Bentley RAM Structural Software Overview | AulaGEO

Name: Bentley RAM Structural Software Overview | AulaGEO
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Explore RAM SBeam, RAM Connection, RAM Concept, RAM Elements, and RAM Structural System for structural design workflows.

Created byAulaGEO Academy

Last updated 2/2026

English

What you'll learn

Identify the main Bentley RAM applications and their roles in structural engineering workflows.
Differentiate RAM SBeam, RAM Connection, RAM Concept, RAM Elements, and RAM Structural System.
Recognize how RAM SBeam supports composite steel beam design, load evaluation, and reporting.
Understand how RAM Connection supports steel connection design and visualization in structural models.
Describe how RAM Concept supports reinforced and post-tensioned concrete floor system analysis.
Recognize how RAM Elements supports trusses, beams, frames, walls, footings, and other structural components.
Understand how RAM Structural System supports integrated building analysis, loading, design, and documentation.
Interpret the value of graphical outputs, reports, design checks, and material takeoffs in RAM workflows.

Course content

3 sections • 6 lectures • 45m total length

Introduction2:55
Welcome to the course introduction, where you will become familiar with the Bentley RAM product family and understand how the different applications fit into structural engineering workflows. This lesson provides a high-level overview before exploring each product individually in later lectures.
The session briefly introduces the purpose of RAM SBeam, RAM Connection, RAM Concept, RAM Elements, and RAM Structural System, highlighting the primary capabilities of each application. Rather than focusing on detailed procedures, the lecture establishes the scope of the software suite and explains the role each product plays in building analysis and design.
Key Topics Covered
Overview of the Bentley RAM software product family.
Primary capabilities of RAM SBeam for steel beam design and evaluation.
Introduction to RAM Connection, RAM Concept, and RAM Elements.
Main functions of RAM Structural System for structural analysis and design.
Course roadmap and the progression to detailed product-specific lessons.
Practical Value
Understand the purpose of each RAM application before studying it in depth.
Recognize which software is intended for different structural design tasks.
Build a clear foundation for following the remaining lessons in the course.
By the end of this introductory lesson, you will have a clear understanding of the Bentley RAM product family, the main capabilities of each application, and how the upcoming lectures will examine every product in greater detail.
RAM Sbeam2:58
This lesson provides an overview of RAM SBeam, Bentley's application for composite steel beam design. You will become familiar with its primary purpose, the design workflow it supports, and the key capabilities that make it useful for evaluating steel beams under different loading conditions.
The lecture explains how RAM SBeam applies multiple international design standards, assists with beam selection and adequacy checks, and helps engineers compare design alternatives efficiently. It also introduces the types of beam models, loading scenarios, and reporting tools available within the software.
Key Topics Covered
Overview of RAM SBeam and its role in composite steel beam design.
Support for multiple international design standards, including AISC, CSA, BS, Eurocode, and AS standards.
Beam sizing, adequacy verification, and evaluation of existing structural members.
Analysis of composite, castellated, cellular, and non-composite beam configurations.
Available load types, structural diagrams, and automated design reports.
Design options, beam self-weight, user-defined criteria, and integration with other Bentley RAM applications.
Practical Value
Understand when RAM SBeam can be used during steel beam design and verification.
Recognize the range of design codes and loading conditions supported by the application.
Identify the software features that streamline beam evaluation, reporting, and design comparisons.
Prepare for more detailed exploration of RAM SBeam workflows in subsequent lessons.
By the end of this lesson, you will understand the main capabilities of RAM SBeam, the types of beam designs and load cases it supports, and how it contributes to efficient composite steel beam analysis and design within the Bentley RAM product family.
RAM Connection7:15
In this lesson, you will explore Bentley RAM Connection, a specialized application focused on steel connection design and optimization. The lecture explains where RAM Connection fits within the Bentley structural engineering ecosystem and how it can operate either as a standalone application or as an integrated component of RAM Structural System, RAM Elements, and STAAD.Pro. Rather than concentrating on detailed modeling procedures, this session provides a practical overview of the platform's capabilities and demonstrates how it supports the complete workflow of designing, checking, and optimizing structural steel connections.
The lesson introduces the advantages of the CONNECT Edition environment, highlighting how integrated project workflows improve collaboration across engineering teams. You will see how project information, personal files, i-models, PDF documents, learning resources, and mobile applications can be connected through a common project environment. The presentation also explains how project portals and ProjectWise connection services contribute to project visibility, issue management, and overall coordination throughout the structural design process.
A major portion of the lecture focuses on automated connection design. The instructor explains how RAM Connection can automatically design, verify, and optimize numerous steel connection types while considering member geometry, material properties, and analytical results obtained from structural models. The software supports multiple international steel design standards and provides engineers with the flexibility to either evaluate a single connection or optimize entire groups of connections. The presentation emphasizes how automation reduces repetitive engineering work while maintaining compliance with recognized design codes.
The lecture also discusses the flexibility offered by RAM Connection through customizable design rules and predefined connection libraries. Engineers can incorporate office standards, engineering experience, and preferred design practices into their workflows while still benefiting from extensive built-in databases. The software complements these capabilities with detailed calculation reports, explicit design equations, references to the governing standards, realistic three-dimensional visualization, and automated detailing through DXF export, allowing engineers to review, document, and communicate their connection designs more efficiently.
Finally, the session concludes with a comprehensive overview of supported connection types, modeling options, design verification features, seismic checks, documentation capabilities, and output tools. The instructor summarizes how RAM Connection supports beam-to-column, beam-to-beam, splice, base plate, gusset, truss, and bracing connections while offering engineers extensive control over design parameters. The lesson reinforces the software's role as an integrated solution for efficiently managing steel connection design from initial evaluation through final documentation.
Key Topics Covered
Overview of Bentley RAM Connection and its role within the RAM product family.
Standalone operation and integration with RAM Structural System, RAM Elements, and STAAD.Pro.
CONNECT Edition collaboration environment, project portals, and ProjectWise connection services.
Automated design, checking, and optimization of multiple steel connection types.
Support for numerous international structural steel design standards.
Customization using office standards, engineering rules, and predefined connection databases.
Three-dimensional visualization, clearance verification, and graphical review tools.
Automatic report generation, explicit design equations, and DXF export for documentation.
Practical Value for Structural Engineering
Understand where RAM Connection fits within an integrated structural engineering workflow.
Recognize how automated connection design can reduce repetitive engineering tasks.
Identify the variety of steel connection types supported by the software.
Appreciate the benefits of customizable connection libraries and office design standards.
Understand how visualization, reporting, and DXF outputs improve project documentation.
Recognize how integrated collaboration tools support multidisciplinary project coordination.
By the end of this lecture, you will understand the primary capabilities of Bentley RAM Connection, how it integrates with other Bentley structural applications, the types of steel connections it can design and verify, and the documentation and collaboration features that support efficient structural connection engineering workflows.

