RISA Building System Integration

What is the RISA Building System (RBS)? The answer is integration of RISA-3D with RISAFloor.

Who should consider the RBS? Engineers who design buildings. If you don’t design buildings and don’t need RISAFloor, skip to the next section.

With the RISA Building System you will be designing your lateral system with the full power of RISA-3D, not a limited, black-box frame program. Plus, you can use the same 3D software for all of your other analysis needs (industrial, towers, tanks, etc.) without having to learn a new interface.
Lateral force resisting systems, including loads, are automatically created and managed. Gravity system members are kept separate from your lateral analysis but their loads are automatically included, even as they change. Seismic and wind loads are also created automatically based on the codes you specify. The following steps are automatically handled for you:

• The lateral force resisting system, shear walls or frames, is automatically created. As floors are defined in RISAFloor the RISA3D model is being created as well. After solving the RISAFloor model you may then evaluate the lateral force resisting system in RISA3D. Changes to either system are carried through automatically.
• Gravity member loads are placed on the lateral system. Gravity members are not part of the lateral system but they are part of the loads. RISA3D keeps these loads accurate as your project progresses.
• The wind loads are created automatically. ASCE-7 wind loads are based on the floor plans and elevations. These loads are automatically updated as your building model changes.
• The seismic loads are created automatically. UBC or IBC seismic loads are calculated along with required eccentricities to model accidental torsion.
• Add other loads, and modify the structure as desired! Since all of the RISA3D features are available to use on your building model you can add loads, define bracing as tension-only, model foundations along with compression-only soil springs, add moving loads, model partial height walls, model column girts, etc. See below for more information on RISA3D features.

RISA3D updates member sizes in the model based on the results of the lateral analysis. RISA-3D and RISAFloor seamlessly exchange information, resulting in a level of integration no other building design software can match.

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RISAFloor (Version 3.1)

Powerful and Flexible Structural Engineering Software for Buildings to manage loads, design members, generate plans, and serve RISA-3D lateral system design information

RISAFloor has full graphical modeling capabilities that let you draw and edit your model on the screen. You may also use powerful spreadsheets that RISA is known for. Spreadsheets make non-graphical editing easy, and verification a snap. Graphic display of the model, along with applied loads and rendering, is always available. Presentation quality results are provided with interactive results review, quality rendered graphics and custom reports.

What’s New

The many new features we've added with Version 3.1 make it even better. Some of these new features are:

• Design of hot rolled steel per the new AISC 13th Edition steel code.
• Design of wood per the new NDS 2005 code.
• Accelerated sparse solver can solve models up to 100 times faster

Complete integration with Autodesk’s Revit Structure 2008

Overview & Specifications

RISAFloor designs floor systems and works hand in hand with RISA-3D to provide a more complete structural engineering software solution for building design. RISAFloor will manage loads, design beams and columns, create quality CAD drawings, and constantly serve RISA-3D the information that it needs for the design of lateral systems. Working on one model, RISAFloor does all of the bookkeeping, letting you move seamlessly between RISAFloor and RISA-3D.

RISA-3D integrates seamlessly with RISAFloor, allowing you great freedom in defining and analyzing both simple and complex systems. At any time you may move between RISAFloor and RISA-3D to make changes and see how they carry through the project.

Modeling Features:

• Manage one model with RISAFloor, RISA-3D and RISAFoundation
• Parent/Child floors that let you mimic one floor within another, eliminating repetitive modeling or modifications
• Single project grid used on all floors and in RISA-3D/RISAFoundation
• Versatile drawing grids (orthogonal, radial, skewed)
• Universal and Object Snaps allow you to draw without grids
• Automatic generation of grids, columns, girders, walls, in fill beams, properties, loads, slab edges and decks
• Powerful graphic select/unselect tools including box, line, polygon, invert, criteria, spreadsheet
• selection, with locking
• Saved selections to quickly recall desired selections
• True spreadsheet editing with cut, paste, fill, math, etc.
• Dynamic synchronization between spreadsheets and views
• Constant in-stream error checking and data validation
• Unlimited undo/redo, automatic timed backup
• Modification tools that change multiple items at once
• Multiple slabs allowed on one floor
• Automatic interaction with RISASection custom shape libraries
• CIS/2 export , also DXF import/export
• Robust two-way link with Revit Structure 2008

Analysis Features:

• Smart area loads (additive or exclusive in overlapping regions)
• Tapered area loads and tapered line loads (great for snow)
• Automatic 1-way or 2-way attribution of point, line and area loads to beams, walls and columns
• Automatic live load reductions
• Automatic effective width calculations for composite beams
• Automatic checking of deck and slab spans
• Column stacks: Model columns splice point to splice point
• Simple or continuous beams with pinned or fixed ends, cantilevers
• Weak axis bending of members
• Detailed deflection analysis and control
• AISC Design Guide 11 beam vibration analysis (full floor)
• Automatic self-weight calculation
• User defined load combinations, easily edited in spreadsheets

