RISA Technologies’ RISA-3D

Words: Dan Kamys

Summer 2014

New Products

RISA Technologies’ RISA-3D

www.risatech.com

RISA-3D is billed as the most popular structural engineering software in the United States. So, chances are you’ve at least heard of it. If you’re not familiar with the program, the 3D analysis/design software is packed with the most current steel, concrete, cold-formed steel, masonry, aluminum and timber design codes. It gives users the tools to tackle multi-material projects with confidence. RISA-3D also integrates seamlessly with RISAFloor and RISAFoundation, including links to top detailing, drafting, and BIM packages for a complete building design solution.

Among the latest updates to RISA-3D relating to masonry design are the following:

ACI 530-11 code, both ASD and Strength

Cracked moment of inertia for stiffness and deflections

Effective height factor (K) for compression capacity calcs

More detailed reporting than previous versions

NCMA tables for net area, as an alternative to equivalent solid thickness 

Additionally, the developer already is working on implementing the ACI 530-13 code (both ASD and Strength), which will be included in v13 to be released later this year.

The Connected Mason: Modernizing the Classroom for the Future
March 2026

Masonry might be one of the world's oldest professions, but that does not mean the classroom should look like it's stuck in the past. Today's students are "digital natives," raised on interactive technology and instant feedback loops. As Career and Techni

Helical Beaming: Your Top 6 Questions on Installation, Cost, and Limitations
March 2026

Although helical masonry beaming is still an underutilized and relatively unknown method in masonry repair and restoration, the number of questions and requests I get on this topic increases every week, which I view as promising. Helical masonry beaming i

Wired for Safety: Electrical Maintenance for Fire Prevention
March 2026

Could your company survive if an electrical failure sparked a fire at your business? Electrical malfunctions cause thousands of non-residential building fires annually.1 Proactive maintenance and action are essential to help safeguard your operations.

From the Mound to the Mortar: Jon Rauch’s Tall Order in the Masonry Industry
March 2026

In the record books of Major League Baseball, Jon Rauch is a literal giant. At 6 feet, 11 inches, he remains the tallest player to ever step onto a Big League mound. But today, the Olympic Gold Medalist and 11-season MLB veteran isn’t looking for a strike