CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
13 March 2008
Product News
Bentley Releases RAM Advanse Version 9.0
Bentley has just released version 9.0 of RAM Advanse, which provides sophisticated design tools to help structural engineers with everyday analysis and design needs for almost any type of structure or structural component. The software provides automated and integrated tools that increase the productivity and profitability of structural engineering organizations by allowing them to produce economical designs more quickly.
RAM Advanse version 9.0 includes the following new features:
• A truss design module that allows steel or wood trusses to be modeled, analyzed, and designed in minutes. The module also allows trusses to be optimized while maintaining the out-to-out dimensions of the truss.
• An enhanced footing design module that can now be used as an individual program or as a part of RAM Advanse. In addition to designing spread footings, the module can design combined footings in accordance with ACI 318-05.
• A concrete wall design module that replaces the shear wall design module. It features added capabilities and a new interface. The module now allows input of out-of-plane loads with the option to design the wall as a bearing wall, a shear wall, or a combination of both.
• AISC 360-05 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (LRFD & ASD). In addition to performing code checks, RAM Advanse version 9.0 now includes shear stiffeners for built-up members.
• AF&PA National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction 2005 Edition, with the ASD and the LRFD methods. The provisions also include resistance variation depending on the member’s cross-section size for Southern Pine species.
• AISI North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members 2001 (including 2004 supplement). The LRFD and ASD methods are included. LSD will be available in April 2008. Additionally, code checks are included for bearing and single flange “through-fastened” to decking or sheathing.
• A new, sophisticated memory-management system that allows bigger models and faster analyses.
• Tilt-up wall module enhancements based on user feedback. After the first release of this module, users provided valuable feedback that was incorporated into this version. These enhancements aim to make the tilt-up wall module the best available in the industry.
• Enhancements to load cases and combinations. Concrete, tilt-up, and masonry wall modules now accept any number of load cases/combinations when importing from the RAM Advanse 3D model. In addition, particular load cases and combinations can be selected for analysis.
• Reinforced concrete beam and concrete column modules that include an improved and consistent graphical user interface that can be used as individual programs without a 3D model.
• A new quadrilateral shell element has been added with six degrees of freedom at each node – three translational, two bending, and one drilling. The formulation of the element-stiffness matrix includes membrane stiffness and plate-bending stiffness. Additionally, temperature loading can be applied to shells.
• New 3D rendered graphics for a more realistic look, as well as completely new graphics that make on-screen information, such as supports, hinges, loads, reactions, and stresses, clearer and easier to read.
• The ability to disable shear deformations from the analysis, which is useful when running verification models.
• Improved analysis and design of “I–shaped” cross section steel members that now includes an exact stiffness tapered finite element. The previous approach of segmenting the member in six parts is still available as an option. The design includes AISC 13th Edition code checks. Results of this new finite element were compared with the benchmark problems proposed by Kaehler et al. (2006) and are exact.
• An upgrade of the DXF export for full compatibility with VectorDraw and AutoCAD. This includes multiple layers for better visualization and classification.
• RSS feed that provides up-to-date information about software updates, seminars, and events.
• Automatic update notification that informs users that a new update is available for download.
Users of Bentley’s RAM International product line whose products are covered by the Bentley SELECT Program agreement can download or request a CD of RAM Advanse version 9.0 free of charge. All other users should contact their Bentley account manager or regional engineer for upgrade information at 800 726 7789 (in the U.S.), or 760 431 3610. Users can also email Bentley at structural@bentley.com.
To learn more about Bentley’s comprehensive structural solutions, visit http://www.bentley.com/structural.
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