Model two diaphragms in RAM SS

[Hacksaw82]

We have a building we are designing in RAM Structural System. We are fairly new users of the program. The floor diaphragm has a portion I'd like to separate from the main diaphragm. I can't seem to find a place to do this in RAM. Is the a capability of the program? I know I used to do it in CSC Fastrak all the time, I'd be shocked if RAM couldn't do this.

Thanks!

 

[structSU10]

If the floor is on the same level as another you need a double beam line so you can assign a slab edge for the two seperate diaphragms. I don't know of any other way, but there is a guy from bentley on the forum that may have better insight.

 

[SethGuthrie]

Yes, for one-way decks, you will need a double beam line and 2 separated slab edges to define 2 diaphragms. You can also make the diaphragm flexible or semi rigid if it helps.

Here’s a nice wiki on semi-rigid diaphragms:

http://communities.bentley.com/Prod...Design__Wiki/ram-ss-semirigid-diaphragms.aspx

Also, please refer to the similar post here:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=344459

 

[abusementpark]

Yes, for one-way decks, you will need a double beam line and 2 separated slab edges to define 2 diaphragms. You can also make the diaphragm flexible or semi rigid if it helps.

Won't this cause the wind load to be doubled in one direction (assuming a rectangular diaphragm being separated) when using automatic wind load generation?

 

[SethGuthrie]

With two diaphragms, the automatic wind load generator will load each diaphragm with windward and leeward load, like two free standing towers (refer to report - exposure boundaries for details). For cases where the two diaphragm shield each other this could be too conservative, but user defined story forces or other types of lateral loads could always be used in such a case.