February 23, 2017

Using Transverse Stiffeners and Web Doublers Together

RISAConnection v7 now allows both Transverse Column Flange Stiffeners and Column Web Doublers to be applied to Beam to Column Moment Connections.

Simply select Yes for each option under Connection Category in the Connection Properties grid to apply the two options simultaneously:

This will be reflected in the 2D and 3D views for verification. You may configure the Stiffeners and Doublers using the inputs from the Connection Properties grid.

The design checks will check each element individually; the program assumes no interaction of the Transverse Stiffeners and Web Doublers.

Tags: New, RISAConnection

August 2, 2011 | RISAFloor, New, Boundary Conditions

How to Assign Column Base Boundary Conditions in RISAFloor

Column boundary conditions are set in RISAFloor per the Splice Type that you have set in the Columns spreadsheet. For any column at the lowest floor level, the Splice checkbox will automatically be checked, indicating that a boundary condition will be set at the base. You may set the boundary condition to either pinned or fixed. This is controlled through the Splice Type. Setting the Splice Type to Moment creates a fixed boundary condition; setting it to Shear creates a pinned boundary condition. After solving your model and taking it into RISA-3D via the Director tool, you will be able to verify these boundary conditions. Note: After the initial export into RISA-3D, the splice type is no longer linked to the model. Therefore, you have the ability to modify these boundary conditions once in RISA-3D. This way, you have the freedom to release any restraint (in each of the six directions), rather than selecting just perfectly pinned or perfectly fixed for your lateral analysis…

March 15, 2017 | New, RISAConnection, Brace Connection

Added Knee Brace Connections

RISAConnection v7 recently added a new Knee Brace (Kicker Brace) connection type. This connection can be designed at the brace to column or brace to beam. The connection design is very similar to that of a Chevron Brace: the resultant forces at the connection are calculated using simple statics. The appropriate limit states are then checked in the results report. Integration with RISA-3D Knee Braces may also be assigned to the brace members directly in RISA-3D and then exported to RISAConnection for design. Assign the “Knee Brace” Connection Rule to the brace member (it does not need to be applied to the supporting beam or column), then solve and use the Director tool to export to RISAConnection. Connection details may be adjusted in RISAConnection to achieve a passing design…

October 6, 2011 | RISAFloor, New, Column Splices

How to Assign Column Splices in RISAFloor

RISAFloor has the ability to model column splices for all columns. You have the choice of a Moment or Shear splice depending upon what type of forces you want the splice to transfer. There are a few different ways to define your splices that give you flexibility in assigning them to your columns. When defining a new floor you can specify the Splice Distance for all columns below that floor level as well as the splice type. This is a quick method to apply splices to all of your columns at once. You specify this in the Floors spreadsheet. If you want to specify individual column splices or change just a few of the splices you defined in the Floors spreadsheet you can double click on any column to open the Column Stack Manager. The tools on the left allow you to add, delete or move/drag a splice as well as delete the entire column segment. Another way to view and modify your column splices is from within the Columns spreadsheet. To view the Top and Bottom Elevation of your columns you can open the Column Stacks spreadsheet. Something to note is that each column has at least one splice…