May 10, 2018

Viewing Design Foundations in RISA-3D

RISA-3D v16 now includes the added ability to view foundations designed in RISAFoundation. This feature proves useful as it gives a way for engineers to see if foundations have been sized appropriately for the loading from RISA-3D. For more information about how foundations can be shown in RISA-3D, view the video posted to YouTube.

Tags: RISA-3D, New, Foundations

October 30, 2020 | RISA-3D, RISAFoundation, New, Basic Load Case, v19, Loading, v13

Expanded Load Categories in RISA-3D and RISAFoundation

New to RISA-3D v19 and RISAFoundation v13 is the ability to apply up to 100 "Other Load" Categories. Previously users only had the ability to add up to 10 "Other Load" Categories. The expansion of "Other Load" Categories gives the user more flexibility to be able to apply and organize the loading in the model to fit their needs. To apply "Other Load" Categories in RISA-3D, simply select the "Other Load" Category from the drop down menu when drawing loads. To include the "Other Load" Categories in the Load Combinations in RISA-3D, you may either enter OL1-OL100 in the BLC field or you can select the ellipses to prompt the Set BLC Entry and select the "Other Load" Category from the drop down menu. To apply "Other Load" Categories in RISAFoundation, choose the "Other Loads" from the dropdown on the Distributed Loads Spreadsheet (or in the left Properties Toolbar) and choose a value between 1 and 100. To include these "Other Loads" in Load Combinations, you may either enter OL1-OL100 in the BLC field or you can select the red arrow to prompt the Set Category Entry and choose the "Other Loads" radio button and input a value between 1…

October 4, 2018 | RISA-3D, New, Analysis

Partial Fixity End Releases in RISA-3D

RISA-3D v17.0 now has the ability to model partial fixity member end releases. Partial fixity end releases can be utilized in RISA to model the behavior of a partially restrained or semi-rigid connection that cannot be idealized as fully fixed or pinned. Partially restrained connections are common in seismic moment frame systems and their semi-rigid rotational behavior can now be modeled in RISA-3D. A partial fixity end release reduces the rotational stiffness at the member end joint by applying a rotational spring constant value entered by the user. RISA-3D uses the Euler-Bernoulli beam formulation to introduce this spring constant in the stiffness matrix. Partial fixity end releases can be applied in the Properties Panel by clicking on the ellipses the I or J end release cell: Once a rotational stiffness is applied, the connection at that member’s joint will become more flexible as they are partially restrained. Graphically, the end release will show a symbol to designate that a partial fixity end release has been assigned. In the three examples above, the various frames have a beam to column connection that is either fixed, partially restrained, or pinned. The second frame beam has a rotational partial fixity member end release…

October 30, 2020 | RISA-3D, Results, New, v19

Improvements to Solid Elements in RISA-3D

A number of improvements have been made to solid elements in RISA-3D v19 allowing users enhanced flexibility in viewing input data as well as evaluating results associated with solid elements. Solid Primary Data Spreadsheet Once solid elements have been drawn, you now have the option to view their properties in the Solids spreadsheet. From within the spreadsheet, the material type and the activation of solids may be modified. Internal Force Summation Tool The Internal Force Summation Tool (IFST) is now available to be used on solid elements. Similar to plates, you will select the IFST from the ‘Selection Toolbar’ on the left side of the 3D window. To define the cutting plane, select two nodes. This will define the start and end of the cutting plane as well as lock the cutting plane to that exact location. The Internal Force Summation Tool uses a new axis so it's important to view your model in the Plan or Elevation View to get accurate results. Clicking a third time will initiate the Internal Force Summation results dialog. The axes shown in the dialog correspond to the direction in which the cutting plan was selected with the "1" direction running along the line…