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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Customizing the RISA-3D View Toolbar
February 15, 2022

Customizing the RISA-3D View Toolbar

RISA-3D Version 20 now includes the ability to customize the view toolbar in a variety of ways, giving users more control over the interface and quicker access to the features they use most often. New features include custom "bins" with shortcut buttons, saved UI templates and "classic" mode. For...

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Improved Modeling of Wall Footing Corners in RISAFoundation
February 15, 2022

Improved Modeling of Wall Footing Corners in RISAFoundation

The new Smart Corners feature in RISAFoundation Version 14 allows for the ability to draw continuous footings without causing overlapping slabs at the corner. To implement this, check the "Keep Wall Continuous" option when drawing a Lateral/Custom Strip Footing. For more information about this...

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Design of CFS Face-to-Face Channels & Tube Shapes in RISAFloor
February 14, 2022

Design of CFS Face-to-Face Channels & Tube Shapes in RISAFloor

RISAFloor Version 16 now includes the analysis and design of CFS face-to-face channels and tube shapes. The Shape Selection dialog will allow you to select CS or CU Shapes with the added designation “F-to-F” for built up shapes. Tubes may be selected as an Explicit Shape.

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RISA Gives - Giving Back in 2021
January 13, 2022

RISA Gives - Giving Back in 2021

A look back at some of the ways RISA had the opportunity to give back and serve those less fortunate than us both locally and abroad. StandUp for Kids Since 2003, StandUp for Kids has focused on putting an end to the cycle of youth homelessness in the community. The organization works to provide...

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Why does my slab deflection increase using ACI 318-19?
December 21, 2021

Why does my slab deflection increase using ACI 318-19?

Since the release of RISAFloor v15 and ADAPT-Builder v20, both which include the latest update to the ACI code (ACI 318-19), some customers have asked our support team why they're experiencing increased slab deflections. These increased deflections are the result of changes in the calculation of...

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Automatic Calculation of Long-Term Load Factors in ADAPT-Builder
December 17, 2021

Automatic Calculation of Long-Term Load Factors in ADAPT-Builder

With the release of ADAPT-Builder v21, users now has the option to have the program automatically calculate long-term load factors using two different methodologies. Calculation of Long-Term Load Factors is available using all design codes but is implemented based on ACI 209. When calculating these...

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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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