Ram Elements Vs. Risa 3D 1

[PEnSE]

For those of you that have used BOTH Ram Elements(Advanse) and Risa 3D, which do you prefer and why. Is there anything you can do with Risa 3D that you cannot do with Ram Elements.

In terms of cost, Risa 3D is more expensive than Ram Elements.

Risa 3D Initial Cost $3000 + $600/year maintenance/ license.
Ram Elements

 

[dcarr82775]

spats,

I know a couple of engineers that have RAM basically design them a building. They don't check much of anything on the output because how could it be wrong, its RAM/Bentley. From my dealings with RAM what you think you are getting isn't necessarily what you are getting(similar to JAE's examples) so you need to be careful. More careful than some other engineers I know. That is all.

 

[SethGuthrie]

At JAE and dcarr, I think you are both talking about RAM Structural System, not RAM Elements (formerly RAM Advanse).

When it comes to the black box reputation RAM SS has, that probably comes from the amount of things that are automated, but there is an abundance of output to clarify the calculations that have taken place. You do need to be careful using software, any software, because it has to make assumption that might not be consistent with your own.

Regarding the continuous foundations supporting walls, the program assumption is that the foundation is like a beam on closely spaced compression only springs, and the stiffness of the wall above can be accounted for by multiplying the inertia of the foundation under the walls by 10. Then the forces from the wall above can be applied to the as a point load resultant at the wall centroid. That’s probably a fine assumption for a short shear wall on a thick footing, but not so good for a long footing supporting a CMU wall or tilt-up walls with small control joints.

 

[EngineerofSteel]

I changed from RAM after Bentley bought it to RISA for the reason you stated: I want to change computers sometimes. I have a laptop I can take to my clients' offices and make instant changes, which impresses.

Also, I am very much opposed to the "cloud" based idea of ownership. Basically, in the future, we will always have to rent, and never own, software. The big corps will only do this if it means more profit for them. This means more expense for us.

Those are my two reasons for switching.

However, now that I have RISA, it is much faster to use. I will not return to RAM.

I believe the draw for RAM was the outstanding service dept. It left within a year of Bentley ownership.