design of Shear Tabs with Tubular Columns,
Master of Engineering Project, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, 1990.
 Thornton, William A., Loescher Michael, AISC - Hollow Structural Sections Connections
Manual, American Institute of Steel Construction, 1997.
 Bull Moose Tube HSS Connections Manual, Bull Moose Tube Company, 1999.
 J.A. Packer, J.E. Henderson, Hollow Structural Section - Connections and Trusses - A Design
Guide, Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, 1997.
 Sherman, D. R. and J. M Ales, 1991, The Design of Shear Tabs with Tubular Connections,
Proceedings of the 1991 National Steel Construction Conference, pp.1.1-1.22, AISC,
Chicago, IL.
 Dowswell Bo, Connection Design for Steel Structures (Lecture Notes), Structural Design
Solutions, LLC, 2003.
 Blodgett, O. W. (1966), Design of Welded Structures, The James F. Lincoln Arc Welding
Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.
 DeWolf, J.T. and Ricker, D.T. (1990), Column Base Plates, Steel Design Guide 1, American
Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago, IL.
 Drake, R.M. and Elkin, S.J. (1999), “Beam-Column Base Plate Design—LRFD Method,”
Engineering Journal, American Institute of Steel Construction, Vol. 36, No. 1, First Quarter.
 Fisher, J.M. and Kloiber, L.A. (2006), Base Plate and Anchor Rod Design, Steel Design
Guide 1, American Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago, IL.
 ACI (2008), Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary, ACI318-
08/ACI 318R-08, American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI.
 PCA (2005), Notes on ACI 318-05 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete with
Design Applications, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Illinois.
For BS 5950-00 design code:
 BS 5950-1:2000. Structural use of steelwork in building.
 Joints in Steel Construction - Simple Connections, Steel Construction Institute and the British
Constructional Steelwork Association, United Kingdom, 2002.
 Joints in Steel Construction - Moment Connections, Steel Construction Institute and the
British Constructional Steelwork Association, United Kingdom, 1997.
 Trahair N.S., Bradford M. A., Nethercot D.A., The Behaviour and Design of Steel Structures
to BS5950, Third Edition - British, Spon Press, Great Britain, 2001.
108
 Joannides Frixos, Weller Alan, Structural Steel Design to BS 5950: part 1, Thomas Telford
Publishing, Great Britain, 2002.
For GB50017 – 2003 design code:
 GB50017 - 2003. Code for design of steel structures.
 钢结构连接节点设计手册（第二版）
 GB 50010 – 2010. Code for design of concrete structures.
 GB 50011 - 2001. Code for seismic design of buildings.
For EN 1993-2005 design code:
 EN 1993-1-1 (2005) Eurocode 3. Code for design of steel structures: General rules and rules
for buildings.
 EN 1993-1-8 (2005) Eurocode 3. Code for design of steel structures: Design of joints.
 prEN 1992-4 (2013) Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures – Part 4: Design of fastenings
for use in concrete.
 Joints in Steel Construction: Simple Joints to Eurocode 3, Steel Construction Institute and the
British Constructional Steelwork Association, United Kingdom, 2014.
 Joints in Steel Construction: Moment-Resisting Joints to Eurocode 3, Steel Construction
Institute and the British Constructional Steelwork Association, United Kingdom, 2013.
109
Chapter 3: Connections examples for RC-RA
Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Connections example for

RC-RE
This chapter will take you step by step through the design of steel connections. The structure to be
used in this chapter is only illustrative and is shown below:
It is a small steel building with steel columns, beams and girders.

