1. CE 382 Structural Analysis
with RISA-2D Educational
Instructor: Dr. Blandford

2. OBJECTIVES Model a beam, a truss and a frame using RISA-2D Educational
Find reactions, axial forces, shear forces and shear diagram, moment and moment diagram
Interpret the output – check force equilibrium
Find displacement – deflection and rotation
Interpret the output– recognize structural deformation and check compatibility

3. Program Interface Drawing grid: location of points + spacing
Data entry box: six tables including configuration, support condition, applied force, and material properties
Graphic editing toolbar (G.E.T.)
Symbols: main menu, rows of symbols

4. General Procedure of Modeling
Global: title, designer, number of sections
Units selection: Standard Imperial (SI), Standard Metric (SM)
Insert / Modify Grid: origin, rectangular grid increments ( Graphic Editing Toolbar, G.E.T.)
Spreadsheets: Data Entry Buttons Toolbar –
Joint Coordinates, Boundary Conditions, Members, Point Loads, Distributed Loads
Run the Analysis

5. Modeling – Data Entry Box
Joint Coordinates and Labels
Boundary Conditions ( G.E.T): degree of freedom
Members ( G.E.T., Labels , mat. properties )
Point Load ( G.E.T.): direction, location, magnitude
Distributed Load ( G.E.T.): direction, location (start, end), magnitude (start, end)
Number of sections
- satisfied w/equilibrium
- equally spaced

6. Local and Global Coordinates
Local coordinate – right hand rule
Positive: compression, up,
counter-clockwise
Global coordinate
- right hand rule

7. Output Interpretation
Find internal forces: axial force diagram ,
shear force diagram , moment diagram
Check if equilibrium is satisfied for the whole structure, for each member, and for each joint.
Find displacement: joint deflection and rotation
Recognize the rule structural deformation and check if compatibility is satisfied

8. Structural Analysis
What types of forces can be transmitted by a truss?
What types of forces can be transmitted by a beam?
What types of forces can be transmitted by a frame?

9. References Tutorial for RISA-2D Educational
RISA-2D Version 7.0 Demonstration Guide
Linear transformation,