Application Interface

Modeling features in RISAConnection may be accessed through the ribbon toolbar, shortcut keystrokes, and the Connection Properties spreadsheet. You may use any or all of these options to interact with the software. The ribbon toolbar contains the tools required to create new models, save, print, access Global Project Settings, and the viewing options. The shortcut keys provide a fast way to access features should you use the program often enough to make them familiar to you. Finally, the Connection Properties spreadsheet contains all the user-input data to model your connection. These features are discussed in the sections below.

Menus and Toolbars

Title Bar

The bar at the top is called the title bar. The title of your project can be seen in the center of the bar, and the buttons are described below:

Button	Function
	Starts a new project
	Opens a previously created project
	Adds a connection to the current project
	Saves the current project
	Prints the current connection view
	Access the report printing options
	Undo previous changes
	Redo previous changes
	Minimize program window
	Maximize program window
	Restore down the program window
	Close the program

Ribbon Toolbar

Just beneath the title bar is the ribbon toolbar. This toolbar is divided into tabs to combine similar features and tools. Each tab is described below.

File Menu

The File menu contains the same model options as the Title bar (New, Open, Save, Print) with a few more. The additional functions are described below.

• Save As - Allows you to save the previously saved model with a new name, or into a new location.
• Append - Use this feature to combine two models into one. Open the first model, then go to File - Append and select the second model. The two will be merged into one model file. Be sure to rename in order to preserve the original single files!
• Export - RISAConnection has three export options:
  • Export to RISA-3D: If you have a RISA-3D/RISAConnection integrated model, you can use this option to send your RISAConnection results back to the RISA-3D model.
  • Export to DXF - Single Connection: Export the detail drawings of the currently selected connection to a DXF file.
  • Export to DXF - All Connections: Export the detail drawings of all connections in the project to a DXF file.
• Page Setup - Access to printing page setup options.
• Application Settings (Preferences) - This menu contains global solution and display options which apply to all connections in the project. From this menu, you can adjust the numerical preferences, start-up options, and the company logo to include on your printed report. See Customizing RISAConnection for more information.
• Help - Access to the following information:
  • The RISAConnection Manual.
  • The list of Available Connection types.
  • The Check for Updates feature.
  • The About RISAConnection program and licensing information.
• Exit - Closes the program.
• Recent Projects - Lists the models that you have recently created / edited with RISAConnection.

Home Menu

The Home menu contains some global buttons which effect the whole project and some buttons which are only applicable to whichever view you are in. For example, when you are in the 3D View, the Home menu will contain options for the view angle of the connection, and when you are in the 2D View, the options for toggling the loads, dimensions, and bolts become available.

The buttons are described below:

Button	Function	3D View	2D View	Reports
	Add a new connection to the project.	x	x	x
	Copy the selected connection.	x	x	x
	Save connection geometry and input as the new default for all future connections.	x	x	x
	Opens the defaults viewer dialog box.	x	x	x
	Delete the selected connection.	x	x	x
	Copy the properties and configurations of selected connection to other applicable connections.	x	x	x
	Access the Units dialog.	x	x	x
	Access the Global Parameters.	x	x	x
	Export the connection results to RISA-3D or RISAFloor (for integrated models only).	x	x	x
	Export the connection results to Tekla Structures (for integrated models only).	x	x	x
	Access connection display options. See Graphic Display for more information.	x	x	x
	Toggle an opaque or transparent view.	x
	Toggle the view of the bolts on or off.		x
	Toggle the view of the dimensions on or off.		x
	Toggle the view of the loads on or off.		x
	Toggle the view of the Whitmore Section and unbraced length (applicable to vertical braced connections only)		x
	Snap to isometric view.	x
	Snap to top view.	x
	Snap to right view.	x
	Snap to front view.	x
	Snap to left view.	x
	Copy the top gusset geometry to the bottom gusset (for Vertical Brace Diagonal Connections only).	x	x	x
	Copy the bottom gusset geometry to the top gusset (for Vertical Brace Diagonal Connections only).	x	x	x
	Solve all connections in the project (for integrated models only).	x	x	x
	Solve all connections in the group (for integrated models only).	x	x	x
	Solve just the selected connection (for integrated models only).	x	x	x
	This button allows you to access the HTML5 help menu, check for updates, and view the About Connection page which contains version and licensing information.	x	x	x

Shortcut Keys

The following keys (or key combinations) can be accessed as shortcuts to help speed up your modeling.

