
February 20, 2024
Gross and Net Soil Pressures
In RISAFoundation, the Allowable Soil Bearing value is controlled by the Soil Region. This value is always taken as a Gross allowable soil pressure by default.
In structural engineering, few design challenges are as rewarding—or as unforgiving—as the tall building. While gravity systems and code checks form the backbone of any structural project, once a structure rises beyond ten or fifteen stories, a shift occurs. Wind and seismic forces begin to dominate. Story drift and torsional irregularities become non-negligible. Load paths grow increasingly indirect. And design decisions, if not carefully made early on, can have exponential consequences higher in the structure. Tall buildings are not simply “bigger” versions of short ones. They behave differently. And understanding those differences is essential for any engineer working in an urban environment where building vertically is often the only viable path forward. Modeling for Reality, Not Just Code The foundation of any successful tall building design lies in the model—its assumptions, resolution, and degree of abstraction. Many engineers begin with simplified representations: rigid diaphragms, idealized connections, and linear material properties. This is practical and often sufficient for early design phases. But as the building increases in height and complexity, those assumptions may start to mask critical behaviors. Semi-rigid diaphragm modeling, for instance, allows engineers to capture in-plane flexibility of floor systems—especially important in buildings with irregular cores, open floor plans,…
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In RISAFoundation, the Allowable Soil Bearing value is controlled by the Soil Region. This value is always taken as a Gross allowable soil pressure by default.
Looking to enhance your workflow and boost productivity in RISA-3D? In this latest release of RISA-3D v22, we've included customizable hot keys. From speeding up common tasks to streamlining your design process, customizable hot keys offer a plethora of benefits for users of all levels. Try out the...
We're thrilled to announce the release of RISAFloor v18.0, packed with exciting new features to enhance your structural design experience. One standout addition is the Wall Panel Opening Quick Add & Editor Tool, designed to streamline your workflow like never before. With live dynamic dimensions...
Introducing RISA-3D v22.0, the latest milestone in structural engineering innovation! One of the standout features of this release is the ability to move nodes with a simple mouse gesture in the 3D graphical view. This intuitive functionality revolutionizes your design process, allowing for...
We're excited to unveil the latest advancements in structural design with the release of RISAFloor and RISA-3D v22.0! This update introduces a groundbreaking feature that allows you to seamlessly incorporate columns into walls, revolutionizing the way you model and analyze structural elements. With...
The all new RISAFoundation provides engineers with a fresh new take on our foundation analysis and design software. With a completely redesigned interface and robust graphical modeling tools, RISAFoundation v16 allows engineers to work more efficiently and get the most out of the software. The...
New features are now available in the recent release of RISACore (RISA-3D v22.0, RISAFloor v18.0, and RISAFoundation v16.0) . We are working hard to add the features and functionality that our customers have requested as soon as they become available. With that in mind, we have prepared a new...
ADAPT-Builder Version 23.0.0 is now available and includes the following enhancements: Torsion Design of Beams per ACI 318 19/22 New Tendon and Rebar Display Managers ACI 318-19(22) Code Updates Column Code Check Improvements: Added Exact Calculation Method Added Input for Parme Beta Factor for PCA...
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