Tips & Tricks

February 18, 2025

Ready to Reconnect? How to Make the Most of Returning to RISA

Whether you’re coming back to RISA after a short break or revisiting it after years away, we’re here to make your return seamless and rewarding. From updated features to enhanced training resources, RISA is more equipped than ever to support your structural engineering needs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you re-engage with RISA and maximize your experience. 1. Assess Your Needs Before diving back in, take a moment to consider your current project requirements. Are you focusing on steel design, concrete analysis, or something else? Knowing your priorities will help you identify the RISA products and features that align with your goals. Quick Tip: New to RISA? Check out our products with an engineer to see which tools best match your project scope. 2. Explore What’s New RISA software evolves continuously to meet industry demands. If it’s been a while, you might be amazed by the new features and integrations we’ve introduced. For example: Enhanced RISA-3D and RISAFloor integration for seamless lateral and gravity design workflows. New templates and tools for complex systems like semi-rigid diaphragms. Improved interoperability with Revit and other BIM software. Next Step: Visit our New Features page to catch up on the latest updates. 3…

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Slab on Grade Design with RISAFoundation
April 15, 2014

Slab on Grade Design with RISAFoundation

RISAFoundation was originally created as mat slab design software, but with some tweaks in the latest version (v6.0) it is now useful for slab on grade design as well. To get a design for slab on grade simply draw a slab element which has the appropriate thickness:

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How to Add a New Pattern to the Moving Load Database
February 18, 2014

How to Add a New Pattern to the Moving Load Database

RISA-3D and RISA-2D come with a default list of existing moving load patterns. These are listed in the Moving Loads Library which can be viewed by clicking on the Moving Load Patterns button in the Advanced tab.

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How to model a Geodesic Dome in RISA-3D?
February 5, 2014

How to model a Geodesic Dome in RISA-3D?

In modeling what would be a rather difficult geometric structure, by using the Templates database in RISA-3D, a geodesic dome can be constructed rather quickly and easily.

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Designing Built-Up Sections using RISA-3D
January 2, 2014

Designing Built-Up Sections using RISA-3D

Use RISASection to find the properties of built-up steel sections, then model beams using the same section properties in RISA-3D and get full code-checks using AISC 360. This webinar will teach you how to use RISASection quickly and easily to determine complex section properties.

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How Do I Model a Tapered Pipe?
December 30, 2013

How Do I Model a Tapered Pipe?

Tapered members are common for metal buildings and pole-type structures. For tapered wide flange members RISA provides a quick way to generate a tapered section that can then be checked per the provisions of AISC Design Guide 25 on tapered wide flanges.

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What are Web Doubler plates used for in RISAConnection?
December 27, 2013

What are Web Doubler plates used for in RISAConnection?

For moment connections in RISAConnection there is an option to place web doubler plates on the column web. These plates act as a reinforcement for the column web to prevent panel zone shear failure. As shown below, when the flanges of a beam in a moment connection connect to a column they form a...

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