RISAFloor FAQ
Common support and usage questions.
RISAFloor
Why isn’t my DXF file importing?
Most DXF problems have to do with the way you’ve created your columns. When creating your DXF file it is essential to specify a column layer and to correctly define your columns. Only columns that are defined as Blocks will be recognized by the DXF import feature. The help documentation for your CAD systems should have more information on creating/defining blocks.
When I transfer my model to RISA-3D there are no columns, beams or walls shown.
Within RISAFloor you can specify each beam, column or wall as a Lateral or Gravity element. Only the Lateral elements and the diaphragms will be transferred to RISA-3D. Take your model back to RISAFloor and change your lateral framing system to be Lateral elements and then transfer the model back to RISA-3D.
When I transfer my model to RISA-3D there are joints at each floor level that aren’t attached to any other members.
RISAFloor transfers the Lateral members and the diaphragms into RISA-3D. The lateral forces for seismic and wind are automatically generated and applied to these joints at each diaphragm level. These joints represent the center of mass and 5% eccentric points for the seismic forces and the full and partial wind loads. The load is applied at these joints and the diaphragm is used to transfer these forces to the lateral framing members. To view the lateral forces applied at these Joints, go to View > Plot Options > Loads and choose one of the seismic or wind Load Categories.
Why are some of my composite steel beams being designed as non-composite?
Go to the Composite tab on the Global Parameters dialogue and uncheck the option Use Non-Composite if Optimum. The Use Non-Composite if Optimum checkbox allows RISAFloor to use non-composite beams rather than composite beams when a lighter non-composite beam is found to meet the design requirements. This will occur even if the Composite checkbox for that particular beam is checked in the Beams Spreadsheet.
Why isn’t the programming providing an optimized size for my Steel Joist members?
The steel products are automatically optimized based on minimum weight and based on the criteria specified in the Design Rules spreadsheet. If the program is not providing a specific size then it cannot find a size in the Redesign List that meets your specified Design Rules and load. You can modify the Redesign List to include additional sizes or modify the framing to reduce the amount of load going to this member.
Why are my Camber values coming out lower than I expected?
The Solution Tab on the Global Parameters screen lists the various camber options. The %DL for Camber specifies what percentage of self weight to use to camber the beam. This includes the self weight of the beam and the deck, but does NOT include DLPre area loads or ConstDL deck loads.
Why can’t I modify some of the properties of the RISAFloor elements while I’m working in RISA-3D?
Changing some of the fundamental properties of a member or wall panel in RISA-3D (member end releases and such) would invalidate the RISAFloor results that were used to create the 3D model. Therefore, the program will require that you make these changes inside RISAFloor assuring that the information brought into RISA-3D remains valid.
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