Yes. I also often make much simpler models where I remove a lot of individual members to get towards a more simpler model. Much easier to verify that forces are being transferred properly that way. Often times I'll even create models that have only just a line of shearwalls and input loads manually if I'm questioning RISAs load path.

Ian Riley, PE, SE
Professional Engineer (ME, NH, VT, CT, MA, FL) Structural Engineer (IL, HI)

@TehMightyEngineer,

Thanks. My structure is pretty simple in this instance. It does have a monoslope roof so I end up with several possible pressures on the roof. Previously I've just set up a basic load case in RISA3D for each wind direction with the heavy and light roof load. I end up with +X(heavy) and +X(light) as two separate load cases. Works okay in RISA and I just copy the one case over and change the load on the roof members. The trouble I was having was linking the 3D model to RISA Foundation. The load combos in Foundation are based on load categories. The two basic load cases I mentioned in RISA would both be assigned the WL+X load category. So when setting up a load combo in Foundation with the WL+X category I would be doubling wind loads.

The way I decided to handle it is just use a basic load case in RISA for wind load on walls and combine with all of the possible roof wind load cases. I just have to use the generic OL load category for each roof wind load because there is no roof load category in RISA. But, it works and I can link the two programs without too much trouble.

I had a similar issue a couple weeks ago going from tnxTower to RISA FDN. How I worked it out is here: https://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=453640