This section provides the user with a summarized reference of the basic steps involved in conducting the design in the RAM Concrete Wall module.

1. Model the Building in RAM Modeler: Remember that any walls you wish to design in the RAM Concrete Wall module must be assigned as lateral members. The wall type (tilt-up or cast-in-place) and exposure (interior or exterior) are assigned in RAM Modeler. These wall properties are only considered for ACI codes.
2. Run the RAM Frame analysis: If the building contains steel members, be sure to establish sizes for these members by running RAM Steel Beam and/or RAM Steel Column before running the RAM Frame analysis. Any load cases (Dead, Live, Wind, etc.) you wish to consider in the wall module must be considered in the RAM Frame analysis.
3. Open Ram Concrete: Go to the RAM Concrete Wall module in the RAM Concrete mode sub-menu. Remember that it is not necessary to run RAM Concrete Analysis, RAM Concrete Beam, or RAM Concrete Column prior to running the RAM Concrete Wall module.
4. Select the Design Code: Use the Criteria > Code… command from the main menu to select the desired concrete design code.
5. Set Design Code Parameters: Use the Criteria > Code Checks… command from the main menu to review and modify the settings for the selected design code. The parameters available for modification will depend on the selected design code.
6. Assign Wall Design Groups: Use the Assign > Wall Design Groups… command from the main menu to group individual wall elements in the model into a group for analysis and design purposes. Wall elements must be assigned to a Wall Design Group in order to be designed. The simplest manner to group walls is so that a collection of wall elements forming a single plane belongs to a single Wall Design Group.
7. Create Bar Pattern Templates: Use the Assign > Edit Bar Pattern Templates… command to create templates of reinforcing for consideration during design. Remember that the Bar Pattern Template defines the bar sizes and spacings that will be available for selection and assignment for each Wall Design Group.

   Ideally, Bar Pattern Templates should reflect a certain bar placement standard. If you prefer to vary wall reinforcement spacing in increments of 4", you should choose a Bar Pattern Template with a spacing increment of 4", with appropriate minimum and maximum spacing values. If the standard of a company is to never use a vertical bar size smaller than a #6 in concrete walls, the Bar Pattern Template assignment should reflect this.

8. Assign Bar Pattern Templates to Wall Design Groups: Use the Assign > Bar Pattern Templates… command to assign a Bar Pattern Template to each Wall Design Group. Note that a Wall Design Group must have a Bar Pattern Template in order to be designed.
9. Assign Bar Patterns to Wall Panels: This step needs to be done only if you want to assign reinforcing callouts (Bar Patterns) directly to Wall Panels, as opposed to letting the program choose the best reinforcement. Performing this step will generally increase the speed of the design process to a significant extent.
10. Create Section Cuts: Use the Assign > Section Cuts…..Automatic or Manual command to create Section Cuts within Wall Design Groups. Bear in mind that the more Section Cuts you consider, the more time the design process will take. Use the Assign > Section Cuts….Delete command to remove any sections you do not want to consider.
11. Create Load Combinations: Use the Combinations > Generated… or Manual… command to create load combinations for the load cases analyzed in RAM Frame. Bear in mind that the more load combinations you consider, the more time the design process will take.
12. Execute the Design Process: To design a single Wall Design Group, select Process > View/Update… and select the Wall Design Group you wish to design. To design all Wall Design Groups at once, select Process > Design All .
13. Inspect Failed Sections: Toggle the Section Cut display in the main window so that the Section Cuts are shown. Execute the View/Update command and select a Wall Design Group that contains red (failed) Section Cuts. In the 3D view within the View/Update, select a failed Section Cut. Go to the Warnings tab to review the design failures for the Section Cut.
14. Review Wall Reinforcement: Toggle the Bar Pattern display in the main window so that the Bar Patterns are shown. Click on the elevation view button and select a frame to view in elevation. The Bar Pattern assignments can often be viewed more clearly when in elevation view mode.

    Execute the View/Update command and select a Wall Design Group. Once in View/Update, toggle the reinforcement display in the 3D view at the left hand side of the dialog. Select the elevation view mode and select a wall. You should now see all the reinforcing bars in elevation.

    Go to the Reinforcement tab within the View/Update and go to the Vertical sub tab. Select a vertical bar in the 3D view within View/Update. Note that the bar is highlighted in both the 3D view and the spreadsheet on the right hand side.

15. Review Section Cut forces: Toggle the Section Cut display in the main window so that the Section Cuts are shown. Zoom in on a single Wall Design Group and toggle the Section Cut labels so that they are displayed. Go to Reports > Section Cut Forces… and select a Wall Design Group.