Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Example 1: Steel 3D truss

This example will take you step by step through the creation of a basic 3D steel structure. This example will be most effective if you practice the illustrated skills as they are presented. The structure to be entered in this example is shown below:

In order to simplify data entry, frame members are grouped as follows:

The assignment of the member descriptions shown here will be illustrated in this example.

1) Starting a new structure

Select the File/New command. In the event that there is an existing model open, RAM Advanse will ask you to save it.

Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Select units

Select the US customary option for this example.

2) Entering node coordinates

In the coordinates spreadsheet enter the coordinates shown below:

Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Go to the Spreadsheet Nodes/Coordinates and enter the coordinates shown above.

You can see the entered nodes on the screen.

3) Generation of frame members

Select the "path" of the frame members. Select the nodes in the sequence shown below, and then connect the selected nodes by pressing

Select the nodes in the order shown. To select several nodes remember to press the SHIFT key while you click with the mouse.

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Nodes and Description Then press to generate the frame members.

Example 1: Steel 3D truss

As you can see the frame members were generated NOTE. - Remember that you can undo the last operation by pressing

4) Assigning a description
It is necessary to group frame members in order to simplify later operations such as selection of elements, optimization, and others. To assign the same description to every member of a group proceed as follows:

Select columns

Then press

to assign COL1 description to the selected members .

Note. To view the member descriptions graphically (on the screen) press

Repeat the steps explained previously to assign a Description to the other members:

Select members
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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Press

to assign BEAM1 description.

Generate the beam as shown in the figure below. Assign BEAM2 description to this newly created member:

To create the horizontal beam, select the nodes shown in this figure and press

Press

to assign BEAM2 description.

5) Segmenting Members
To segment frame members, follow these steps:

Select members to be segmented.

Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Press and enter the desired number of segments (3 segments in this case). Then press OK or the ENTER key. Notice that in this case 3 physical element will be created.

Next, segment the horizontal member BEAM2. To do this:

Select BEAM2 member.

Press and enter the desired number of segments. In this case, enter six segments. Then press OK or the ENTER key.
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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

NOTE. - Remember that you can undo the last operation by pressing Notice that the segmented members have the same description as the original member and that each member is treated as one physical member.

6) Generation of vertical members

To enter the vertical truss elements, follow these steps:

Select the nodes shown in this figure. Notice that you should not select the exterior nodes.

Press button

to generate vertical members (plus y generates members in the vertical up direction).

7) Generation of diagonal members

We will first generate the diagonal truss web members of the left side of the structure, and then the right side. Diagonal members on the left side:

Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Select the nodes in the order shown in this figure.

Press To enter diagonals on the right side proceed in the same way. NOTE. - Remember that you can undo the last operation by pressing The differences between the two buttons is as follows: This button connects the selected nodes in a continuous line. This button connects alternate pairs of nodes with a fragmented line. That is: the first member is generated between the first pair of selected nodes, the second member between the second pair of selected nodes, etc. .

8) Assigning a Description to members

Follow these steps to assign a Description to the internal web members: a) Select diagonal and vertical (internal) elements using the button

To select the elements select one member of each group and then press . Remember that this button selects elements with a common description. In this case all internal elements belong to the group that does not have a description yet. That is to say they all have the same empty description.
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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

b) Internal elements will be assigned a DIAG1 description. Since there is no button available to assign this description (as opposed to COL1 and BEAM1 buttons), it is necessary to enter it manually:

Enter DIAG1 description and then press to fill the column with the value. Important - Descriptions are very important to select groups of frame members. It is also important that you have entered the previously described descriptions correctly. If this has not been done correctly you may experience some difficulty following the next steps in this example.

9) Copying the structure

It is advisable to enter all the descriptions of a structure before copying it, because when a structure is copied the Descriptions are also copied. To copy a structure, follow these steps:

Select all the elements that should be copied. In this case, press Execute Copy Structure command

to select the entire structure.

Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Enter the number of copies and the distances in X, Y, and Z between each copy. In this case, enter the values shown in this figure. Then press OK.

