Based on the loading and configuration of the joist framing, the program classifies Steel Joists as Standard Joists, Constant Shear Joists, Joist Girders or Special Joists. See Section 4.1 Joist Classification of this manual for more information on joist classifications. Only those joists classified as Standard Joists and Constant Shear Joists can be analyzed using a user-specified Standard joist size or Constant Shear joist size. If a size is assigned to a joist that is classified as either a Joist Girder or a Special Joist, a warning will be given when Design is performed in the RAM Steel Beam Design module indicating that the assigned size is not compatible with the current classification and that the assigned size will be cleared. The user-assigned size is then cleared and the joist is optimized based on its classification.

If the classification is compatible with the assigned size, the program will analyze that size (rather than optimize). If the assigned size is inadequate, design warnings will be given. Joists with sizes assigned in the Modeler are treated the same as joists with sizes assigned to the joist using either the View/Update command or the Freeze Size command in the RAM Steel Beam Design module.