See the previous examples for more details regarding to the generation and analysis of a structure.
The file of this example is available in the Data\Samples folder of RAM Elements.
1) Retrieve the structure
Select the Open a model command.
111
Open Connections Example.etz.
2) Assign basic connections to the model

RAM Elements is shipped with ready-to-use connections templates called basic connections. You
will see in the following sections how you can customize them to your work practice. For the
moment we will work with the standard settings.
Remark: The example model comes already with connections.
To erase all connections follow the next procedure:
1.- Select all the structure, using the Select all elements button on the Home tab.
2.- Verify that the Spreadsheet button is pressed in the Home tab and select the Conn
worksheet.
3.- Use the Delete selected connections button in the Active spreadsheet tools group in the
Spreadsheet tab to erase all the connections in the model.
112
Note. - Previous start assigning the connections, the user should take care to make distinction
between inclined beams and braces in the worksheet to let the program assign the connections
correctly. For that:
Select all the braces of the model, go to Members/ Connectivity and description worksheet and
change No to Yes by making double click on the Brace cell.
Once the user has done this distinction, he is ready to start assigning connections.
To customize the connection design press the Design configuration button in the upper right side in
the Connections group on the Modules tab. The customization includes the configuration of the load
conditions included in the design, design standard, maximum strength ratio limit and structural
integrity.
113
Keep a stress ratio limit of 1.0 (default value). The structural integrity is a design parameter only for
the BS 5950-1:2000 design standard.
In order to apply any command you have to use the 'select and apply rule'. So, first, select the whole
structure. Press Select all elements button in the Selection group on the Home tab.
Now you are ready to assign your first connections. As a first try you need to know exactly the
required connection on each joint. A recommended procedure is to design individually each joint and
evaluate the obtained connections.
Select the Design each connection individually option pressing the Assign button.
Then press the Basic Connections button group and select the Basic SP (Single Plate) connection
114
Steps to assign basic single plate connections to the whole structure.

In few moments the program will suggest an optimum single plate connection for each joint of the
structure that can have a shear connection.
Model with all shear joints with a single plate connection.

The user can display the template name of each connection in the graphic window, which includes
the family. To evaluate the different single plate connections required, select first one instance of the
desired connection family; in this case select a BCW connection. Finally select the option Templates
from the Properties button on the View tab.
115
Display connection templates

The program includes several options for the selection of the connections. These options are available
in the Connections option of the Elements selection button on the Home tab.
116
Connection selection options
117
Single
Plate BCW connections designed individually for each joint.
It is possible review the particularities of each connection selecting this and pressing the Edit button
in the Connections group on the Modules tab.
Note that some connections require 4 bolts while others require only 3 bolts. Let’s suppose that for
construction we decide to adopt the same connection for all BCW connections.
Select all the structure (pressing ), deactivate the option for design each connection individually.
118
Press again the button to assign single plate connections ( .) You can select the BCW
connections and you will see that all BCW connections are with 3 bolts (as expected). The other
families have also 3 bolts. When you design by group you can obtain the same connection for each
family independently of the related sections and materials of the joints.
It is possible check the status and strength ratio for the current load condition pressing the Status
button. It also possible to check the ratio for the controlling load combination; in order to do that,
select the option For the controlling load combination in the menu of the Status button. Notice that a
different ratio is shown for each connection.
Similarly it is possible to have the stress ratio pressing the Stress ratio button.
Notice that you can select all connections that have an OK or N.G. status pressing one of the
following buttons.
You can print a summary report. Select all the structure and go to the Output tab and select
Design/Connections in the Reports group. Finally choose Group by tag in the Connection design
dialog. With this report you will obtain a summary of all adopted connections with their main
characteristics and the critical strength ratios.
119
The report looks like:
Now you can continue with the design of the moment connections.
Press Hinges button in the Model group in the View tab to view all the hinges of the structure (you
have to select previously all members). The moment connections will be designed only for the fixed
joints.
120
Select all the structure (pressing ), activate the option to design individually each connection and
select the Basic FP Bolted connection. To see the designed connections pick samples
of the FP connections (one for BCW and one for BCF), go to the Home tab and finally activate
Connections/Select all connections of the same type option pressing the Elements selection button .
Flange plate connections individually designed.

