Welcome to STAAD.

Pro V8i Page 1 of 13

The ultimate power tool for Computerized Structural Engineering

STAAD.Pro V8i (SELECTseries 4) is the most popular structural engineering software product for 3D model
generation, analysis and multi-material design. It has an intuitive, user-friendly GUI, visualization tools,
powerful analysis and design facilities and seamless integration to several other modeling and design software
products. The software is fully compatible with all Windows operating systems but is optimized for Windows
XP. See the new STAAD.Pro V8i (SELECTseries 4) from the comfort of your own home or office in a FREE
interactive online demonstration or watch some online tutorials at your own leisure.

For static or dynamic analysis of bridges, containment structures, embedded structures (tunnels and culverts),
pipe racks, steel, concrete, aluminum or timber buildings, transmission towers, stadiums or any other simple
or complex structure, STAAD.Pro has been the choice of design professionals around the world for their
specific analysis needs. To see the new features in STAAD.Pro V8i (SELECTseries 4), please read the Release
Report.

Copyright© 2013 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Available Design Codes in STAAD.Pro

The program contains the following design codes for a variety of materials:

Steel
All steel design codes are available in the Batch mode (e.g., via the STAAD input file) where not specifically
stated otherwise in the Module column.
Steel Design codes available in STAAD.Pro
Country Code Title Module SELECT Code Pack
Australia AS 4100-1998 Standards STAAD CAN/AUS/SA
Australia - Steel Design Codes
Structural Design
Belgium NBN EN 1993-1-1:2005 Belgian National STAAD Euro Design Codes
Annex (EC3)
Canada CAN/CSA-S16-01 Limit States Design STAAD CAN/AUS/SA
of Steel Structures Design Codes
S136-94 Specification for
the Design of Cold-
Formed Steel
Structural
Members
China GB 50017-2003 Code of Design of STAAD Asia Design Codes
Steel Structures

Design per
the
Chinese
steel code
GB 50017-
2003 must
be
performed
per the

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localized
STAAD
SSDD
interface.
Please
download
and install
this
application
from
Bentley
SELECT.
Denmark DS412 1998 Code of Practice STAAD N. Eurozone Design
for the structural Codes
use of steel
Egypt 205 2001 Steel STAAD ME Design Codes
Design
mode
only
Europe EC3 DD ENV 1993-1- Eurocode 3: Batch STAAD Euro Design Codes
1:1992 Design of steel and
structures Part 1.1 Steel
General rules and Design
rules for buildings mode
EC3 BS EN 1993-1- Eurocode 3:
1:2005 Design of steel
structures Part 1.1
General rules and
rules for buildings
Finland B7 The National STAAD N. Eurozone Design
Building Code of Codes
Finland - B
Strength of
Structures, B7
Steel Structures
Guidelines
SFS EN 1993-1-1 Finnish National STAAD Euro Design Codes
Annex (EC3)
France CM66 1977 Regulations for the STAAD Eurozone Design
calculation of steel Codes
structures and
Design rules for
structural
steelwork,
Addendum 80
NF EN 1993-1-1/NA French National STAAD Euro Design Codes
Annex (EC3)
Germany DIN 18 800 Part 1 Structural STAAD Eurozone Design
steelwork. Safety Codes
against buckling of
linear members
and frames
India IS 800 1984, ASD Code of Practice STAAD India Design Codes

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for General
Construction in
Steel
IS 800 2007, LSD General Batch
Construction in and
Steel - Code of Steel
Practice (Third Design
Revision) mode
IS 800 2007, WSD General
Construction in
Steel - Code of
Practice (Third
Revision)
IS 801 1975 Specification for
design of cold
formed steel
members
IS 802 1995 Use of Structural
Steel in Overhead
Transmission Line
Towers - Code of
Practice
Japan AIJ 2002 Specifications for STAAD Japan Design Codes
structural steel
design
AIJ 2005 Specifications for
structural steel
design
Malaysia MS-EN 1993-1-1 Malaysian STAAD Eurozone Design
National Annex Codes
(EC3)
Mexico NTC 1987 Normas Técnicas STAAD Latin American
Complementarias Design Codes
para Diseño y
construcción de
Estructuras
Metálicas - LRFD
Netherlands NEN 6770 TGB 1990 - Steel STAAD N. Eurozone Design
structures - Basic Codes
requirements and
basic rules for
calculation of
predominantly
staticaly loaded
structures
NEN EN 1993-1-1/NB Dutch National STAAD Euro Design Codes
Annex (EC3)
Norway NPD 1993 Veiledning om STAAD N. Eurozone Design
utforming, Codes
beregning og
dimensjonering av
stalkonstruksjoner.
Sist enderet 1.

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NS 3472 2001 Steel structures.

Design rules (3rd
Edition)
NORSOK N-004 NORSOK N-004
Rev 2, October
2004
NS EN 1993-1- Norwegian STAAD Euro Design Codes
1:2005/NA:2008 National Annex
Nuclear ASME NF 3000 1974 ASME Boiler and STAAD Nuclear Design
Pressure Vessel Codes
Code, Section III
Rules for
Construction of
Nuclear Power
Plant Components,
Division 1 -
Appendices -
Subsection NF
ASME NF 3000 1977 ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel
Code, Section III
Rules for
Construction of
Nuclear Power
Plant Components,
Division 1 -
Appendices -
Subsection NF
ASME NF 3000 1989 ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel
Code, Section III
Rules for
Construction of
Nuclear Power
Plant Components,
Division 1 -
Appendices -
Subsection NF
ASME NF 3000 1998 ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel
Code, Section III
Rules for
Construction of
Nuclear Power
Plant Components,
Division 1 -
Appendices -
Subsection NF
ASME NF 3000-2001 ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel
Code, Section III
Rules for
Construction of
Nuclear Power

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Plant Components,
Division 1 -
Appendices -
Subsection NF
ASME NF 3000-2004 ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel
Code, Section III
Rules for
Construction of
Nuclear Power
Plant Components,
Division 1 -
Appendices -
Subsection NF
Russia SNiP 2.23-81* 1990 STAAD E. Eurozone Design
Codes
Poland PN-EN 1993-1-1 Polish National STAAD Euro Design Codes
Annex (EC3)
Singapore SS EN 1993-1-1:2005 Singaporean STAAD Euro Design Codes
National Annex
(EC3)
South Africa SABS 0162-1 1993 The structural use STAAD CAN/AUS/SA
of steel Part 1: Design Codes
Limit-states design
of hot-rolled
steelwork
Spain NBE-MV103-1972 Calculo de las STAAD Eurozone Design
estructuras de Codes
acero laminado en
ediificacion
Sweden BSK 99 Swedish STAAD N. Eurozone Design
Regulations for Codes
Steel Structures
UK BS 5950-1:2000 Structural use of Batch STAAD British Std Design
steelwork in and Codes
building - Part 1: Steel
Code of practice Design
for design - Rolled mode
and welded
sections,
Incorporating
Corrigendum No. 1
BS 5950-5:1998 Structural use of
steelwork in
building - Part 5.
Code of practice
for design of cold
formed thin gauge
sections
BS 5400:Part 3:1982 Steel, concrete STAAD British Specialized
and composite Design Codes
bridges Part 3.
Code of practice

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for design of steel

bridges

and Amd No. 4051

and Amd No. 6488
BS EN 1993-1-1:2005 British National STAAD Euro Design Codes
Annex (EC3)
US AISC ASD Specification for Batch STAAD US Std Design
Structural Steel and Codes
Buildings. Steel
Allowable Stress Design
Design and Plastic mode
Design

and Specification
for Allowable
Stress Design
AISC LRFD Load and
Resistance Factor
Design
Specification for
Structural Steel
Buildings
ANSI/AISC 360-10 Specification for
Structural Steel
Buildings (Unified
specification),
2010 Edition
ANSI/AISC 360-05 Specification for
Structural Steel
Buildings (Unified
specification),
2005 Edition

and Supplement 1,
April 2002
AISC ASD 1989 AISC ASD 1989 9th STAAD US Specialized
edition Castellated Design Codes
AISC N690 1994-s1 Specification of STAAD Nuclear Design
the Design, Codes
Fabrication and
Erection of Steel
Safety-Related
Structures for
Nuclear Facilities

and Supplement
No. 1
AISC N690 1984 Specification of
the Design,
Fabrication and
Erection of Steel
Safety-Related

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Structures for
Nuclear Facilities
AISI 1996 Design of Cold STAAD US Std Design
Formed Steel Codes
Structural
Members
AASHTO ASD 1996 Standard STAAD US Specialized
Specifications for Design Codes
Highway Bridges,
17th Edition;
Chapter 10, Part C
AASHTO LFD 1998 Standard
Specifications for
Highway Bridges,
17th Edition;
Chapter 10, Part D
API 2A-WSD Recommended
Practice for
Planning, Design
and Constructing
Fixed Offshore
Platforms-Working
Stress Design ,
21st Edition
ASCE 10-97 Design of Latticed STAAD US Std Design
Steel Transmission Codes
Structures

Concrete
Concrete Design codes available in STAAD.Pro Batch mode
Country Code Title SELECT Code Pack
Australia AS 3600-2001 Australian Standard - STAAD CAN/AUS/SA Design
Concrete Structures Codes
Canada CSA A23.3 1994 Design of Concrete STAAD CAN/AUS/SA Design
Structures Codes
China GB 50010-2002 Code for Design of STAAD Asia Design Codes
Concrete Structures

