RAM Steel Beam Design performs the design and analysis of gravity beams. It allows the engineer to view any beam design performed by the program, and to interactively modify that design. The modified design can then be saved or the program-optimized size can be selected. The optimization algorithm selects members based on the design requirements as designated by the selected code. Other criteria established by the user, such as deflection and member depth limits, are also taken into consideration.

The following is an overview of the Beam Design module and a brief discussion of its use. More information on specific Beam Design commands is available in the on-line help and the Tutorial.