In the same way to the shear connections is possible check the status and stress ratio for the moment
connections designed.
Next, you can continue with the design of the brace connections, for that, select all the structure
(pressing ), press the Gusset button and select CBB_DA (Column, Beams and Braces-Double
Angle) connection .
As you can see 6 CBB Connections were assigned.
121
Brace connections
Now you have finished the connection design. Notice that the task was performed very fast and in a
simple way. What you need to know now, is how to configure your connections design. This will be
shown in the next sections.
If you want to review in detail a connection or several connections of the same type and members,
select it and press the Edit button in the Connections group on the Modules tab.
For example select the SP BCF connections of the first floor (perimeter columns) and go to the
detailing of connections.
122
Review all the data for the selected connections in the connection pad. You can print the data or the
results reports by pressing or respectively.

You can edit any parameter of the connections. This is very useful when the design was not
successful in order to achieve an adequate connection. Notice, however, that any manual change will
be lost if the connections are redesigned or reassigned.
Now it is time to save your structure with all your connections. Press the RE Button and choose
Save or use the quick access toolbar.

What if the loads, geometry or any design condition change? No problem, you can redesign all or part
of your connections very fast. For example, select your FP BCW connections (tip: use the option
Select connections of the same type from the Home/Selection/Elements selection/Connections).
Change the connection configuration with a stress ratio limit of 0.80 and check the status and ratio for
To upload the design of the connections, press the Redesign button in the Connections group in the
Modules tab. Note that the strength ratio for the critical load is now under the new limit and that some
connections have been modified to comply with the new limit.
123
3) Create a connection template

Although RAM Elements has by default several templates in the database, the user may want to
define new templates with all the specific characteristics required by the user practice.
It is always suggested to back up your connections database (file Connections.ini in the DB
folder of main directory) before generating or changing your templates.
To access to the connections database go to the main window and press the Connections button in the
Databases group on the Home tab.
A dialog window showing the available connections grouped in folders will appear:
Create a new group with the button. Enter a name for the new group of connections. For the
example you can adopt the "MyShearConnections" group.
Then, add a new table with the button.
124
Enter the name, family, type, design code and press OK. In this case enter the options shown in the
figure.
With the former table selected, press the button to create a new connection.
Notice that the name of the template is used to identify the connection and has to be unique in the
whole database (including all folders). Thus you have to assign a name that describes the geometry
and main characteristics of the connection.
The following window will be displayed:
125
You can review/change all the parameters of the template connection.

The following data are required: Loads, Main Data and the specific data required in Shear and/or
Moment connections.
Now you can enter the specific parameters for the connection. Note that the beam, support sections
and materials are also transferred from the main program and they are not required to be defined. The
default values shown are used only for the 3D drawing.
Notice also that you have to enter only the parameters that are different from the desired values and
are constant for all connections to be generated with the template.
For this case accept all the default values.
Common tools are available for the manipulation of the drawing area in the status bar. Also specific
tools are available in the 3D Options and DXF Options to manipulate the drawing area in the
Extruded View and DXF View respectively.
The graphical area is referred to the area in the main screen where the 3D joint view is shown. In this
area the joint view can be rotated, can be increased or reduced. Pressing navigation control displays a
popup buttons with view options.
126
 Button activates top view.
 Button activates lateral view.
 Button activates front view.
 Button activates an isometric view.
 Button inverts the views described.

 The button sets the original joint view.
view.
127
 Zoom in button.

The help context ( ) is also available to give technical information related to the current parameter
to be edited (where the cursor is located).
4) Edit the templates to be used

If you want to enter a similar connection of the existing ones, you can use the Copy item button. For
example, place the cursor at the connection SP_1/4_BCF_2_3/4 and press the button as shown
below:
128
The new item will be copied with the name “SP_1/4_BCF_2_3/4 – Copy(1)”. Introduce the new
name of the connection accessing the connection pad with the button. For this example use
SP_1/4_BCF_3_3/4.
Edit the new connection. In this example change the number of bolts from 2 to 3 and press the OK
button. Note that the connection is displayed with 3 bolts and that the length has automatically
changed to fit the bolts.
129
Change the number of bolts from to 2 to 3 for the new template. Enter the desired name for the
template.
5) Create a connection database

