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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June 15, 2015

Capture Animation in RISA

This video will demonstrate how to capture the animation from RISA-3D into...

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June 15, 2015

Improved Result Access in RISA

This video tutorial will demonstrate how to find quickly review the...

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May 27, 2015

Include Moving Load in Batch Solution

With the new release of RISA-3D v13.0, you now have the ability to include...

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May 20, 2015

How Do I Change the Slab Local Axes?

RISAFoundation has the ability to change the Local Axes for slabs. This is...

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May 13, 2015

Circular Pedestals on Spread Footings

Circular pedestals and posts can be added to spread footings in...

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May 04, 2015

Ritz Vector Solver (Dynamics) now Available

RISA-3D v13 includes a new Ritz Vector Solver for the Dynamic analysis....

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April 22, 2015

Which Wall Footing Type Should I Use?

RISAFoundation has the ability to define different types of wall footings....

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April 15, 2015

How Do I Detach a Wall Panel From a Diaphragm?

The ability to detach a wall panel from a diaphragm was a feature added in...

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April 08, 2015

How can I transfer my slab design from RISAFloor ES onto drawings?

The ability of RISAFloor ES to design rebar for two way concrete slabs is...

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