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

10) Generation of the roof beams

To generate the roof beams, follow these steps:

Select the initial nodes (you can also select the end nodes) of the roof beams.

Then press (Press button are projected.

if nothing occurs). Note that the +/- refers to the direction that the members

Note. -Notice that the middle portal is not connected to the roof beams. You can live as it is and the program will interpret the roof beams as continuous physical members. However, if the roof beams are going to be modeled as simply supported beams (as they normally are), you have to segment the beams and connect one end to the middle portal. The command Segment Elements may be applied in this case.

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Notice that roof beams do not connect with the middle frame

Press

(Segment Elements) to split roof beams and connect them with the middle portal.

11) Assigning a Description to roof beams

To assign a Description to roof beams, proceed as follows: a) Select roof beams by description.

Select a member of the group and then press . Since the selected element does not have a description, all members with empty description will be selected. b) ROOF1 description will be assigned to roof beams. There is no button available to automatically assign the description (as opposed to COL1 and BEAM1 descriptions). Therefore, the Description has to be entered manually:

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Enter ROOF 1 under description and then press Generating DIAG2 and BEAM3 members

to fill the column with the entered value.

Now proceed to enter the DIAG2 and BEAM3 members that are shown in the figure below. Generate these elements as explained before.

12) Supports
To enter supports proceed as follows:

Select support nodes

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Go to the Spreadsheet Nodes/Restraints and click on the corresponding support. In this case click on (fixed).

The Supports have been entered

13) Assigning sections to frame members.

When you want to assign a section to some member, and this section is available in the section database, proceed as follows: Select the members to which a section will be assigned. In this case, select all the columns.

To do this, first select one column and press

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Then go to the Spreadsheet Members/Sections. Select W10x12.sec profile and press click on the profile). Assign sections to all members of the structure in a similar manner.

(you can also double

To select all the elements of the truss, select one element of each group and press

Assign section T2L 2-1_2x2-1_2x1_4 to the truss elements. Now assign sections to the DIAG2 and BEAM3 elements
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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Select the elements DIAG2 and BEAM3

Assign section T2L 2x2x1_4

14) Adding sections to the database.

In this example, a cold-formed C-section will be assigned to the Roof beams. This cold-formed C (with lips) profile is not available in the section database. Therefore, a new section should be added. Proceed as follows:

Go to the Menu Configuration/Databases/Sections

Select button New

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

In the dialog window, select the desired type of profile and press OK. In this case, select the aisiClip profile.

Select the units system (English) and enter the values of the profile. In this case, enter the values shown in the figure. Do not forget to enter the name. Note. - The name of a section should have the following format: Type<space>description For example, W 10x45, where W is the type and 10x45 the description. The space character should be placed after the type name. A description of the section should be entered. For example 10x25, 10x15x2 (the "/" character is not accepted. It should be replaced by "_" (underscore) character) Note A section Type is determined by the characters entered before the space, e.g. W, C etc Tip. - The Description of the profile should be self-explanatory containing the dimensions of the profile or other pertinent data. Example of valid names: ROOF 10X15X25 W 10X25 2L 15x2 unequal Example of non-valid names: W10x25 (space between Type and Description is missing) W15/22 ("/" character is not accepted. Replace it with "_" (underscore) character) 15x22 (Type is missing)
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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Press OK and notice that a new section "ROOF 3x6x1" has been created and saved into the sections database. A new "ROOF" group, which will contain all profiles of type "ROOF, has been created. Important. - The Type of a profile determines the group in which this profile will be saved. Thus a "W 10x22" profile will be saved in a "W" group or type. In the same way a "TUBE 15x22" profile will be saved in a "TUBE" group. If the group does not exist, RAM Advanse automatically creates a new group. To assign the new section to the roof beams proceed as follows:

Select roof beams

Assign the new profile by pressing

15) Assigning materials

In this case, all material elements are of steel grade A36. To assign material, proceed with these steps: Select elements to which a material will be assigned. In this case, select all the elements of the structure by pressing
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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Materials. Double click on the desired material, or select it and press Material A36.Mat from folder Steel has been assigned to all elements. Note. - To hide the section and material names on the screen, toggle the and buttons up or press .