If you want to create several connections, the procedure outlined in steps 1 and 2 might be very
lengthy and time consuming. A very fast procedure can be adopted in order to change/create a set of
connections.
First, you have to create a connection prototype as performed in steps 2 and 3.
Let’s generate a whole set of Single Plate connections of the database.
130
Select the former generated folder. Press the button “Copy items to clipboard”. Open Excel and
paste it in a worksheet
The spreadsheet will look similar to the following figure:
Note that each column of the spreadsheet contains the different values of a specific parameter of the
connection. You can use the different tools available on Excel to copy or change the values. In this
example copy the data line (row 4) 4 times. The following columns will be edited in the following
way:
131
The name and the number of bolt rows (Nrow) are changed.
The user can keep or even erase the rest of the columns. In the latter case the connection will take the
default values.
Once the data is defined, the user may proceed with the generation.
Then select ALL the information and copy the data to the clipboard (Ctrl+C)
Press the Copy items from clipboard button to paste the connections into the database.
The program will ask if the existing connections are going to be replaced. Answer yes and then a
message with the number of generated connections (6) will be displayed.
The following connections will be generated:
132
As you can see, this way of generating the connections is fast and allows creating the complete set of
templates that a design office may need with the required custom values.
6) Configure the toolbar

Normally, a reduced list of connections of the same type may be required for a specific project. This
list may be defined in an assignment button in the following way:
Go to Connections group on the Modules tab, then press the Assign button and select the Customize
the tool bar option.
The following window will appear:
133
There are groups of connections that are predefined by the program and cannot be edited but it is
possible to define a new user’s group. For this purpose, select the “USER” group in the “Toolbar”
combo box.
Press to define a new group. Enter the name of the group (My group).
Dialog window to define a new group of buttons in the toolbar.
Press to define a new assigning button.
Dialog window to define the name of the new button.

134
Steps to assign the group of SP templates to the new button.
Select the desired template or group of templates and press the button. Repeat the process until
you have assigned all the connections of the list. Note that the order in the list is very important
because it will define the priority in the selection of the template. To change the order in the list you
can use the and buttons.
You can assign an adequate bitmap to your button. Press and select the bitmap for the single
plates.
Remark: You can create your own bitmaps with any drawing tool like PaintTM.
135
Dialog window for selecting the bitmap for the new assigning button.
Now you have a new button ready to be used in the connection design with your single plate
connections. You can try it in the model following a similar procedure was performed with the basic
connections.
7) Assign smart connections to the model

The program comes with another group of templates besides the basic connections. They are the
‘Smart’ connections, where the program determines all the main design parameters as the connector
size, number of bolts, size of welds, etc. based on the connection forces. This allows having one
smart connection template per family and connection type. These self-optimizing templates are
included in the Smart Connections group.
Remark: If you have previously created connections from the basic group, erase all connections with
the same procedure described previously.
First, select the whole structure. Press .

Select the Design each connection individually option from the Assign button.
136
Then press the Smart Connections button group and select the Smart SP (Single Plate)
connection.
As you may notice the different Single Plate connections have been assigned to the model. To view
the main designed parameters, press the Edit button in the Connections group on the Modules
tab. If you review the results of the design you can see that they are similar to the results obtained
with the basic connections in the first part of the example. Notice however that the result for a design
by group will not be the same because the program will design an optimum connection for each
subgroup (same family and member sections).
8) Assign base plate connections to the model