Design per
the Chinese
steel code GB
50017-2003
must be
performed
per the
localized
STAAD SSDD
interface.
Please
download
and install

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this
application
from Bentley
SELECT.
Cyprus Seismic code for STAAD Eurozone Design Codes
reinforced concrete
structures in Cyprus
Europe EC2 ENV 1992-1-1:1991 E Eurocode 2: Design
of concrete
structures - Part 1-1:
General rules and
rules for buildings
Finland B4 National Building STAAD N. Eurozone Design
Code of Finland, B4 Codes
Concrete structures
France BAEL 91 1993 Regles techniques de STAAD Eurozone Design Codes
conception et de
calcul des ouvrages
et constructions en
beton arme, suivant
la methode des etats
limites
Germany DIN 1045-1:2001-07 Plain, reinforced and
prestressed concrete
structures. Part 1:
Design and
construction
India IS 456 2000 Code of Practice for STAAD India Design Codes
Plain and Reinforced
Concrete
IS 13920 Code of Practice for
Ductile Detailing of
Reinforced Concrete
Structures Subjected
to Seismic Forces
Japan AIJ 1991 Architectural STAAD Japan Design Codes
Institute of Japan
Standards for
Structural Calculation
of Steel Reinforced
Concrete Structures
Mexico NTC 1987 Normas Técnicas STAAD Latin American Design
Complementarias Codes
para Diseño y
construcción de
Estructuras de
Concreto
Norway NS 3473 2001 Concrete Structures - STAAD N. Eurozone Design
Design and detailing Codes
rules
Russia SNiP 2.03.01-84* STAAD E. Eurozone Design
Codes

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South Africa SABS 0100-1 2000 The structural use of STAAD CAN/AUS/SA Design
concrete Part Codes
1:Design
Spain EHE Instruccion de STAAD Eurozone Design Codes
Hormigon Estructural
(4th Edition)
Singapore CP65 Code of Practice for STAAD Asia Design Codes
Structural use of
concrete
Sweden BBK 94 STAAD N. Eurozone Design
Codes
UK BS 8110-1:1997 Structural use of STAAD British Std Design
concrete - Part1: Codes
Code of practice for
design and
construction
BS 8007:1987 Design of concrete STAAD British Specialized
structures for Design Codes
retaining aqueous
liquids
US ACI 318-08 Building Code for STAAD US Std Design Codes
Structural Concrete
(2005, 2002, and
1999 editions of the
code are also
available).

Concrete Design codes available in STAAD.Pro RC Designer

Country Code Title SELECT Code Pack
Australia AS 3600-2001 Australian STAAD CAN/AUS/SA Design
Standard - Codes
Concrete
Structures
China GB50010
Egypt ECCS 203 STAAD ME Design Codes
Europe EN 1992-1-1:2004 Eurocode 2: STAAD Euro Design Codes
Design of
concrete
structures - Part
1-1: General rules
and rules for
buildings
ENV 1992-1-1:1999 Eurocode 2:
Design of
concrete
structures - Part
1-1: General rules
and rules for
buildings
France BAEL 91 Regles STAAD Eurozone Design Codes
techniques de
conception et de

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calcul des
ouvrages et
constructions en
beton arme,
suivant la
methode des
etats limites
Germany DIN 1045-1:2001-07 Plain, reinforced
and prestressed
concrete
structures. Part
1: Design and
construction
India IS 456-2000 Code of Practice STAAD India Design Codes
for Plain and
Reinforced
Concrete
Japan AIJ 1985 Architectural STAAD Japan Design Codes
Institute of Japan
Norway NS 3473 Concrete STAAD N. Eurozone Design
structures - Codes
Design rules
(Norwegian) (3rd
Edition)
Russia SP52-101-03 Concrete and STAAD E. Eurozone Design
Reinforced Codes
Concrete
Structures
Without
Presstresed
Reinforcement
Singapore CP65 Code of Practice STAAD Asia Design Codes
for Structural use
of concrete
Spain EHE Instruccion de STAAD Eurozone Design Codes
Hormigon
Estructural. (4th
Edition)
Turkey TS 500 STAAD ME Design Codes
UK BS 8110:1997, 1985 Structural use of STAAD British Std Design Codes
concrete - Part 1:
Code of practice
for design and
constructionand
Part 2: Code of
practice for
special
circumstances
(used for torsion
design)

and Amendments
1, 2, and 3

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US ACI 318-05 Building Code for STAAD US Std Design Codes

Structural
Concrete
ACI 318-99 Building Code for
Structural
Concrete

Aluminum
Aluminum Design codes available in STAAD.Pro
Country Code Title SELECT Code Pack
US ASD 1994 Specifications for STAAD US Specialized Design
Aluminum Codes
structures

Timber
Timber Design codes available in STAAD.Pro
Country Code Title SELECT Code Pack
Canada CSA 086-01 Wood Design STAAD US Std Design Codes
Standard
Europe EC5 Part 1-1 Eurocode 5: STAAD Euro Design Codes
Design of timber
structures - Part
1.1: General-
Common rules
and rules for
buildings
US AITC 1984 Timber STAAD US Std Design Codes
Construction
Manual - AITC
1984
AITC 1994 Timber
Construction
Manual - AITC
1994

Shearwall
Shearwall Design codes available in STAAD.Pro
Country Code Title SELECT Code Pack
India IS 456 - 2000 Code of Practice STAAD India Design Codes
for Plain and
Reinforced
Concrete
UK BS 8110 Structural use of STAAD British Std Design Codes
concrete - Part1:
Code of practice
for design and
construction

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US ACI 318-02 Building Code for STAAD US Std Design Codes

Structural
Concrete

Available Structural Load Specifications in STAAD.Pro

The program contains the following load specifications:

Load specifications do not require any additional SELECT Code Pack license.

Response Spectrum
Codes available in STAAD.Pro with Response Spectrum loads
Country Code Title
India IS:1893 Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of
Structures - Part 1 : General Provisions and
Buildings
Europe EN 1996 Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake
resistance – Part 1: General rules, seismic actions
and rules for buildings, 1996
EN 2004 Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake
resistance – Part 1: General rules, seismic actions
and rules for buildings, 2004
Russia SNiP II-7-81
US IBC 2006 International Building Code

Seismic
Codes available in STAAD.Pro with Seismic loads
Country Code Title
Algeria RPA
Canada NRC 1995 National Building Code(NRC/CNRC) of Canada
NRC 2005 National Building Code(NRC/CNRC) of Canada
Columbia Columbian
India IS 1893:2002 Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of
Structures - Part 1 : General Provisions and
Buildings
Japan AIJ
Mexico CFE MANUAL DE DISEÑO POR SISMO - SEISMIC DESIGN
HANDBOOK COMISION FEDERAL DE ELECTRICIDAD
- ELECTRIC POWER FEDERAL COMISSION
NTC México Federal District (Reglamento de
Construcciones del Distrito Federal de México)
Turkey Turkish "Specification for Structures to be Built in Disaster
Areas Part – III – Earthquake Disaster Prevention”
Amended on 2.7.1998, Official Gazette No. 23390
US UBC 1985 Uniform Building Code

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UBC 1994 Uniform Building Code

UBC 1997 Uniform Building Code
IBC 2000 & 2003 International Building Code
IBC 2006 & 2009 International Building Code

Wind
Codes available in STAAD.Pro with Wind loads
Country Code Title
Russia SNiP 2.01.07-85 Loads and Actions
US ASCE 7-2002 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures
ASCE 7-1995 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures

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Getting Started and Tutorials

STAAD.Pro Getting Started and Tutorials

Help last updated: 20 January 2011

Introduction

About STAAD.Pro

About STAAD.Pro Documentation

1 Getting Started

2 Tutorials

3 Frequently Performed Tasks

Copyright 2011, Bentley Systems, Inc. - All rights reserved.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Introduction
STAAD.Pro is a general purpose program for performing the analysis and design of a wide variety of types
of structures. The basic three activities which are to be carried out to achieve that goal - a) model generation
b) the calculations to obtain the analytical results c) result verification - are all facilitated by tools contained
in the program's graphical environment. This manual contains three sample tutorials which guide you
through the steps required to create, analyze, process, and generate reports for each example.

The first of those tutorials demonstrates these processes using a simple two-dimensional steel portal frame. It
is a good starting point for learning the program. If you are unfamiliar with STAAD.Pro, you will greatly
benefit by going through this tutorial first.

For the second tutorial, we have chosen a reinforced concrete frame. We generate the model, perform the
analysis, and design the concrete beams and columns. It contains extensive details on the various facilities
available for visualization and verification of results.

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The modeling and analysis of a slab is demonstrated in the third tutorial. Slabs, and other surface entities like
walls are modeled using plate elements. Large surface entities may have to be defined using several elements
and this sometimes requires a tool called a mesh generator. This tutorial shows the simple techniques as well
as the mesh generation method for generating the finite element model of the slab. It also explains the
methods by which one can check the results for plate elements.

Getting Started and Tutorials

About STAAD.Pro
STAAD.Pro is a general purpose structural analysis and design program with applications primarily in the
building industry - commercial buildings, bridges and highway structures, industrial structures, chemical
plant structures, dams, retaining walls, turbine foundations, culverts and other embedded structures, etc. The
program hence consists of the following facilities to enable this task.