RAM Concept12:09
This lesson introduces RAM Concept, Bentley's specialized application for the analysis and design of reinforced and post-tensioned concrete floor systems. The lecture explains where RAM Concept fits within the RAM product family and why it is widely used for designing slabs, mats, rafts, and other concrete structural elements. Throughout the presentation, the focus remains on understanding the software's capabilities rather than performing a complete design workflow, allowing learners to build a solid foundation before moving into more advanced structural modeling tasks.
The session explores how RAM Concept supports structural engineers by automating repetitive and computationally intensive design activities. The transcript explains that the software assists with tendon layout, span generation, column strips, middle strips, and geometric revisions while providing organized access to analysis results through a layer-based interface. Automated design and design-check methodologies are presented as practical tools for improving engineering productivity while maintaining visibility into design decisions and code compliance.
A significant portion of the lecture is dedicated to the analytical capabilities available within RAM Concept. The lesson reviews cloud-based post-tension optimization, realistic three-dimensional tendon modeling, punching shear analysis, and long-term slab deflection calculations that consider cracking, creep, shrinkage, and load history. Rather than relying on simplified assumptions, the software incorporates advanced analytical procedures that help engineers evaluate complex reinforced and post-tensioned concrete behavior more efficiently.
The lecture also reviews the extensive modeling, loading, and reporting features available within the application. Different slab configurations, foundations, openings, supports, automated meshing, load combinations, temperature and shrinkage loading, vibration analysis, and customizable engineering reports are discussed. These capabilities demonstrate how the software integrates multiple structural engineering tasks into a unified environment while supporting documentation and verification throughout the design process.
Finally, the session highlights RAM Concept's interoperability with other engineering platforms. Compatibility with industry workflows through ISM, Revit integration, Bentley iTwin Services, Python scripting, CAD import and export, and communication with other structural analysis applications is presented as an important advantage for multidisciplinary projects. By understanding these capabilities, learners gain a comprehensive overview of how RAM Concept contributes to reinforced and post-tensioned concrete design within modern structural engineering practice.
Key topics covered
Overview of RAM Concept for reinforced and post-tensioned concrete design.
Automation of tendon layout, design strips, spans, and structural modeling tasks.
Cloud-based post-tension optimization for evaluating economical design solutions.
Three-dimensional tendon modeling and advanced punching shear analysis capabilities.
Long-term slab deflection analysis considering creep, shrinkage, cracking, and load history.
Supported structural systems, design codes, modeling tools, loading options, and reporting features.
Steel reinforcement design, span generation, cross-section evaluation, and design verification.
Integration with Revit, ISM workflows, Bentley iTwin Services, CAD files, and other structural applications.
Practical value for structural engineering
Understand the primary purpose of RAM Concept within the Bentley structural software portfolio.
Recognize the analytical tools available for reinforced and post-tensioned concrete floor systems.
Identify modeling features that simplify revisions and complex slab geometry creation.
Understand how advanced analysis supports engineering verification and structural decision-making.
Learn how interoperability enables smoother collaboration across engineering software platforms.
Become familiar with reporting and documentation features that support professional design workflows.
After completing this lesson, you will understand the principal capabilities of RAM Concept, the types of reinforced and post-tensioned concrete structures it is designed to analyze, the analytical methods it provides for structural evaluation, and how its modeling, reporting, and interoperability features support efficient structural engineering workflows.
RAM Element10:38
In this lesson, you will explore RAM Elements, one of the core applications within the Bentley RAM portfolio, designed as a comprehensive structural engineering toolkit. The lecture introduces the purpose of the software and explains how it combines finite element analysis with multiple structural design modules in a single environment. Rather than focusing on isolated calculations, the session demonstrates how engineers can perform structural modeling, analysis, and design using one integrated application.
The lesson also reviews the Connect Edition environment and the services that accompany it. You will become familiar with adaptive learning capabilities, mobility services, and collaboration features that simplify access to project information and improve communication across engineering teams. These platform services complement the analytical capabilities of RAM Elements by supporting modern engineering workflows and project coordination.
A significant portion of the lecture explains how RAM Elements integrates finite element analysis with specialized structural design modules. Instead of switching between separate applications for steel, reinforced concrete, masonry, wood, retaining walls, trusses, footings, or continuous beams, the software brings these capabilities together within a common graphical interface. The lesson discusses how integrated workflows reduce repetitive modeling effort while maintaining consistency between analysis and design.
The lecture also highlights the flexibility of the modeling environment. You will review customizable workspaces, modeling tools, import and export options, physical member modeling, and the ability to personalize commands, units, views, and toolbars according to individual or company standards. These capabilities allow engineers to organize projects efficiently while adapting the software to different structural design practices.
Finally, the session presents a broad overview of the analytical and design capabilities available within RAM Elements. Topics include dynamic analysis methods, nonlinear analysis, buckling analysis, diaphragm modeling, spring elements, steel, reinforced concrete, masonry, timber, retaining walls, continuous beams, tilt-up walls, footing design, and shear wall design. Rather than teaching every individual workflow in depth, the lecture provides a comprehensive overview of the functionality available throughout the application, helping learners understand where each capability fits within structural engineering practice.
Key Topics Covered
Overview of RAM Elements as Bentley's structural engineering toolkit.
Connect Edition services, including learning, mobility, and collaboration features.
Integrated finite element analysis and structural design workflow.
Modeling capabilities for beams, columns, walls, trusses, footings, retaining walls, and structural systems.
Customizable modeling environment, graphical interface, and workspace personalization.
Dynamic, nonlinear, buckling, and finite element analysis capabilities.
Support for multiple structural material design modules and design codes.
Import, export, interoperability, and integration with other Bentley structural applications.
Practical Value for Structural Engineering
Understand the overall scope of RAM Elements before applying individual design modules.
Recognize how integrated analysis and design can reduce the need for multiple standalone applications.
Identify the structural components that can be analyzed and designed within a unified workflow.
Understand the benefits of customizable modeling tools for improving engineering productivity.
Gain awareness of interoperability options with other structural modeling and design software.
Develop a solid foundation for later lessons that explore specific RAM Elements capabilities in greater technical detail.
By the end of this lecture, you will have a clear understanding of the role of RAM Elements within the Bentley RAM family, the breadth of its structural analysis and design capabilities, and how its integrated environment supports efficient modeling, analysis, detailing, and engineering workflows across a wide range of structural projects.