The program allows the creation of column – base plate connections using predefined templates. The
base plate templates are defines as 'Smart', as they allow the program to determine the main design
parameters as the base plate dimensions, weld sizes, anchor embedment length and diameter based on
the acting forces.
In order to assign a base plate connection, select the Design each connection individually option
pressing the Assign button.
Select all the support joints at the model base:
137
Next, from the available template list, select from the Base Plate Connection group the template as it
is show in the next figure.
Choose Smart Fixed Uniaxial Base Plate as the template for the connections.
If there are braces connected to the joint then choose the Smart Gusset Base Plate template.
138
Choose Smart Gusset Base Plate as the template for the base plate with braces connection.
Press the Edit button in the Connections group on the Modules tab to check the main design
parameters from the selected connections.
Remark: The anchors are designed for the code ACI 318-08 and due method compatibility only are
available when the design method selected is AISC 360-05 LRFD or AISC 360-10 LRFD.
139
Chapter 4: Connections examples for RC-RSS
Chapter 4: Connections example for RC-RSS

This chapter will take you step by step through the creation, design and optimization of steel
connections in RAM Connection. The structure to be used in this chapter is only illustrative and is
shown below:
It is a small building with steel columns, beams and girders. The perimeter beams and columns will
be the lateral framing while the interior columns and beams will be part of the gravity framing.
See the examples in the RAM Structural System Tutorial for more details for the generation and
analysis of a building. The file of this example is available in the Data folder of RAM Structural
System.
1) Run RAM Connection

Once the structure is created in RAM Modeler (gravity and lateral framing, slab data, load data and
story data of the structure) you can define or design the steel gravity columns and beams with the
design modules, then you can perform the lateral analysis in RAM Frame. Once the sections of the
structure are completely defined, you are ready to use RAM Connection. This module is a powerful
tool to help in the rapid, interactive, design of the most common connections.
For this example, exit RAM Manager, run RAM Connection and open the file ConnEx.rss. Notice
that the model is completely defined and analyzed.
The RAM Connection window will appear. You can review your model using the commands of the
View tab described in Chapter 1.
2) Assign basic connections to the model

RAM Connection is shipped with ready-to-use connections templates called basic connections. You
will see in the following sections how you can customize them to your work practice. For the
moment we will work with the standard settings.
Remark: The example model comes already with connections.
141
To delete all connections follow the next procedure:

1.- Select all the structure, using the Select all elements button on the Home tab.
2.- Verify that the Spreadsheet button is pressed in the Home tab and select the Connection
spreadsheet.
3.- Use the Delete selected connections button in the Active spreadsheet tools group in the
Spreadsheet tab to erase all the connections in the model.
In order to start assigning connections the user needs to use any of the default assignment group
buttons.
Assignment buttons
But first, select the load conditions that will be considered in the design. Go to the Assignment group
configuration menu and select all load conditions for the example (1).
142
Select all load combinations and keep the Maximum strength ratio limit in 1.0 for the example.
Note that the load combinations generated in RAM SS (RAM Frame) will be used for the
connections design. In order to do this, go to the Load conditions group configuration menu and
select the Include RAM Frame – steel provision mode load combinations
143
Include RAM Frame Steel Provision Mode load combinations

In order to apply any command you have to use the 'select and apply rule'. So, first, select the whole
structure. Press Select all elements button in the Selection group on the Home tab (2).
Now you are ready to assign your first connections. As a first try you need to know exactly the
required connection on each joint. A recommended procedure is to design individually each joint and
evaluate the obtained connections.
Select the Design each connection individually option pressing the Assign button (3).
Then press the Basic Connections (4) button group and select the Basic SP (Single Plate)
connection(5).
144
Steps to assign smart single plate connections to the whole structure.

In few moments the program will suggest an optimum single plate connection for each joint of the
structure that can have a shear connection.
Model with all shear joints with a single plate connection.

The user can display the template name of each connection in the graphic window which includes the
family. Select first one instance of the desired connection family; in this case select a BCW
connection and then select the option Templates from the Properties button in the View tab.
145
Display connection templates

