RAM application

We always used RAM to design all the columns, ignoring the lateral wind, then went back and manually designed the individual exterior columns using RAM column load information and superimposing the lateral wind, creating a beam-column condition.

I mentioned this to RAM a few years ago and the response was that they hadn't integrated that concept into their software but eventually would. I don't believe that the latest version yet allows this consideration.

I believe you can design this in RAM SS by designing every column as a frame member, and placing point loads at the girt locations.

Do you have to calculate all the point loads by hand?

Yes, you would have to calculate the nodal loads by hand. You may have to create a story at the girt locations, so that the actual node locations will be created.

Don't forget to disconnect the node from the diaphragm above unless you want the column to be MWFRS resisting.

I always just check wind girts and wind columns by hand. Check the column for bending with the worst case wind girt loading including both deflection and bending stress. Then print out your column summary results from RAM and make sure you exterior columns have enough reserve capacity so the unity equation (including the hand calc bending stress) is less than one. If it is greater than one, you can check it with load combinations including two or more transient loads. I merely increase the column size instead of refining the load combos. You might find that the deflection limits often control when you are dealing with masonry facades.