The RAM Structural System is powerful and versatile special purpose software for the analysis and design of building structures. It is useful in the design and analysis of commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. The RAM Structural System automates the process of calculating tributary loads, live load reduction, gravity member selection, frame analysis, drift control, frame member and joint code checking, special seismic provisions member and joint checking and foundation design. By automating these tedious and time consuming processes, the engineer can quickly obtain an accurate design. Different framing configurations may be examined in a short period of time, resulting in substantial timesaving for the Engineer and a more economical design for the client. The interface with CAD software permits rapid generation of framing plans, saving significant drafting time and reducing the errors associated with manual information transfer.

The RAM Structural System is composed of a number of special purpose modules, each of which is invoked from the RAM Manager. The RAM Modeler provides for the creation of a model of the entire structure, including roof and floor loads; beam, column, brace and wall geometry and locations; and slab properties, openings and edges. Powerful, yet easy to use graphical model generation features are provided which allow complex floor and building systems to be modeled in a short time. The result is a comprehensive database of building data which can be accessed by the analysis and design modules, providing a completely integrated solution.

The RAM Steel Beam module provides a powerful capability for the gravity design of composite and noncomposite beams and girders as well as the selection of Steel Joists and C-Beam™ and Westok Cellular beams. In addition to the automated optimization of beam sizes, existing conditions can be checked. Tributary loads from the user-defined surface, line and point load patterns, loads on girders due to beams which frame into them, live load reduction factors based on one of several available building codes, and effective flange width are all automatically calculated. Special design considerations, such as depth restrictions, can be specified. Designs can be performed using one of several included steel design codes.

The RAM Steel Column module provides a powerful capability for the design of gravity columns and their baseplates. Axial loads, unbalanced moments, live load reductions and bracing conditions are automatically calculated. Optimum sizes may be obtained or existing conditions analyzed.

The RAM Concrete Design module provides a powerful capability for the analysis and design of concrete shear walls and gravity and frame columns and beams. Design loads, including live load reductions and pattern loading, are automatically calculated. Effective flange width of T-beams is automatically calculated. Reinforcement is automatically selected. Optimum designs may be obtained or existing conditions analyzed.

RAM Frame provides the capability to perform a full three-dimensional static and dynamic frame analysis of the lateral system in the structure. Member locations and geometry, gravity loads with their corresponding live load reduction factors and story mass properties are obtained directly from the database. Lateral wind and seismic loads may be generated based on Building Code requirements or specified as user-defined story or nodal loads. In the Analysis mode frames of any material and type, including moment frames, braced frames and walls can be analyzed. In Steel mode a code check based on a selected steel design code can be performed for all lateral steel members and moment frame joints. The seismic provisions of the American Institute of Steel Construction and of the Uniform Building Code and can also be checked for steel members and frame joints. In the Drift Control Mode the lateral members of the structure can be analyzed for drift participation and the member sized changed to efficiently control drift.

RAM Foundation provides the capability to design all spread footings, continuous footings and pile caps located beneath both lateral and gravity members. Gravity member reactions can be taken from the RAM Steel Column module, the RAM Concrete Analysis module or a combination of the two based on the material type of the supported member. Lateral member reactions are taken from the RAM Frame analysis. The gravity and lateral reactions are combined in RAM Foundation to automatically produce the foundation forces necessary to accurately design concrete footings. Spread footings, continuous footings and pile caps can be designed and optimized based on the American Concrete Institute (ACI-318) and British (BS 8110) Building Code Requirements.