Does RAM Concrete design concrete gravity walls?

Gravity concrete walls are always included in the RAM Concrete analysis. In general, gravity members are not included in the RAM Frame analysis. The exception is when gravity columns and walls support a two-way slab and then option to include them is selected in Criteria - Diaphragm. When the gravity columns and walls are included, they are included when analyzing the gravity load cases only and these forces are not used to design the elements.

Gravity concrete walls cannot be designed in RAM Structural System. RAM Concrete Shear Wall designs frame walls only.

Karl, thank you for your quick reply. When you say "gravity concrete walls are always included in the RAM Concrete analysis" you are saying that RAM Concrete designs the gravity concrete walls, correct?

No. Unfortunately, RAM Structural System does not design gravity concrete walls. The statement "gravity concrete walls are always included in the RAM Concrete Analysis" means that RAM Concrete determines the forces in the walls in RAM Concrete Analysis. You can see these forces using Reports - Wall Forces in RAM Concrete Analysis mode. These forces can be used to design the walls outside the program.

Karl, thanks again for the clarification. Bentley may want to revise their marketing materials to avoid future confusion.

You can model the wall as a lateral wall and disconnect if from the diaphragms to make it only resist gravity loads. Such a wall can be designed in the Concrete Shear Wall module.

You can model the wall as a lateral wall and disconnect if from the diaphragms to make it only resist gravity loads. Such a wall can be designed in the Concrete Shear Wall module.