Design Features:

• Designs hot rolled steel (composite and non-composite), concrete, cold formed steel, steel joists, wood and wood joists
• Steel Design Codes: AISC ASD 9th, LRFD 2nd & 3rd, HSS Specification, CAN/CSA-S16.1-1994 & 2001, BS 5950-1 2000, IS 800-1998, Euro 3-1993, NZS 3404-1 1997, AS4100-1998 including local shape databases
• AISC 13th Edition using the Direct Analysis Method
• ACI 1999/2002, BS 8110-97, CSA A23.3-94, IS456:2000,EC 2-1992, NZS 3101-1995, AS 3600-2001 with consistent bar sizes through adjacent spans
• Exact integration of concrete stress (parabolic or rectangular)
• Design for custom rebar layouts
• Concrete beam detailing (Rectangular, T and L)
• AISI 1999/2001, CSA S136-01 cold formed steel design
• NDS 91/97/2001/2005 wood design, SCL, multi-ply, full sawn, Glulams
• Interactive member redesign and updating
• Automatic assignment of unbraced lengths with overrides
• Uniform and segmented stud layouts for composite beams
• Optimization of members per code, size and deflection criteria
• Construction dead and live load checking
• AISC, HSS, CAN, ARBED, AISI, NDS, numerous foreign databases
• Steel and Wood product databases
• Model freezing for evaluation of pre-existing designs

Results Features:

• Interactive redesign dialog lets you control the designs, makes “what if” design comparisons very easy to do
• Graphic presentation of color-coded member results and designs
• Interactive spreadsheet results: designs, code checks, moments, deflections, shear, reactions, vibrations, column forces, column designs, material take offs
• Relative and Absolute (i.e. girder + beam) deflections
• Color plotting & printing of area load and deck assignments, both as input by the user and as combined and clipped by the program
• Generation of CAD drawings including beams, columns, slab edges, member designs and reactions
• Standard and user-defined reports
• Customizable beam detail reports
• Saved solution results

Integrated Building Design

RISAFloor, RISA-3D and RISAFoundation are so tightly integrated they operate as one program on the same building model. Optimize the gravity system in RISAFloor, the lateral system in RISA-3D and the foundation system in RISAFoundation, with a free and complete flow of information both ways. Lateral models are created and loaded automatically as you model and solve in RISAFloor. When you are ready to work on the lateral system, RISA-3D takes it from there.

• Lateral models created as you define & change floors
• Gravity loads are automatically applied & updated
• Wind loads (ASCE 7-2002, IS875-87), including partial wind cases, are generated automatically
• Seismic loads (UBC, IBC, ASCE 7, CBC & IS1893), including accidental torsion, are generated automatically
• Detailed reports for Wind and Seismic load calculations
• Combine all gravity and lateral loads in standard load combinations which can be edited by the user
• All reactions (columns and walls) are automatically imported into RISAFoundation for design and detailing of the foundation system

Use all the power of RISA-3D for your lateral system. Tension-only bracing, sloping columns, openings in walls, are just a few of the possibilities. Even better, the RISAFloor, RISA-3D and RISAFoundation interfaces are the same, making them much easier to learn and use.

Graphics Features:

• “True to scale” rendering with translucency, even when drawing
• Dynamically rotate, zoom, pan, scroll and snap views
• Font and Color control
• Saved views to quickly restore frequent or desired views
• Multiple views to show different views and floors simultaneously
• Ability to view a ghost image of the floor below the current floor
• View (with zoom, rotate, etc.) a rendering of the full building model
• High-speed redraw algorithm for instant refreshing
• High quality customizable graphics printing

General Features:

• Optimized for Windows 98/2000/NT4/ME/XP/Vista
• Operates completely stand-alone or integrated with RISA-3D
• Extensive customization options & user defaults
• Support for all units systems & conversions at any time
• Comprehensive printed reference manual with tutorial
• Encyclopedic online help with index and cross-reference
• Technical support provided by Professional Engineers

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RISA-3D Version 7

The most popular 3D Structural Engineering Software in the U.S. for Analysis & Design of general frame, truss, or plate/shell structures.

What’s New

The many new features we’ve added to Version 7 make it faster, more powerful and more intuitive than ever. Some of these new features are:

• Accelerated Sparse Solver — Up To 100x Faster!
• Solid Elements with Automatic Meshing
• AISC 13th Edition Steel Code (ASD & LRFD)
• NDS 2005 Wood Code
• Seamless integration with RISAFoundation

Model Links w/ Revit® Structure 2008

Overview

RISA-3D is so popular among structural engineers for many reasons but one in particular stands out: ease of use. We designed our premier product with the daily use of structural engineering professionals in mind.
User friendliness combined with advanced analysis capabilities make this industry standard software a very powerful tool for the analysis and optimization of all types of structures and all common structural materials, including steel, concrete and wood. It’s a tool no structural engineer should be without!

