Tips & Tricks

June 3, 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Instability Warnings in RISA-3D

Modeling instability can be one of the most frustrating errors to troubleshoot in structural software. Whether you're a new user or a seasoned pro, instability warnings in RISA-3D can bring your workflow to a halt if not properly diagnosed and resolved. This master article brings together all the most common types of instability, provides guidance on identifying the issue, and links to existing resources that walk you through the resolution process. To supplement this written guide, check out the Troubleshooting Mini Tutorial in the RISA Learning Center (RLC). Common Instability Types and How to Resolve Them Below are the five most common causes of instability in a RISA-3D model, along with diagnosis tips and links to deeper resources: 1. Member End Releases at Boundary Conditions Symptom: Instability warnings at the base of columns or ends of beams. Diagnosis: Look for members where moment releases are applied directly at nodes with pinned or fixed boundary conditions. Why It’s a Problem: This removes all rotational fixity at the connection, creating a hinge with no resistance to rotation. Resolution Resource: How do I avoid instability warnings in a RISA-3D model? 2. Pinned End Releases at Every Member Framing into a Single Node Symptom:…

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User Defined Reinforcement
October 7, 2017

User Defined Reinforcement

RISAFloor ES v12 now includes the ability to manually define user reinforcement in concrete slabs.

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Eurocode Steel Design According to EN1993-1-1:2014 now Available
October 4, 2017

Eurocode Steel Design According to EN1993-1-1:2014 now Available

You can now set the L-Torque length for the EN1993-1-1:2014 code in RISA-3D and RISAFloor. In previous versions of the Eurocode, RISAFloor and RISA-3D used the full member length as the torque length when calculating torsional buckling. Now, per EN1993-1-1:2014 Section 13.3.2, we’ve added the...

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Detach an Integrated RISAConnection Model
October 3, 2017

Detach an Integrated RISAConnection Model

RISAFloor, RISA-3D, and Revit can export connection rule and loading information to streamline the design process for a project with numerous connections. This process helps to quickly create connections with the member shape, geometry, and loading information from the original program.

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Custom Loading in Integrated RISAConnection Model
September 15, 2017

Custom Loading in Integrated RISAConnection Model

RISAConnection v7.0.1 includes the option for customized loading in an integrated RISAConnection model. If you have used RISA-3D or RISAFloor to export connection rules for design in RISAConnection, they also exported over the forces per the solved load combinations.

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Enhanced Live Load Reduction
September 14, 2017

Enhanced Live Load Reduction

The consideration of Live Load reduction is a feature that has been in RISAFloor from the very beginning. However, recent changes to the interface make it significantly easier for you to understand how live load reduction is affecting the design forces in your structure.

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Vertical Slab and Beam Offsets
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...

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