RAM Structural System9:17
In this lesson, you will explore RAM Structural System, Bentley's integrated solution for the structural analysis and design of concrete and steel buildings. The lecture introduces the platform as a comprehensive environment that combines three-dimensional static and dynamic structural analysis with automated design workflows, allowing engineers to reduce repetitive tasks while maintaining consistency throughout the structural design process. The presentation explains the overall purpose of the application and how its integrated approach supports building projects subjected to gravity, lateral, and dynamic loading conditions.
The lesson also explains the capabilities available in the CONNECT Edition and describes how CONNECT Services extend the software experience beyond structural modeling. Topics include Adaptive Learning Services for contextual guidance, Personal Mobility Services for access to project information across devices, and ProjectWise Connection Services for collaboration, issue management, RFIs, submittals, and secure information exchange. These features demonstrate that the software environment supports not only engineering calculations but also project communication and productivity.
A significant portion of the lecture focuses on the wide variety of structural systems that RAM Structural System can analyze. Examples include flat slabs, slab-and-beam systems, composite steel floors, shear walls, moment frames, braced frames, isolated footings, strip footings, mat foundations, and combinations of multiple framing systems. The instructor explains that models may contain steel, reinforced concrete, masonry, or combinations of structural materials while automatically generating gravity, wind, seismic, dynamic, and notional loading conditions. The lesson further introduces specialized post-processing tools for drift evaluation and shear wall force analysis, allowing engineers to investigate structural behavior and optimize member sizes where necessary.
The lecture continues with an overview of the software's analysis, reporting, and automation capabilities. Automated wall and diaphragm meshing, P-Delta analysis, construction sequence analysis, concrete creep and shrinkage analysis, automatic code-based load combinations, response spectrum analysis, structural mass calculations, animated deflected shapes, graphical result visualization, CAD DXF exports, and comprehensive material takeoff reports are presented as part of the integrated workflow. Additional discussion highlights steel design features, seismic design checks, drift control, shear wall analysis, and tilt-up building design, illustrating how RAM Structural System supports numerous stages of structural engineering analysis and documentation within a unified platform.
Key Topics Covered
Purpose and architecture of RAM Structural System for integrated building analysis and design.
Capabilities of the CONNECT Edition and CONNECT Services for learning, mobility, and collaboration.
Supported structural systems including concrete, steel, composite floors, shear walls, moment frames, and foundations.
Automatic generation of gravity, wind, seismic, dynamic, and notional loading conditions.
Drift optimization tools and shear wall force post-processing modules.
Static and dynamic analysis features, response spectrum analysis, and automated code-based load combinations.
Graphical visualization, reporting, CAD exports, and material quantity reporting.
Steel design, seismic design features, drift control, shear wall evaluation, and tilt-up building analysis.
Practical Value for Structural Engineering
Understand how an integrated structural platform combines analysis, design, and documentation.
Recognize the range of structural systems and materials supported within a single model.
Learn how automated load generation and design workflows reduce repetitive engineering tasks.
Identify analysis tools used to evaluate drift behavior, shear wall forces, and structural performance.
Understand how reporting, graphical visualization, and export capabilities support engineering deliverables.
Become familiar with the principal structural analysis and design features available before studying individual RAM modules in greater detail.
By the end of this lesson, you will have a comprehensive overview of RAM Structural System, its major analysis and design capabilities, and the integrated workflow it provides for modeling, analyzing, documenting, and evaluating building structures. This foundation will prepare you to better understand the specialized RAM applications and features presented throughout the remainder of the course.