Why RISA-3D Stands Apart

State-of-the-Art Modeling Interface

Our multiple view interface, advanced selection and drawing tools, and spreadsheet features continue to be the best in the business.

Powerful Analysis and Design

With RISA-3D you can rapidly design buildings, bridges, racks, tanks, crane rails, stadiums, arenas, culverts, all types of industrial and commercial structures and everything in between.

Seamless Integration with RISAFloor and RISAFoundation

RISA-3D’s full integration within the RISA Building System enables you to manage all aspects of your project within the same environment.
Top-notch Presentation of Results

Both graphical and numerical visualization capabilities let you get presentation quality results quickly and easily.

Specifications

Modeling Features:

• Comprehensive CAD-like drawing/editing environment: draw, generate, modify and load elements as well as snap, move, rotate, copy, mirror, scale, split, merge, mesh, delete, apply, etc.
• Versatile drawing grids (orthogonal, radial, skewed)
• Universal snaps and object snaps allow drawing without grids
• Powerful graphic select/unselect tools including box, line, polygon, invert, criteria, spreadsheet based , save/recall selections with locking
• True spreadsheet editing with cut, paste, fill, math, sort, find, etc.
• Dynamic synchronization between spreadsheets and graphics
• Open multiple spreadsheets simultaneously
• Constant in-stream error checking and data validation
• Unlimited undo/redo capability, automatic timed backup
• Generation templates for grids, disks, cylinders, cones, arcs, trusses, tanks, hydrostatic loads, etc.
• Support for all units systems & conversions at any time
• Automatic interaction with RISASection custom shape libraries
• Import DXF, RISA-2D, STAAD, ProSteel3D and CIS/2 files
• Export DXF, SDNF, DesconWin, ProSteel3D and CIS/2 files
• Robust two-way link with Revit Structure 2008

Analysis Features:

• Accelerated true sparse solver for static analysis
• Flexible modeling of P-Delta effects
• Accelerated Sparse Lanzcos dynamics solver, very fast and robust
• Multiple simultaneous dynamic and response spectra analysis using Gupta, CQC or SRSS with automatic calc of scaling factors
• Automatic inclusion of mass offset (5% or user defined) for dynamics
• Automatic generation of code based wind and seismic forces
• True physical member modeling (members are aware of interior joints)
• State of the art 3 or 4 node plate/shell elements with plane stress only option
• State of the art 8 node solid elements with automatic meshing

• High end mesh generation – draw a polygon with any number of sides to create a mesh of well formed quadrilateral (NO triangular) elements.
• Accurate analysis of tapered wide flanges
• Automatic rigid diaphragm modeling with detachable joints
• Area loads with one-way or two-way distributions with optional “blow through” distribution for loading open structures
• Plate thermal loads
• Simultaneous moving loads, AASHTO/custom for bridges, cranes…
• Torsional warping calculations for stiffness, stress and design
• Member end releases, rigid end offsets, top of member offsets
• Joint master-slave assignments
• Enforced joint displacements
• One Way members, for tension only bracing, slipping, etc.
• One Way springs, for modeling soils and other effects
• Euler members: Compression up to buckling load, then turn off
• Stress calculations on any arbitrary shape
• Inactivate members, plates, solids and diaphragms without deleting them
• Story drift calculations provide relative drift and ratio to height
• Automatic self-weight calculations for members, plates and solids

Graphics Features:

• Unlimited simultaneous model view windows
• “True to scale” rendering with translucency, even when drawing
• High-speed redraw algorithm for instant refreshing
• Dynamically zoom, pan, rotate, scroll, snap views
• Font and color control
• Saved views to quickly restore frequent or desired views
• Rendered or wire-frame animations of deflected model and mode shapes
• Animation of moving loads with speed control
• Distance tool for measuring between points
• Force/moment summation about any arbitrary cut line
• High quality customizable graphics printing

Design Features:

