RISA-3D import into IDEA StatiCa

Before you start: Prepare the RISA-3D model

Two model conditions must be set in RISA-3D before exporting. If either is missed, the forces will not import or will not balance at the connections. The two conditions are set below:

1. Set the global vertical axis to Z

RISA-3D uses Y as the vertical axis by default, while the SAF format and IDEA StatiCa use Z. Before exporting, change the global vertical axis from Y to Z. This updates only the Global Coordinate System (GCS), not the
Local Coordinate System (LCS).

Note: Changing GCS from Y to Z can affect loading direction, always go back and verify loads are correct.

2. Split members at every connection node

Any member that runs continuously *through* a node where a connection will be designed must be split into separate members, each terminating at that node. 

RISA's member section-force results are reported at points along each member; if a connection node falls partway along a continuous member rather than at its end, the forces at that node cannot be reconstructed accurately, and the connection will not reach equilibrium in Checkbot.

RISA-3D can perform this split automatically for the entire model:

1. Disable physical members. Select the entire project, then select the option to view only member properties, and uncheck Physical Member. This allows the member to be subdivided at intermediate nodes rather than treated as a single continuous element.
2. Run a full model merge. Go to Modify → Model Merge. RISA will automatically insert nodes at all member intersections and split the members accordingly, so that every member terminates at the nodes it meets.

After the merge, every member that frames into a connection node will have that node as its start (I-end) or end (J-end) rather than as an interior point, which is what allows the forces to balance correctly once imported into Checkbot.

RISA - IDEA StatiCa full integration

1. Export model and forces from RISA-3D

Two files are exported from the same solved RISA-3D model.

1a. Export the SAF file (geometry) - This file contains the model geometry, members, cross sections, and
materials.

• File → Export → SAF

1b. Export the Member Section Forces file (results) - This file contains the analysis result forces for each member and load combination.

• File → Export → Excel File → Export an Individual RISA Result Section → Member Forces

_{Notes: This SAF-based integration is developed and maintained by RISA. IDEA StatiCa is not responsible for maintaining the SAF files or their information. All technical requirements and questions should be addressed directly to RISA.}

2. Combine the files with the SAF to Checkbot application

Download and install the SAF to Checkbot application:
SAF to Checkbot download

2a. Launch the SAF to Checkbot application.

• Step 1 field — RISA SAF file: Browse to the SAF file from Step 1a.
• Step 2 field — Member Section Forces file: Browse to the file from Step 1b.
• Step 3 field — SAF File (output): Accept the suggested output name or choose your own. The generated file should be named "xxx_Combined"
  5. Click "Combine and Save."

3. Import the combined SAF file into Checkbot and design

3a. Open checkbot from the start up window. 

3b. Create a new Checkbot project. Make sure to select the correct Project folder location along with the correct code settings.

3c. Use the SAF import option to import the combined SAF file created from the SAF to Checkbot application.

3d. Review the imported model. The geometry, cross sections, materials, load combinations, and member forces are all present.

3e. Select a connection node and open it in the Connection application. The node's load combinations should populate automatically for every member.

All symmetrical cross-sections will be rotated accordingly. For any non-symmetrical member that is not rotated correctly, follow the next steps.

4. Adjusting non-symmetrical members to correct rotation

1. Select the member(s) that has an incorrect rotation. Under the member's parameter, click on the "+" icon to create a new cross-section. New sections will allow the user to mirror the geometry of the cross-sections by either Y-axis or Z-axis before being applied to the member. 

• You can now multi-select multiple members to adjust several at once.

7. Once the connection members are properly rotated, the user can open the connection and start modeling.

5. Limitations

The RISA-3D integration is a file-based SAF workflow. The following limitations apply to the current release. Most of them are set in RISA-3D before exporting, so it is worth reviewing them before you begin.

Two further conditions: Splitting members at connection nodes and correcting the rotation of non-symmetrical cross-sections are covered in the sections above.

5.1. No synchronization between RISA-3D and Checkbot

The transfer is one-way and one-time. There is no sync function. If the analysis model changes after import, the updated results do not carry through automatically.

To bring changes across, repeat the full process: re-solve the model in RISA-3D, export both files again, combine them in SAF to Checkbot, and re-import into Checkbot.

Reusing your connection designs

Re-importing creates a new project, but the connections you already modeled do not have to be rebuilt operation by operation. Use the Connection Library to carry them over.

In the original project, open a finished connection in the Connection app and click Publish on the Design tab. Give the design a name, and save it to your Personal design set or to the Company set if colleagues work on the same project.

After re-importing the updated model, open the same joint and click Propose on the Design tab. The Connection Library offers the templates that suit the geometry and member count of that node. Filter by your Personal or Company set, select the design you published, and apply it.

The connection is rebuilt with all its operations in place.

5.2. Load combinations must be checked for design in RISA-3D

RISA-3D only reports member forces for a load combination if that combination is checked for the relevant material on the Design tab of the Load Combinations window — the Hot Rolled column for hot-rolled steel, and the matching column for other materials.

A combination left unchecked is still solved, but no member forces are reported for it. There is nothing for the Member Section Forces export to contain, and nothing for SAF to Checkbot to transfer. The combination still appears in Checkbot, but carries no load effects.

Seismic and overstrength combinations are affected most often, because code-generated combinations frequently arrive with the material columns unchecked. In the example below, the four overstrength combinations (rows 22 to 25) have Hot Rolled unchecked, so RISA-3D reports no member forces for them.

Note: the Connection column is not a substitute. Connection and the material columns are independent, and member forces follow the material column. A combination with Connection checked but Hot Rolled unchecked still reports no forces.

Check the material column for every combination you intend to use in connection design, then re-solve the model and export the Member Section Forces file again