This section introduces the user to fundamental concepts necessary to understand the program documentation contained in this manual. Terminology plays a particularly important role in documenting the RAM Concrete Wall module. There are many terms contained in this manual that have historically been used in varying contexts in relation to concrete wall design (e.g., "wall"). Furthermore, there are instances within this document in which certain terms are intended to denote a RAM Structural System-specific concept (e.g., a "wall" as created in RAM Modeler).

In order to alleviate confusion, whenever a term is used in this manual in a way that represents a RAM Structural System concept, the word or phrase will be capitalized. Thus, for example, when referring to walls that are created in RAM Modeler, "Wall" will appear capitalized to distinguish the usage from walls as referred to in a general sense.