16) Articulated joints (pinned joints)

By default, all frame members are rigidly connected (fixed) to the nodes. This condition is appropriate to model a fully welded joint. For joints that cannot resist flexural moments it is necessary to release the respective moments so the model adequately represents the real structure. An element is pinned when both ends of the members are released to both bending moments. To pin a member proceed as follows:

Select the members to be pinned. In this case, select DIAG1 and DIAG2 elements. To do this, select one DIAG1 element and one DIAG2 element. Then press

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Hinges (Releases) and press button Note. - To rigidly connect pinned elements, press

Elements have been pinned

17) Rotating columns

If you press (in the Rendering toolbar) you'll see the elements with three-dimensional sections displayed. This allows you to see whether the elements are orientated correctly in space or need to be rotated. If necessary, sections can be rotated as required. Tool buttons are available to rotate a member 90 and 180 degrees, or as required. In this case, we will rotate the middle columns by 90 degrees.

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Press button

to see the element profiles in 3D.

Columns in the middle will be rotated 90 degrees. To rotate 90 degrees, proceed as follows:

Select columns to be rotated

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Local axes and press button

18) Rotating beams 180 degrees

In this example, the elements shown below need to be rotated 180 degrees.

BEAM2, BEAM3 elements need to be rotated 180 degrees To do this, follow the next steps:

Select BEAM2 and BEAM3 elements (select one BEAM2 and BEAM3 elements and press button

).

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Local axes, and press button

to rotate 180 degrees.

Elements have been rotated 180 degrees. Note. - Notice that you can also rotate by entering the required angle in the spreadsheet and pressing the column with the entered value. to fill

19) Entering loads

In our example we will introduce, a 300Lb/ft distributed force acting downward in the "Dead Load" case. Concentrated forces of 1200 Lb, which are acting downward on the nodes, will be added as well. Notice that RAM Advanse automatically creates a load case named "Dead Load". Therefore, it isn't necessary to create it. Later we will see how to create a new load case and a load combination. Before entering a load, you should determine if it is a: 1) Load on node 2) Load on frame members, or 3) Load on shell elements.

Load on frame members

To enter loads on frame members, proceed as follows:

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Select frame members where the load is acting. In this case, select beams on top of the truss.

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Loads on members and press the

button

Enter the value of the distributed load (do not enter the minus sign). Then press OK.

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

The load has been entered.

Load on nodes
To enter load forces on nodes, follow the next steps:

Select the nodes on which the force is acting.

Go to the Spreadsheet Nodes/Forces and moments on nodes, enter a force value (enter the 1.2 value) and press to fill-in the column

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Notice that the force should include its sign. Forces on nodes have been entered.

20) Creating Wind in X load case

The Second load case acting on the structure is due to the wind force in the X direction. These steps show how to create a new load case:

Select the option to enter a new load case from the menu.

Then enter a load condition identifier consisting of 2-4 characters (first character should not be a number), then enter a load description and the category. In this case, enter what is shown in the figure.

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Press OK and you'll see the new load case in the drop-down list. Note that you have to select a category. This feature is very useful to generate load combinations based on their categories. The engineer can create a template file for the local building code from which load combinations can be generated (based on the load case category, DL for dead loads, LL for live loads, etc.). The program has example files (ACIloadfactors.txt, ASDloadfactors.txt and LRFDloadfactors.txt located at main RAM Advanse directory/combos) which have the basic load combinations to consider for the different codes. For more details see the chapter of Other Advanced Subjects in the manual.

