One complete Slab Edge must be defined before decking and surface Loading can be assigned to a level. Slab Edges are defined either as offsets from beams (or beam segments) or in a free-form way. A beam is considered fully exposed if it lies fully outside the slab edge definition, or partially exposed if it lies partially outside the slab edge. Fully or partially exposed beams are designed as non composite members, and surface loading is not assigned to the exposed portion of the beam.

Floor openings within slab edges should be defined using the Layout - Slab - Slab Opening command.

It is not necessary to model slab edges in Frame Only models.

Note that this command is highly dependent on the SnapTo settings in the Model. If you find that your cursor will not stop on a point at which you wish to attach your slab edge, this indicates that Set SnapTo is not turned on for that grid line.

Selecting the Layout - Slab - Slab Edge will cause the Slab Edge Layout Mode dialog box to appear. When you select any of the actions in the box (documented below), the slab edge drawing mode in RAM Modeler will change from slab edge polygon mode to slab edge layout mode. In slab edge layout mode, a return line is drawn from the end of each slab edge segment to the actual layout point for the slab edge. In slab edge polygon mode, the actual slab polygon is drawn instead. If you see the return lines when not in slab edge layout mode, that means that a valid slab edge polygon could not be determined for the slab edge segments in the model. This is usually caused by gaps in the slab edge loop.

A warning message stating that the Slab Edge must be fully assigned, when assigning Deck or Surface Loads, indicates that the Slab Edge has not been properly defined. This might happen even if the Slab Edge appears correct, i.e. appears to be a complete loop.

Running the DataCheck will determine if and where breaks in the Slab Edge occur.

Return to the Slab Edge Layout dialog box with the Right Mouse Button or the "D" key.

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

Clicking the Cancel button or selecting any other RAM Modeler Layout command will end the Layout - Slab - Slab Edge command.