RAM Concept draws and plots reinforcement along an axis determined by the first and last cross section of the design strip.

Top bars appear "over" the axis and parallel to it. Bottom bars appear "under" this axis and parallel to it. Reinforcement plots are perpendicular to the axis.

The following figure shows the axis, line A-B, for a middle strip. Point A is at the midpoint of the first middle strip cross section, and point B is the midpoint of the last middle strip cross section.

Design and capacity calculations always assume that the reinforcement (other than tendons) is perpendicular to the cross sections. If the reinforcement is placed away from the perpendicular orientation (such as that shown in the following figure), the reinforcement quantity may need to be increased.