• Designs/optimizes concrete, hot rolled steel, cold formed steel and wood
• Concrete Design Codes: ACI 1999/2002, BS 8110-97, CSA A23.3-94, IS456:2000,EC 2-1992, NZS3101-1995, AS 3600-2001
• Maintains consistent bar sizes through adjacent spans
• Program selected or user defined rebar layouts for flexure and shear
• Exact integration of concrete stress; parabolic or rectangular stress blocks
• Concrete beam detailing (Rectangular, T and L).
• Concrete column interaction diagrams.
• Steel Design Codes: AISC ASD 9th, LRFD 2nd & 3rd, HSS Specification, CAN/CSA-S16.1-1994 & 2004, BS 5950-1-2000, IS 800-1984, Euro 3-1993, NZS 3404-1:1997, AS 4100-1998 including local shape databases.
• AISC 13th Edition using the Direct Analysis Method.
• AISI 1999/2001, CSA S136-01 cold formed steel design
• NDS 91/97/2001/2005 wood design, Glulams, SCL, multi-ply, full sawn
• Automatic spectra generation for UBC 1997, IBC 2000/2003
• Extensive user controlled generation of load combinations: ASCE, UBC, IBC, BOCA, SBC, ACI,
• International
• Intelligent unbraced length calculations for physical members
• Automatic approximation of K factors
• Tapered wide flange design with either ASD or LRFD codes
• Optimization of member sizes for all materials and all design codes, controlled by standard or user-defined lists of available sizes and criteria
• Automatic calculation of custom shape properties
• Steel Shapes: AISC, HSS, CAN, ARBED, British, Euro, Indian, Chilean, more…
• Light Gage Shapes: AISI, SSMA, Dale / Incor, Dietrich, Marino\WARE
• Wood Shapes: Complete NDS species/grade and Glulam database
• Seamless integration with RISAFoot (Ver 2+) for advanced footing design

Results Features:

• Graphic presentation of color-coded results and plotted designs
• Color contours of plate, solid stresses/forces with smoothing and animation
• Spreadsheet results with sorting and filtering of: reactions, deflections, forces, stresses, optimized sizes, code designs, concrete reinforcing, material takeoffs, frequencies, mode shapes, etc.
• Standard and user-defined reports
• Graphic member detail reports with force/stress/deflection diagrams and detailed design calculations and expanded diagrams
• Saved solutions quickly restore analysis and design results

Integrated Building Design:

RISA-3D, RISAFloor and RISAFoundation are so tightly integrated that they operate as one program on the same building model. Optimize the gravity system in RISAFloor, the lateral system in RISA-3D and the foundation system in RISAFoundation, with a complete flow of information both ways.

• Lateral models created as you define & change floors
• Gravity loads are automatically applied & updated
• Automatically generated wind and seismic loads including partial loadings and accidental torsion cases with detailed reports
• All reactions are automatically imported into RISAFoundation for design and detailing of the complete foundation system

Use all the power of RISA-3D for your lateral system. Tension-only bracing, sloping columns, openings in walls are just a few of the possibilities. Even better, the RISA-3D, RISAFloor and RISAFoundation interfaces are the same, making them much easier to learn.

General Features:

• Optimized for Windows 98/2000/NT/ME/XP/Vista
• Extensive customization options & user defaults
• Comprehensive printed reference manual & tutorials
• Encyclopedic online help with index and cross-reference
• Program technical support provided by Professional Engineers

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RISA-2D (Version 7.0)

Simple Structural Engineering Software for Analysis & Design of Continuous Beams, 2D trusses and 2D frames

What's New in Version 7.0

• Glu-Lam design per the 2001 NDS
• User Defined reinforcement layouts for flexure and shear for both beams and columns
• Accelerated (Lanzcos) Dynamics Solver that is up to 100x faster than the previous solver
• Plate Thermal Loading

Overview

The one that started it all, RISA-2D is general purpose two-dimensional analysis and design software that makes engineering 2D structures quick and easy. RISA-2D’s powerful graphical modeling capabilities, flexible generation tools and detailed proprietary spreadsheets help you rapidly model, solve and optimize structures with any combination of materials.

Why RISA-2D Stands Apart

A State-of-the-Art Interface

Our multiple view interface, advanced selection and drawing tools, and spreadsheet features continue to be the best in the business.

Powerful Analysis and Design

With RISA-2D, you can rapidly design frames, trusses, continuous beams, walls and everything in between.

Interactive Modeling

The strength of RISA-2D is its truly interactive interface. With model editing, solving and results browsing in the same interface, you’re able to do real-time error checking of your data, and rapidly create, solve, modify and optimize your model.

Top-notch Presentation of Results

Both graphical and numerical visualization capabilities let you get presentation quality results quickly and easily.

Quality & Support

The support you receive from our staff of professional engineers is second-to-none. Our clients know they can rely on RISA for the dependable software and quality support
they deserve.

