Can Ram concept be used to design a monolithic Slab-on-Grade (BRAB) Foundation?

Question

Can Ram concept be used to design a monolithic Slab-on-Grade (BRAB) Foundation? These foundations are widely used in Texas, and the WRI (Wire Reinforcement Institute) has a design aid which I am following, but would like to use Ram Concept and would like to know if others have done this too.

Seth Guthrie · Answer

Ram Concept can be used for this. We don't have the design aid implemented directly, just the ACI 318 codes. We also don't have wire mesh as a default rebar, but equivalent small diameter bars can be added.

Seth Guthrie · Answer

Area springs in Concept are applied at the bottom of concrete, the soffit elevation by default. While the vertical stiffness is usually all anyone cares about the springs can have lateral stiffness too, and this is the common means of preventing sliding. If you model springs at multiple elevations the lateral reaction eccentricity can account for a lot of bending, so do be careful if you apply springs at multiple elevations.