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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Torsion Design of One-Way Slabs and Beams in ADAPT-Builder
January 30, 2024

Torsion Design of One-Way Slabs and Beams in ADAPT-Builder

The latest release of ADAPT-Builder (23.0.0) includes the ability to design one-way slabs and beams for the effects of torsion. Through the shear design options of the criteria window the user can choose to check the torsional threshold only or, where the threshold is exceeded, design for the...

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Consideration of Drop Caps and Drop Panels for Punching Shear Design
November 21, 2022

Consideration of Drop Caps and Drop Panels for Punching Shear Design

ADAPT-Builder v22 now includes the ability to model a Drop Cap and a Drop Panel at the same support. The Punching Shear check considers both Drop Caps and Drop Panels when creating critical sections for the Two-Way Shear Design. Whether modeling a Drop Cap, a Drop Panel, or a Drop Cap within a Drop...

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New Tools for Modification of Slabs in RISAFoundation
February 15, 2022

New Tools for Modification of Slabs in RISAFoundation

RISAFoundation Version 14 includes new and improved tools for the modification of slab edges, openings and thickness. The new version allows users to easily modify corner points of thickened regions or openings by first selecting the corner and then dragging it to a new location. Additionally,...

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New Tools for Modification of Elevated Slabs in RISAFloor ES
February 15, 2022

New Tools for Modification of Elevated Slabs in RISAFloor ES

RISAFloor Version 16 includes new and improved tools for the modification of openings, slab regions and thickness. The new version allows users to easily modify corner points of thickened regions or openings by first selecting the corner and then dragging it to a new location. For more information...

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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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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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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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Precompression in Two-Way Post-Tensioned Slabs
September 3, 2020

Precompression in Two-Way Post-Tensioned Slabs

Introduction In the design of two-way post-tensioned slabs, whether it be by use of unbonded or bonded tendons, precompression or “average minimum precompression,” is a critical serviceability requirement in ACI318. It is used to serve as a means for selecting a prestressing force and/or quantity...

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