RISA | Tips & Tricks

February 5, 2025

Lifelong Learning in Structural Engineering: Why it Matters?

On January 24th, we celebrate the International Day of Education, a reminder of the transformative power of learning. For structural engineers, education doesn’t stop at graduation. It’s a lifelong journey that ensures we stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field. Let’s explore why ongoing learning, certifications, and training programs are essential to the profession. 1. Staying Current with Industry Trends Structural engineering is constantly advancing. From new materials like high-performance concrete to groundbreaking technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), the industry demands that engineers stay informed. Without continuous education, it’s easy to fall behind. Training programs, webinars, and conferences provide opportunities to stay updated on: Innovations in design and analysis tools. Updated codes and standards like ASCE 7. Emerging challenges, such as designing for climate resilience. By staying current, structural engineers ensure their designs remain safe, efficient, and compliant. 2. Enhancing Professional Competence Continuing education boosts confidence and capability. Certifications and specialized training can open doors to career advancement and increased responsibilities. For example: Earning certifications like SE (Structural Engineer) or LEED AP demonstrates expertise in niche areas. Attending courses on advanced seismic design or progressive collapse analysis strengthens technical skills. Gaining expertise in software like RISA or ADAPT…

September 13, 2017

Vertical Slab and Beam Offsets

In RISAFoundation, you can add a vertical offset for slabs or beams. Traditionally, RISA uses centerline analysis which aligns all elements at their centerline. This is a common structural analysis assumption as the loads will get transferred to the centerline even if there is difference in the...

January 5, 2012

How Do I Assign Joists with Exact Spacing in RISAFloor?

If you want to assign joists in a framing bay with an exact spacing RISAFloor will allow you to specify which side of the bay you want the program to start the spacing measurement from. Go to the Generate Beams within Bay option from the Drawing toolbar. Select the Exact Spacing of option in the...