1. Graphical model generation utilities as well as text editor based commands for creating the
mathematical model. Beam and column members are represented using lines. Walls, slabs and panel
type entities are represented using triangular and quadrilateral finite elements. Solid blocks are
represented using brick elements. These utilities allow you to create the geometry, assign properties,
orient cross sections as desired, assign materials like steel, concrete, timber, aluminum, specify
supports, apply loads explicitly as well as have the program generate loads, design parameters etc.

2. Analysis engines for performing linear elastic and pdelta analysis, finite element analysis, frequency
extraction, and dynamic response (spectrum, time history, steady state, etc.).

3. Design engines for code checking and optimization of steel, aluminum and timber members.
Reinforcement calculations for concrete beams, columns, slabs and shear walls. Design of shear and
moment connections for steel members.

4. Result viewing, result verification and report generation tools for examining displacement diagrams,
bending moment and shear force diagrams, beam, plate and solid stress contours, etc.

5. Peripheral tools for activities like import and export of data from and to other widely accepted formats,
links with other popular softwares for niche areas like reinforced and prestressed concrete slab design,
footing design, steel connection design, etc.

6. A library of exposed functions called OpenSTAAD which allows you to access STAAD.Pro’s internal
functions and routines as well as its graphical commands to tap into STAAD’s database and link input
and output data to third-party software written using languages like C, C++, VB, VBA, FORTRAN,
Java, Delphi, etc. Thus, OpenSTAAD can be used to link in-house or third-party applications with
STAAD.Pro.

Getting Started and Tutorials

About STAAD.Pro Documentation

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The documentation for STAAD.Pro consists of a set of manuals as described below. These manuals are
normally provided only in the electronic format, with perhaps some exceptions such as the Getting Started
Manual which may be supplied as a printed book to first time and new-version buyers.

All the manuals can be accessed from the Help facilities of STAAD.Pro. If you wish to obtain a printed copy
of the manuals, these may be ordered through the docs.bentley.com website. Bentley includes the manuals in
the PDF format at no cost for those who wish to print them on their own.

Getting Started and Tutorials

This manual contains information on the contents of the STAAD.Pro package, computer system
requirements, installation process, copy protection issues and a description on how to run the programs in the
package. Tutorials that provide detailed and step-by-step explanation on using the programs are also
provided.

Examples Manual

This book offers examples of various problems that can be solved using the STAAD engine. The examples
represent various structural analyses and design problems commonly encountered by structural engineers.

Graphical Environment

This document contains a detailed description of the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of STAAD.Pro. The
topics covered include model generation, structural analysis and design, result verification, and report
generation.

Technical Reference Manual

This manual deals with the theory behind the engineering calculations made by the STAAD engine. It also
includes an explanation of the commands available in the STAAD command file.

International Design Codes

This document contains information on the various Concrete, Steel, and Aluminum design codes, of several
countries, that are implemented in STAAD.

The documentation for the STAAD.Pro Extension component(s) is available separately.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Section 1 Getting Started

System Requirements, Installation & Start-up

1. Introduction

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2. System Requirements

3. Installation & Licensing

4. Starting STAAD.Pro

5. Running Sectionwizard

6. Running Mesher

Getting Started and Tutorials

System Requirements, Installation, & Start-up

1. Introduction
STAAD.Pro is an analysis and design software package for structural engineering. This manual is intended
to guide users who are new to this software as well as experienced users who want specific information on
the basics of using the program.

Section 1 describes the following:

l System Requirements

l Installation & licensing

l Running STAAD.Pro

l Running Section Wizard

l Running Mesher

Section 2 contains tutorials on using STAAD.Pro. The tutorials guide a user through the processes of:

l Creating a structural model. This consists of generating the structural geometry, specifying member
properties, material constants, loads, analysis and design specifications, etc.

l Visualization and verification of the model geometry.

l Running the STAAD analysis engine to perform analysis and design.

l Verification of results - graphically and numerically.

l Report generation and printing.

Tutorial 1

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Tutorial 2

Tutorial 3

Section 3 contains some additional information on performing some common tasks in STAAD.Pro.

Getting Started and Tutorials

System Requirements, Installation, & Start-up

2. System Requirements
The following hardware requirements are suggested minimums. Systems with increased capacity provide
enhanced performance.

l PC with Intel-Pentium or equivalent.

l Graphics card and monitor with 1280x1024 resolution, 256 color display (16 bit high color
recommended).

l System memory: Minimum of 512 MB, 1 GB better, 2 GB recommended.

l Windows NT 4.0 or higher operating system. Windows 95, Windows 98 & Windows Me are no longer
supported. The program works best on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or Windows 7 operating systems.

l Sufficient free space on the hard disk to hold the program and data files. The disk space requirement
will vary depending on the modules you are installing. A typical minimum is 500MB free space.

l A multi-media ready system with sound card and speakers is needed to run the tutorial movies and
slide shows.

Additional RAM, disk space, and video memory will enhance the performance of STAAD.Pro.

Starting with STAAD.Pro Version 2001, the size of structures that the program can handle has been
increased significantly. As a result of this, the minimum amount of physical + virtual memory required by
the program also has increased to over 600MB. You may need to ensure that adequate amounts of virtual
memory are available, and in Windows NT and 2000 systems, parameters such as paging file sizes should be
large enough or span over multiple drives if the free space on any one drive runs low.

Another issue to keep in mind is the location of the “TEMP” parameter as in the “SET TEMP” environment
variable in Windows NT and 2000 systems. While performing calculations, depending on the structure size,
the program may create gigantic scratch files which are placed in the folder location associated with the
“TEMP” parameter. Users may wish to point the “SET TEMP” variable to a folder on a drive that has disk
space sufficiently large to accommodate the requirements for large size structures.

You should have a basic familiarity with Microsoft Windows systems in order to use the software.

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Getting Started and Tutorials

System Requirements, Installation, & Start-up

3. Installation and Licensing
Please refer to the document titled Quickstart & Troubleshooting Guide (Quickstart.pdf), which is included
in the installation package.

After the installation is completed, select Quickstart & Troubleshooting Guide from the Windows Start menu
in All Programs > Bentley Engineering > STAAD.Pro V8i.

Figure 1-1: Quickstart

Getting Started and Tutorials

System Requirements, Installation, & Start-up

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4. Starting STAAD.Pro
1. Select the STAAD.Pro icon from the STAAD.Pro V8i program group found in the Windows Start
menu.

Figure 1-2: The STAAD.Pro program group

The STAAD.Pro window opens to the start screen.

Figure 1-3: The STAAD.Pro window displaying the start screen

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If you are a first time user who is unfamiliar with STAAD.Pro, we suggest that you go through the tutorials
shown in Part II of this manual.

Getting Started and Tutorials

System Requirements, Installation, & Start-up

5. Running Section Wizard
Section Wizard consists a set of utility programs used to generate custom sections for use in STAAD.Pro.

1. Select one of the program icons located in the Section Wizard folder in the STAAD.Pro V8i program
group found in the Windows Start menu.

Figure 1-4: The STAAD.Pro program group

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For help on using this program, refer to the Section Wizard help accessed from the same location or from
within the individual programs.

Getting Started and Tutorials

System Requirements, Installation, & Start-up

6. Running Mesher
1. Select the Mesher icon located in the STAAD.Pro V8i program group found in the Windows Start
menu.

Figure 1-5: The STAAD.Pro program group

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Information on using this program is available from the Help menus of the program.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Section 2 Tutorials

Tutorial 1 - Steel Portal Frame

Tutorial 2 - Reinforced Concrete Frame

Tutorial 3 - Two-way Concrete Slab

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

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This chapter provides a step-by-step tutorial for creating a 2D portal frame using STAAD.Pro.

This tutorial covers the following topics:

1.1 Methods of creating the model

1.2 Description of the tutorial problem

1.3 Starting the program

1.4 Creating a new structure

1.5 Creating the model using the graphical user interface

1.6 Viewing the input command file

1.7 Creating the model using the command file

1.8 Performing Analysis/Design

1.9 Viewing the output file

1.10 Post-Processing

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.1 Methods of creating the model

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There are two methods of creating the structure data:

1. Using the graphical model generation mode, or Graphical User Interface (GUI) as it is typically
referred to.

2. Using the command file

The Command File is a text file which contains the data for the structure being modeled. This file consists of
simple English-language like commands. This command file may be created directly using the editor built
into the program, or for that matter, any editor which saves data in text form (e.g., Notepad, TextPad,
Notepad++, etc.).

This command file is also automatically created behind the scenes when the structure is generated using the
Graphical User Interface.

The graphical model generation mode and the command file are seamlessly integrated. So, at any time, you
may temporarily exit the graphical model generation mode and access the command file. You will find that it
reflects all data entered through the graphical model generation mode. Further, when you make changes to
the command file and save it, the GUI immediately reflects the changes made to the structure through the
command file.

Both methods of creating our model are explained in this tutorial. Sections 1.3 through 1.6 explain the
procedure for creating the file using the GUI. Section 1.7 describes creation of the command file using the
STAAD.Pro text editor.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.2 Description of the tutorial problem

The structure for this project is a single bay, single story steel portal frame that will be analyzed and
designed. The figure below shows the structure.

Figure 2-1: Portal Frame model

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An input file called Tut-01-portal.std containing the input data for the above structure has been provided
with the program. This file contains what would otherwise have resulted had we followed the procedure
explained in Section 1.7.

