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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Understanding Plate and Member Interaction in RISA
June 17, 2025

Understanding Plate and Member Interaction in RISA

When modeling plate elements alongside member elements in RISA, users may notice that member forces—such as bending moments or axial loads—are lower than expected. This behavior is often the result of how loads are shared between plates and members based on their relative stiffness. If the...

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The Ultimate Guide to Instability Warnings in RISA-3D
June 3, 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Instability Warnings in RISA-3D

Modeling instability can be one of the most frustrating errors to troubleshoot in structural software. Whether you're a new user or a seasoned pro, instability warnings in RISA-3D can bring your workflow to a halt if not properly diagnosed and resolved. This master article brings together all the...

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Ready to Reconnect? How to Make the Most of Returning to RISA
February 18, 2025

Ready to Reconnect? How to Make the Most of Returning to RISA

Whether you’re coming back to RISA after a short break or revisiting it after years away, we’re here to make your return seamless and rewarding. From updated features to enhanced training resources, RISA is more equipped than ever to support your structural engineering needs. Here’s a step-by-step...

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Lifelong Learning in Structural Engineering: Why it Matters?
February 5, 2025

Lifelong Learning in Structural Engineering: Why it Matters?

On January 24th, we celebrate the International Day of Education, a reminder of the transformative power of learning. For structural engineers, education doesn’t stop at graduation. It’s a lifelong journey that ensures we stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field. Let’s explore why ongoing learning,...

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How To: Maximizing Productivity During Winter Slowdowns
December 23, 2024

How To: Maximizing Productivity During Winter Slowdowns

The winter months bring a unique set of challenges to structural engineering: projects slow down, site conditions become less predictable, and downtime can be harder to avoid. However, this season also brings opportunities to work smarter, streamline workflows, and plan ahead for a productive year....

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Automating Foundation Design with RISAFoundation
December 17, 2024

Automating Foundation Design with RISAFoundation

Why RISAFoundation is Essential for Today’s Engineers? Incorporating RISAFoundation into your foundation design process is more than just a time-saver—it’s a powerful tool for enhancing the accuracy and quality of engineering deliverables. By automating the most tedious and error-prone aspects of...

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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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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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