
June 19, 2014
How to Use Moving Loads
RISA-3D and RISA-2D will allow you to add a moving load pattern to your model and include it in your envelope solution.
In structural steel projects, the transition from design to fabrication is a common source of coordination challenges. One of the biggest pain points? Connection design. Whether it’s miscommunication on end reactions or unclear design intent, connection assumptions can break down in the gap between engineering and detailing. By using RISA-3D and RISAConnection—and leveraging direct integrations with SDS2 and Tekla Structures—structural engineers can streamline the handoff to fabricators, reduce errors, and improve collaboration. This post walks through how to support real-world coordination using these tools in practice. 1. Model and Analyze the Steel Frame in RISA-3D Start by building your structural steel frame in RISA-3D. Define geometry, assign member sizes, apply loads, and analyze the model. Once you're satisfied with the analysis results, RISA-3D provides the connection forces—axial, shear, and moment reactions—for each member end. 2. Export Connection Forces to RISAConnection Next, send selected members and their design forces to RISAConnection. This direct integration eliminates the need to manually transfer loads or recreate geometry. Once in RISAConnection, you can: Choose from a library of shear, moment, and braced connections Model the full geometry, including bolt patterns, welds, and gusset plates View pass/fail results for each limit state, with clear failure mode…
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RISA-3D and RISA-2D will allow you to add a moving load pattern to your model and include it in your envelope solution.
RISAFloor now has the capability to model column outriggers. This feature can be found on the Cantilevers tab within the Draw Beams dialog.
Print reports can contain spreadsheet information, graphic views, detail reports for specific members and load combinations, and external images such as hand calculations, title pages, etc. When in a model view, you will notice a button with an image of a camera on it in the toolbar:
Need to first know how to model a slab on grade? See our Slabs on Grade article to learn how to model slabs on grade:
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:
Now you have the ability to add in your customized company logo to a report.
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.
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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