Basic Data for the Structure

Attribute Data
Member properties Members 1 & 3 : W12X35

Member 2 : W14X34
Material Constants Modulus of Elasticity : 29000 ksi

Poisson's Ratio : 0.30

Member Offsets 6.0 inches along global X for member 2 at both
ends
Supports Node 1 : Fixed

Node 4 : Pinned
Loads Load case 1 : Dead + Live

Beam 2 : 2.5 kips/ft downward along global Y

Load case 2 : Wind From Left

10 kips point force at Node 2

Load case 3 : 75 Percent of (DL+LL+WL)

Load Combination - L1 X 0.75 + L2 X 0.75

Analysis Type Linear Elastic (PERFORM)
Steel Design Consider load cases 1 and 3 only.

Parameters: Unsupported length of compression

flange for bending : 10 ft for members 2 and 3, 15

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ft for member 1.

Steel Yield Stress : 40 ksi

Perform member selection for members 2 and 3

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.3 Starting the program

1. Select the STAAD.Pro icon from the STAAD.Pro V8i program group found in the Windows Start
menu.

Figure 2-2: The STAAD.Pro program group

The STAAD.Pro window opens to the start screen.

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Figure 2-3: The STAAD.Pro window displaying the start screen

Note about the unit system:

There are two base unit systems in the program which control the units (length, force, temperature, etc.) in
which, values, specifically results and other information presented in the tables and reports, are displayed in.
The base unit system also dictates what type of default values the program will use when attributes such as
Modulus of Elasticity, Density, etc., are assigned based on material types – Steel, Concrete, Aluminum –
selected from the program’s library (Please refer to Section 5 of the STAAD.Pro Technical Reference
Manual for details). These two unit systems are English (Foot, Pound, etc.) and Metric (KN, Meter, etc.).

If you recall, one of the choices made at the time of installing STAAD.Pro is this base unit system setting.
That choice will serve as the default until we specifically change it.

We can change this setting either by going to the File > Configure menu or by selecting Configuration under
Project Tasks. In the dialog that comes up, choose the appropriate unit system you want. For this tutorial, let
us choose the English units (Kip, Feet, etc.).

Figure 2-4: Open the Configure Program dialog

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Figure 2-5:

Click Accept to close the dialog.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.4 Creating a new structure

In the New dialog, we provide some crucial initial data necessary for building the model.

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1. Select File > New

or

select New Project under Project Tasks.

Figure 2-6:

The New dialog opens.

Figure 2-7:

The structure type is defined as either Space, Plane, Floor, or Truss:

Space
the structure, the loading or both, cause the structure to deform in all 3 global axes (X, Y and Z).

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Plane
the geometry, loading and deformation are restricted to the global X-Y plane only
Floor
a structure whose geometry is confined to the X-Z plane.
Truss
the structure carries loading by pure axial action. Truss members are deemed incapable of
carrying shear, bending and torsion.
2. Select Plane.

3. Select Foot as the length unit and Kilo Pound as the force unit.

The units can be changed later if necessary, at any stage of the model creation.

4. Specify the File Name as PORTAL and specify a Location where the STAAD input file will be
located on your computer or network.

You can directly type a file path or click […] to open the Browse by Folder dialog, which is used to
select a location using a Windows file tree.

After specifying the above input, click Next.

The next page of the wizard, Where do you want to go?, opens.

Figure 2-8:

In the Where do you want to go? dialog, we choose the tools to be used to initially construct the
model.

Add Beam, Add Plate, or Add Solid

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respectively, the tools selected for you used in constructing beams, plates, or solids when the
GUI opens.

Open Structure Wizard

provides access to a library of structural templates which the program comes equipped with.
Those template models can be extracted and modified parametrically to arrive at our model
geometry or some of its parts.

Open STAAD Editor

Used to be create a model using the STAAD command language in the STAAD editor.

All these options are also available from the menus and dialogs of the GUI, even after we dismiss this
dialog.

If you wish to use the Editor to create the model, choose Open STAAD Editor, click Finish, and
proceed to Section 1.7.

5. Select the Add Beam option and click Finish. The dialog will be dismissed and the STAAD.Pro
graphical environment will be displayed.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5 Creating the model using the graphical user interface

It is helpful to take some time to familiarize yourself with the components of the STAAD.Pro window. A
sample of the STAAD.Pro window is shown in the following figure. The window has five major elements as
described below:

Figure 2-9: Elements of the STAAD.Pro window

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A) Menu bar

Located at the top of the screen, the Menu bar gives access to all the facilities of STAAD.Pro.

B) Toolbar

The dockable Toolbar gives access to the most frequently used commands. You may also create your
own customized toolbar.

C) Main Window
This is the largest area at the center of the screen, where the model drawings and results are displayed
in pictorial form.
D) Page Control

The Page Control is a set of tabs that appear on the left-most part of the screen. Each tab on the Page
Control allows you to perform specific tasks. The organization of the Pages, from top to bottom,
represents the logical sequence of operations, such as, definition of beams, specification of member
properties, loading, and so on.

Each tab has a name and an icon for easy identification. The name on the tabs may or may not appear

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depending on your screen resolution and the size of the STAAD.Pro window. However, the icons on
the Page Control tabs always appear.

The Pages in the Page Control area depend on the Mode of operation. The Mode of operation may be
set from the Mode menu from the Menu bar

E) Data Area

The right side of the screen is called the Data Area, where different dialogs, tables, list boxes, etc.
appear depending on the type of operation you are performing. For example, when you select the
Geometry | Beam page, the Data Area contains the Node-Coordinate table and the Member-incidence
table. When you are in the Load Page, the contents of the Data Area changes to display the currently
assigned Load cases and the icons for different types of loads.

The icons in the toolbar as well as in the Page Control area offer ToolTip help. As we move the mouse
pointer over a button, the name of the button – called a ToolTip – appears above or below the button.
This floating Tool tip help will identify the icon. A brief description of the icon also appears in the
status bar.

We are now ready to start building the model geometry. The steps and, wherever possible, the
corresponding STAAD.Pro commands (the instructions which get written in the STAAD input file)
are described in the following sections.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.1 Generating the model geometry

The structure geometry consists of joint numbers, their coordinates, member numbers, the member
connectivity information, plate element numbers, etc. From the standpoint of the STAAD command file, the
commands to be generated for the structure shown in section 1.2 are:

JOINT COORDINATES

1 0. 0. ; 2 0. 15. ; 3 20. 15. ; 4 20. 0.

MEMBER INCIDENCE

1 1 2;2 2 3;3 3 4

Steps:

1. We selected the Add Beam option earlier to facilitate adding beams to create the structure. This
initiates a grid in the main drawing area as shown below. The directions of the global axes (X, Y, Z)
are represented in the icon in the lower left hand corner of the drawing area.

Figure 2-10:

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2. A Snap Node/Beam dialog appears in the data area on the right side of the screen. Click Create. A
dialog opens which will enable us to set up a grid.

Within this dialog, there is a drop-down list from which we can select Linear, Radial or Irregular form
of grid lines.

Figure 2-11:

The Linear tab is meant for placing the construction lines perpendicular to one another along a "left to
right - top to bottom" pattern, as in the lines of a chess board. The Radial tab enables construction
lines to appear in a spider-web style, which makes it is easy to create circular type models where
members are modeled as piece-wise linear straight line segments. The Irregular tab can be used to
create gridlines with unequal spacing that lie on the global planes or on an inclined plane.

Select Linear, which is the Default Grid.

In our structure, the segment consisting of members 1 to 3, and nodes 1 to 4, happens to lie in the X-Y
plane. So, in this dialog, let us keep X-Y as the Plane of the grid. The size of the model that can be
drawn at any time is controlled by the number of Construction Lines to the left and right of the origin
of axes, and the Spacing between adjacent construction lines. By setting 20 as the number of lines to
the right of the origin along X, 15 above the origin along Y, and a spacing of 1 feet between lines along
both X and Y (see next figure) we can draw a frame 20ft X 15ft, adequate for our structure.

After entering the specifications, provide a name and click on OK.

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Figure 2-12:

3. Please note that these settings are only a starting grid setting, to enable us to start drawing the
structure, and they do not restrict our overall model to those limits.

Figure 2-13:

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This way, we can create any number of grids. By providing a name, each new grid can be identified
for future reference.

To change the settings of this grid, click Edit.

4. Let us start creating the nodes. Since the Snap Node/Beam button is active by default, with the help of
the mouse, click at the origin (0, 0) to create the first node.

Figure 2-14:

Figure 2-15:

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5. In a similar fashion, click on the following points to create nodes and automatically join successive
nodes by beam members.

(0, 15), (20, 15), and (20, 0)

The exact location of the mouse arrow can be monitored on the status bar located at the bottom of the
window where the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the current cursor position are continuously updated.

Figure 2-16: The status bar

When steps 1 to 4 are completed, the structure will be displayed in the drawing area as shown below.

Figure 2-17:

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6. At this point, let us remove the grid from the structure. To do that, click Close in the Snap Node/Beam
dialog.

Figure 2-18:

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The grid will now be removed and the structure in the main window should resemble the figure shown
below.

Figure 2-19:

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It is very important that we save our work often, to avoid loss of data and protect our investment of
time and effort against power interruptions, system problems, or other unforeseen events.

