How to Check Frame Story Shears in RISA-3D

When using rigid diaphragm analysis in RISA-3D it can be useful to evaluate the story shear in each frame. This is a perfect application for the Internal Force Summation Tool. The first step is to solve the desired load combination.

Next, select one of the braced frames in the model and using the selection tools on the far left side of the 3D window, turn off the unselected parts of the model to show only the frame which you are interested in. Next, snap the model into an elevation view of the frame in order to make the next step easier.

Click on the "sigma" icon (Internal Force Summation Tool) below the selection toolbar and then click on two joints of the frame that are at the same elevation to define a horizontal cutting plane.

Once the cutting plane is defined (by clicking the second joint) you can slide the plane up and down your frame to select the vertical location of your cutting plane. Click a third time for a dialog box which explains what each force is. Here, F1 represents the story shear.