I want to model CFM bearing walls in RAM modeler essentially for the purpose of creating a load run down to a podium level. My question involves openings in the walls.
My strategy is to create the walls using "other" and assign them as gravity. I will have several different types of openings to deal with. For example:
Door/Window headers
For these if they are small enough, I would like likely ignore them. However, if they are larger I may want to capture the effects of the point load on the transfer level. I don't believe you can put openings in gravity walls, so I'm thinking that I would just discontinue the wall and place a gravity beam between the two ends of the discontinued walls. Will this strategy give me a point load at the end of the beam applied to the podium level?
Discontinuous walls
Similar to the large opening, I will have cases where the walls stop and I will need a beam that extends from the end of the wall to some other wall. Again, will i get point loads at the ends of the beam?
Beams framing perpendicular to the walls
Some of the beams will frame perpendicular to the wall. I assume these will apply a point load at that location as well.
Is there a way for me to see the applied loads on the podium level as a result of this "load run down"?
Added question - Should the beams be cut back from the walls if importing them from a dxf?
Thanks!