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.2 Switching on node and beam labels

Node and beam labels are a way of identifying the entities we have drawn on the screen.

1. Either

right click anywhere in the drawing area and select Labels from the pop-up menu

or

select View > Structure Diagrams.

The Diagrams dialog opens to the Labels tab.

2. In the Diagrams dialog that appears, set the Node Numbers and Beam Numbers on and then click OK.

Figure 2-20:

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The following figure illustrates the node and beam numbers displayed on the structure. The structure
in the main window should resemble the figure shown below.

Figure 2-21:

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If you are feeling adventurous, here is a small exercise for you. Change the font of the node/beam
labels by selecting View > Options, and then selecting the appropriate tab (Node Labels / Beam labels)
from the Options dialog.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.3 Specifying member properties

Our next task is to assign cross section properties for the beams and columns (see figure in section 1.2). For
those of us curious to know the equivalent commands in the STAAD command file, they are :

MEMBER PROPERTY AMERICAN

1 3 TABLE ST W12X35

2 TABLE ST W12X34

Steps:

1. To define member properties, select the Property Page tool located on the top toolbar.

Figure 2-22:

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Alternatively, one may go to the General | Property page from the left side of the screen as shown
below.

Figure 2-23:

2. In either case, the Properties dialog opens (see figure below). The property type we wish to create is
the W shape from the AISC table. This is available under the Section Database button in the
Properties dialog as shown below. So, let us click Section Database.

Figure 2-24:

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3. In the Section Profile Tables dialog that comes up, select the W Shape tab under the American option.

The Material check box is set. Leave this set as it will be used to subsequently assign the material
constants E, Density, Poisson, etc. along with the cross-section since you will assign the default
values.

Choose W12X35 as the beam size, and ST as the section type. Then, click Add as shown in the figure
below. Detailed explanation of the terms such as ST, T, CM, TC, BC, etc. is available in Section 5 of
the STAAD Technical Reference Manual.

Figure 2-25:

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4. To create the second member property (ST W14X34), select the W14X34 shape and click Add.

After the member properties have been created, click Close.

5. The next step is to associate the properties we just created with selected members in our model.
Follow these steps.

a. Select the first property reference in the Properties dialog (W12X35).

b. Select the Use Cursor to Assign option in the Assignment Method box.

c. Click Assign.

The mouse pointer changes to

d. Click on members 1 and 3.

e. To stop the assignment process, either

select Assign

or

press the Esc key.

Figure 2-26:

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6. In a similar fashion, assign the second property reference (W14X34) to member 2.

After both the properties have been assigned to the respective members, our model should resemble
the following figure.

Figure 2-27:

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

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Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.4 Specifying material constants

In Section 1.5.3, we kept the Material check box “on” while assigning the member properties. Consequently,
the material constants got assigned to the members along with the properties, and the following commands
were generated in the command file:

CONSTANTS

E 29000 MEMB 1 TO 3

POISSON 0.3 MEMB 1 TO 3

DENSITY 0.000283 MEMB 1 TO 3

ALPHA 6.5e-006 MEMB 1 TO 3

Hence, there is no more a need to assign the constants separately. However, if these had not been previously
assigned, selecting sub-menu items from Commands > Material Constants is used to make these
assignments.

Figure 2-28:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.5 Changing the input units of length

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For specifying member offset values, as a matter of convenience, it is simpler if our length units are inches
instead of feet. The commands to be generated are:

UNIT INCHES KIP

Steps:

1. Select either

the Input Units tool

Figure 2-29:

or

Tools > Set Current input Unit.

The Set Current Input Units dialog opens.

2. Set the Length Units to Inch and click OK.

Figure 2-30:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.6 Specifying member offsets

Since beam 2 actually spans only the clear distance between the column faces, and not the center to center
distance, we can take advantage of this aspect by specifying offsets. Member 2 is OFFSET at its START

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joint by 6 inches in the global X direction, 0.0 and 0.0 in Y and Z directions. The same member is offset by
negative 6.0 inches at its END joint. The corresponding STAAD commands are:

MEMBER OFFSET

2 START 6.0 0.0 0.0

2 END -6.0 0.0 0.0

Steps:

1. Since we know that member 2 is the one to be assigned with the offset, let us first select this member
prior to defining the offset itself. Select member 2 by clicking on it using the Beam Cursor tool .
The selected member will be highlighted. (Please refer to the ‘Frequently Performed Tasks’ section at
the end of this manual to learn more about selecting members.)

2. To define member offsets, select the Specification Page tool located in the top toolbar.

Figure 2-31:

Alternatively, one may go to the General | Spec page from the left side of the screen.

Figure 2-32:

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3. In either case, the Specifications dialog shown below comes up. Member Releases and Offsets are
defined through the Beam button in this dialog as shown below.

Figure 2-33:

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4. In the Beam Specs dialog that opens, select the Offset tab. We want to define the offset at the start
node in the X direction. Hence, make sure that the Startoption is selected under Location. Specify a
value of 6.0 for X. Since we have already selected the member, let us click Assign.

Figure 2-34:

5. To apply the offset at the end node, repeat steps 3 and 4, except for selecting the End option and
providing a value of -6.0 for X.

After both the Start and End offsets have been assigned, the model will look as shown below.

Figure 2-35:

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Click anywhere in the drawing area to un-highlight the member.

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.7 Printing member information in the output file

We would like to get a report consisting of information about all the members including start and end joint
numbers (incidence), member length, beta angle and member end releases in the STAAD output file. The
corresponding STAAD command is:

PRINT MEMBER INFORMATION ALL

Steps:

1. Select all the members by going to Select > By All > All Beams menu option.

2. Select Commands > Pre Analysis Print > Member Information .

The Print Member Information dialog opens.

Figure 2-36:

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3. Ensure that the assignment method is set To Selection.

4. Press the OK button in this dialog.

Click anywhere in the drawing area to un-highlight the members.

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.8 Specifying Supports

The specifications of this problem (see section 1.2) call for restraining all degrees of freedom at node 1
(FIXED support) and a pinned type of restraint at node 4 (restrained against all translations, free for all
rotations). The commands to be generated are:

SUPPORTS

1 FIXED ; 4 PINNED

Steps:

1. To create a support, select the Support Page tool located in the top toolbar as shown below.

Figure 2-37:

or

select the General > Support Page from the left side of the screen.

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Figure 2-38:

2. In either case, the Supports dialog opens as shown in the next figure. Since we already know that node
1 is to be associated with a Fixed support, using the Nodes Cursor tool , select node 1. It becomes
highlighted. (Please refer to the ‘Frequently Performed Tasks’ section at the end of this manual to
learn more about selecting nodes.)

3. Then, click Create in the Supports dialog as shown below.

Figure 2-39:

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4. In the Create Support dialog that opens, select the Fixed tab (which also happens to be the default) and
click Assign as shown below. This creates a FIXED type of support at node 1 where all 6 degrees of
freedom are restrained.

Figure 2-40:

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5. To create a PINNED support at node 4, repeat steps 2 to 4, except for selecting node 4 and selecting
the Pinned tab in the Create Support dialog.

After the supports have been assigned, the structure will look like the one shown below.

Figure 2-41:

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Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.9 Viewing the model in 3D

Let us see how we can display our model in 3D.

1. Either

right-click and select Structure Diagrams from the pop-up menu

or

select View > Structure Diagrams.

The Diagrams dialog opens to the Structure tab.

Figure 2-42:

The options under 3D Sections control how the members are displayed.

None
displays the structure without displaying the cross-sectional properties of the members and
elements.
Full Sections
displays the 3D cross-sections of members, depending on the member properties.
Sections Outline
displays only the outline of the cross-sections of members.
2. Select Full Sections and click OK.

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You can also change the color of the sections by clicking on the Section Outline color button under
Colors.

The resulting diagram is shown in the following figure.

Figure 2-43:

Fast 3D Rendering Option

1. Either

right-click and select 3D Rendering from the pop-up menu

or

select View > 3D Rendering.

A new view opens with the model rendered in a 3D, perspective view.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.10 Specifying Loads

Three load cases are to be created for this structure. Details of the individual cases are explained at the
beginning of this tutorial. The corresponding commands to be generated are listed below.

UNIT FEET KIP

LOADING 1 DEAD + LIVE

MEMBER LOAD

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2 UNI GY -2.5

LOADING 2 WIND FROM LEFT

JOINT LOAD

2 FX 10.

LOAD COMBINATION 3 75 PERCENT OF (DL+LL+WL)

1 0.75 2 0.75

Steps:

The creation and assignment of load cases involves the following two steps:

I. First, we will be creating all three load cases.

II. Then, we will be assigning them to the respective members/nodes.

Creating load cases 1 and 2

1. To create loads, first select the Load Page tool located on the top tool bar.

Figure 2-44:

Alternatively, one may go to the General | Load page from the left side of the screen.

Figure 2-45:

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2. Before we create the first load case, we need to change our length units to feet. To do that, as before,
utilize the input Units tool (see section 1.5.5).

Notice that a window titled “Load” appears on the right-hand side of the screen. To create the first
load case, highlight Load Case Details and then click Add in the Load dialog.

