RAM Structural System Reviews in April 2025: User Ratings, Pros & Cons

"RAM Structural System can be a mixed bag"

What do you like best about RAM Structural System? This review is for RAM Structural System v17.04. RSS does composite beam design well. After 10 years of using RAM, I was surprised to see the lack of automatic composite beam design in other programs. Lateral load input is pretty simple and automated compared to other programs. Connection design integration is generally good with automatic import of all the load combos from the framing design modules, but it also has some significant ...

"A Flat Roofed Favourites"

What do you like best about RAM Structural System? It is too difficult to use the RAM Structural System, for steel framed structures. While there are some moments where dealing with piece meal member design are a bit tedious the software still allows for assumptions. Provides quick outputs. Even though the user interface across modules is inconsistent overall RAM Structural System proves to be a tool for engineers. What do you dislike about RAM Structural System? RAMSS is not suitable for ...

"Enhance Your Design Process with RAM Structural System"

What do you like best about RAM Structural System? The RAM Frame module might require some understanding. It is capable of producing the desired results. The Gravity module is intuitive and useful. Although there are a limitations, with RAM Connection, RAM SS meets our requirements well. What do you dislike about RAM Structural System? The software may not be ideal for buildings beyond the scope of commercial steel framed structures. Dealing with piece meal member design can be a bit ...

"Excellent Design Tool for Structural Engineers"

What do you like best about RAM Structural System? RAM Structural Systems helps condense the time it takes to design any size project. The program is reasonably intuitive, which allows for a streamlined process from Design Development to Construction. What do you dislike about RAM Structural System? The RAM Frame module is not as intuitive or helpful as the Gravity module. With the proper understanding of lateral design, you can produce the outputs that you are looking for, but sometimes it ...

"Needs overhaul"

What do you like best about RAM Structural System? Easy setup for simple, regular buildings. Support team is very responsive. What do you dislike about RAM Structural System? A lot of hidden gotchas. Outdated API. Support forum is difficult to navigate. Non existent API documentation. Limited user control over variables. Recommendations to others considering RAM Structural System: Good for simple designs. Beware of software assumptions. What problems is RAM Structural System solving and how ...

"Using RAM always enhances our design and analysis experience."

What do you like best about RAM Structural System? I like the graphical interface throughout all programs. The visuals make it easy and intuitive to understand and explain to others. What do you dislike about RAM Structural System? not much. RAM SS, RAM Concept, and RAM Elements fulfill our needs as structural engineers. Recommendations to others considering RAM Structural System: Explore everything RAM is capable of, and especially use RAM support (Seth Guthrie and Karl Gullerud ...

"SIMPLE STRUCTURAL DESIGN PROGRAM"

What do you like best about RAM Structural System? THE EASE OF USE AND ABILITY TO MODEL SIMPLE STEEL AND CONCRETE BUILDINGS QUICKLY AND EASILY. What do you dislike about RAM Structural System? THE LIMITATIONS OF THE PROGRAM TO HANDLE COMPLEX FRAMING, AND IT SEEMS MOST BUILDING HAVE SOME "COMPLEX" FRAMING. LACK OF MASONRY, CFS, AND WOOD MATERIALS. Recommendations to others considering RAM Structural System: KEEP THE USE OF THE PROGRAM TO THE TYPE OF BUILDINGS IT WORKS WELL FOR; DO NOT TRY TO ...

"RAM Structural System is more than just a steel design program"

What do you like best about RAM Structural System? Easy floor based structural analysis modeling of buildings. Makes common building analysis assumptions that require much more effort using general purpose finite element analysis software. What do you dislike about RAM Structural System? Some building structure configurations can be difficult to model. What problems is RAM Structural System solving and how is that benefiting you? Currently using RAM Structural System to help design light ...