RAM Steel classifies each joist as one of four basic types: Standard Joist, Constant Shear Joist, Joist Girder, or Special Joist.

• Standard Joists are those that have only a single uniform load (or loads that can acceptably be resolved into an equivalent uniform load).
• Constant Shear Joists are those that have variable loads, whose sizes are selected from Constant Shear series joist tables.
• Joist Girders are those that have only point loads of equal magnitude uniformly spaced (or loads that are “close enough” to that).
• Special Joists are all other joists.

The Beam Design module automatically determines the appropriate classification based in part on criteria specified by the user.

It is important to understand the difference between design, selection and designation of steel joists. The program does not design steel joists; that is, it does not determine chord and web member sizes, welds, etc. That is done by the joist manufacturer based on S.J.I. specifications. The manufacturer can design joists for virtually any configuration of loads and spans. When appropriate (when the loading configuration and magnitude falls within the limits of the tables), the program is capable of selecting joists from a table. Otherwise it designates a label. For example, the program can select K-, LH-, DLH- and KCS-series joists from joist tables (for example, 24K6 or 32LH08), or it can designate the labels of Joist Girders and Special Joists (for example, 20G4N12.6K or 16GSP).