Tips & Tricks

December 29, 2025

What’s New for IBC 2024 in RISA: A Closer Look

With RISA’s latest release of RISA-3D v23.0.1, we’re continuing to expand support for IBC 2024, helping engineers stay aligned with the latest building code requirements as adoption accelerates across the U.S.—including federally funded projects. This release builds on v23.0.0 ASCE 7-22 enhancements and adds key material design updates that move RISA further into full IBC 2024 compliance. New Material Design Updates Supporting IBC 2024 The upcoming release introduces several important design code updates referenced by IBC 2024, including: Steel Seismic design per AISC 341-22 Prequalified connections per AISC 358-22 Continued support for AISC 360-22 (16th Edition) steel design Ongoing updates to the hot-rolled shape database, including compatibility with both 15th and 16th Edition steel manuals These updates support modern seismic detailing requirements and ensure consistency with current steel industry standards. Masonry Masonry design per TMS 402-22, aligning with the latest strength and serviceability provisions adopted by IBC 2024. Key updates include: Revisions to shear design equations, including clarified definitions of shear area as outlined in Table 4.4.5, improving consistency and transparency in shear capacity calculations. Updated strength reduction factors for flexure and combined flexure + axial. Unlike previous editions that used a fixed ϕ-factor of 0.9, TMS 402-22 introduces tension-controlled,…

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Tips & Tricks for Modeling in ADAPT-Builder
August 19, 2020

Tips & Tricks for Modeling in ADAPT-Builder

Modeling complex structures in any structural analysis and design software can be cumbersome. ADAPT-Builder provides users with straightforward modeling operations and functionality within an easy to navigate user interface which allows for efficient model creation. The resources below outline the...

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Steel Joist Design now Available in RISACalc
August 19, 2020

Steel Joist Design now Available in RISACalc

Open web steel joist design is now available in RISACalc per the SJI 43rd/44th and 42nd Editions! The available joist series include K-Series, LH-Series, DLH-Series, SLH-Series (42nd Edition only), and KCS joists.

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Determining Masonry Wall Compression Block Depth Value
August 18, 2020

Determining Masonry Wall Compression Block Depth Value "a"

When determining the Depth of Compression Block value of ‘a’ in a Masonry Wall design based on the equation a = (As * fy)/(0.8 * fm * b) in a RISA-3D model, it is possible to see a small variance in the program results versus a traditional hand calculation using this typical equation. The reason...

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Video: Mat Slab Design in RISAFoundation
August 10, 2020

Video: Mat Slab Design in RISAFoundation

In this video, we’ll take a look at the modeling and analysis of a mat slab in RISAFoundation. We’ll specify design parameters and soil properties to be able to obtain reinforcement design and view soil pressure contour diagrams.

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Improving Mass Participation in RISA-3D
July 21, 2020

Improving Mass Participation in RISA-3D

In structural engineering, a modal analysis uses the overall mass and stiffness of a structure to find the various periods at which the structure will naturally resonate, along with the frequencies of vibration of the structure. In RISA-3D, the modal analysis is a prerequisite to the response...

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ADAPT-Builder 2019.2 Released
July 15, 2020

ADAPT-Builder 2019.2 Released

The latest release of ADAPT-Builder 2019 includes improvements that include new tools for meshing, tendon force input and releasing the edges of shells.

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WEBINAR: Multi-Story Post-Tensioned Building Design using…
July 14, 2020

WEBINAR: Multi-Story Post-Tensioned Building Design using…

Reinforced and post-tensioned concrete structures in today's construction environment demand more efficient and reliable analysis, design, and BIM workflows. ADAPT-Builder offers a seamless and fully-integrated approach for modeling, analysis and design for single and multi-level post-tension...

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Expanded Results for Contour Plots
July 7, 2020

Expanded Results for Contour Plots

Color contours and gradients can be very helpful to visualize the forces/stresses of plates and wall panels. But did you know there are other design tools that can be helpful in analyzing and understanding these contours? The family of Internal Force Summation Tools (IFST, IFST Wall and IFST Slab)...

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