structural analysis software
structural analysis software
(OP)
I am looking to adopt new structural analysis software for a small structural team primarily doing multistory steel and concrete buildings in a variety of locations in the United States and am looking for suggestions. I am leaning toward RISA or RAM, although it has been a long time since I've personally run analysis software. I've searched and this question has certainly been answered before, but nothing recent. Thank you in advance.






RE: structural analysis software
RE: structural analysis software
RE: structural analysis software
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: structural analysis software
RE: structural analysis software
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: structural analysis software
If you are using Revit/BIM, you might want to look into Tekla Structural Designer (7000$ per year). Ram is okay when it comes modelling. Tekla SD is great with interoperability with Revit.
RE: structural analysis software
RE: structural analysis software
There's probably many more differences, I use RISA and haven't used any of the Bentley programs so I'm only relaying the information as I've understood from previous threads.
RE: structural analysis software
Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH)
American Concrete Industries
www.americanconcrete.com
RE: structural analysis software
RAM really shines when you have fairly "regular" structures. Like multistory offices, MOB's, etc. Where it falters is when you have "trickier" structures (hip roofs, horizontal braces, odd lateral element configurations). For those types of structures I go to RISA.
I have also used RAM for multistory concrete frame buildings. It works well and the beam schedules it exports to CAD are a HUGE timesaver. Though for concrete shear/core wall buildings I prefer ETABS (RAM's analysis is much slower).
RE: structural analysis software
I'm pretty sure we will be revising aspects of the licensing this year to alleviate a lot of complaints about that too.
At MillR, if you have any other questions about Ram Structural System (or Ram Elements or Concept), feel free to contact me via forum or directly.
RE: structural analysis software
There attitude towards the customer really sucks, so I would strongly suggest you do not go with a Bentley product.
For multi-storey work we pretty much exclusively use ETAB's. Price has been hiked up a lot in the last few years, but it seems to be the standard around these parts.
RE: structural analysis software
Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH)
American Concrete Industries
www.americanconcrete.com
RE: structural analysis software
I will say though, I have used their system before (at another company) and have found it useful to model building on. I have been hesitant to switch to RISA as it would take me a while to learn their software.
RE: structural analysis software
Literally the only thing missing from RISA is a platform for post-tensioned concrete design. Outside of that one blemish, the coupling of the stalwart RISA-3D with RISAFloor ES and their foundation and steel connection modules is very intuitive and flexible.
They have a great technical support team to boot.
RE: structural analysis software
If you are doing lots of multistory steel and concrete buildings, you should look into ETABS, better than RISA when it comes to dynamic modelling. If you do go with RISA you will also need to get RISAFloor
RE: structural analysis software
I would suggest that any software that you are going to use should have two characteristics for effective post analysis
1)Selective reporting about the design, selectiveness being defined by the user and not a drop down list supplied by the package
2)Some sort of easy scripting language to change the model on the run.
I have found that these capabilities, though not as impressive as plots, go a long way in shortening the design time.
RE: structural analysis software
Just curious what's so much better about ETAB's dynamics? Obviously, they've got a lot of very advanced non-linear and push-over capabilities. But, I'm more interested in what you use it for regularly where the dynamics are superior. I want to make sure that the truly important stuff makes its way onto the RISA "To Do" list.
RE: structural analysis software
The user manual is compact and written in a nice engaging style.
RE: structural analysis software
They seem to recognize this and tell me they're working to improve it. Some changes coming in the next month to improve things. They'll still let anyone in, but the accounting will be improved. Then more later in the year to improve further and maybe actually give some control and cap usage or at least inform people that they'd be going over.
They handled the transition very poorly for their structural customers and sounds like they lost a decent amount of business because of it.
They've also done a poor job of advertising the Structural Enterprise license which gives access to all RAM, all STAAD products, and a few other.
RE: structural analysis software
Robot is quite useful for steel and timber design. I would not be as impressed with it's RC capabilities.
RE: structural analysis software
RE: structural analysis software
Maybe for pure concrete models, ETAB's may have an advantage over RISA for dynamic solution. But, it should be much more modest than what it used to be.
If you're talking about true eigen modes, then RISA cannot take more modes to get to 90% mass participation unless you have modeled your mass differently. Hence, why there may still be some different with concrete building using a semi-rigid floor slab. But, for modeling of steel building with a rigid floor diaphragm, the mass modeling should be virtually identical between the programs.
Now, ETABs used to have an advantage because of their "Ritz Vector" solver for dynamics. This type of solver allows you to use fewer "modes" because you're biasing the solution to specifically exclude modes that do not participate in the direction requested. What you get are not the true dynamic modes of the structure, though they are usually close.
However, RISA added a Ritz Vector dynamic solution option a year or so ago. So, while our Ritz Vector algorithm won't be exactly the same as CSI's / ETABs, it should be in the same ball park. Thereby eliminating most reasons why ETABs might require significantly fewer modes than RISA.
RE: structural analysis software
Second in line is SAP 2000.
RE: structural analysis software
RE: structural analysis software
RE: structural analysis software
RE: structural analysis software
I now have to use RISA 3D as well being on an industrial job. RISA is very intuitive and easy to pick up. There are features I like about both programs and wish I could "mesh" the two.
JoshPlum, if RISA could have an "add joint relative" feature I would LOVE your program. I know there are other way to go about this (split member) but being able to add a joint relative to another joint (in x,y,z) I could build my models so much faster.
RE: structural analysis software
RE: structural analysis software
thanks it looks like that is exactly what I am looking for, I knew about the feature but never thought of using it that way. Thank you very much, wish I would have asked this 10 months ago!
RE: structural analysis software
RE: structural analysis software
For my mind and thought process it was easier to work with than RISA, STAAD, or ETABS that were also used at my last job.
gjc
RE: structural analysis software
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I have been called "A storehouse of worthless information" many times.
RE: structural analysis software
RE: structural analysis software
So Computer A gets in at 3:00 and gets out at 3:15. Computer B can get in at 3:16 even though they're in the same calendar ten minutes because Bentley will round the entry time up to 3:20 and place them in the next calendar ten minute period.
Still no controls for limiting people from opening software if you've already reached what you agreed to pay for, they claim that's still coming. But a step in the right-ish direction anyways.
RE: structural analysis software
I think the pricing is fair. I'm a single practitioner so...no problems with multiple users.
I do a lot of wood design (fancy houses with some steel) and complex residential (hillside) foundations.
Plenty of database shapes. Definitely worth trying the demo.
I used it back in the late 90's and then the company I was with moved on to RAM (I think) due to some design flexibility and software stability issues. I went straight back to it when I went out on my own as a single practitioner 7 years ago and I find it very versatile and easy to use.
RE: structural analysis software
The only problem we have had is with multiple moving loads. If you have more than three different moving loads in one load combination look into some other software.