Risa Tips & Tricks: How to Use Our Structural Analysis Software

April 22, 2026

RISA-3D to RISAConnection: Making the Link Work

RISAConnection is designed to work directly with your RISAFloor and RISA-3D models, not as a separate “export‑and‑forget” tool. When the integration is set up correctly, RISAConnection can read your geometry, member sizes, connection rules, design method, and load combinations, then send connection results back into RISAFloor and RISA-3D for review. This article walks through how the integration behaves, what you can and cannot change in RISAConnection, and how to work with grouped connections efficiently. 1. What Actually Comes into RISAConnection When you integrate from RISAFloor or RISA-3D, RISAConnection creates a .rcn file with the same file name as your model in the same folder. You’ll see that the project is populated with all valid connections—only connection types that RISAConnection can design will be brought in. Data that is integrated: Geometry and member sizes Connection Rules from RISAFloor / RISA-3D (including bolted vs. welded settings) Design Method (ASD or LRFD) Applicable Seismic Design Rules from RISA-3D (for seismic connection types) Load combinations that have the “Connection” check‑box enabled in the RISAFloor / RISA-3D Load Combinations spreadsheet If a connection type or configuration is not supported by RISAConnection, it will not be added to the .rcn project and a warning will be…

Read More

New (48)

March 27, 2013

Nesting Load Combinations

The Load Combinations spreadsheet in RISA-3D is limited to ten columns of...

Read More
March 20, 2013

Plate Contours Compared to Spreadsheet Values

After solution in RISA-3D, you can use Results View Settings to view the...

Read More
February 07, 2013

Tapered Member Design Using AISC Design Guide 25

RISA has now incorporated the tapered member design provisions from Steel...

Read More
January 31, 2013

Slab Modifications in RISAFoundation

This video shows how slab modifications can used to add an opening or...

Read More
January 07, 2013

Import DXF Drawing Grid in RISAFloor

This video shows how to import a DXF as a drawing grid in RISAFloor. To do...

Read More
October 15, 2012

Updated Torsional Shape Properties

RISASection v2 includes updated torsional shape properties for a more...

Read More
October 10, 2012

Using Virtual Joist Girders in RISAFloor

The Steel Joist Institute (SJI) has recently put together a Virtual Joist...

Read More
October 04, 2012

Using Virtual Joist Girders in RISA-3D

The Steel Joist Institute (SJI) has developed a Virtual Joist Girder table...

Read More
September 13, 2012

How Can I Use a Wall for Shear Only (no Bearing) in RISA-3D?

Let’s consider the example of the frame shown below. Suppose there is a...

Read More

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Our monthly "Structural Moment" newsletter is the best way to keep up with RISA’s product updates, new releases, new features, training events, webinars and more...