The seismic provisions can typically be broken into those checks that apply to individual members (columns, beams, and braces), a group of members (columns and beams at a joint) or to whole structural systems (individual frames or the entire building). RAM Frame has broken the provisions into those that apply to members and those that apply to joints. Checks on entire frames or the structure as a whole are grouped into the individual member or joint checks where required.

Note that many of the seismic requirements are related to seismic detailing. RAM Frame provides information where possible to enable the engineer to complete the detailing requirements. For example, while RAM Frame does not currently design connections, the required connection forces will be reported to the engineer in the output. The engineer should refer to the applicable seismic code for those detailing and design requirements not currently addressed by RAM Frame.

Note that no standard provision checks are performed in seismic provision mode. The engineer is responsible for confirming that all the members are capable of resisting the standard provision load combinations. Only the "added provisions" are performed in the special seismic mode.

The engineer should refer to Member Code Check, for a description of how member allowable stress and capacity values are calculated for the individual members. Note that changes made to criteria in seismic mode will invalidate the results of the standard provision mode and require the engineer to redo the code check in the standard provision mode.