Figure 2-46:

3. The Add New Load Cases dialog opens.

The drop-down list box against Loading Type is available in case we wish to associate the load case
we are creating with any of the ACI, AISC or IBC definitions of Dead, Live, Ice, etc. This type of
association needs to be done if we intend to use the program's facility for automatically generating
load combinations in accordance with those codes. Notice that there is a check box called Reducible
per UBC/IBC. This feature becomes active only when the load case is assigned a Loading Type called
Live at the time of creation of that case.

As we do not intend to use the automatic load combination generation option, we will leave the
Loading Type as None. Enter DEAD + LIVE as the Title for Load Case 1 and click Add.

Figure 2-47:

The newly created load case will now appear under the Load Cases Details option.

To create the Member load, first select the 1: DEAD + LIVE entry. You will notice that the Add New
Load Items dialog shows more options now.

Figure 2-48:

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4. In the Add New Load Items dialog, select the Uniform Force tab under the Member Load item. Specify
GY as the Direction, enter -2.5 as the Force and click Add.

Figure 2-49:

The next step is to create the second load case which contains a joint load.

5. Select Load Case Details in the Load dialog. In the Add New Load Cases dialog, once again, we are
not associating the load case we are about to create with any code based Loading Type and so, leave
Loading Type as None. Specify the Title of the second load case as WIND FROM LEFT and click
Add.

Figure 2-50:

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6. Next, to create the Joint load, select 2: Wind From Left.

Figure 2-51:

7. In the Add New Load Items dialog, select the Node tab under the Nodal Load item. Specify 10 for Fx,
and click Add.

Figure 2-52:

Creating load case 3

Load cases 1 and 2 were primary load cases. Load case 3 will be defined as a load combination. So, the next
step is to define load case 3 as 0.75 x (Load 1 + Load 2), which is a load combination.

1. To do this, once again, select Load Case Details entry int he Loads & Definition dialog. In the Add
New Load Cases dialog, click on the Define Combinations tab from the left-hand side. Specify the
Title as 75 Percent of [DL+LL+WL].

Figure 2-53:

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In the Define Combinations box, the default load combination type is set to be Normal, which means
an algebraic combination. The other combination types available are called SRSS (square root of sum
of squares) and ABS (Absolute). The SRSS type offers the flexibility of part SRSS and part Algebraic.
That is, some load cases are combined using the square root of sum of squares approach, and the result
is combined with other cases algebraically, as in

A + SQRT (B*B + C*C)

where A, B and C are the individual primary cases.

We intend to use the default algebraic combination type (Normal).

2. In the Define Combinations box, select both load cases from the left side list box (by holding down the
Ctrl key) and click [>] . The load cases appear in the right side list box. Then, enter 0.75 in the Factor
edit box. (These data indicate that we are adding the two load cases with a multiplication factor of 0.75
and that the load combination results would be obtained by algebraic summation of the results for
individual load cases.) Click Add.

Figure 2-54:

Now that we have completed the task of creating all 3 load cases, click Close.

Associating a Load Case with a Member

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Our next step is to associate load case 1 with member 2. Follow these steps.

1. Select the first load reference in the Load dialog (UNI GY -2.5 kip/ft).

2. Select the Use Cursor to Assign option in the Assignment Method box.

3. Click Assign.

The mouse pointer changes to

4. Click on member 2.

5. To stop the assignment process

click Assign

or

Press the Esc key.

Figure 2-55:

After the member load has been assigned, the model will look as shown below.

Figure 2-56:

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In a similar fashion, assign the second load case (FX 10 kip, ft) to Node 2.

After assigning the joint load, the model will look as shown below.

Figure 2-57:

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.11 Specifying the analysis type

The analysis type we are required to do is a linear static type. We also need to obtain a static equilibrium
report. This requires the command:

PERFORM ANALYSIS PRINT STATICS CHECK

Steps:

1. To specify the Analysis command, go to the Analysis/Print | Analysis page from the left side of the
screen.

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The Analysis/Print Commands dialog opens.

Figure 2-58:

2. In the Analysis/Print Commands dialog that appears, make sure that the Perform Analysis tab is
selected. Then, check the Statics Check print option. Click Add and then Close.

Figure 2-59:

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Technical Reference Page 55 of 329

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.12 Specifying post-analysis print commands

We would like to obtain the member end forces and support reactions written into the output file. This
requires the specification of the following commands:

PRINT MEMBER FORCES ALL

PRINT SUPPORT REACTION LIST 1 4

Steps:

1. The dialog for specifying the above opens when the Analysis/Print |Post-Print is selected.

Figure 2-60:

2. Next, select all the members by rubber-banding around them using the mouse.

3. Click Define Commands in the data area on the right hand side of the screen.

Figure 2-61:

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4. In the Analysis/Print Commands dialog that appears, select the Member Forces tab and click Assign
followed by the Close button.

Figure 2-62:

5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 except for selecting both the supports and selecting the Support Reactions tab in
the Analysis/Print Commands dialog. (Recall that the supports can be selected by turning the Nodes
Cursor on, holding the ‘Ctrl’ key down, and clicking on the supports.) Click Assign and then Close.

At this point, the Post Analysis Print dialog should resemble the figure shown below.

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Figure 2-63:

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.13 Short-listing the load cases to be used in steel design

The steel design has to be performed for load cases 1 and 3 only per the specification at the beginning of this
tutorial. To instruct the program to use just these cases, and ignore the remaining, we have to use the LOAD
LIST command.

The command will appear in the STAAD file as:

LOAD LIST 1 3

Steps:

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1. In the menus on the top of the screen, go to Commands > Loading > Load List option as shown below.

The Load List dialog opens.

Figure 2-64:

2. From the Load Cases list box on the left, double-click on 1: DEAD + LIVE and 3: 75 Percent of
[DL+LL+WL] to send them to the Load List box on the right, as shown below. Then click OK.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.14 Specifying steel design parameters

The specifications listed in section 1.2 of this tutorial require us to provide values for some of the terms used
in steel design because the default values of those terms are not suitable. The corresponding commands to be
generated are:

PARAMETER

CODE AISC

FYLD 5760 ALL

UNT 10.0 MEMB 2 3

UNB 10.0 MEMB 23

TRACK 2 MEMB 2 3

SELECT MEMB 2 3

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Steps:

1. To specify steel design parameters, go to Design | Steel page from the left side of the screen. Make
sure that under the Current Code selections on the top right hand side, AISC ASD is selected.

Figure 2-65:

2. Click Define Parameters in the Steel Design dialog.

Figure 2-66:

3. In the Design Parameters dialog that comes up, select the FYLD parameter. Then, provide the Yield
strength of steel as 5760 Kip/ft2 and click Add.

Figure 2-67:

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4. To define the remaining parameters, repeat step 3 except for selecting the parameters and providing
the values listed below.

Parameter Value
UNT 10
UNB 10
TRACK 2
5. When all the parameters have been added, click on the Close button in the Design Parameters dialog.

6. The next step is to assign these parameters to specific members of the model. From looking at the
requirements listed in the beginning of this tutorial, we know that the FYLD parameter is to be
assigned to all the members, while the remaining parameters are to be assigned to members 2 and 3.

As before, use the Use Cursor to Assign method to assign these parameters.

Figure 2-68:

After all the design parameters have been assigned, the Steel Design dialog will look as shown below.

Figure 2-69:

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7. To specify the SELECT command, click Commands in the Steel Design dialog as shown below. The
SELECT command is an instruction to the program to fetch and assign the least-weight cross-section
which satisfies all the code requirements (PASSes) for the member.

Figure 2-70:

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8. In the Design Commands dialog that appears, click on the Select tab. Then, click Add followed by the
Close button.

Figure 2-71:

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9. Once again, we need to associate this command with members 2 and 3. You may either use the
Use Cursor to Assign method or first select members 2 and 3 and then use the Assign to Selected
Beams option.

After the parameters are assigned, click anywhere in the drawing area to un-highlight the members.

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.15 Re-specifying the analysis command

When the analysis & design engine executes the member selection operation we specified in the previous
step, a new set of properties will end up being assigned to those members. This has the effect of changing the
stiffness distribution for the entire structure. Since the structure is statically indeterminate, we ought to re-
analyze it if we want the nodal displacements, member forces, etc. to reflect this new stiffness distribution.
The command to be generated is hence:

PERFORM ANALYSIS

Steps:

1. To specify the Analysis command, repeat step 1 of Section 1.5.11 of this tutorial. In the Analysis/Print
Commands dialog that comes up, select the Perform Analysis tab. Since we are not interested in a
statics check report once again, let us check the No Print option. Finally, click Add followed by the
Close button.

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.16 Re-specifying the TRACK parameter

The final calculation we need to do is make sure the current set of member properties pass the code
requirements based on the up-to-date member forces. This will require that we do a code checking operation
again. To restrict the output produced to a reasonable level, we specify the TRACK parameter again as:

TRACK 1 ALL

Steps:

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1. To define and assign 1.0 for the TRACK parameter, repeat steps 1 to 4 of Section 1.5.14 of this
tutorial.

2. Next, select all the members by clicking and dragging a window around them using the mouse. (Please
refer to the ‘Frequently Performed Tasks’ section at the end of this manual to learn more about
selecting members.) Then, assign this parameter to all the members.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.5.17 Specifying the CHECK CODE command

The analysis operation carried out in response to the command in Section 1.5.15 will create a new set of
member forces. These forces will very likely be quite different from those which were used in the member
selection operation (see the commands of section 1.5.14). Consequently, we have to verify that the structure
is safely able – from the standpoint of the design code requirements – to carry these new forces. A code
checking operation, which uses the up-to-date cross sections of the members, and the latest member forces,
will provide us with a status report on this issue. The command to be generated is hence:

CHECK CODE ALL

Steps:

1. Select Commands > Design > Steel Design.

2. Click Commands in the Steel Design dialog as shown below.

Figure 2-72:

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3. In the Design Commands dialog that appears, click on the Check Code tab. Then, click Add followed
by the Close button.