Specifications

Modeling Features:

• Comprehensive CAD-like graphic drawing/editing capabilities that let you draw, modify and load elements as well as snap, move, rotate, copy, mirror, scale, split, merge, mesh, delete, apply, etc.
• Versatile drawing grids (orthogonal, radial, skewed)
• Universal snaps and object snaps allow drawing without grids
• Versatile general truss generator
• Powerful graphic select/unselect tools including box, line, polygon, invert, criteria, spreadsheet selection, with locking
• Saved selections to quickly recall desired selections
• Modification tools that modify single items or entire selections
• Real spreadsheets with cut, paste, fill, math, sort, find, etc.
• Dynamic synchronization between spreadsheets and views so you can edit or view any data in the plotted views or in the spreadsheets
• Simultaneous view of multiple spreadsheets
• Constant in-stream error checking and data validation
• Unlimited undo/redo capability
• Generation templates for grids, disks, cylinders, cones, arcs, trusses, tanks, hydrostatic loads, etc.
• Support for all units systems & conversions at any time
• Automatic interaction with RISASection libraries
• Import and export DXF
• Export SDNF

Analysis Features:

• Unlimited simultaneous model view windows
• Extraordinary “true to scale” rendering, even when drawing
• High-speed redraw algorithm for instant refreshing
• Dynamic Zoom, Scrolling, Pan and Rotate to all model view windows
• Plot & print virtually everything with color coding & labeling
• Saved views to quickly restore frequent or desired views
• Full render or wire-frame animations of deflected model and dynamic mode shapes with frame and speed control
• Animation of moving loads with speed control
• High quality customizable graphics printing

Graphics Features:

• Designs concrete, hot rolled steel, cold formed steel and wood.
• ACI 1999/2002, BS 8110-97, CSA A23.3-94, IS456:2000, EC 2-1992 with consistent bar sizes through adjacent spans.
• Exact integration of concrete stress distributions using parabolic or rectangular stress blocks
• Concrete beam detailing (Rectangular, T and L)
• Concrete column interaction diagrams
• Steel Design Codes: AISC ASD 9th, LRFD 2nd & 3rd, HSS Specification, CAN/CSA-S16.1-1994 & 2004, BS 5950-1-2000, IS 800-1984, Euro 3-1993 including local shape databases
• AISI 1999 cold formed steel design
• NDS 1991/1997/2001 wood design, including Structural Composite Lumber, multi-ply, full sawn
• Automatic spectra generation for UBC 1997, IBC 2000/2003
• Generation of load combinations: ASCE, UBC, IBC, BOCA, SBC, ACI
• Unbraced lengths for physical members that recognize connecting elements and full lengths of members
• Automatic approximation of K factors
• Tapered wide flange design with either ASD or LRFD codes
• Optimization of member sizes for all materials and all design codes, controlled by standard or user-defined lists of available sizes and criteria such as maximum depths
• Automatic calculation of custom shape properties
• Steel Shapes: AISC, HSS, CAN, ARBED, British, Euro, Indian, Chilean
• Light Gage Shapes: AISI, SSMA, Dale/Incor, Dietrich, Marino\WARE
• Wood Shapes: Complete NDS species/grade database
• Full seamless integration with RISAFoot (Version 2 or better) for advanced footing design and detailing
• Plate force summation tool

Design Features:

• Designs concrete, hot rolled steel, cold formed steel and wood.

• ACI 1999/2002, BS 8110-97, CSA A23.3-94, IS456:2000, EC 2-1992, NZS3101-1995, AS3600-2001 with consistent bar sizes through adjacent spans.
• Exact integration of concrete stress distributions using parabolic or rectangular stress blocks.
• Concrete beam detailing (Rectangular, T and L).
• Concrete column interaction diagrams.
• User defined reinforcement layouts for flexure and shear for both beams and columns
• Steel Design Codes: AISC ASD 9th, LRFD 2nd & 3rd, HSS Specification, CAN/CSA-S16.1-1994 & 2004, BS 5950-1-2000, IS 800-1984, Euro 3-1993 including local shape databases.
• AISI 1999 cold formed steel design
• NDS 1991/1997/2001 wood design, including Structural Composite Lumber, multi-ply, full sawn, and Glu-Lams
• Automatic spectra generation for UBC 1997, IBC 2000/2003
• Customizable Automatic Generation of load combinations: ASCE, UBC, IBC, BOCA, SBC, ACI
• Unbraced lengths for physical members that recognize connecting elements and full lengths of members
• Automatic approximation of K factors
• Tapered wide flange design with either ASD or LRFD codes
• Optimization of member sizes for all materials and all design codes, controlled by standard or user-defined lists of available sizes and criteria such as maximum depths
• Automatic calculation of custom shape properties
• Steel Shapes: AISC, HSS, CAN, ARBED, British, Euro, Indian, Chilean
• Light Gage Shapes: AISI, SSMA, Dale / Incor, Dietrich, Marino\WARE
• Wood Shapes: Complete NDS species/grade database
• Full seamless integration with RISAFoot (Ver 2 or better) for advanced footing design and detailing
• Plate force summation tool

Results Features:

• Graphic presentation of color-coded results and plotted designs
• Enhanced line tool that reports all forces and moments for members and plates
• Color contours of plate stresses and forces with quadratic smoothing, the contours may also be animated
• Spreadsheet results with sorting and filtering of: reactions, member & joint deflections, beam & plate forces/stresses, optimized sizes, code designs, concrete reinforcing, material takeoffs, frequencies and mode shapes
• Standard and user-defined reports
• Graphic member detail reports with force/stress/deflection diagrams and detailed design calculations and expanded diagrams that display magnitudes at any dialed location
• Saved solutions quickly restore analysis and design results

General Features:

• Optimized for Windows 98/2000/NT/ME/XP
• Automatic timed backup
• Extensive customization options & user defaults
• Comprehensive printed reference manual & tutorials
• Encyclopedic online help with index and cross-reference

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RISAMasonry

The First Choice for Masonry Design and Analysis

Overview

RISAMasonry offers a complete answer for analysis and design of masonry construction.

