September 7, 2021

How to Define Steel Connections in RISAFloor & RISA-3D

One of the advantages of the RISA Building System is the ability to utilize and share model information (geometry, loading, etc.) between software packages. One such way, is the ability to define hot-rolled steel connections in RISAFloor and/or RISA-3D and then transfer them to RISAConnection for design.

Once a model is created in RISAFloor/RISA-3D, users can assign connections and then transfer the connection to RISAConnection. During this process, the software will test whether the connection is valid based on the defined "Connection Rules". The proper definition of these "Connection Rules" is where many questions arise and understanding how this process will make steel connection design using RISA software a seamless process.

Typical Workflow

Users must define desired "Connection Rules" in the spreadsheet.

Once the "Connection Rules" are defined, the rules can be assigned to the appropriate member ends in the model.

Use the Member Ends > Connection Rules button located on the "Quick View" toolbar to view the assigned connection rules (color coded) directly on the model. You can also use the Member Label > Connection Rules button to graphically display the connection name.

For specific information on assigning each of RISAConnection's eleven (11) available connection types, please review the supplemental articles listed below:

Defining Connections: Beam to Girder Connections

Defining Connections: Column to Beam Connections

Defining Connections: Beam and Column Splice Connections

Once users have all of their "Connection Rules" properly assigned, the load combinations required for connection design must be defined.

Finally, click "Solve - Batch or a Single Load Combination" to run the solution in RISA-3D and then use the Director - RISAConnection button to send the model to RISAConnection.

Invalid Connection Definition

If RISA-3D identifies any invalid connection, users will receive an error message when attempting to transfer a model from RISA-3D to RISAConnection.

Note: Choosing "Yes" will launch RISAConnection and ignore all invalid connections.

If invalid connections are present, users can review the specific issues/error messages by opening the "Connection Results" spreadsheet.

For all connections there are a few "golden rules" that users must follow to ensure that the connection defined won't be "invalid". These are as follows:

For Column/Beam connections the rule is assigned to the beam end but not the column.
For Girder/Beam connections the rule is assigned to the beam end but not the girder.
For Column/Beam/Brace connections the rule is assigned to the beam and brace(s) ends but not the column.
For Chevron Brace connections the rule is assigned to the brace ends but not the beam.
For Knee Brace connections the rule is assigned to the brace ends but not the supporting beam or column.
For Splice connections, the rule is assigned to both of the Column or Beam ends.

For more information, review the entire list of possible RISA-3D to RISAConnection integration error messages found in the RISA Help file by clicking the link below:

RISA Help File

Tags: RISA-3D, New, RISAConnection, Steel Connections, Defining Connections: Beam and Column Splices Conn, Defining Connections: Column to Beam Connections, Defining Connections: Beam to Girder Connections, Integration

June 28, 2016 | Seismic, New, RISAConnection, News, Brace Connection, Integration

Seismic Brace Connection Integration with RISA-3D

RISAConnection version 6.0 has introduced the ability to design vertical brace connections per the seismic design provisions of the AISC 341-10 Seismic Design Manual. Now you can export Vertical Diagonal Brace Connections and Vertical Chevron Brace Connections from RISA-3D into RISAConnection as either Ordinary Concentric Braced Frames (OCBF) or Special Concentric Braced Frames (SCBF). See post for information on How to Model a Seismic Vertical Brace Connection in the stand alone version of RISAConnection. Link: Seismic Brace Connections now Available RISA-3D Input and Design: 1. First, you must create and apply a Seismic vertical brace Connection Rule to your member in RISA-3D. The application rules are the same as for non-seismic vertical braces. 2. You must also create and apply an appropriate Seismic Design Rule. For OCBF, select a “Minimal” Frame Ductility. For SCBF, select “High” Frame Ductility. 3. Solve the RISA-3D model. Note that you must solve for RISA-3D Seismic Detailing results. If your solution does not include Seismic Detailing results, you will not be able to export the correct brace axial forces into RISAConnection. 4. Solve the Connections within RISA-3D to see a summary of the connection design. 5. For details on the connection design, use the Director…

August 22, 2011 | RISA-3D, New, RISAConnection

How to Define Connections from within RISA-3D

Steel connections can be designed from within RISA-3D using the integration with RISAConnection. Before you start your connection design, you’ll need to define the type of connection and assign the connections to the beams. Just follow these steps in the RISA-3D model: 1. Define the Member Types in your RISA-3D model. You can define the member type (Column, Beam, Vbrace or HBrace) when you draw the member or you can modify it within the Members spreadsheet. 2. Define the Connection rules. The program is automatically loaded with default connection types or you can create more by pressing enter at the bottom of the Connection Rule spreadsheet. 3. Assign the Connection rules to the beams. You can assign the Connection Rules graphically by selecting all beams using the Select by Property tool, then make the changes to the RISAConnection Properties within the Properties Panel Or in the Members spreadsheet (on the RISAConnection tab) you can define the Start Conn and End Conn: Note: You only need to apply the Connection Rules to the beams; not the columns. 4. Run the RISA-3D model and use the Director button to send the connections to RISAConnection. You can solve a single load combination or…

July 14, 2015 | Seismic, RISA-3D, RISAFloor, New, RISAConnection

How to Import a Seismic Moment Connection into RISAConnection

Design for seismic connection detailing is now available in RISAConnection and you can use the connection rules within RISAFloor and RISA-3D to export a RISAConnection model. The integration will import the connection forces (and seismic detailing results) into RISAConnection for seismic moment frame connection design. From RISA-3D: First, you must apply both a “Column/Beam Seismic Moment” connection rule and a seismic design rule to the member (beam) within RISA-3D. Next, solve the RISA-3D model in order to review your seismic detailing results. If you do not have seismic detailing results in RISA-3D, then the information cannot be exported to RISAConnection. For more information about seismic detailing results, see the RISA-3D Help file topic “Seismic Detailing“. Use the Director tool to export the model into RISAConnection. When exported into RISAConnection, the program will determine the connection type, seismic system, and seismic input values based on the applied RISA-3D seismic design rule and the RISA-3D solution results. Once in RISAConnection, these cannot be changed. From RISAFloor: Apply the “Seismic Moment” connection rule to lateral members with RISAFloor (see above) or in RISA-3D. Solve the model in RISAFloor and use the Director tool to take the model into RISA-3D. Apply the Seismic Design…