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 Can I Use a Wall for Shear Only (no Bearing) in RISA-3D?
September 13, 2012

How Can I Use a Wall for Shear Only (no Bearing) in RISA-3D?

Let’s consider the example of the frame shown below. Suppose there is a diaphragm present at the framing level, and that the wall shown is intended only to handle the lateral loads. In reality the columns will be in-line with the wall, and the cantilever beams will pass over the wall without...

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How to Apply a Rigid Diaphragm in RISA-3D
February 13, 2012

How to Apply a Rigid Diaphragm in RISA-3D

In RISA-3D, rigid diaphragms can be added using the Diaphragm spreadsheet. Just enter the node label and then choose the horizontal plane. Internally, all rigid diaphragms are membrane diaphragms that tie all of the nodes within the diaphragm plane together for both translation and rotation, but...

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How to Check Frame Story Shears in RISA-3D
November 29, 2010

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.

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How to Design Flexible Diaphragms in RISAFloor
September 14, 2010

How to Design Flexible Diaphragms in RISAFloor

When you model your building in RISAFloor, make sure that you define your slab edge as flexible. That will ensure that the entire contents of the diaphragm will use flexible behavior.

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