RISAMasonry designs masonry walls, columns and beams (lintels) to the latest codes and includes a library of masonry units. The program addresses the working stress design of beams, columns and both in-plane and out-of-plane walls. The program designs slender walls using the iterative strength design method.

Key Features

Flexibility

RISAMasonry supports both the UBC 97 and MSJC 02 (ACI/ASCE/TMS) codes. Work in any units system you like. Manage your entire project in one file, with as many independently designed beams, columns and walls as you need.

Comprehensive Design

RISAMasonry will perform analysis and design on all types of walls, both in-plane or out-plane, reinforced or unreinforced, grouted, partially grouted or ungrouted. Both cracked and uncracked analysis is performed for in-plane shear walls. The software also performs T-Beam analysis for partially grouted transverse walls. RISAMasonry also considers arching of loads for lintels.

Easy to Learn, Easy to Use

As we do with all our products, we put particular emphasis on making RISAMasonry easy to learn and use. This saves you time and makes you more productive.

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RISAFoot (Version 2.0)

Fast and Exact Biaxial Solution for spread footings to satisfy bearing, sliding, overturning and reinforcing steel requirements.

Overview

Once again RISA Technologies abandons approximate methods for a better solution. RISAFoot provides the only exact solution for spread footings in biaxial loading with uplift. Optimize your spread footings and handle eccentric pedestals and bounding property lines with RISAFoot.

Loads

You can apply vertical loads, shears, and moments, in both directions simultaneously. Self weight and overburden are calculated automatically.

Soil

RISAFoot will calculate EXACT biaxial soil bearing distributions using advanced computational methods. Don't settle for approximate biaxial solutions, or even worse, design for biaxial loading by combining two separate uniaxial analyses.

Footing

RISAFoot determines the optimum footing length, width and thickness to satisfy soil bearing, bending, shear, uplift, and boundary criteria.

Top and bottom reinforcement is specified in both directions. Details may be exported to DXF files.

Pedestal

RISAFoot gives a full pedestal design for axial loads, biaxial bending and shear. Longitudinal bars, development and ties are specified and supporting design information is reported.

Overturning & Sliding

RISAFoot separates load contributions for overturning and stabilizing forces, satisfies the desired factor of safety and reports the overturning and stabilizing moments. Sliding checks verify that the applied forces can be resisted by the calculated soil friction force and user defined passive soil resistance.

Feature Specifications

• Supports axial loads with shear and bending in orthogonal directions
• Complete ACI 318-95, 99, 02 code checking
• Automatic sizing of the footing length, width and thickness
• Eccentric pedestal locations
• Boundary options to restrain footing growth in both directions
• Complete pedestal design for axial loads, biaxial bending and shear
• Exact soil bearing profiles with contoured results
• Specify Net or Gross allowable bearing with optional increase factors
• Steel layout provided for top and bottom bars in both directions
• Steel layout provided for pedestal bars, development length and ties
• Service load sliding checks
• Overturning checks with customizable safety factor
• Exported footing details to DXF files
• Custom spreadsheets with copy, paste, fill and math capability
• Unlimited Loads and Load Combinations defined in spreadsheets
• Extensive and customizable reporting options
• Extensive context sensitive online help
• Use any units system and change units at any time
• Easy retention of default values
• Integration with upcoming RISAFloor, RISA-3D and RISA-2D versions

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RISAFoundation

A complete foundation solution for all types of spread footings, combined footings and mat foundations

Overview

RISAFoundation is the first structural engineering software to give you the power to solve all types of foundation designs, and integrate the results within your 3D lateral and floor models. No other program in the market gives you flexibility to perform both stand-alone and integrated analysis, design and drawing of spread footings, combined footings and mat foundations.

Why RISAFoundation Stands Apart

Automatic Mesh Generation

Slabs are automatically discretized into well formed quadrilateral ­— not triangular — elements at a specified mesh size. Beams are automatically discretized.

Thick Plate Modeling

The thick plate method of RISAFoundation provides more realistic results than the thin plate modeling procedure found in other products.

Comprehensive Rebar Calculations

RISAFoundation’s line drawing tool gives you the freedom to design a slab in any direction. Beams are automatically designed. Rebar schedule and DXF export are also available.