The program includes several options for the selection of the connections. These options are available
in the Connections option of the Elements selection button on the Home tab.
146
Connection selection options
147
Single
Plate BCW connections designed individually for each joint.
It is possible review the particularities of each connection selecting this and pressing the Edit button
in the Connections group on the Design tab.
Note that some connections require 4 bolts while others require only 3. Let suppose that for
construction we decide to use the same connection for all BCW connections.
Select all the structure (pressing ), deactivate the option for design each connection individually.
148
Press again the button to assign single plate connections ( .) You can select the BCW
connections and you will see that all BCW connections are with 3 bolts (as expected). The other
families have also 3 bolts. When you design by group you can obtain the same connection for each
family independently of the related sections and materials of the joints.
It is possible check the status and strength ratio for the current load condition pressing the Status
button. It also possible to check the ratio for the controlling load combination; in order to do that,
select the option For the controlling load combination in the menu of the Status button. Notice that a
different ratio is shown for each connection.
Similarly it is possible to have the stress ratio pressing the Stress ratio button.
Notice that you can select all connections that have an OK or N.G. status pressing one of the
following buttons.
You can print a summary report. Select all the structure and go to Design in the Reports group and in
the reports dialog select the option Group by tag.
149
Now you can continue with the design of the moment connections.
Press Hinges button in the Model group in the View tab to view all the hinges of the structure (you
have to select previously all members). The moment connections will be designed only for the fixed
joints.
Select all the structure (pressing ), activate the option to design individually each connection and
select the Basic FP Bolted connection. To see the designed connections pick on
instance of the FP connections (for BCW), go to the Home tab and activate Connections/Select all
connections of the same type option in the Elements button .
150
Flange plate connections individually designed.

In the same way to the shear connections is possible check the status and stress ratio for the moment
connections designed.
Next, you can continue with the design of the brace connections, for that, select all the structure
(pressing ), press the Gusset button and select CBB_DA (Column, Beams and Braces-Double
Angle) connection .
As you can see 6 CBB Connections were assigned.
Now you have finished the connection design. Notice that the task was performed very fast and in a
simple way. What you need to know now, is how to configure your connection design. This will be
shown in the next sections.
If you want to review in detail a connection or several connections of the same type and members,
select it and press the Edit button in the Connections group in the Design tab.
Review all the data for the selected connections in the connection pad. You can print the data or the
results reports by pressing or respectively.

You can edit any parameter of the connections. This is very useful when the design was not
successful in order to achieve an adequate connection. Notice, however, that any manual change will
be lost if the connections are redesigned or reassigned.
151
Now it is time to save your structure with all your connections. Press the RE Button and choose
Save or use the quick access toolbar.

What if the loads, geometry or any design condition change? No problem, you can redesign all or part
of your connections very fast. For example, select your FP BCW connections (tip: use the option
Select connections of the same type from the Home/Selection/Elements selection/Connections).
Change the connection configuration with a stress ratio limit of 0.80 and check the status and ratio for
Some FP BCW and SP BCW connections do not comply with the conservative stress limit ratio used
(0.80). To change this press the redesign button ( ) in Assignment group. Note that the strength
ratio is now under the new limit and that some connections have been modified to comply with the
new limit.
3) Create a connection template

Although RAM Connection has by default several templates in the database, the user may want to
define new templates with all the specific characteristics required by the user practice.
152
It is always suggested to back up your connections database (file Connections.ini in the DB

folder of main directory) before generating or changing your templates.
To access to the connections database go to the main window and press the Connections button in the
Databases group on the Home tab.
A dialog window showing the available connections grouped in folders will appear.
Create a new group with the button. Enter a name for the new group of connections. For the
example you can adopt the "MyShearConnections" group.
Then, add a new table with the button.
153
Enter the name, family, type, design code and press OK. In this case enter the options shown in the
figure.
With the former table selected, press the button to create a new connection.
Notice that the name of the template is used to identify the connection and has to be unique in the
whole database (including all folders). Thus you have to assign a name that describes the geometry
and main characteristics of the connection.
The following window will be displayed:
154
You can review/change all the parameters of the template connection.