Figure 2-73:

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4. Since the CHECK CODE command has to be assigned to all the members, the easiest way to do that is
to click Assign to View.

Figure 2-74:

We have now completed the tasks for assigning the input for this model.

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.6 Viewing the input command file

Steps:

Let us now take a look at the data that has been written into the file that we just saved earlier. The contents
of the file can be viewed either by clicking on the STAAD Editor tool or, by going to the Edit menu and
choosing Edit input Command File as shown below.

Figure 2-75:

Figure 2-76:

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A new window will open up with the data listed as shown here:

Figure 2-77:

This window and the facilities it contains is known as the STAAD Editor.

We could make modifications to the data of our structure in this Editor if we wish to do so. Let us Exit the
Editor without doing so by selecting the File > Exit menu option of the editor window (not the File > Exit
menu of the main window behind the editor window).

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As we saw in Section 1.1, we could also have created the same model by typing the relevant STAAD
commands into a text file using either the STAAD editor, or by using any external editor of our choice. If
you would like to understand that method, proceed to the next section. If you want to skip that part, proceed
to section 1.8 where we perform the analysis and design on this model.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.7 Creating the model using the command file

Let us now use the command file method to create the model for the above structure. The commands used in
the command file are described later in this section.

The STAAD.Pro command file may be created using the built-in editor, the procedure for which is explained
further below in this section. Any standard text editor such as Notepad or WordPad may also be used to
create the command file. However, the STAAD.Pro command file editor offers the advantage of syntax
checking as we type the commands. The STAAD.Pro keywords, numeric data, comments, etc. are displayed
in distinct colors in the STAAD.Pro editor. A typical editor screen is shown below to illustrate its general
appearance.

Figure 2-78:

To access the built-in editor, first start the program using the procedure explained in Section 1.3. Next,
follow step 1 of Section 1.4.

Figure 2-79:

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You will then encounter the dialog shown in the figure shown below. In that dialog, set the Open
STAAD Editor check box.

Figure 2-80:

At this point, the editor screen similar to the one shown below will open.

Figure 2-81:

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Delete all the command lines displayed in the editor window and type the lines shown in bold below (You
don’t have to delete the lines if you know which to keep and where to fill in the rest of the commands). The
commands may be typed in upper or lower case letters. Usually the first three letters of a keyword are all that
are needed -- the rest of the letters of the word are not required. The required letters are underlined.
(“PLANE” = “PLA” = “plane” = “pla”)

STAAD PLANE PORTAL FRAME

Every STAAD.Pro input file has to begin with the word STAAD. The word PLANE signifies that the structure
is a plane frame (in the XY plane). The remainder of the words is the title of the problem, which is optional.

If a line is typed with an asterisk in the first column, it signifies that the line is a comment line and should
not be executed. For example, one could have put the optional title above on a separate line as follows.

* PORTAL FRAME

UNIT FEET KIP

Specify the force and length units for the commands to follow.

JOINT COORDINATES

1 0. 0. ; 2 0. 15. ; 3 20. 15. ; 4 20. 0.

Joint numbers and their corresponding global X and Y coordinates are provided above. For example, 3 20
15. indicates that node 3 has an X coordinate of 20 ft and a Y coordinate of 15 ft. Note that the reason for not
providing the Z coordinate is because the structure is a plane frame. If this were a space frame, the Z
coordinate would also be required. Semicolons (;) are used as line separators. In other words, data which is
normally put on multiple lines can be put on one line by separating them with a semicolon.

MEMBER INCIDENCE

1 1 2;2 2 3;3 3 4

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The members are defined by the joints to which they are connected.

MEMPERTY AMERICANPRO BER

1 3 TABLE ST W12X35

2 TABLE ST W14X34

Members 1 and 3 are assigned a W12X35 section from the built-in AMERICAN steel table. Member 2 has
been assigned a W14X34. The word ST stands for standard single section. Sections 5.20.1 through 5.20.5 of
the STAAD Technical Reference Manual explain the convention for assigning member property names.

UNIT INCHES

CONSTANTS

E 29000.0 ALL

POISSON 0.3 ALL

The length unit is changed from FEET to INCHES to facilitate input of the modulus of elasticity (E). The
keyword CONSTANT is required before material properties such as E, density, Poisson’s ratio, coefficient
of thermal expansion (ALPHA) etc. can be provided. See Section 5.26 of the STAAD Technical Reference
Manual for more information.

MEMBER OFFSET

2 START 6.0 0. 0.

2 END -6.0 0. 0.

The beam member is physically connected to the 2 columns at the face of the column, and not at the column
centerline. This creates a rigid zone, about half the depth of the columns, at the 2 ends of the beam 2. This
rigid zone is taken advantage of using member offsets (It is you choice whether or not you wish to use
these). So, the above commands define that member 2 is eccentrically connected or OFFSET at its START
joint by 6 inches in the global X direction, 0.0 and 0.0 in Y and Z directions. The same member is offset by
negative 6.0 inches at its END joint. See Section 5.25 of the STAAD Technical Reference Manual for more
information.

PRINT MEMBER INFORMATION ALL

The above command is self-explanatory. The information that is printed includes start and end joint numbers
(incidence), member length, beta angle and member end releases.

SUPPORTS

1 FIXED ; 4 PINNED

A fixed support is located at joint 1 and a pinned support (fixed for translations, released for rotations) at
joint 4. More information on the support specification is available in Section 5.27 of the STAAD Technical
Reference Manual.

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UNIT FT

The length unit is changed to FEET to facilitate input of loads.

LOADING 1 DEAD + LIVE

MEMBER LOAD

2 UNI GY -2.5

The above commands identify a loading condition. DEAD + LIVE is an optional title to identify this load
case. A UNIformly distributed MEMBER LOAD of 2.5 kips/ft is acting on member 2 in the negative global
Y direction. Member Load specification is explained in Section 5.32 of the STAAD Technical Reference
Manual.

LOADING 2 WIND FROM LEFT

JOINT LOAD

2 FX 10.

The above commands identify a second load case. This load is a JOINT LOAD. A 10 kip force is acting at
joint 2 in the global X direction.

LOAD COMBINATION 3 75 PERCENT OF (DL+LL+WL)

1 0.75 2 0.75

This command identifies a combination load with an optional title. The second line provides the components
of the load combination case - primary load cases and the factors by which they should be individually
multiplied.

PERFORM ANALYSIS PRINT STATICS CHECK

This command instructs the program to proceed with the analysis and produce a report of static equilibrium
checks. Section 5.37 of the STAAD Technical Reference Manual offers information on the various analysis
options available.

PRINT MEMBER FORCES ALL

PRINT SUPPORT REACTION LIST 1 4

The above print commands are self-explanatory. The member forces are in the member local axes while
support reactions are in the global axes.

LOAD LIST 1 3

PARAMETERS

CODE AISC

UNT 10.0 MEMB 2 3

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UNB 10.0 MEMB 2 3

FYLD 5760 ALL

TRACK 2.0 MEMB 2 3

SELECT MEMBER 2 3

The above sequence of commands is used to initiate the steel design process. The command PARAMETERS
is followed by the various steel design parameters. Parameters are specified typically when their values
differ from the built-in program defaults. Specifications of the AISC ASD code are to be followed. A
parameter list for the AISC code is available in Table 3.1 of the Technical Reference Manual. ALL members
have 10 ft unsupported length for the top and bottom flange (UNT and UNB).

UNT and UNB are used to compute the allowable compressive stress in bending. The yield strength of steel
is specified as 5760 ksf (40 ksi) since it is different from the default value of 36 ksi. The TRACK parameter
controls the level of description of the output, 2.0 being the most detailed. The LOAD LIST command lists
the load cases (1 and 3) to be used in the design. The SELECT MEMBER command asks the program to
come up with the most economical section for members 2 and 3 in the context of the above analysis.

PERFORM ANALYSIS

When the analysis & design engine executes the member selection operation we specified in the previous
step, a new set of properties will end up being assigned to those members. This has the effect of changing the
stiffness distribution for the entire structure. Since the structure is statically indeterminate, we ought to re-
analyze it if we want the nodal displacements, member forces, etc. to reflect this new stiffness distribution.
The above command instructs the program to do another cycle of analysis.

PARAMETER

TRACK 1 ALL

The TRACK parameter is re-specified. It controls the level of information produced in the steel design
output. We have lowered it from 2.0 we specified earlier to 1.0 since we aren’t interested in the highest level
of detail at this time.

CHECK CODE ALL

The analysis operation carried out earlier will create a new set of member forces. These forces will very
likely be quite different from those which were used in the member selection operation. Consequently, we
have to verify that the structure is safely able – from the standpoint of the design code requirements – to
carry these new forces. A code checking operation, which uses the up-to-date cross sections of the members,
and the latest member forces, will provide us with a status report on this issue.

FINISH

A STAAD run is terminated using the FINISH command.

