RAM Connection
Steel Connection Design Software
The Go-To For Steel Connection Design
Perform analysis and design of virtually any connection type and verify your connections in seconds
Analyze and design of any connection type and verify your connections in seconds, all with comprehensive calculations, including seismic compliance. RAM Connection is steel connection analysis and design software for virtually any connection type. You can easily verify your connections in seconds, with comprehensive calculations, including seismic compliance. RAM Connection is proven to increase productivity with optimized workflows and full integration of 3D design models.
Design
- Design and detail beam-to-beam, beam-to-column, brace end, and complex multimember connections
- Simplify the arrangement of plates, stiffeners, bolts, and welds with a comprehensive library of standard connection types
- Easily compare the economy and practicality of connection scenarios
- Efficiently design and optimize a myriad of connections included in the AISC (ASD and LRFD), EC3, IS, GB, and BS specifications
- Quickly complete all your connections, such as shear and moment connections, braced frame connections, column/beam splices, and base plates
- Design and detail seismic force-resisting systems according to the relevant building code
Detail and Document
Produce structural design documentation
Generate structural design documents including necessary plans and elevations that are used to convey the design intent. Changes made to the 3D model are automatically updated in the documentation.
Produce structural details
Produce detailed 2D drawings directly from design results established in the structural model. Customize the style and format of the drawings using settings offered within the software.
RAM Connection can be used stand alone or fully integrated with RAM Structural System, RAM Elements, and STAAD.Pro® for steel connection design. Whether checking a specific connection, designing a single connection for multiple joints, or optimizing each connection in your structure, RAM Connection gets you there quicker than ever before.
AUTOMATED CONNECTION DESIGN
Designing, checking, and optimizing shear, moment, gusset, splice, bracket, base plate, and truss connections – according to AISC (ASD or LRFD), EN 1993, BS 5950, IS 800, GB 50017, AS4100, and NZS 3404 – has never been this automated. Designers can assign connections directly to the finite element model and have RAM Connection automatically consider member geometric and material properties – and analytical results – to choose the desired connection. The engineer has unlimited flexibility to check a specific connection or optimize all connections individually or in groups.
INTEGRATED CONNECTION DESIGN
RAM Connection is the first fully integrated steel connection design and optimization application in the industry. RAM Connection works as a standalone program or can be integrated with RAM Elements, STAAD.Pro, and RAM Structural System.
PROVIDES UNLIMITED FLEXIBILITY
Your own office standards, rules of thumb, or connection expertise can be brought together into the connection designs because RAM Connection allows you to customize a vast part of the design. You can also choose from our large database of predefined connections to meet your design needs. RAM Connection goes even further by providing reports with explicit equations and references to the design standard.
A MYRIAD OF CONNECTIONS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Whether you are designing a shear connection (shear tab, clip angle, end plate), a moment connection (flange plates, directly welded flanges), a combined connection (extended end plate), a gusset connection for braces, or a truss connection, RAM Connection is all you need. All design checks are done for you immediately so comparing different connection options for a particular problem is easy.
CUTTING-EDGE GRAPHICS
RAM Connection also raises the bar with its breakthrough graphics. This feature allows accurate 3D views of fit-up and clearance to ensure your structure will work and reduce on-site connection issues.
DETAILS PRODUCED AUTOMATICALLY
RAM Connection saves you time and increases your accuracy by generating your details directly from your designs through a DXF output file.
EASILY HANDLES CHANGES
RAM Connection can easily handle changes that occur during the lifecycle of your project. RAM Connection saves you time even when making sweeping changes to your designs.
SEISMIC DESIGN INCLUDED
To address ever-changing and time-consuming code requirements, RAM Connection includes AISC seismic provision checks in your designs.
RAM Connection At-A-Glance
TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES
- Use wide flange beams, wide flange, or HSS columns and virtually any steel section(s) for braces
- Beam-to-column connections (flange or web)
- Beam-to-girder connections
- Beam-to-beam connections
- Beam and column splices
- Brackets
- Base plate design including anchors
- Gusset plates for vertical and horizontal bracing connections
- HSS chords and branches truss connections
- Extensive, customizable database of connections provided
- Generate new connection templates using the program interface or using Microsoft Excel
- Control dozens of design parameters such as:
- Plate dimensions
- Welds (type, size, electrode series, length, etc.)
- Bolts (size, material, N, X, slip critical, hole types, etc.)
- Doublers and stiffeners dimensions
- Top and bottom beam copes
- Sloped and skewed connections
- Design per AISC 360-05-10-16 or 22 (ASD or LRFD)
- Design per AISC 341-05-10-16 or 22 seismic provisions
- Most AISC 358-05-10-16 & 22 prequalified moment connections included
- Anchor bolt design per ACI 318, EN 1992 (EC2), AS 4100, and NZS 3101
- Design per GB 50017-2003
- Design per IS 800:2007
- Design per BS 5950-1:2000
- Design per EN 1993-EC3
- Design per AS 4100-1998 or 2020
- Design per NZS 3404-1997
- CSA S16-14 or 19
- Verify existing connections
- Optimize connections with our advanced algorithms or from your own pre-selected list
- Design/check one connection at a time or hundreds at once
- Output and documentation
- On-screen verification of connection results
- 3D realistc views
- 3D transparent views to avoid joint conflicts
- DXF drawing generation
- DXF export to CAD
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
RAM Connection is the ideal solution when structural engineers or designers need to check a specific connection, design a single connection for multiple joints, or optimize each connection in a structure.
RAM Connection works as a standalone program or integrated with RAM Elements, STAAD.Pro, and RAM Structural System. Contact our structural experts to learn how you can use standalone RAM Connection and get expert services.
Processor
1.3 GHz or faster processor (x64)
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 and 11
RAM
2 GB minimum, 4 GB recommended
Hard Disk
675 MB free disk space for installation
2 GB available for analyzing models
Display
Open GL compatible graphics card with at least 512 MB in video memory, 1024×768 minimum screen resolution.
For the most up-to-date system requirements, visit Bentley Communities.