RAM Steel is a powerful, fully integrated software program that facilitates the analysis, design, and drafting of the gravity load-resisting members in steel buildings.
RAM Steel works from a model created with the RAM Modeler to compute tributary loads to all members, reduce live loads in accordance with applicable building codes, and design steel composite and noncomposite beams, steel joists, joist girders, castellated beams, steel columns, and base plates for every level in a structure. RAM Steel was the first commercially available floor framing program for steel structures. Released in 1990, it continues to lead the industry and soar above the competition with leading edge technology.
 I go into the model, put the new loading on the floor, and basically hit a button. I can issue a sketch in literally a half-hour. It’s almost magic. RAM Steel has made life so much better for us. It has really changed everything. 
- Steve Devine, Structural Engineer, Bala Consulting |
 A complete production tool
RAM Steel automates the most time-consuming design tasks. It dramatically increases productivity by significantly reducing design time, allowing for more creativity through the quick exploration of design options. As well, it produces comprehensive calculations, custom CAD drawings and material take-off quantities from your designs.
Throughout the process of designing the Civic Center, Martin/Martin estimates that they eliminated 1200-1800 hours of design and engineering time thanks to the software, a cost savings of $165,000.
RAM is a huge timesaver. On this project we would have needed at least 2 more people for a 4-month period. It produces drawings and bracing elevations, column schedules and base plate designs. RAM is a real workhorse.
– Tim Lack, Martin/Martin, Wheat Ridge CO |
RAM Steel is fully integrated into the RAM Structural System, the only system in the world which allows for complete analysis, design and drafting of the lateral and gravity framing systems of both steel and concrete buildings as well as their foundations.
RAM Steel Beam Design Features
- Design of composite and noncomposite steel beams per AISC ASD 9th Ed. with Supplement #1 and LRFD 3rd Ed., BS 5950:2000, CAN/CSA-S16.1 and Eurocode
- Selection of Steel Joists, including K-, LH-, DLH- and KCS series joists, and designation of Joist Girders
- Design of composite and noncomposite castellated and cellular SMI Smartbeams™
- Design loads automatically calculated from model floor and roof loads
- Composite beam effective flange widths calculated automatically
- Optimization based on Code requirements and extensive user-specified criteria, and allows investigation and assignment of user-specified sizes
- Fully interactive design investigation allowing full user control over the final beam design
- Camber automatically calculated and included with the deflection calculation, with user-specified settings to suppress or control the amount and increments of camber
- Floor Vibration analysis
- Simple span or cantilevered beams with automatic pattern loading of Live Load
- Load, shear, moment and deflection diagrams with results available at any point along span
- Comprehensive set of reports, including detailed Design reports and concise Summary reports
- All reports can be viewed on-screen, printed or saved in spreadsheet file format
- Comprehensive material takeoff, including piece count, steel tonnage and stud count allowing for comparison of various design schemes
- Automatic generation of CAD DXF floor plans, including beam size, studs, camber and reactions
RAM Steel Column Design Features
- Design of columns and baseplates per AISC ASD 9th with Supplement #1 and LRFD 3rd, BS 5950:2000, CAN/CSA-S16.1 and Eurocode
- Design loads automatically calculated from model floor and roof loads
- Optimization based on Code requirements and extensive user-specified criteria, and allows investigation and assignment of user-specified sizes
- Fully interactive design allowing full user control over the final column design
- Moments induced by beam-to-column connection eccentricity automatically calculated, and the effects of pattern loading the Live Load around the column are included
- Comprehensive set of reports, including detailed Design reports and concise Summary reports
- All reports can be viewed on-screen, printed or saved in spreadsheet file format
- Comprehensive material takeoff, including piece count and steel tonnage allowing for comparison of various design schemes
- Automatic generation of CAD DXF base plan and column schedule
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When you design a structure,