The following data are required: Loads, General information and the specific data required in Shear
and/or Moment connections.
Now you can enter the specific parameters for the connection. Note that the beam, support sections
and materials are also transferred from the main program and they are not required to be defined. The
default values shown are used only for the 3D drawing.
Notice also that you have to enter only the parameters that are different from the desired values and
are constant for all connections to be generated with the template.
For this case accept all the default values.
Common tools are available for the manipulation of the drawing area in the status bar. Also specific
tools are available in the 3D Options and DXF Options to manipulate the drawing area in the
Extruded View and DXF View respectively.
The graphical area is referred to the area in the main screen where the 3D joint view is shown. In this
area the joint view can be rotated, can be increased or reduced. Pressing navigation control displays a
popup buttons with view options.
155
 Button activates top view.
 Button activates lateral view.
 Button activates front view.
 Button activates an isometric view.
 Button inverts the views described.

 The button sets the original joint view.
view.
156
 Zoom in button.

The help context ( ) is also available to give technical information related to the current parameter
to be edited (where the cursor is located).
4) Edit the templates to be used

If you want to enter a similar connection of the existing ones, you can use the Copy item button. For
example, place the cursor at the connection SP_1/4_BCF_2_3/4 and press the button as shown
below:
157
The new item will be copied with the name “SP_1/4_BCF_2_3/4 – Copy(1)”. Introduce the new
name of the connection accessing the connection pad with the button. For this example use
SP_1/4_BCF_3_3/4.
Edit the new connection. In this example change the number of bolts from 2 to 3 and press the OK
button. Note that the connection is displayed with 3 bolts and that the length has automatically
changed to fit the bolts.
158
Change the number of bolts from to 2 to 3 for the new template. Enter the desired name for the
template.
5) Create a connection database

If you want to create several connections, the procedure outlined in the former Section might be very
lengthy and time consuming. A very fast procedure can be selected in order to change/create a set of
connections.
First, you have to create a connection prototype as performed in Section 3.
Let’s generate a whole set of Single Plate connections.
159
Select the former generated folder. Press the button “Copy items to clipboard”. Open Excel and
paste it in a worksheet
The spreadsheet will look similar to the following figure:
Note that each column of the spreadsheet contains the different values of a specific parameter of the
connection. You can use the different tools available on Excel to copy or change the values. In this
example copy the data line (row 4) 4 times. The following columns will be edited in the following
way:
160
The name and the number of bolt rows (Nrow) are changed.
The user can keep or even erase the rest of the columns. In the latter case the connection will take the
default values.
Once the data is defined, the user may proceed with the generation.
Then select ALL the information and copy the data to the clipboard (Ctrl+C)
Press the Copy items from clipboard button to paste the connections into the database.
The program will ask if the existing connections are going to be replaced. Answer yes and then a
message with the number of generated connections (6) will be displayed.
The following connections will be generated:
161
As you can see, this way of generating the connections is fast and allows creating the complete set of
templates that a design office may need with the required custom values.
6) Configure the toolbar

Normally, a reduced list of connections of the same type may be required for a specific project. This
list may be defined in an Assignment button in the following way:
Go to Connections group in the Design tab, then press the Assign button and select the Customize the
tool bar option.
The following window will appear:
162
There are three groups of connections that are predefined by the program and cannot be edited but it
is possible to define a new user’s group. For this purpose, select the “USER” group in the combo box
“Toolbar”.
Press to define a new group. Enter the name of the group (My group).
Dialog window to define a new group of buttons in the toolbar.
Press to define a new assigning button.
Dialog window to define the name of the new button.

163
Steps to assign the group of SP templates to the new button.
Select the desired template or group of templates and press the button. Repeat the process until
you have assigned all the connections of the list. Note that the order in the list is very important
because it will define the priority in the selection of the template. To change the order in the list you
can use the and buttons.
You can assign an adequate bitmap to your button. Press and select the bitmap for the single
plates.
Remark: You can create your own bitmaps with any drawing tool like PaintTM.
164
Dialog window for selecting the bitmap for the new assigning button.
Now you have a new button ready to be used in the connection design with your single plate
connections. You can try it in the model following a similar procedure was performed with the basic
connections.
7) Assign smart connections to the model

The program comes with another group of templates besides the basic connections. They are the
‘Smart’ connections, where the program determines all the main design parameters as the connector
size, number of bolts, size of welds, etc. based on the connection forces. This allows having one
smart connection template per family and connection type. These self-optimizing templates are
included in the Smart Connections group.
Remark: If you have previously created connections from the basic group, erase all connections with
the same procedure described previously.
First, select the whole structure. Press .

