Risa Tips & Tricks: How to Use Our Structural Analysis Software

July 30, 2026

Need Help with RISA? Here Are Your Go-To Resources

RISA supports you at every stage of your design process, from the first click in the program to the final design. Whether you need a quick answer or in-depth guidance, we offer a wide range of resources to help you work efficiently and with confidence. The RISA Help Files Get answers on all the behind-the-scenes technical information including analysis methods, variable definitions, and design assumptions. The help file provides transparency into the program methodology to make sure RISA engineers can feel confident in the results. The help file is available for each program in the RISA suite for tailored information. It can be accessed at risa.com/help or press F1 within the program for even easier access. Tips & Tricks Blog Explore modeling tips, troubleshooting ideas, and engineering insights on the RISA blog. Our blog articles are designed as quick reads to help engineers find answers fast. Start reading at blog.risa.com. The Video Library See the workflow in real time with the RISA video library at risa.com/videos. From quick clips showing a specific concept to full on-demand webinars, these videos help you understand workflows and seamlessly navigate the interface. Learning Paths Start exploring RISA with on-demand interactive training through our learning…

Read More

February 04, 2016

How to Add a Drop Panel

In RISAFloor ES, you can quickly thicken the slab in the column strip area...

Read More
January 20, 2016

Why Did My Reinforcing Change in ACI 318-14?

The new ACI 318-14 code has been implemented into RISA-3D V14, RISAFloor...

Read More
January 14, 2016

Importing a Time History Function

New in RISA-3D v14 is the introduction of a Time History analysis feature....

Read More
January 07, 2016

Mechanically Graded Wood Design now Available

Mechanically graded wood materials have been added for the AWC NDS 2015...

Read More
December 22, 2015

Wood Design per AWC NDS 2015 Wood Code

The latest versions of RISA-3D and RISAFloor now incorporate the AWC NDS...

Read More
December 16, 2015

Concrete Design per ACI 318-14 Concrete Code now Available

The new ACI 318-14 code has been implemented into RISA-3D v14, RISAFloor...

Read More
December 09, 2015

Envelope Detail Report Results

RISA-3D v14 introduced envelope detail reports for all material members....

Read More
November 10, 2015

How Do I Define Specific Member Sizes in RISAFloor?

RISAFloor is a design program in which it takes basic shape criteria about...

Read More
October 28, 2015

Tolerance Between SP Joists vs. Normal Joists

Have you been in RISAFloor performing a steel product design and noticed...

Read More

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Our monthly "Structural Moment" newsletter is the best way to keep up with RISA’s product updates, new releases, new features, training events, webinars and more...