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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How to Run a Basic Dynamic Eigensolution in RISA-3D?
November 19, 2024

How to Run a Basic Dynamic Eigensolution in RISA-3D?

Welcome to a high-level walkthrough of dynamic analysis in RISA-3D! This guide introduces essential aspects of modeling dynamics, focusing on natural frequencies, mode shapes, and the impact of dynamic behavior on structural integrity.

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Customer Spotlight: Shive-Hattery
November 5, 2024

Customer Spotlight: Shive-Hattery

Looking for ways to elevate your structural engineering projects? Discover how Shive-Hattery used RISA software to streamline complex workflows, tackle architectural challenges, and boost efficiency. Their journey, from getting started with RISA-3D to customized training for RISAFloor, showcases...

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Engineering Halloween: The Science Behind Spooky Fun
October 29, 2024

Engineering Halloween: The Science Behind Spooky Fun

Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy—it’s also an opportunity to dive into the hidden engineering that makes the season’s fun come to life. Whether it’s dropping pumpkins for the perfect splatter or figuring out how to make your decorations seem to defy gravity, there’s plenty of science...

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How to Troubleshoot Large Deflections in RISA-3D?
October 8, 2024

How to Troubleshoot Large Deflections in RISA-3D?

Deflection is a key tool for verifying whether your model was built correctly in RISA-3D. After solving, you can view the deflected shape to confirm if the deflections are within the expected range. If you notice abnormal deflections, use the following steps to troubleshoot the issue.

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How Much Does RISA-3D Really Cost?
October 1, 2024

How Much Does RISA-3D Really Cost?

In today’s structural engineering world, software plays a crucial role in optimizing workflows, ensuring accuracy, and ultimately, saving time. When considering software investments for small structural projects, one of the most frequent questions asked is: How much does RISA-3D actually cost in...

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RISA Celebrates: Hispanic Heritage Month
September 17, 2024

RISA Celebrates: Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time for structural engineers to celebrate the rich cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in engineering and architecture. From iconic structures to innovative design approaches, there’s a lot of inspiration to be found. Here are some fun...

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How Do I Dock Spreadsheets in RISA-3D?
August 30, 2024

How Do I Dock Spreadsheets in RISA-3D?

Docking spreadsheets in RISA-3D can be a game-changer for streamlining your workflow. Whether you're managing complex data sets or need quick access to design parameters, integrating your spreadsheets directly into RISA-3D allows for seamless data management and enhanced efficiency. In this guide,...

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Engineering Tomorrow: When to Switch Spreadsheets for Structural Software
August 29, 2024

Engineering Tomorrow: When to Switch Spreadsheets for Structural Software

If you’re a structural engineer, chances are you’ve spent a fair amount of time tinkering with Excel spreadsheets. They’re incredibly handy for quick calculations, like determining load capacities, checking code requirements or designing individual specialty components. In fact, many professionals...

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Engineering Tomorrow: Transforming Engineer-Draftsman Teamwork with BIM
August 15, 2024

Engineering Tomorrow: Transforming Engineer-Draftsman Teamwork with BIM

In the realm of construction and architecture, the role of structural engineers and draftsmen has undergone significant transformation. Traditionally, structural engineers and draftsmen worked in somewhat separate spheres, with draftsmen focusing on detailed drawings and engineers concentrating on...

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