RISA | Tips & Tricks | RISA-3D (17)

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…

September 13, 2018

Steel Design per AISC 15th Edition Steel Manual now Available

The new AISC 360-16 15th Edition changes have been implemented into RISA-3D v17.0 and RISAFloor v13.0.

August 23, 2018

P-Delta Instability with Gravity Only Loads

“Why am I receiving a P-Delta instability error when I run my DL + LL load combination? I don’t see this error when I run my lateral load only combination.”

August 16, 2018

Modeling Cables in RISA-3D

One of the support questions we get most often is, “How can I model a cable element in RISA-3D?” Cables that are straight and experience only axial loading can be easily modeled. When modeling structures with cables (such as guyed structures) the cables can be modeled as tension only and doing so...

August 2, 2018

Governing Load Combinations for Shear in Concrete Columns

For concrete column members, the load combination producing the maximum shear code check is reported in the Detail Report and corresponding Results spreadsheet. Since concrete is evaluated based on a batch solution, this can be useful when shear governs the design.

July 19, 2018

Designing Multi-Material Models for ASD & LRFD with one solution

RISA-3D includes material specific checkboxes on the Design tab of the Load Combinations spreadsheet that allow you to define the load combinations that shall be checked for members of different materials.

July 12, 2018

Plate Elements Available in Material Takeoff

RISA-3D now includes plate elements in the Material Takeoff.

June 28, 2018

A Deeper Understanding of Deflection and Member Deflection Ratios

There are many different types deflection values calculated by RISA-3D. Let’s take a deeper dive into each.

June 21, 2018

Beam Deflection Ratio Options

RISA-3D v16.0.4 introduces an enhancement that will allow for more control over the beam deflection ratio through Deflection Ratio Options. As part of the member properties, you can now designate the ends of single and multi-span beams as a cantilever or supported. This will determine whether the...

June 7, 2018

Improved Automesh & Local Axis Settings

RISA-3D now includes improved behavior of the automesh feature as well as the newly added global model setting for Plate Local Axis. The new plate local axis options include both Nodal and Global. These options allow for more control over plates which can lead to clearer results in plate contour...

Tips & Tricks