
November 16, 2018
Tapered Gusset Plates using Custom Angle
Modeling tapered gusset plates in RISAConnection is now easier than ever. With the recent addition of the Custom Angle input, you may now enter an angle to quickly cut back a gusset edge.
Light-framed construction has become increasingly prevalent in mid-rise and modular development, driven by its cost-efficiency, speed of construction, and adaptability. But with flexibility comes complexity. Engineers designing with wood and cold-formed steel (CFS) must navigate a unique set of challenges: diaphragm behavior, segmented shear walls, buckling sensitivity, and code-specific checks that differ from traditional hot-rolled steel or reinforced concrete structures. This article explores practical modeling and design approaches for light-framed buildings, focusing on how structural engineers can balance constructability, analysis clarity, and compliance with governing codes. Diaphragm Behavior: Not Always Rigid In light-framed buildings, flexible diaphragms are often assumed due to the nature of wood sheathing or light-gauge decking. However, as buildings increase in size and irregularity, this assumption deserves scrutiny. Flexible diaphragm assumptions work well in rectangular buildings with regular framing, but irregular load paths or large openings may require semi-rigid modeling to capture torsional behavior. Engineers should consider the influence of diaphragm stiffness when assigning lateral forces, especially in hybrid systems where part of the structure may be stiffer or tied into concrete cores. In projects where semi-rigid diaphragm analysis was warranted, integrating tools like finite element meshing helped visualize how in-plane stiffness impacted overall response—particularly in designs…
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Modeling tapered gusset plates in RISAConnection is now easier than ever. With the recent addition of the Custom Angle input, you may now enter an angle to quickly cut back a gusset edge.
Eurocode lateral torsional buckling capacity is calculated per equations in Annex F in the ENV 1993-1-1:1992. This calculation uses variables C1, C2 and C3. Since there is no generic formula in the Eurocode to calculate the moment gradient factor, C1, RISA will use the widely accepted López, Yong...
The new AISC 360-16 15th Edition changes have been implemented into RISA-3D v17.0 and RISAFloor v13.0.
An update to the Cold-Formed Steel Design Codes has been added to RISA-3D v16.0 and RISAFloor v12.0. Updated Codes include:
The new British Annex (BS EN1993-1-1:2014) for the European Hot Rolled Steel material code is now available in RISA-3D v16 and RISAFloor v12.
Stainless Steel provisions are now available in RISA-3D v16 according to the AISC Design Guide 27 - Structural Stainless Steel.
You can now set the L-Torque length for the EN1993-1-1:2014 code in RISA-3D and RISAFloor. In previous versions of the Eurocode, RISAFloor and RISA-3D used the full member length as the torque length when calculating torsional buckling. Now, per EN1993-1-1:2014 Section 13.3.2, we’ve added the...
RISA-3D can design the Cold Formed Steel face-to-face channel and track sections. You can also get design of a Cold Formed Steel tube shape in RISA-3D. The Shape Selection dialog will allow you to model the built-up sections by selecting “Face to Face” shown below.
RISA-3D now supports hot rolled steel design for the Canadian market according to CSA S16-14.
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