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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Guide To: Flexible Diaphragm Load Distribution in RISA
October 17, 2023

Guide To: Flexible Diaphragm Load Distribution in RISA

It is important to understand how RISA is modeling your load distributions when applying flexible diaphragms. The flexible diaphragm distributes loads based on tributary area, but RISA breaks up the areas based on the nearest support elements on either side. When RISA sees support elements on both...

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New Features in RISA-3D v20.0.4 now Available!
November 4, 2022

New Features in RISA-3D v20.0.4 now Available!

We are pleased to announce our latest RISA-3D release. Our teams have been working hard to add the features and functionality that our customers have requested as well fix some of the issues that have been reported. New features in this release include:

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Video: Using Various Diaphragm Types in RISAFloor
February 26, 2021

Video: Using Various Diaphragm Types in RISAFloor

RISAFloor supports the three fundamental types of diaphragms used in structural analysis: rigid, semi-rigid and flexible. Watch this video to learn how to consider each of these diaphragm types within the same model and same floor plan.

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Accidental Torsion for Semi-Rigid Diaphragms in RISAFloor
December 11, 2020

Accidental Torsion for Semi-Rigid Diaphragms in RISAFloor

The latest releases of RISAFloor (Version 15.0.1) and RISA-3D (Version 19.0.1) include consideration for accidental torsion and eccentric loading for semi-rigid diaphragms according to requirements outlined in ASCE 7, Section 12.8.4.2.

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How Do Flexible Diaphragms Work on Sloped Roofs?
April 23, 2020

How Do Flexible Diaphragms Work on Sloped Roofs?

RISAFloor supports the use of flexible diaphragms on both flat and sloped roofs. Before reviewing the workflow for utilizing a flexible diaphragm on a sloped roof, it makes sense to review and understand the basic behavior of flexible diaphragms within RISAFloor. To do this, please first review the...

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Understanding Wall Panel Forces with Rigid Diaphragms
June 20, 2019

Understanding Wall Panel Forces with Rigid Diaphragms

When modeling building structures using steel or composite steel floors, engineers typically utilize rigid diaphragms to distribute lateral loads (wind and seismic) to lateral load resisting elements such as shear walls, moment frames and braced frames. Rigid diaphragms represent a plane of very...

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RISAFloor & RISA-3D: Two Buildings on the Same Podium
January 17, 2019

RISAFloor & RISA-3D: Two Buildings on the Same Podium

RISAFloor is the RISA Building System’s floor design software which allows users to design with composite decks, elevated concrete slabs and more. When paired with RISA-3D, the two create a complete solution for the analysis and design of multi-story structures, including two buildings on the same...

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What is a Semi-Rigid Diaphragm?
March 10, 2015

What is a Semi-Rigid Diaphragm?

RISAFloor Concrete Floor Slabs can design be transferred into RISA-3D for lateral design using either a Rigid Diaphragm or Semi-Rigid diaphragm. In RISA-3D, the wind and seismic loads are calculated and then applied into the diaphragm level to distribute the forces to the Lateral Resisting System.

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