Hello,

It is my first time using RISA-3D.  I completed both the written and video tutorials in addition to reading the complete user guide.

I've uploaded/attached a basic steel structure that I am practicing on.

Does this structure fail? Why or why not?

Thanks,

Nathan Hunn

Take a look at the detail reports for each member and the "design results" spreadsheet.  That will give you some ideas about what the program is calculating for those members.

In a program like RISA, we will give a simple code check which compares the capacity of the member to the load or moment in the member.  In your case, the combined stress code checks are coming out to about 50% of member capacity for M2.  That would seem to indicate that the structure is okay.  

However, I have to emphasize that this code check is only as good as your input assumptions.  Make sure that you have set the unbraced lengths and design parameters correctly.  Make sure your modeling assumptions regarding member connectivity, end releases, boundary conditions and such are reasonable.  If not, then the program's giving you a "Passing" code check will not mean much.  

Also, please realize what the program is checking (stress or capacity) of the members.  This does not necessarily inherently include serviceabilty for vibration or deflection or such.  Therefore, you may need to investigate these issues for some projects.