RAM Concept considers any node associated with an excitation area as an excitation node. Excitation area polygons can be drawn on Layers – Vibrations – Vibration Analysis – Excitation Areas Plan. Only the nodes of elements intersected by or entirely within the drawn excitation area polygons are considered as excitation nodes. If no excitation areas are drawn, every node on the floor is considered as an excitation node.

Vibration response is always calculated at all finite element nodes. The Maximum distance from excitation node to calculate response option in the Criteria – Calc Options dialog can be used to intelligently select the excitation nodes to consider that will likely yield the maximum response. However, a complete response can always be calculated by setting the Maximum distance from excitation node to calculate response to "No Limit". This will significantly increase the analysis time.

When using the Complete Harmonic Analysis (slower) option for the resonant response, the response associated with the lateral and angular degree of freedoms are excluded by default. Ignoring these components is often appropriate because they are rarely critical for floor vibrations and including increases calculation time. An option for users to include the lateral and angular degrees of freedom in the Complete Harmonic Analysis is provided in the Vibrations tab of the Criteria – Calc Options dialog.