21) Entering wind loads

In this case, wind loads are to be applied perpendicular to the roof. There is a pressure of 150 Lb/ft on the left side of the roof, and a suction of 200 Lb/ft on the right side of the roof. Wind load entry is similar to the entry made before in the dead load condition. Notice however that the distributed forces acts perpendicular to the elements, not parallel to Y-axis. To enter these loads, proceed as follows:

Select the elements on which the load acts. In this case, select one member of each portal and press select the aligned elements

to

Go to the Spreadsheet Members/Loads on members and press button

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Enter the value of the distributed force (do not enter the minus sign), and press OK.

The distributed forces of the left side of the structure have been entered.

To enter the forces on the right side of the structure proceed as before. The load should be seen as illustrated in the figure. Notice that you should press button instead of button to enter suction.

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

22) Creating load combinations

In this example, we will create the following load combination: 1.1dl + 1.2wx (1.1 times dead load plus 1.2 times wind in X) To create it proceed as follows:

Select the option to enter a new load case from the menu. Click on the Is load combination check box, a new dialog window will be open.

In the dialog window, enter the following information (in this case enter the values shown in the figure): a) Enter a load condition identifier of two to four characters (the first character should not be a number). b) Enter the formula that describes the load combination (1.1dl+1.2wx).

Then press OK and you'll see the new load combination in the drop-down list. Notice that the formula can contain the minus sign. E.g. "1.1dl -1.2wx" is a valid combination formula.
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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Note- When working with an allowable stress design code, the engineer must multiply all load cases factors by 0.75 (1/1.33) when creating load combinations that include lateral load cases. This is to account for the 1/3 allowable stress increase, which is not currently accounted for in the member capacity calculation. Note. - It is not possible to enter or edit loads data while a load combination is selected as the current load condition. Notice that the introduction of loads is disabled.

23) Analyzing the structure

After you entered the structure, you are ready to analyze, design, optimize and view the results. It is suggested that after you analyze the structure that you entered, you compare the results with the Example1.AVW file to be sure that the data was entered without subtle errors. To analyze your structure proceed as follows:

Execute Analyze Structure In this example we will perform a Second Order Analysis (P-Delta). This analysis takes longer to analyze a structure as it involves iteration but is more accurate. In addition, buckling instability is detected in certain cases when P-Delta analysis is performed. For more about P-Delta analysis, see the Chapter of Analysis in the Manual. Note that you can specify the code to be used in the design of steel members. You can choose between ASD (Allowable Stress Design) and LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design). For this example select ASD (AISI_AISC_NDS).

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Select the same options of the graphic above

24) View results graphically

As you can see, several buttons (in the Analysis toolbar) are enabled once the structure has been analyzed. These newly enabled buttons allow you to select what results to display.

Result buttons from the Analysis toolbar are enabled when the structure has been analyzed. In order to see results graphically, simply click on the button corresponding to those items you wish to see, and then select the elements for which you want to see the results. Notice that the selected display options will only be seen on the selected elements.

Select the load condition for which you want results displayed.

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

25) Deformed shape

One of the first display options that should be viewed is the deformed shape of the structure.

To see the deformed shape, press

. The graphic shown corresponds to the Wind in X load case

In this view the elements are drawn as lines. To see a more realistic member curvature also depress

To see the deformed plot with curvilinear lines, depress both The graphic shown corresponds to the Wind in X load case

and

26) 3D Sections Deformed shape

You can also see the deformed shape with the extruded sections. To do this activate (push down) buttons and of the Rendering toolbar. Notice that this view may take a longer time to draw.

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Activate button and to see the deformed shape with three-dimensional section profiles. The graphic shown corresponds to the Dead load case

27) Stress
Another important view option is the information related to the element stress contour. This is of particular importance in light gage structures where stress concentrations are significant to the design.

Press buttons

and

to see frame member stresses.

To select only those elements that are stressed within a certain range, mark a block of stresses with the mouse and press

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

To see element stresses within a certain range, mark the range and press

RAM Advanse selects those elements whose maximum stress is within the marked range of stresses. Note that the remaining members are recalibrated (color changes). Note. If you wish to see only the axial stress (without bending moments, press ).