Connection View

The Connection View provides options for viewing both the graphical display of the connection (in 2D or 3D view) and also viewing the result output report.

Graphical Display

Results Report

3D View

This view allows you to move your connection around and view it from all sides and angles. If you click on a specific connection element in this view it will highlight in the Connection Properties section. See the Graphic Display topic for more information.

2D View

Viewing the model in 2D allows you to see each of the components of the connection, complete with dimensions, bolt holes and some assembly views.

If you click on a specific connection element or dimension, that element or dimension will highlight in the Connection Properties section. See the Graphic Display topic for more information.

Certain views in the 2D view can visually show the loads applied to the connection, enhancing clarity and customization during design reviews and presentations.

This feature can be turned on by clicking the Loads button in the Home menu as shown below.

Reports

The Reports section shows all the results from the program, including component properties and design checks. See the Graphic Display topic and the design checks topics for more information.

Project Explorer

The Project Explorer shows the current project along with a list of all the connections in the project file.

Connection Properties

The Connection Properties gives ability to define all of the parameters for the connection. Modifying this data automatically updates the design check calculations in standalone mode. If integrated with RISAFloor and/or RISA-3D, then you must re-solve the connection after changes.

Note:

• If using RISAConnection integration with RISAFloor and/or RISA-3D, some of these fields are grayed out in certain scenarios. For more information on this see the RISAFloor and RISA-3D Integration topic.

Connection

The Connection Title allows you to give your connection a specific name. The Connection Type gives a quick description of the components of the connection.

Seismic Detailing

The Seismic Detailing section allows you to assign seismic parameters to your connection. This is only applicable to the following connection types:

• Column/Beam Direct Weld Moment Connection
• Column/Beam Extended End Plate Moment Connection
• Column/Beam Flange Plate Moment Connection
• Vertical Diagonal Braced Connection
• Vertical Chevron Braced Connection

For more information, see the Seismic Detailing topic.

Connection Category

The Connection Category allows you to define the connection type (bolted vs welded) and orientation.

Beam Connection allows you to choose a Welded or Bolted connection.

Column Connection Type will only be available when the column is a rectangular HSS tube where you have the option to connect the beam to the Wide or Narrow face of the column.

Loading

This is the location where you define the loading on your connection. For shear connections, you will define the Shear Load and the Axial Load (if applicable), which are simply the shear and axial demand for the connection. Positive axial loads designate compression loads, and negative axial loads designate tension loads.

Note: 

• If your axial load is less than 5% of your shear load, RISAConnection will assume that your axial load equals zero. This assumption is meant to help avoid an overly complicated design especially for models that are integrated with RISA-3D or RISAFloor and have just a small amount of axial load in the members.
• For information on Transfer Forces, see the topic under Vertical Diagonal Brace connections.

Eccentric Moment Calculation

The Eccentric Moment Calculation input allows the user to control the eccentricities used to calculate the moment due to eccentricity at the connection.

• If the user selects Include All Eccentricities, the program will design for full moment due to eccentricity (Me = P*ey + V*ex) and will calculate a bolt group eccentricity coefficient for the Beam Bolt Shear check based on the horizontal eccentricity.
  • 
• If the user selects Ignore Eccentricity at Beam, moment due to eccentricity(Me) is assumed to equal zero for the Bolt Tension at Column checks (for bolted connections).
• If the user selects Ignore Eccentricity at Column/Girder, the bolt group eccentricity (C) in the Bolt Shear at Beam check is assumed to always equal 1.0 (for bolted connections) or moment due to eccentricity in the Beam Weld Strength check is ignored (for welded connections).

Note: 

• This was previously named Eccentricity Consideration, but the label was updated for clarity.

Moment Loads

For moment connections you will also define the Moment Load which is the required demand for the connection.

Additional Loading Inputs

In addition to these, there are some extra inputs described below.

