May 1, 2020

Video: Cold-Formed Steel Member Design in RISACalc

Learn how to load and design individual beam and column cold-formed steel members in RISACalc.

Tags: New, CFS, Cold Formed Steel, RISACalc

June 10, 2014 | RISAFloor, New

How to Model Column Outriggers in RISAFloor

RISAFloor now has the capability to model column outriggers. This feature can be found on the Cantilevers tab within the Draw Beams dialog. All you need to do is define the outrigger member properties (Material and Shape Options), the Length and Angle, and the Function. Click Apply and then click on your column to apply the outrigger. These members will show up in the Beams spreadsheet with the newly added Outrigger checkbox selected. This is not a field that can be edited; therefore all outriggers must be created graphically. Similarly, the end nodes cannot be edited…

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…

July 15, 2025 | Featured, New, RISAConnection, Steel Connections

RISAConnection in Practice

Steel buildings are rarely simple—and the connections that tie them together often present some of the biggest design and coordination challenges. For engineers in the field, tools like RISAConnection aren’t just software—they’re essential to streamlining design, verifying code compliance, and communicating intent clearly to fabricators and EORs. In this post, we’ll look at how engineers actually use RISAConnection in practice—from model integration to managing complex moment frames—and how it fits into modern structural workflows. Starting with the Model: Integrating RISA-3D to RISAConnection On a recent mid-rise office project in the Midwest, the structural engineer used RISA-3D to analyze the gravity and lateral system. Once the analysis was complete, they exported the full 3D model—including geometry and member forces—into RISAConnection. This integration eliminated the need to manually recreate connections in spreadsheets or detail by hand. With member orientation, forces, and geometry already in place, the engineer could immediately start assigning connection types and reviewing code checks. 📺 See how model integration works: Integrating Your 3D Model into RISAConnection Tackling Complex Moment Frames In seismic or wind-controlled regions, moment frames often drive the design—and require careful detailing to meet AISC provisions. On a light manufacturing facility in California, the engineer used RISAConnection…