Gravity loads are applied to the system in the RAM Modeler in the form of surface loads, line loads and point loads. The loads are distributed to members via their tributary area during the building of the framing tables (for more information on the framing tables see the "Building the Framing Tables" section of the RAM Steel Beam or Column manuals). These distributed forces are referred to as member forces. These member forces are then used in load combinations for the design of foundations.

Because the design of the foundations is dependent on the member forces, making a change to the gravity loads in the member will invalidate all previous designs.