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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August 16, 2016

Why Can’t I See My RISASection Shapes in the Shape Database?

When using RISA Integration between RISASection and RISA-3D, RISA-2D...

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August 10, 2016

Use Wide Flange Braces in Vertical Brace Connections

RISAConnection now offers the ability to use a wide flange brace member in...

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August 03, 2016

Use HSS Column & Beams in Brace Connections

RISAConnection v6 has added HSS tubes and pipes for Diagonal and Chevron...

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July 27, 2016

Using Eccentric Chevron Brace Workpoints

RISAConnection now offers the ability to enter an eccentric work point for...

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July 12, 2016

Camber Design Rules in RISAFloor

RISAFloor has the ability to assign camber design rules which allow the...

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July 05, 2016

Connection Design per Canadian Steel Code (S16-14) now Available

RISAConnection now offers connection design per the Canadian CSA S16-2014...

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June 28, 2016

Calculation of Forces in Seismic Brace Connections

Seismic brace connections are a bit different from other connection types...

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June 28, 2016

Seismic Brace Connection Integration with RISA-3D

RISAConnection version 6.0 has introduced the ability to design vertical...

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June 17, 2016

Why Do Seismic Brace Story Forces Change My Existing Code Checks?

It is possible for seismic (OCBF or SCBF) vertical braced connections to...

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