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

28) Stress and deformation

To view stress and deformation of the elements, activate these three buttons

29) Forces diagrams

The following buttons allow you to see the forces diagrams of the frame members: Bending moment around element axis 3 (Typically strong axis bending)

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Bending moment around element axis 2 (Typically weak axis bending)

Shear forces in element axis 2 (typically weak axis) (Dead load case)

Shear forces in element axis 3 (typically strong axis) (Dead load case)

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Torsion (Wind in X load case)

Axial forces (Dead load case)

Select

to simultaneously display the magnitude of the forces. Select

to display the units.

Press

to display the force magnitudes. Press

to view units

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

30) Displacements of nodes

To see the nodal displacement values, press and choose the degree of freedom to be viewed:

The relation between a degree of freedom and its respective displacement in the global coordinate system is as follows: 1: X translation 2: Y translation 3: Z translation 4: Rotation about X 5: Rotation about Y 6: Rotation about Z Note. Notice that X, Y, and Z represents the global coordinate system. Each element has its own system of coordinates, named local axes. These axes are designated with the numbers 1, 2 and 3, which are equivalent to X-, Y-, and Z-axis. Local axes are Cartesian and follow the right hand rule. To see the local axes, press

Press

and the degree of freedom corresponding to the displacement that you wish to view.

Notice that you can see displacement units by pressing . Hint: You can select the specific units of several groups of data and results with the option Configuration/Units of the main menu.

31) Reactions

To see reactions, press

and the degree of freedom corresponding to the action that you wish to see.

This is the relation between degree of freedom and force: 1: X force 2: Y force 3: Z force
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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

4: Moment about X 5: Moment about Y 6: Moment about Z

Press

and the degree of freedom that corresponds to the reaction you want to view. (Case: Wind in X)

32) Deflections
One of the most important results of an analysis is the ratio between deflection and length of the element. To view this ratio press This ratio may vary across an element. RAM Advanse displays the maximum ratio found within an element. Note. The Defl/L ratio should never exceed a value suggested by the design code and judgement.

Press

to see the element colored Defl/L ratios.

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

In this panel mark a range of Defl/L ratios and press marked range.

to select the elements that have slopes within the

33) Deflection values

To see the Deflection values (in function of L) in local axis 2 direction, press button To see the Deflection values (in function of L) in local axis 3 direction, press button

Deflection in function of L for the Load combination C1. Press or to see the Deflection values in local axis 2 and 3, respectively.

34) Design: Colored Interaction Values

To view interaction values graphically, by color, press Important! To view the interaction colors scaled from 0 to 1.0 similar to RAM Structural System, press controlling interaction value for all Load Combinations (not load cases) press . . To view the

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Press

to see interaction values.

To select the elements with stress ratio within a certain range, mark a range of stress ratios and press

Mark a block with the mouse and press button

to select elements with stress ratio within the range.

Note that most of the results displayed to this point are for the currently selected load condition.

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

35) Design: Interaction Values

To see interaction values for the currently selected load condition, press .

Press

to view interaction values for the current load condition

36) Design: OK and NG (No Good) elements

To view the elements that failed code check (for the current load condition), press toolbar: in the Code Check

Press

to view elements that failed code check

Press button

to see elements that pass code check

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Example 1: Steel 3D truss

Press button shown

to quickly select all elements that failed code check. A legend with the cause of failure is also

The user can print the results of the steel design in a report. To print them, go to the Menu Reports/Steel Design...There are two types of reports, Summary Output and Detail Output. For more information about reports see the Printing Graphics and Reports Chapter in the manual. The user can also use the optimization feature that is valid only for steel and wood members. This option allows the engineer to change the existing sections with sections that are recommended (based on explicit criteria) from a collection of sections. In other words, the original section can be replaced with another that resists the imposed loads and that is located above the original section in the list of sections specified for the optimization. To use the optimization feature goes to the Menu Calculation/Optimize structure... For more details see the chapter of Steel Structure Optimization and Code Check.

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