May 23, 2025

RISA Software Options for Students and Educators

Empowering the Next Generation of Structural Engineers

RISA is committed to supporting the academic community with free and affordable access to the same powerful software used by professionals in the industry. Whether you're a student just starting your journey or an educator shaping future engineers, we’ve got tools and resources designed just for you.

Student Plan

Students at qualified educational institutions can receive free, individual access to the RISA software they need for their coursework.

What’s Included:

Semester-long access to requested RISA products
Free resources via the RISA Learning Center
Ideal for structural analysis, design, and modeling courses

Student Plan

Educator Plan

Educators can access free, cloud-based network licensing for classroom and lab use.

What’s Included:

20 concurrent use licenses for RISA-3D, RISAFloor, RISAFoundation, ADAPT-Builder PT, and ADAPT-PT/RC
Optional annual renewal each July 15th
Free access to the RISA Learning Center for on-demand and live training

Educator Plan

Included RISA Software:

Tags: New, Educational

April 3, 2012 | Seismic, Dynamics, RISA-3D, RISA-2D, New

Why Don’t My Response Spectra Reactions Satisfy Statics?

The applied loads in a response spectrum analysis (RSA) are the applied masses times the accelerations in the response spectra. Each mode of vibration produces its own set of joint reactions. The reactions for each mode obey statics as shown in the portal frame example shown below: Response Spectrum Analysis involves the statistical combination of the response from multiple modes. A loss of sign results when the individual modal results are combined together to form the total RSA result. Below is an example of the equations used for Square Root Sum of Squares (SRSS) method: The above equation makes it clear that the final results for R1 and R2 will have the same sign despite the fact that individual modal results (R11 and R21) may have had opposite signs. If this were a statically applied lateral load, the reactions would be equal and opposite with a total net upwards reaction of zero. It is possible for the model to approximately match statics if the option to Use Dominant Mode for Signage is selected. This option merely looks at the reactions for the mode with the highest % mass participation and assigns a positive or negative sign to each joint reaction…

April 29, 2025 | New, Educational

RISA Customer Portal for Educational Users

RISA Educational Program RISA is proud to continue supporting the next generation of structural engineers by offering free access to our software through the RISA Educational Grant Program. For 2025, participating universities can access RISA software for $0 with a streamlined renewal and purchase process. How to Enroll Users There are two roles: Admin and Engineer. See the roles and permissions explain below. Instructors or University Admins should be assigned to the Adming role in the RISA Customer Portal Students should be assigned to the Engineer role in the RISA Customer Portal. To learn more about the RISA Educational Program, visit the page below. RISA Educational Program Already a practicing engineer? Try RISA and see the difference for yourself…

February 15, 2022 | RISA-3D, New, Analysis, P-Delta

P-Delta Analysis using Geometric Nonlinear Stiffness in RISA-3D

RISA-3D continues to be at the cutting-edge of finite elements analysis software with the release of the Geometric Nonlinear Stiffness method for use during P-Delta analysis. Traditionally, RISA-3D considered P-Delta effects using a Standard Nodal Shear methodology which applies pseudo shear loads at the individual member nodes based on the axial load, lateral deflection and member geometry. To select this method, navigate to Model Settings > Advanced. When comparing the two methods, the standard Nodal Shear Method has been used for many years when considering P-Delta effects in RISA-3D. It is a widely utilized methodology in evaluating the secondary effect of the structure and proved to have great performance in most cases. However, due to the limitations of the method itself, it diverges quickly when axial loads approach the buckling loads. As a result, the P-Delta divergence could potentially occur prematurely for some structures. Another limitation of this method is that the loading is node based, and due to this, users would have to manually add internal nodes along the member to properly consider the P-small delta effect. For additional information on the Nodal Shear Method in RISA-3D and how it handles small P-Delta effects, visit our Online Help. Search…