Requirements

Basic familiarity with civil or structural engineering concepts is helpful.
No previous Bentley RAM software experience is required.
Access to RAM software is useful for follow-up practice but not required for this overview course.

Description

This course introduces the Bentley RAM product family and explains how each application supports structural engineering analysis, design, documentation, and model-based decision making. The focus is on understanding the role of each RAM tool, the types of structural problems it addresses, and the practical value it brings to steel, concrete, and building design workflows.

The course begins with a broad overview of the RAM software ecosystem, helping learners distinguish between RAM SBeam, RAM Connection, RAM Concept, RAM Elements, and RAM Structural System. Rather than treating these applications as isolated programs, the course presents them as specialized tools within a broader structural engineering workflow.

You will review RAM SBeam for composite steel beam design, RAM Connection for steel connection design, RAM Concept for reinforced and post-tensioned concrete systems, RAM Elements for finite element-based structural analysis, and RAM Structural System for integrated building analysis and design. Each lecture highlights major capabilities, supported modeling approaches, analysis functions, design outputs, and reporting features.

The learning approach is practical and orientation-based. The course does not promise a full design project or certification pathway; instead, it gives structural engineering learners and professionals a structured foundation for understanding what each RAM product does, where it fits, and how it can support technical evaluation, repetitive design tasks, graphical interpretation, and engineering deliverables.

