Steel joists are modeled in the same way that other beams are modeled once the material selection has been made. To indicate that steel joists are to be modeled, select Steel Joist from the RAM Modeler’s Material menu. From the time it is selected until a new material is selected, all members modeled will be steel joists. The Layout commands for joists are similar to those for beams. The on-line help contains instructions on the use of the Layout commands.

Beams that were originally modeled as steel, concrete or ‘other’ can be changed to steel joists in the RAM Modeler. If a size was assigned to the beam, it should be cleared using the Layout - Beams - Clear Sizes command in the Modeler before the material change is made. To change the beam to a joist, Steel Joist is first selected from the Material menu. The Layout - Joists - Change Materials command is then used to make the modification. The on-line help contains a more complete explanation of this process.

The Default and Alternate Joist Criteria and Joist Tables specified in the Criteria - Joists… command can be assigned on a joist by joist basis using the Layout - Joists - Joist Table... command in the RAM Modeler.