October 4, 2018

Drawing Grid and Other Modeling Improvements

RISAFloor v13 includes a variety of modeling features which allows users to quickly create and manipulate geometry. These features include construction lines, saved selections and copy elements from floor to floor. Overall, these features can be used to help engineers streamline their modeling workflow within RISAFloor.

Tags: RISAFloor ES, RISAFloor, New, Construction Lines, Modeling

September 6, 2018 | RISAFloor ES, RISAFloor, New, Modeling

Copy Elements from Floor to Floor

RISAFloor v13.0 now includes the added ability to graphically copy elements from one floor to another floor. This feature will expedite the modeling process by giving designers more control over which beams, columns, walls and joints are carried over to another floor. To access the tool, click on the Copy Selected Items button to open the dialog box. Once the dialogue appears, choose the Copy to Another Floor radio button. To graphically copy specific elements to another floor within RISAFloor, first select the elements that you would like to copy. In the below example, columns (3-E) and (4-E), beams M15, M16 and M17 and wall WP1 are selected to be copied to the floor above the current floor. Click the Copy Selected Items button, selecting the floor above the current floor (Floor Level 3), while also selecting which element types (beams, columns, wall and joints) you want to copy. Once the selection is made click Apply. The selected items will now appear on Floor Level 3…

October 30, 2020 | Seismic, RISAFoundation, New

Seismic Factors in RISAFoundation Load Combination Generator

Seismic factors, including Omega, Rho and Ev, can now be included in automatically generated Load Combinations. Values for Omega and Rho shall be entered into the Seismic tab of the Model Settings to be considered in the analysis. To include these factors in the non-overstrength Load Combinations, check the “Include Ev (vertical)” and “Include Rho” boxes on the Load Combination Generator dialog for the Seismic Load Options. To generate overstrength (Omega) Load Combinations, choose a radio button under the Overstrength LC Options and select the “Include Ev (vertical)” check box…

October 13, 2011 | Loads, RISAFloor, New

How to Check Floor Vibrations Using RISAFloor

One of the most overlooked design criteria for commercial buildings is the tendency of the floor system to bounce or vibrate due to human footfalls. Excessive vibration of the floor system is a serviceability issue, and can lead to annoyance or concern from the building’s occupants. Fortunately, RISAFloor has the ability to check the floor system’s performance in this regard, based on the criteria defined in AISC Design Guide #11. When you define area loads in RISAFloor, one of the definitions is for Vibration Load (VL). This represents the actual live load anticipated to be present on the floor. While typical design live loads can be upwards of 80 psf, the true live load (which will assist in dampening the floor vibration) in a commercial building is typically less than 20 psf. During solution the program determines the natural frequency of the floor system, considering the self weight of the beams and deck, as well as the additional Vibration Load, and compares that against a dynamic excitation caused by a person walking. The result is an expected floor system acceleration (%g), which can be compared against allowable accelerations for different building types. You can review the vibration results either through…