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

July 22, 2026

Did You Know? 5 RISA Account Benefits You Might Be Missing

If you use RISA regularly, you probably already know how powerful the software is for structural analysis and design. But in conversations with thousands of engineers over the years, we’ve found that some of RISA’s most valuable benefits still fly under the radar. Here are five things you might not know about your RISA experience: 1. Licenses Are More Flexible Than You Think RISA subscription licenses are not locked to a specific user or machine. Instead, they’re shared across your team through the RISA Customer Portal. This makes it easy to collaborate, scale usage, and ensure your team always has access when they need it. 2. Adding Licenses Gets More Affordable As your team grows, so does your efficiency—and your savings. RISA uses a tiered pricing structure, meaning additional licenses are automatically discounted. In some cases, you can receive up to 50% off additional seats, making it easier to expand without stretching your budget. 3. Direct Access to Support Engineers When questions come up, you’re not talking to a generic support line. RISA’s technical support team is made up of structural engineers based in the U.S., available Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PT. Whether it’s modeling…

Read More

October 17, 2025

The Hidden Tension Tie: When Rigid Diaphragms Meet Sloping Members

Rigid diaphragms in RISA-3D are a powerful way to model how floor systems...

Read More
September 16, 2025

What’s New in ASCE 7-22?

The ASCE/SEI 7-22 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for...

Read More
September 16, 2025

What’s New in ANSI/AISC 360-22?

The ANSI/AISC 360 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings is the...

Read More
September 09, 2025

How to Use Multi-Period Response Spectrum Data for Seismic Load Generation?

With the adoption of ASCE 7-22, the concept of a multi-period response...

Read More
September 04, 2025

Understanding Sign Conventions for Members Across RISA Software

RISA software products use different sign conventions depending on the...

Read More
September 04, 2025

Understanding Sign Conventions for Wall Panels & Plates in RISA

While members (beams and columns) follow conventions tied to their local...

Read More
August 13, 2025

What Happens During a RISA Software Tour?

Exploring a new structural design software purchase? If you’ve ever...

Read More
Slab vs spread footing in RISAFoundation
July 29, 2025

Slab vs. Spread Footing in RISAFoundation: What's the Difference?

We often get asked: “Should I model my foundation as a slab or a spread...

Read More
July 22, 2025

Designing Light-Framed Structures: Tips for Wood & CFS

Light-framed construction has become increasingly prevalent in mid-rise...

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...