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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Smart Tools for Tendon Entry and Modification in ADAPT-Builder
December 17, 2021

Smart Tools for Tendon Entry and Modification in ADAPT-Builder

ADAPT-Builder v21 now includes a new set of Smart Tools that assist the user in efficient modeling and modification of tendons. These tools include smart creation of tendons where the tendon spans and shapes are determined by the program based on the location of support lines or banded tendons...

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Load Combination Generator in ADAPT-Builder
December 17, 2021

Load Combination Generator in ADAPT-Builder

With the release of ADAPT-Builder v21, a new load combination generator (LC Generator) provides users the option to automatically generate code compliant load combinations for use in the analysis and design of an ADAPT-Builder model. Included in this feature, is the ability to include automatic...

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WEBINAR: ADAPT-Builder: The Only PT Design Software You'll Need
January 22, 2021

WEBINAR: ADAPT-Builder: The Only PT Design Software You'll Need

ADAPT-Builder is a powerful and easy-to-use 3D finite element software that is used across the globe in a variety of post-tensioned concrete applications. Whether designing a single slab, multi-story building or conducting an investigation of an existing slab, ADAPT-Builder delivers comprehensive...

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Consideration of Openings for Punching Shear of Two-Way Slabs in…
January 1, 2021

Consideration of Openings for Punching Shear of Two-Way Slabs in…

Punching shear of two-way reinforced concrete and post-tensioned slabs is a critical design consideration. The presence of openings near a support can complicate the calculation of shear capacity at the location. ADAPT-Builder v20 now includes enhancements in how openings are treated near columns...

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Updates to ACI Concrete Code in ADAPT-Builder
January 1, 2021

Updates to ACI Concrete Code in ADAPT-Builder

ADAPT-Builder v20 has been updated to ensure that users can take advantage of designs conforming to the latest building code standards. The 2020 version includes applicable code provisions from ACI318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete. Provisions found in the latest design...

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Rapid Generation of Column and Middle Strips in ADAPT-Builder
January 1, 2021

Rapid Generation of Column and Middle Strips in ADAPT-Builder

A key feature to the design process for two-way slabs, either RC or PT, in ADAPT-Builder is the necessity to model support lines for creation of design strips. The software generates design cuts at customized or defaulted-to intervals along a support line for evaluation and design. Nodal...

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Increased Visibility through Colorization in ADAPT-Builder
January 1, 2021

Increased Visibility through Colorization in ADAPT-Builder

ADAPT-Builder 2020 now includes a new Colorization option that can be used to visually inspect the model components by property. The Colorize window is a docked window, that applies unique color shading to user-selected components based on user selected properties. In addition, the user can use the...

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Quickly Evaluate Graphical One-Way Shear Results in ADAPT-Builder
January 1, 2021

Quickly Evaluate Graphical One-Way Shear Results in ADAPT-Builder

The ability to quickly evaluate results and make data-based design decisions is a key aspect of user-focused structural software. One-way shear is a critical in the design of RC and PT beams and in particular, sizing of beams and associated economy of a design. ADAPT-Builder 2020 delivers new and...

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