As with the RAM Frame Section Forces module, Section Cuts may be manually created wherever desired in the RAM Concrete Wall module. An advanced option has been implemented in the Concrete Shear Wall Design module that allows horizontal sections to extend through all walls in a Wall Design Group at the level specified. This is shown in Figure below.

In reference to the above Figure, note that three separate Section Cuts have been created by issuing the Add Section Cut command: SC1H:4, SC1H:5, and SC1H:6. Each of these Section Cuts is a separate physical entity. Changes to SC1H:4, for instance, will not affect Section Cuts SC1H:5 and SC1H:6. Also, a completely separate set of design checks will be performed at each Section Cut.

Further note that Section Cut SC1H:4, which is C-shaped in plan, consists of three segments. Each segment is denoted by placing an “A”, “B”, and “C” at the end of the Section Cut label. This is typical of the RAM Concrete Wall module. Section Cuts that intersect multiple Walls are split up into Section Cut Segments at each Wall. This is done for a few purposes:

1. For design codes that require shear strength to be evaluated in a planar sense (e.g., ACI 318), the Section Cut Segment is the entity for which the shear strength calculation is done.
2. When reviewing the design in View/Update, Section Cut Segments are the entity which the user selects. This allows the information for the corresponding Wall Panel to be brought up for review and revision, allowing for greater control and flexibility.

Note that Section Cut Segments have no bearing on:

1. The axial-flexural design. The axial-flexural interaction calculations are performed for the entire Section Cut.
2. The moving of a Section Cut. When the location of a multi-segment Section Cut is changed, the entire Section Cut moves as one.