Tips & Tricks

July 3, 2024

Celebrate 4th of July the Engineer's Way

The 4th of July is a time for celebration, fireworks, and, of course, a bit of fun. For those with a knack for engineering or simply looking to engage in some creative activities, why not take on some patriotic engineering challenges? These activities are perfect for kids and adults alike, providing an entertaining way to celebrate Independence Day while sharpening your problem-solving skills. Here are three exciting challenges to get you started: 1. Popsicle Stick Bridge Materials Needed: Popsicle sticks Glue (wood glue or a hot glue gun) Small weights (coins, toy cars, etc.) Challenge: Design and build a small bridge using only popsicle sticks and glue. The goal is to create a bridge that can support as much weight as possible. This activity not only tests your creativity but also your understanding of structural integrity and load distribution. Instructions: Plan Your Design: Before you start gluing, sketch out a design for your bridge. Consider different types of bridges, such as beam, truss, or arch bridges. Build the Foundation: Begin by constructing the main supports for your bridge. Glue several popsicle sticks together side by side for a strong base. Assemble the Bridge: Connect the supports with horizontal and diagonal…

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Pile Design now Available
December 8, 2017

Pile Design now Available

Hot rolled steel, wood, and concrete piles are now available in RISAFoundation v10.0. The Pile Definition Editor lets the user input the pile’s properties including the pile’s shape, material, and length. For concrete piles the user has the ability to apply a custom shear and flexural rebar layout...

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Soil Properties in RISAFoundation
December 8, 2017

Soil Properties in RISAFoundation

With Pile Design in RISAFoundation, you have the ability to define the default soil properties for the entire model. But also the Soil Definitions spreadsheet gives you control over all the soil property layers in one location.

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2018 IBC Coming Soon!
November 8, 2017

2018 IBC Coming Soon!

The International Code Council just released the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) in August 2017.

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Enhanced Live Load Reduction
September 14, 2017

Enhanced Live Load Reduction

The consideration of Live Load reduction is a feature that has been in RISAFloor from the very beginning. However, recent changes to the interface make it significantly easier for you to understand how live load reduction is affecting the design forces in your structure.

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Vertical Slab and Beam Offsets
September 13, 2017

Vertical Slab and Beam Offsets

In RISAFoundation, you can add a vertical offset for slabs or beams. Traditionally, RISA uses centerline analysis which aligns all elements at their centerline. This is a common structural analysis assumption as the loads will get transferred to the centerline even if there is difference in the...

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Masonry Retaining Walls now Available
January 18, 2017

Masonry Retaining Walls now Available

Now available in RISAFoundation v9 is the ability to design masonry retaining walls and strip footings with the latest US codes. Simply define your masonry wall and reinforcement parameters in the Wall Footing Definition Editor and then draw your wall footing.

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