RISA-3D and RISAFloor Integration

RISAFoundation excels as a stand alone application. Its full integration with the RISA Building System brings productivity to a higher level. Manage all project footings in one model, in one file, and within the same environment as your structure. All loads are automatically applied and all footings are optimized at once.

Specifications

Modeling Features:

• Analyze slabs of arbitrary shapes and varying thickness, openings, grade beams and discontinuities
• Grade beams between slabs or on slab perimeters or between two spread footings
• Foundations can be a combination of mats, spread footings and combined footings
• Soil can be applied anywhere in the slab and can have different properties
• Impose point supports anywhere in the model. Supports can be rigid, tension only, compression only or tension-compression spring. Suitable for modeling pile supports.
• Slab is automatically discretized into well formed quadrilateral–NOT triangular–elements at user’s specified mesh size. Grade beams are automatically discretized
• Quadrilateral elements can be edited if desired
• Point load/moment, line load and area/patch load can be applied anywhere (not necessarily at nodes) in the slab
• Isometric view (3D) of slab and beam with rendering capabilities
• Powerful graphic select/unselect tools including box, line, polygon, invert, criteria, spreadsheet selection, with locking
• Simple editing and modifying of a model
• Saved selections to quickly recall desired selection states
• Real spreadsheets with cut, paste, fill, math, sort, find, etc.
• Unlimited undo/redo capability
• Dynamic synchronization between spreadsheets and graphics
• Open multiple spreadsheets simultaneously
• Constant in stream error checking and data validation
• Support for all units systems & conversions at any time
• Versatile drawing grids (orthogonal, radial & skewed)
• Universal snaps and object snaps allow drawing without grids

Analysis Features:

• True 3D Finite Element Analysis with state-of-the-art four-node plate/shell elements (thick plate modeling)
• Nodal spring stiffness is automatically calculated using subgrade modulus
• Self weights of slab and beam are automatically computed and may be optionally excluded in the analysis
• Predefined load combinations can be modified
• Unlimited load cases and load combinations

Load combinations are categorized into serviceability and ultimate design. In serviceability design, the soil pressure is checked against the allowable value. In ultimate design, the rebar is calculated

Design Features:

• Calculation of rebar requirements using design strips
• Design strips may be drawn anywhere in the slab
• Design cuts can also be drawn manually anywhere in the slab
• Design for bending and shear at all design cuts
• Beams are automatically designed
• Automatic enveloping and rebar calculation
• Support design codes: ACI 1999/2002

Results Features:

• Contour plot of transverse shears and bending moments
• Contour plot of displacement
• Contour plot of soil pressure. Only active springs will be plotted.
• Contour plot can be on an undeflected or deflected shape
• RISAFoundation’s line drawing tool allows you to see the distribution of moments and shears anywhere in a slab 
• A separate report for spread footing designs
• Graphic beam detail reports with force and detail design calculations and expanded diagrams
• Graphical and tabular report of rebar
• Spreadsheet results with sorting and filtering of: all output, slab force, beam force, displacement, soil pressure, etc.
• Standard and user defined reports
• Saved solutions quickly restore analysis and design results
• Rebar schedule and DXF export

General Features:

• Optimized for Windows 98/2000/NT/ME/XP
• Online help
• Automatic timed backup
• Extensive customization options & user defaults
• Comprehensive printed reference manual & tutorials

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RISABase (Version 1.02)

Accurate Biaxial Analysis & Design of steel base plates and anchor bolts

Overview & Specifications

Finally your base plate analysis can be as accurate as your frame analysis! RISABase is an advanced base plate and anchor bolt design program. An incredibly easy interface combined with advanced computational methods provides you with a base plate design tool of unparalled power.

Ever have columns get "misplaced" on their base plates and then have to see if they still satisfy the design criteria ? RISABase's advanced analysis capabilities make it uniquely suited for tasks like checking base plates with misaligned columns or checking the effects of adding more anchor bolts.

Basic Features:

Loads - You can apply vertical, shear and moment loads in both directions simultaneously. RISABase will calculate an accurate biaxial solution using finite element analysis. You no longer have to settle for a possibly incorrect "approximate" biaxial solution, or even worse, designing for biaxial loading by combining two separate uniaxial analyses.

Interface - RISABase uses an advanced multiple window interface. We make minimal use of clumsy dialog boxes that allow you access to only one input panel at a time. With RISABase any or all of the input windows can be open and active simultaneously. For example, you can edit your loads and load combinations at the same time, and if you want to change a material property, you can do it immediately without closing either the loads or combinations window. This is a feature you won't appreciate until you try it.

