How can I find the deflection of plates?
May 15, 2013

How can I find the deflection of plates?

Below is a model of a flat concrete slab made of plates. In order to ensure adequate serviceability of the slab, you may need to check the deflection of the slab between columns. However, RISA-3D only reports Member and Joint Deflections. There is no such thing as a “Plate Deflection”.

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Internal Force Summation Tool Basics
April 9, 2013

Internal Force Summation Tool Basics

The Internal Force Summation Tool has the ability to "cut through" elements in the model and produce a summation of forces that corresponds with a given load combination. For this example, we will use the following model and review the summation of forces in the horizontal concrete plates.

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Nesting Load Combinations
March 27, 2013

Nesting Load Combinations

The Load Combinations spreadsheet in RISA-3D is limited to ten columns of BLC and Factor combinations. However, there are times where you may need to include additional entries to your Load Combination. To do this, you can simply “nest” your load combinations.

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Tapered Member Design Using AISC Design Guide 25
February 7, 2013

Tapered Member Design Using AISC Design Guide 25

RISA has now incorporated the tapered member design provisions from Steel Design Guide 25: Frame Design Using Web-Tapered Members written by Richard Kaehler, Don White and Yoon Kuk Kim. These code checking procedures are used whenever the AISC 13th or 14th edition steel codes are selected.

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Using Virtual Joist Girders in RISA-3D
October 4, 2012

Using Virtual Joist Girders in RISA-3D

The Steel Joist Institute (SJI) has developed a Virtual Joist Girder table which converts common joist sizes into equivalent wide flange beams for use in RISA-3D.

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How Can I Use a Wall for Shear Only (no Bearing) in RISA-3D?
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 diaphragm present at the framing level, and that the wall shown is intended only to handle the lateral loads. In reality the columns will be in-line with the wall, and the cantilever beams will pass over the wall without...

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How to Model a Column within a Wall in RISA-3D
August 9, 2012

How to Model a Column within a Wall in RISA-3D

While RISA-3D does not currently have pilaster design, there are still plenty of situations where you would want to have a column embedded within a wall. The idea behind this is that the column handles the gravity loads for any beams which frame into it, while the wall handles lateral loads. No...

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How to Apply Hydrostatic Loads to Circular Tanks in RISA-3D
June 7, 2012

How to Apply Hydrostatic Loads to Circular Tanks in RISA-3D

RISA-3D v10 now has the ability to quickly and easily apply hydrostatic loads to circular tanks using the Cylinder Generator. This generator can be found by clicking the Templates button and choosing the Cylinder - Plates/Members option.

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