• Top Column Dist is the distance from the top of the column to the top edge of the member framing in. This value is used for the Column Flange Local Bending, Column Web Yielding, Column Web Buckling and Column Web Crippling checks. If the column is continuous past this connection, then simply input a value greater than d_col/2.

• Column Force is axial force in the column at the location of the connection. This is used in the Column Panel Zone Shear check.
• Story Shear is the shear force in the column at the location of the connection. This is used in the Column Panel Zone Shear check.

Components

The Components section is a location where you can input specific details about the different connection components. This is where you define member sections, materials, bolt information, weld information and other specifics. Most of these items are self-explanatory. Here are some details of the inputs.

Member Sections

In the Shape Selection dialog you can choose which shape Database you wish to use. This allows access to all of the RISA foreign shapes databases. Note that RISAConnection will NOT read in shapes from the AISC_BACKUP database.

• The available Shape Types update depending on the connection and the member.

Channel Shapes

Channel members are available to be used as beam and brace members in the shear connections. Channel shapes are not currently available for moment connection members. When a channel shape is selected, the connector will always be attached to the back (web) of the channel section.

Note:

• Due to the limited cross-sectional information in the shape database, RISAConnection will assume flat plate sections per the published dimensions:

Tapered Wide Flange Shapes

RISAConnection will allow you to select a tapered WF shape for some members in some connections. Please see below for a list of available members.

Limitations:

• If you select a Tapered WF, you will also be required to designate which end is connected to the connection.

• RISAConnection will use the cross-sectional properties from the end selected in the design calculations and treat the member as though it was a prismatic (non-tapered) section.
• RISAConnection will make no attempt to render the tapered shape.
• Currently only doubly-symmetric (no unequal flanges) tapered WF shapes are available for use within RISAConnection.
• Since Tapered WF shapes are assumed to be built up (welded) plate girders, RISAConnection will use the following assumptions for the design calculations:

k_des = t_flange

k_det = t_flange

k_1 = 0.5*t_web

k = t_flange

Double Clip Angles

When clip angle connections are not symmetric, the leg orientation will be specified as: 

Hole Types

The following table shows the different types of available hole types:

• See Table J3.3 of the AISC 360-05 for the nominal hole dimensions for both imperial and metric units unless noted differently above.

Slip Critical

• If you have a slip-critical design consideration, choose which type of faying surface you have (Class A or Class B). This will define the mean slip coefficient for Eq J3-4 from the AISC 360-05 specification.
• The Hole Types used for slip critical connections define whether the connection should be designed for slip as a serviceability limit state or a strength limit state. Connections with standard holes and transverse slotted holes are designed for slip as a serviceability limit state. Connections with oversized holes and vertical slotted holes are designed for slip as a strength limit state.

Assembly

The Assembly section is where you define other required dimensions such as: coping dimensions, edge distances, clearances, etc. Many of these values can be changed manually. Some of these values have maximum values that if you exceed that value we will use the maximum value. Other values are grayed out, meaning their value is dependent on other dimensional properties of the connection.

Notice that for all of the input, a more detailed explanation will be displayed in the display at the lower right corner of the screen.

Try clicking around in the various input cells to see this display change.

Here are some specific assembly details.

• Beam Vert Offset (for Girder/Beam connections): This value is positive if the beam is set downward from the girder and is negative if the beam is set upward from the girder.
• Angle Vertical Position (for Girder/Beam connections): This value is not allowed to smaller than the top coped depth of the beam. There is no check that the angle doesn't foul the bottom flange.
• Auto-Update Connections (for Vertical Brace Connections): This option (Yes or No) tells the program whether you wish to completely reconfigure the Gusset to Beam and the Gusset to Column (diagonal brace connection only) connections. By stating Yes the program will completely optimize your connection AND reset everything for that connection each time you make a geometry change. By stating No the program will not modify these connections. Thus, if you are starting from scratch and just inputting the initial geometry information, keep this option on Yes to get optimized connections. However, once your connection is mostly laid out, switch this to No to save your connection information. When bringing a connection from RISAFloor or RISA-3D this option will default to No. When starting a connection from scratch this option will default to Yes.