This information pertains to both the Layout - Beams - Deflection Criteria and the Layout - Joists - Deflection Criteria commands.

Deflection criteria assignments are valid for Concrete Beams, Gravity Steel Beams, Steel Joists and Smartbeams only, and are only used by the RAM Steel Beam Design module and the RAM Concrete Beam Design module. Upon installing the RAM Structural System Software, the System Administrator selected values for a default deflection criteria and an alternate criteria. These values can be modified with the Criteria - Deflection Criteria command in the RAM Steel Beam Design module for steel beams, and with the Criteria &endash; Deflection command in the RAM Concete Beam Design module for concrete beams. When a beam is initially created, it is assigned the default deflection criteria. Therefore, this command need not be selected unless an alternate criteria is needed on specific beams, such as for limiting deflection for curtain walls, or to clear any previous assignment made.

To assign the default deflection criteria, select the Default Deflection Criteria option button. To assign the alternate deflection criteria, select the Alternate Deflection Criteria option button.

Once the deflection criteria has been selected, click either Single or Fence.

Return to the Deflection Criteria Selection dialog box with the Right Mouse Button or the "D" key.

Return to the Layout - Beams menu with the "M" key.

Clicking the Cancel button or selecting any other RAM Modeler Layout command will end the Layout - Beams - Deflection Criteria command.