By the end of the course, learners will have a clearer view of the RAM software suite and its application areas, including steel beam optimization, structural connection workflows, concrete slab and foundation analysis, component-level structural modeling, and complete building system evaluation. This foundation is useful before moving into deeper product-specific training or applying RAM tools in professional structural design contexts.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

Identify the main Bentley RAM applications and explain their role within structural engineering workflows.
Differentiate between RAM SBeam, RAM Connection, RAM Concept, RAM Elements, and RAM Structural System.
Recognize how RAM SBeam supports composite steel beam design, load evaluation, beam selection, and design reporting.
Understand how RAM Connection is used to automate and visualize steel connection design in structural models.
Describe how RAM Concept supports reinforced concrete, post-tensioned slabs, mats, rafts, punching shear checks, and long-term deflection analysis.
Recognize how RAM Elements supports structural components such as trusses, beams, frames, walls, retaining walls, footings, and masonry walls.
Understand how RAM Structural System integrates three-dimensional analysis, gravity and lateral load workflows, dynamic analysis, drift evaluation, shear wall analysis, and building design documentation.
Interpret the professional value of reporting, graphical visualization, code-based design checks, material takeoffs, and structural analysis outputs within the RAM software environment.

Who Should Take This Course

Civil engineers who want an introductory overview of Bentley RAM structural design tools.
Structural engineers evaluating software options for steel, concrete, and building analysis workflows.
Engineering students who need to understand the purpose and capabilities of RAM applications.
BIM modelers and technical users who interact with structural analysis and design deliverables.
AutoCAD, MicroStation, or CAD users interested in expanding toward structural design software workflows.
Professionals who need a clear orientation before studying RAM SBeam, RAM Connection, RAM Concept, RAM Elements, or RAM Structural System in more depth.

Course Structure

Section 1: Introduction and Steel Design Tools
This section introduces the Bentley RAM product family and reviews the role of RAM SBeam and RAM Connection. Learners examine how RAM SBeam supports composite steel beam design, beam selection, load conditions, construction constraints, and concise design reporting. The section also introduces RAM Connection for automating connection design, visualizing connections in the context of the structure, and integrating connection workflows with other structural applications.

Section 2: Concrete and Structural Modeling
This section reviews RAM Concept and RAM Elements. RAM Concept is presented as a specialized application for reinforced and post-tensioned concrete floor systems, including slabs, mats, rafts, tendons, punching shear analysis, and long-term slab deflection evaluation. RAM Elements is introduced as a flexible structural analysis and design environment for components such as trusses, beams, frames, walls, footings, retaining walls, masonry walls, and cold-formed steel elements.

Section 3: RAM Structural System Overview
This section examines RAM Structural System as an integrated platform for building analysis, structural design, and engineering documentation. Learners review its support for static and dynamic analysis, gravity and lateral loading, steel and concrete systems, shear walls, moment frames, braced frames, drift optimization, wall and diaphragm meshing, response spectrum analysis, code-based load combinations, graphical results, reports, CAD exports, and material quantity reporting.

Why Take This Course

This course is useful because it gives learners a structured overview of a software family that can otherwise feel fragmented. Each RAM product has a specific purpose, and understanding those differences helps engineers select the right tool for beam design, connection design, concrete floor systems, component modeling, or whole-building structural analysis.

The course also helps learners connect software features with practical structural engineering tasks. Topics such as load generation, design checks, finite element modeling, graphical output, reporting, material takeoffs, drift analysis, shear wall evaluation, and code-based design are presented as part of professional workflows rather than isolated commands.

For learners preparing to work with Bentley RAM tools, this overview provides a practical foundation before investing time in deeper application-specific training. It clarifies what each product is intended to do and how the RAM ecosystem supports repetitive engineering tasks, design review, analysis interpretation, and deliverable production.

Professional Context

Structural engineering workflows increasingly depend on specialized software for analysis, design, visualization, and documentation. This course positions the Bentley RAM product family within that professional context, helping learners understand how different applications support steel design, concrete design, finite element modeling, connection design, and integrated building analysis. The result is a clearer technical foundation for evaluating RAM tools and understanding their role in structural design practice.

Who this course is for:

Civil engineers who want an introductory overview of Bentley RAM structural tools.
Structural engineers evaluating RAM applications for steel, concrete, and building analysis workflows.
Engineering students who want to understand the purpose of the RAM software family.
BIM modelers and technical users who interact with structural design and analysis deliverables.
AutoCAD or MicroStation users interested in expanding toward structural engineering software workflows.
Professionals preparing to study RAM SBeam, RAM Connection, RAM Concept, RAM Elements, or RAM Structural System in more depth.

Bentley RAM Structural Software Overview | AulaGEO

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction and Steel Design Tools3 lectures • 13min

Concrete and Structural Modeling2 lectures • 23min

RAM Structural System Overview1 lecture • 9min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: