RAM Elements

[jmy]

Does anyone out there have experience with RAM Elements (formerly RAM Advanse)? I need to purchase new structural software and am considering RAM Elements.

I need a package that can do a number of things - 2D and 3D models, finite element analysis, etc. as well individual/stand alone component design. I am currently using older versions of Risa 2D and Enercalc.
Part of the appeal of RAM Elements is that it appears to have in one package many of the capabilities of Risa 2D and Enercalc.

Years ago I used STAAD and found the software to be non-user-friendly and the technical support to be pathetic. It concerns me that RAM and STAAD are "sister" programs. Does that mean they have the same technical support?

If anyone can give their thoughts on RAM Elements - how easy to learn and use, how is the technical support, etc. - I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[structSU10]

I find RAM elements to be very user friendly. It takes a little more effort to do some things, and has its limitations, but it is a solid program. I like to use it in combination with RAM structural systems, as you can layout a model in structural systems and export it to Elements with loads and such, for a more in depth analysis.

 

[frv]

Elements is a good program. It isn't as user friendly as RISA, but it is very flexible. You can add custom shapes and materials easily. There are a few things you will learn by pulling your hair out, but once you do, it becomes quite powerful.

Documentation (and this is true of all RAM products) is very poor, but tech support is usually pretty good.

 

[structSU10]

A note of caution for the user created shape - i'm unsure if it has been fixed - but section properties of anthing other than a user created rectangle have been incorrect, and not by small amounts. I have not updated my version in a while, so it may no longer be an issue, but i created a shape for a plate girder, and RAM returned values 10-15% greater for various section properties. Any RAM defined shape was found to have correct properties.

 

[jmy]

I have narrowed my search down to RAM Elements and Risa (2D, 3D, etc. - not sure yet which Risa product would be right for me).

structSU10 and frv, it sounds like all in all you are pleased with Elements. I find Elements appealing because of its combination of 2D/3D modeling, FEA, and stand alone component modules (right now I have to use different packages to have just some of these capabilities).

I guess I am still a little gun-shy from my experiences with STAAD tech support in the 1990's when I (and others) found them to be less than helpful and at times arrogant and rude.

Any other "words of wisdom" (or caution) are appreciated.

Thanks for your input.

 

[kylesito]

RAM elements is solid. Not user friendly but a more in depth program than RISA which I used previously. The RAM elements program became especially usefull when coupled with some of the modules such as foundation or connections.

RISA is a good alternative but not as powerfull as elements.

PE, SE
Eastern United States

"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi

 

[Robbiee]

I am a long time user of RAM Advanse/Elements and generally pleased with it. What I did not like is how its price went up from $1800 to about $3200 only for changing its name. In my opinion, the user interface of Advanse had easier access to information than the current one.

 

[dozer]

It makes me nervous that Bentley markets multiple structural analysis programs. Look at this question to them from about a year ago:
Link

Notice the guy calls it a "structural calculator". Not sure what that means but I wouldn't rush out to buy it for my bread and butter structural analysis package. IMO, Bentley has acquired too much too fast to be able to properly support their clients. I think you would find many of your fears about support realized. I know they give me fits.

 

[kylesito]

In my experience, Bentley has had one of the better customer service departments for a major software program. I have called them many times with issues and they are very competent about what they are doing. They have even been quick to acknowledge a limitation of their software and are well versed in structural engineering when trying to understand the concepts their program supports.



PE, SE
Eastern United States

"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi

 

[SethGuthrie]

I think any issues with section properties have long been fixed. The program comes with a huge variety of section profiles built-in and that you can customize. We pull our properties for standard sections directly from tables, and calculate section properties for other shapes on the fly.

With regards to Bentley owning multiple products with overlapping features; the company continues to try and share technology between the applications (like new design codes) so that all the programs benefit. In some cases a product might be renamed or rebranded, but once you own a copy you are always entitled to use it, even if we get to a point where two products can be merged. Bentley even offers users the option to trade in one product for another when your needs change.

The reasons for the price increase were certainly more than just the name change. Lots of features were added between v10 and the current v13. The various design modules in Ram Elements for walls, foundations, etc. are certainly a key to its popularity.

The current interface with ribbon menus akin to Microsoft Office applications took some getting used to, but I think most users are happy with it now that they are used to it.