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

September 1, 2026

Celebrating RISA Since 1987

1987 was the year President Reagan told Gorbachev to “tear down this wall” and the New York Giants won their first Super Bowl. Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and The Bangles’ “Walk Like an Egyptian” topped the charts. While Pope John Paul II’s visit to Los Angeles drew national attention, the engineering world was also getting exciting news out of Southern California. RISA was founded there in September 1987. For nearly four decades, RISA has partnered with engineers to turn vision into structure. RISA-2D started it all, offering a simplified and straightforward software for the analysis and design of 2D structures. Today, that foundation has grown into a family of 10 products that support engineers throughout the design process from a single steel connection to a multi-story, post-tensioned concrete building. Through every stage of our company’s growth, RISA’s focus has remained the same: put the engineer first. RISA develops practical software with intuitive interfaces and efficient workflows, helping engineers spend less time on redundant tasks and more time applying their expertise to complex design challenges. We are grateful to the engineers who have been part of the RISA journey. Your trust, feedback, and challenging projects have helped shape…

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April 12, 2017

Semi-Rigid Diaphragms now Available

RISAFloor now has the ability to model a Semi-Rigid, Rigid or Flexible...

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March 15, 2017

Added Knee Brace Connections

RISAConnection v7 recently added a new Knee Brace (Kicker Brace)...

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February 23, 2017

Using Transverse Stiffeners and Web Doublers Together

RISAConnection v7 now allows both Transverse Column Flange Stiffeners and...

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February 15, 2017

CSA S16-14 Canadian Steel Code now Available

RISA-3D now supports hot rolled steel design for the Canadian market...

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February 01, 2017

Enhanced "Move" Tools in RISAFloor

RISAFloor v11 includes the ability to re-position selected elements such...

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January 18, 2017

Masonry Retaining Walls now Available

Now available in RISAFoundation v9 is the ability to design masonry...

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January 11, 2017

What's New in IBC 2015?

These include:

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December 16, 2016

Viewing Coordinates in Cursor Display

In RISA-3D, RISAFloor, and RISAFoundation the cursor now provides...

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