Tips & Tricks

September 16, 2025

What’s New in ASCE 7-22?

The ASCE/SEI 7-22 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures introduces significant updates from ASCE 7-16. The most notable changes impact wind and seismic provisions, along with new load combination rules that directly affect structural analysis and design. With the release of RISA-3D v23, engineers can now take advantage of these updates directly within their workflows. Why This Matters for Engineers? The most impactful provisions of ASCE 7-22 — wind, seismic, and load combinations — are now supported in RISA-3D v23, ensuring your projects remain compliant with the latest building codes and IBC 2024 adoption. Download the latest versions of RISA that supports ASCE 7-22 below. 1. Wind Provisions Key changes in ASCE 7-22 affect wind speed maps, velocity pressure equations, and roof zone definitions. Topic ASCE 7-16 ASCE 7-22 Design in RISA Wind Speed Maps Based on 2016 hurricane data Updated hurricane & transition zone maps RISA-3D generates wind loads per ASCE 7-22, reflecting updated maps Velocity Pressure (Kd) Included directionality factor Kd removed Automatically handled in RISA-3D wind load generation Roof Zones Based on h/B ratio for hip roofs h/B removed; new GCp values and roof zoning RISA-3D applies updated coefficients for accurate roof…

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Slab on Grade Design with RISAFoundation
April 15, 2014

Slab on Grade Design with RISAFoundation

RISAFoundation was originally created as mat slab design software, but with some tweaks in the latest version (v6.0) it is now useful for slab on grade design as well. To get a design for slab on grade simply draw a slab element which has the appropriate thickness:

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How to Add a New Pattern to the Moving Load Database
February 18, 2014

How to Add a New Pattern to the Moving Load Database

RISA-3D and RISA-2D come with a default list of existing moving load patterns. These are listed in the Moving Loads Library which can be viewed by clicking on the Moving Load Patterns button in the Advanced tab.

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How to model a Geodesic Dome in RISA-3D?
February 5, 2014

How to model a Geodesic Dome in RISA-3D?

In modeling what would be a rather difficult geometric structure, by using the Templates database in RISA-3D, a geodesic dome can be constructed rather quickly and easily.

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Designing Built-Up Sections using RISA-3D
January 2, 2014

Designing Built-Up Sections using RISA-3D

Use RISASection to find the properties of built-up steel sections, then model beams using the same section properties in RISA-3D and get full code-checks using AISC 360. This webinar will teach you how to use RISASection quickly and easily to determine complex section properties.

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How Do I Model a Tapered Pipe?
December 30, 2013

How Do I Model a Tapered Pipe?

Tapered members are common for metal buildings and pole-type structures. For tapered wide flange members RISA provides a quick way to generate a tapered section that can then be checked per the provisions of AISC Design Guide 25 on tapered wide flanges.

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What are Web Doubler plates used for in RISAConnection?
December 27, 2013

What are Web Doubler plates used for in RISAConnection?

For moment connections in RISAConnection there is an option to place web doubler plates on the column web. These plates act as a reinforcement for the column web to prevent panel zone shear failure. As shown below, when the flanges of a beam in a moment connection connect to a column they form a...

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