Select the Design each connection individually option from the Assign button.
165
Then press the Smart Connections button group and select the Smart SP (Single Plate)
connection.
As you may notice the different Single Plate connections have been assigned to the model. To view
the main designed parameters, press the Edit button in the Connections group on the Design tab.
If you review the results of the design you can see that they are similar to the results obtained with
the basic connections in the first part of the example. Notice however that the result for a design by
group will not be the same because the program will design an optimum connection for each
subgroup (same family and member sections).
8) Assign base plate connections to the model
The program allows the creation of column – base plate connections using predefined templates. The
base plate templates are defines as 'Smart', as they allow the program to determine the main design
parameters as the base plate dimensions, weld sizes, anchor embedment length and diameter based on
the acting forces.
In order to assign a base plate connection, select the Design each connection individually option
pressing the Assign button.
Select all the support joints at the model base:
166
Next, from the available template list, select from the Base Plate Connection group the template as it
is show in the next figure.
Choose Smart Fixed Uniaxial Base Plate as the template for the connections.
If there are braces connected to the joint then choose the Smart Gusset Base Plate template.
Choose Smart Gusset Base Plate as the template for the base plate with braces connection.
Press the Edit button in the Connections group on the Modules tab to check the main design
parameters from the selected connections.
167
Remark: The anchors are designed for the code ACI 318-08 and due method compatibility only are
available when the design method selected is AISC 360-05 LRFD or AISC 360-10 LRFD.
168

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_____________________________________________________________________________

RAM™ Connection CONNECT Edition

LEGAL NOTICES ..................................................................................................................1

Select all model elements. ....................................................................................................................... 14

How to learn RAM Connection?

RAM Connection and Windows’ Least-Privileged User Account (LUA) Approach

The new structure of program file folders (read-only) is shown below:

Chapter 1: General Overview

Design in RAM Connection

Units available in RAM Connection

Units system menu.

Units configuration dialog.

RAM Connection for RAM Structural System

Main window of RAM Connection.

RAM Connection button menu.

Save Saves the current model changes in the same model

Description of the RAM Connection commands

Home Tab: Data, Selection, Load conditions and Databases.

Data group commands

 Show the data panel.

Selection group commands

Select all model elements.

Load conditions group commands

Load conditions manager window

Delete load conditions window

 Generate load combination. The generate loads combination window is displayed

Generate load combinations window

Additional configuration dialog

Databases group commands

View Tab: Model and Design

Model group commands

 Sections. Shows the member sections in the display area.

 Materials. Shows the member materials in the display area.

 Hinges. Shows the member hinges in the display area.

Design group commands

Output Tab: Reports and Model graphic

Reports group commands

Connection design reports dialog

Model graphic group commands

 Print graphic. Print the current graphic displayed.

RAM Connection for RAM Elements and RAM Structural System

Spreadsheet Tab: Spreadsheet and Active spreadsheet tools.

Spreadsheet group commands

Active spreadsheet group commands

Design Tab: Assignment and Connections.

Assignment group commands

 Redesign connections. Redesign all connections.

Connections group commands

 Allows to edit the selected connections if they are equal.

Data panel spreadsheets

The Connections Spreadsheet has the following tools:

Help context window.

 Assign selected connection to model.

 Delete selected connections.

 Assign description CNX (additive).

Beam setback spreadsheet

Seismic design parameters spreadsheet

Connectivity and description spreadsheet

Selecting members, nodes and connections

Members and nodes highlighted when being selected

Selected nodes, members and connections

Connection groups (by description)

How to find technical information about a specific connection?

How to Use RAM Connection?