One of the key features of the RAM Structural System is the ability to automatically determine the loads to each individual member based on user defined surface, line, and point loads. In the RAM Modeler, loads are defined by first creating a list of load properties and then assigning these load properties to the layout with the use of polygons, lines, and points as appropriate. A load property consists of a Label, a Dead Load, a Construction Dead Load, a Live Load with its associated Live Load Reduction flag, a Construction Live Load, and a Mass Dead Load.

A note regarding terminology: Repeated reference is made throughout the program and the documentation to "Live Loads". In some codes these loads are referred to as "Imposed Loads".

The Dead Load is the total dead load such as lab, deck, partitions, miscellaneous, etc. Member and slab self-weights can be included in this value automatically. See Section 3.3.2 for more information on Self-Weight Calculations.

The Construction Dead Load, or Pre‑composite Dead Load, is particular to composite steel members and is not considered in RAM Concrete.

The Live Load is the total live load appropriate for the particular building based on the applicable Building Code and use of the building. Live Loads may be defined as Reducible, Storage, Unreducible, Roof or Partition. Roof loads may be treated as Reducible or Unreducible. Partition loads are always treated as unreducible and combined with them. Live Load Reduction is discussed in Section 3.3.8.

The Construction Live Load is particular to composite steel members and is not considered in RAM Concrete.

The Mass Dead Load is the load that will be used in calculating the diaphragm mass properties in RAM Frame and is not considered in the RAM Concrete Gravity Analysis Mode.

Snow loads, including varying drifting snow loads can also be applied. A current limitation in the program is that Roof Live Loads and Snow Loads cannot be considered simultaneously. Both types of loads can exist simultaneously in the model, but only one or the other will be considered. In the Criteria > Live Load Reduction command in the RAM Manager there are two options: “Consider Snow Loads, Ignore Roof Live Loads” and “Consider Roof Live Loads, Ignore Snow Loads”. This is used to specify which set of loads is to be considered. If both types of load need to be considered, it may be necessary to design the members twice, once with each option selected. Note that this limitation is only between Snow and Roof Live loads; Snow and Reducible, Storage, Unreducible or Partition Live loads can be considered simultaneously by the program.

Surface load properties are assigned to the model by defining the boundaries of the load polygon. Virtually any number of load polygons may be assigned to a given layout. Additionally, overlapping polygons are permitted. The last polygon assignment will override all previous assignments rather than be additive.

Polygon boundaries need not coincide with beam locations; boundaries can fall within a bay. Such changes in loads will result in multiple uniform or trapezoidal loads generated on the beam as can be verified on screen using the View-Gravity Loads command (see Section 2.9.1) or in the Beam Gravity Loads Report. Care should be taken in the RAM Modeler when laying down load polygons, especially those whose sides should coincide with a beam line, so that extraneous minuscule loads are not generated on the beam.