Moment Connections

1. Flange Plate Bolted

2. Flange Plate Welded
3. Moment Angle Bolted
4. Directly Welded [Smart only]
5. Cap Plate
6. Beam Splice Flange Plate Bolted [Basic only]
7. Beam Splice Flange Plate Welded
Combined Moment and Shear Connections
8. Beam Splice Flange Plate Shear Plate Bolted [Basic only]
9. Column Splice Flange Plate Shear Plate Bolted
10. Moment End Plate Extended Both Ways
11. Moment End Plate Flush
12. Moment End Plate Extended One Way (up or down)
13. Beam Splice with Moment End Plate Flush
14. Beam Splice with Moment End Plate Extended One Way (up or down)
15. Beam Splice with Moment End Plate at Apex
16. Beam Splice with Moment End Plate at Apex Extended Upwards
17. Moment End Plate Knee Vertical
18. Moment End Plate Knee Horizontal

19. Moment End Plate Knee Perpendicular

20. Moment End Plate HSS [Smart only]

Shear Connections
1. Shear Plate
2. Through Plate (HSS) [Basic only]
3. End Plate Bolted
4. End Plate Welded
5. Double Angle All bolted
6. Double Angle All welded
7. Double Angle Welded to Support, Bolted to Beam
8. Double Angle Bolted to Support, Welded to Beam
9. Bent Plate Bolted (can also be welded) [Basic only]
10. Shear Tee All Bolted
11. Shear Tee All Welded
12. Shear Tee Bolted to Support, Welded to Beam
13. Shear Tee Welded to Support, Bolted to Beam
14. Stiffened Seated Angles
15. Stiffened Seated Plate
16. Stiffened Seated Tee Bolted [Smart only]
17. Stiffened Seated Tee Welded [Smart only]
18. Unstiffened Seated Bolted
19. Unstiffened Seated Welded

20. Column Splice Flange Plate Bolted [Basic only]

21. Column Splice Flange Plate Welded [Basic only]
22. Column Splice Shear Plate [Basic only]
23. Beam Splice Shear Plate
24. Beam Splice Double Angle [Smart only]

Gusset Connections
G1. Columns Beams Braces _ Double Angle
G2. Columns Beams Braces _ Double Angle Continuous
G3. Columns Beams Braces _ Single/Shear Plate
G4. Columns Beams Braces _ Directly Welded
G5. Chevron (Shown with Bolted Angles)
G6. Vertical X-Brace
G7. Columns Beams Braces _ Directly Welded _Concentric Braced Frame
G8. Chevron_Concentric Braced Frame (Shown with Welded Tubes)
G9. Gusset Base Plate See Base Plate Connections

Base Plate Connections

BP1. Pinned Base Plate
BP2. Fixed Uniaxial Major Axis Base Plate
BP3. Fixed Uniaxial Minor Axis Base Plate
BP4. Fixed Uniaxial Both Axis Base Plate
BP5. Fixed Biaxial Base Plate
BP6. Gusset Base Plate (Shown with Welded Tube)

Building a Strong Base (Plate)

Everyone knows that in order to achieve great heights, you must start with a
strong base. Connecting the two together is the all-important, and often
complicated, base plate. Did you know that RAM Connection provides
comprehensive base plate design capabilities, including pinned, fixed, biaxial,
and gusset base plates? Using this tool saves hours of time over more oldfashioned methods, such as hand calculations, spreadsheets, or the original
RAM Baseplate.
Even for a single standalone base platefor instance when checking a retrofit
job or installing a new light poleRAM Connection is a powerful tool.
Significant time-savings, however, come when used in conjunction with a RAM
Structural System model, RAM Elements model, or STAAD.Pro model. All of
your base plates can be designed for all load combinations in the model, with
the option to group similar connections. When your model changes (as we
know it will), all of the base plates can be redesigned quickly.
In the following models, I've assigned fixed biaxial base plates at the moment
frames. At the braced frames, I've assigned single gusset base plates, pinned
base plates, and a double gusset base plate. Each base plate may be opened
individually for 3D and DXF views.
The next time you need to keep your structure's "feet on the ground" so that it
can "reach for the stars," build a better base plate with RAM Connection!

RAM Elements Model or RAM Structural System Model

STAAD.Pro Model

Double Gusset Base Plate and Fixed Biaxial Base Plate

What is the difference between

Basic Connections and Smart
Connections?
The RAM Connection Manual defines these connections as follows:
Basic Connection: A connection template that can automatically adjust the geometry
(position or dimensions) of the connection pieces to fit the connection members. It does
not calculate the quantity or dimensions of the connecting pieces (bolts, plates, etc) to
resist the applied forces.
Smart Connection: A connection template that can automatically calculate the quantity
and dimensions of the connecting pieces (bolts, welds, plate sizes etc) to resist the
applied forces.
When basic connections are designed, the program searches through a list of
predefined connection templates and selects the first connection in the list that satisfies
the design requirements.
When smart connections are designed, the program optimizes the connection
parameters. See the RAM Connection Manual for a list of parameters that are optimized

for each connection type. If a parameter is not optimized, the program uses a default
value that be modified in the Connection Pad as needed.
Some complex connection templates like gusset pate or base plates only have a smart
variety.

Where are the abbreviations used

for joint types and connections
defined?
The abbreviations are defined in the RAM Connection Manual (available from the help ?
or as a pdf from the Windows Start menu). The naming conventions for both joints and
connections are listed in Chapter 2, The Connection Database - Database organization.
Here is a list of the joint types from that section:
1.

Beam Column Flange (BCF)

2.

Beam Column Web (BCW)

3.

Beam Girder (BG)

4.

Beam Splice (BS)

5.

Column Splice (CS)

6.

Continuous beam over column (CC)

7.

Column, beams and braces (CBB)

8.

Chevron braces (CVR)

9.

Vertical X braces (VXB)

10.

Column Base (CB)

11.

Column Base Braces (CB)