It is common practice to put openings in webs of beams to accommodate ducts, piping, etc. The expense associated with fabrication of such beams can sometimes be offset by the savings associated with a reduction in story height. The analysis of the opening and the determination of the need for stiffeners can be very tedious. The RAM Steel Beam module can optimize and design steel I-section beams with rectangular or circular web openings and determine the size of web stiffeners and their welds, if required.

The feature has been implemented based on Eurocode, BS 5950, AISC 360 ASD and LRFD, ASD 9th, and AISC LRFD 3rd. It is not available for other steel design codes.