A short list of some of RISABase's other features:

• Plate and Anchor Bolt design per ASD and LRFD criteria
• Extensive bolt/column and bolt/stiffener clearence checking
• Use any units system, change units at any time
• Color contoured bearing pressure profiles
• Wide Flange, HSS tube and Pipe shapes supported
• Extensive context sensitive online help
• Versatile results reporting options
• Easy retention of default values
• Future links to RISA-3D and RISA-2D

Of course, as with all RISA Technologies software, we guarantee your complete satisfaction. If you don't agree this program is a generation ahead of any other base plate design program out there, send it back to us and we'll gladly provide you with a full refund!

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RISASection (v 1.0, Rev 5)

Quick Combined Shape Calculations for any combination of standard or built-up shapes

Overview & Specifications

RISASection allows the user to define any type of complex cross section either by combining standard shapes or by defining new shapes. Multiple materials are permitted in the same section. RISASection calculates all the section properties, including the torsion constant. Sections created in RISASection may be used in RISA-3D, RISA-2D, and RISAFloor.

RISASection includes many powerful editing features such as automatic stacking and aligning, unlimited UNDOs, as well as the ability to create beautiful reports with cross section graphics and much more. The program supports imperial and metric units. When creating shapes you can use the convenient "snap to" grid, or specify the coordinates of each shape directly. Of course, comprehensive online help is also included.

RISASection Features:

• Powerful align, stack and rotate tools
• Directly edit section dimensions or use the "snap to" grid
• Powerful calculation engine
• Imperial or metric units
• Versatile reporting options
• Multiple materials in the same section
• Sections can be imported into RISA-3D or RISA-2D

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RISATower 5.0

RISATower 5.0 adds the power of RISA-3D, which expands its unmatched capabilities even further. Many additional options for analysis and design are available in the combined package to simulate virtually all project conditions. RISATower 5.0 includes a number of enhancements and bug fixes as well, such as directionality factor correction, load pattern generation optimization, connections calculations, and others.

Overview

Designed specifically for the telecommunications industry, RISATower, formerly ERITower, automates much of the tower analysis and design required by the TIA/EIA 222 Standard.

RISATower can analyze and design 3- and 4-sided guyed towers, 3- and 4-sided self-supporting towers and either round or tapered ground mounted poles with or without guys.

The program analyzes towers using the TIA-222-G (2005) standard or any of the previous TIA/EIA standards back to RS-222 (1959). Steel design is checked using the AISC ASD 9th Edition or the AISC LRFD specifications.
Linear and non-linear (P-delta) analyses can be used in determining displacements and forces in the structure. Wind pressures and forces are automatically calculated.

Extensive graphics plots include material take-off, shear-moment, leg compression, displacement, twist, feed line, guy anchor and stress plots.

RISATower contains unique features such as True Cable behavior, hog rod take-up, foundation stiffness and much more.

RISATower Presentation Slide Show

A detailed slide show highlighting the features of RISATower and outlining the software's specifications. Click here to begin the presentation. (19456 KB)

RISATower Sample Outputs

To view a PDF file of a sample output created by RISATower, please select from the list below:

Guyed Tower

Free-Standing Tower

Monopole

ERITower Downloads

ERITower Viewer

ERITower model viewer with manual and help files. (Self-extracting zip file, 9Mb)

PIROD Spec Sheets

Sheet from Pirod product catalog in PDF format. (Self-extracting zip file, 3.8Mb)

ASCE 10-97 Single Angle K-Factor

Appurtenance CaAa Calculations

ASCE 7-98 Gh Calculations

Microsoft Word Viewer (97-2000)

Hand Verification – Self-Supporting Tower 222-F

Hand Verification – Self-Supporting Tower 222-B, C

Hand Verification – Monopole

ERITower – Weisman Guymast Verification

Technical Manual1 – Design of Monopole Bases

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Structural Desktop

RISA Technologies is an authorized reseller of Structural Desktop for RISA, one of the leading CAD interfacing programs. Here are of the reasons why Structural Desktop is the top choice for RISA-3D and RISAFloor users:

Drawing Production

It’s all about the drawings. Until you’ve produced drawings, you haven’t completed the design. Now, with Structural Desktop, drawing production has never been easier.

Structural Desktop seamlessly imports RISA-3D models, automatically creating intelligent structural objects. Once there, the analytical model can effortlessly be adjusted to as-built conditions using Structural Desktop’s extensive tool set.

Construction Documents – Easy as 1-2-3!
Step 1 – Design your model using the interactive modeling and analysis power of RISA-3D
Step 2 – Import your model into Structural Desktop and adjust to as-built conditions.
Step 3 – Create drawings: 2D or 3D, detailed plans, elevations, sections, etc.—whatever you need.

Multiple Material Support
Both RISA-3D and Structural Desktop support hot rolled steel, cold formed steel, concrete and wood. What about joist girders, wood products, concrete L’s and T’s? Not a problem in Structural Desktop! Detailed, true length material take-off reporting is included as well.

RISA-3D + Structural Desktop: From analysis to drawings like never before!

For more information on Structural Desktop for RISA, visit the Structural Desktop website.

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