Web openings can be modeled in gravity I-section steel beams in RAM Modeler. While in Steel Material mode, the Web Openings commands are available from the Layout > Beam menu.

To model web openings in a beam, select the Layout > Beams > Web Openings > Add command. Within the Web Opening Layout Mode dialog, the horizontal location of the web opening with respect to the end of the beam, the position of the opening within the web of the beam, as well as the shape and size of the opening can be specified. The diagram on the dialog is updated to illustrate the current selections as changes are made to those selections. The Single, Generate - Partial Length, and Generate - Full Length options for specifying opening locations can be applied for a single beam or a set of beams using the Single and Intersect Line buttons, respectively.

Web openings are drawn on screen to represent their position along the span of the beam as well as their shape. They are not drawn to scale. Web openings are displayed during any of the Layout > Beams > Web Openings commands. They can also be toggled on and off using the Options > Show Web Openings command.

Once a web opening has been modeled, its distance from the span end, position in the web of the beam, and its shape and dimensions can all be altered by using the Layout > Beams > Web Openings > Change command. If the distance from the span end is changed, it will be measured from the same span end that was selected when it was first modeled.

Web openings can be deleted from beams by using the Layout > Beams > Web Openings > Delete command.

Note that web openings are only valid for gravity steel I-Section beams and can only be modeled on such beams. However, if a beam with web openings is changed to a material other than steel, or if the shape of the beam is changed to a Rectangular HS or Channel, or if the beam is changed from gravity or lateral, the Datacheck will issue a warning about the web openings. They will be ignored during the design and should be deleted.

Web opening information can be inspected using the Layout > Beams > Web Openings > Show command. From the Web Opening Show Mode dialog, the user may view which end of the span was used to measure the horizontal distance to the center of the opening, the dimensions and shape of the opening, as well as the position of the opening within the web of the beam.

Note that the web openings and stiffeners, if any, are also displayed in the 3D Viewer, to scale.