Save the file and return to the main screen.

This concludes the session on generating our model as a command file using the built-in editor. If you wish
to perform the analysis and design, you may proceed to the next section of this manual. The on-screen post-

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processing facilities are explained in Section 1.10.

Remember that without successfully completing the analysis and design, the post-processing facilities will
not be accessible.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.8 Performing Analysis/Design

STAAD.Pro performs Analysis and Design simultaneously.

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

In order to perform Analysis and Design, select Analyze > Run Analysis….

As the analysis progresses, several messages appear on the screen as shown in the figure below.

Figure 2-82:

Notice that we can choose from the three options available in the above dialog:

Figure 2-83:

These options are indicative of what will happen after we click Done.

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The View Output File option allows us to view the output file created by STAAD. The output file contains
the numerical results produced in response to the various input commands we specified during the model
generation process. It also tells us whether any errors were encountered, and if so, whether the analysis and
design was successfully completed or not. Section 1.9 offers additional details on viewing and
understanding the contents of the output file.

The Go to Post Processing Mode option allows us to go to graphical part of the program known as the Post-
processor. This is where one can extensively verify the results, view the results graphically, plot result
diagrams, produce reports, etc. Section 1.10 explains the Post processing mode in greater detail.

The Stay in Modelling Mode lets us continue to be in the Model generation mode of the program (the one we
currently are in) in case we wish to make further changes to our model.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.9 Viewing the output file

During the analysis process, STAAD.Pro creates an Output file. This file provides important information on
whether the analysis was performed properly. For example, if STAAD.Pro encounters an instability problem
during the analysis process, it will be reported in the output file.

We can access the output file using the method explained at the end of the previous section. Alternatively,
we can select the File > View > Output File > STAAD Output option from the top menu. The STAAD.Pro
output file for the problem we just ran is shown in the next few pages.

Figure 2-84:

The STAAD.Pro output file is displayed through a file viewer called SproView. This viewer allows us to set
the text font for the entire file and print the output file to a printer. Use the appropriate File menu option
from the menu bar.

Figure 2-85:

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By default, the output file contains a listing of the entire input also. You may choose not to print the echo of
the input commands in the Output file. Please select Commands > Miscellaneous > Set Echo option from the
menu bar and select the Echo Off button.

It is quite important that we browse through the entire output file and make sure that the results look
reasonable, that there are no error messages or warnings reported, etc. Errors encountered during the analysis
& design can disable access to the post-processing mode – the graphical screens where results can be viewed
graphically. The information presented in the output file is a crucial indicator of whether or not the structure
satisfies the engineering requirements of safety and serviceability.

****************************************************

* *

* STAAD.Pro V8i SELECTseries1 *

* Version 20.07.06.35 *

* Proprietary Program of *

* Bentley Systems, Inc. *

* Date= JUL 7, 2010 *

* Time= 9:41: 8 *

* *

* USER ID: Bentley Systems *

****************************************************

1. STAAD PLANE PORTAL FRAME

input FILE: Tut_01_portal.STD

2. START JOB INFORMATION

3. ENGINEER DATE 15-FEB-02

4. END JOB INFORMATION

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5. input WIDTH 79

6. UNIT FEET KIP

7. JOINT COORDINATES

8. 1 0 0 0; 2 0 15 0; 3 20 15 0; 4 20 0 0

9. MEMBER INCIDENCES

10. 1 1 2; 2 2 3; 3 3 4

11. MEMBER PROPERTY AMERICAN

12. 1 3 TABLE ST W12X35

13. 2 TABLE ST W14X34

14. UNIT INCHES KIP

15. CONSTANTS

16. E 29000 MEMB 1 TO 3

17. POISSON 0.3 MEMB 1 TO 3

18. DENSITY 0.000283 MEMB 1 TO 3

19. ALPHA 6.5E-006 MEMB 1 TO 3

20. MEMBER OFFSET

21. 2 START 6 0 0

22. 2 END -6 0 0

23. PRINT MEMBER INFORMATION ALL

MEMBER INFORMATION

------------------

MEMBER START END LENGTH BETA

JOINT JOINT (INCH) (DEG) RELEASES

1 1 2 180.000 0.00

2 2 3 228.000 0.00

3 3 4 180.000 0.00

************ END OF DATA FROM INTERNAL STORAGE ************

24. SUPPORTS

25. 1 FIXED

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26. 4 PINNED

27. UNIT FEET KIP

28. LOAD 1 DEAD + LIVE

29. MEMBER LOAD

30. 2 UNI GY -2.5

31. LOAD 2 WIND FROM LEFT

32. JOINT LOAD

33. 2 FX 10

34. LOAD COMB 3 75 PERCENT OF (DL+LL+WL)

35. 1 0.75 2 0.75

36. PERFORM ANALYSIS PRINT STATICS CHECK

P R O B L E M S T A T I S T I C S

-----------------------------------

NUMBER OF JOINTS/MEMBER+ELEMENTS/SUPPORTS = 4/ 3/ 2

SOLVER USED IS THE IN-CORE ADVANCED SOLVER

TOTAL PRIMARY LOAD CASES = 2, TOTAL DEGREES OF FREEDOM = 7

STATIC LOAD/REACTION/EQUILIBRIUM SUMMARY FOR CASE NO. 1

DEAD + LIVE

CENTER OF FORCE BASED ON Y FORCES ONLY (FEET).

(FORCES IN NON-GLOBAL DIRECTIONS WILL INVALIDATE RESULTS)

X = 0.100000003E+02

Y = 0.150000004E+02

Z = 0.000000000E+00

***TOTAL APPLIED LOAD ( KIP FEET ) SUMMARY (LOADING 1 )

SUMMATION FORCE-X = 0.00

SUMMATION FORCE-Y = -47.50

SUMMATION FORCE-Z = 0.00

SUMMATION OF MOMENTS AROUND THE ORIGIN-

MX= 0.00 MY= 0.00 MZ= -475.00

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***TOTAL REACTION LOAD( KIP FEET ) SUMMARY (LOADING 1 )

SUMMATION FORCE-X = 0.00

SUMMATION FORCE-Y = 47.50

SUMMATION FORCE-Z = 0.00

SUMMATION OF MOMENTS AROUND THE ORIGIN-

MX= 0.00 MY= 0.00 MZ= 475.00

MAXIMUM DISPLACEMENTS ( INCH /RADIANS) (LOADING 1)

MAXIMUMS AT NODE

X = 1.82363E-01 2

Y = -1.46578E-02 3

Z = 0.00000E+00 0

RX= 0.00000E+00 0

RY= 0.00000E+00 0

RZ= -4.82525E-03 2

STATIC LOAD/REACTION/EQUILIBRIUM SUMMARY FOR CASE NO. 2

WIND FROM LEFT

CENTER OF FORCE BASED ON X FORCES ONLY (FEET).

(FORCES IN NON-GLOBAL DIRECTIONS WILL INVALIDATE RESULTS)

X = 0.000000000E+00

Y = 0.150000004E+02

Z = 0.000000000E+00

***TOTAL APPLIED LOAD ( KIP FEET ) SUMMARY (LOADING 2 )

SUMMATION FORCE-X = 10.00

SUMMATION FORCE-Y = 0.00

SUMMATION FORCE-Z = 0.00

SUMMATION OF MOMENTS AROUND THE ORIGIN-

MX= 0.00 MY= 0.00 MZ= -150.00

***TOTAL REACTION LOAD( KIP FEET ) SUMMARY (LOADING 2 )

SUMMATION FORCE-X = -10.00

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SUMMATION FORCE-Y = 0.00

SUMMATION FORCE-Z = 0.00

SUMMATION OF MOMENTS AROUND THE ORIGIN-

MX= 0.00 MY= 0.00 MZ= 150.00

MAXIMUM DISPLACEMENTS ( INCH /RADIANS) (LOADING 2)

MAXIMUMS AT NODE

X = 7.27304E-01 2

Y = 2.47268E-03 2

Z = 0.00000E+00 0

RX= 0.00000E+00 0

RY= 0.00000E+00 0

RZ= -5.48842E-03 4

************ END OF DATA FROM INTERNAL STORAGE ************

37. PRINT MEMBER FORCES ALL

MEMBER END FORCES STRUCTURE TYPE = PLANE

-----------------

ALL UNITS ARE -- KIP FEET (LOCAL )

MEMBER LOAD JT AXIAL SHEAR-Y SHEAR-Z TORSION MOM-Y MOM-Z

1 1 1 23.18 -3.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 -11.48

2 -23.18 3.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 -48.40

2 1 -4.10 7.68 0.00 0.00 0.00 67.93

2 4.10 -7.68 0.00 0.00 0.00 47.32

3 1 14.30 2.77 0.00 0.00 0.00 42.34

2 -14.30 -2.77 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.81

2 1 2 3.99 23.18 0.00 0.00 0.00 36.81

3 -3.99 24.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 -47.72

2 2 2.32 -4.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 -45.27

3 -2.32 4.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 -32.69

3 2 4.73 14.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 -6.34

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3 -4.73 21.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 -60.31

3 1 3 24.32 3.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 59.88

4 -24.32 -3.99 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2 3 4.10 2.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 34.74

4 -4.10 -2.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

3 3 21.32 4.73 0.00 0.00 0.00 70.97

4 -21.32 -4.73 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

************** END OF LATEST ANALYSIS RESULT **************

38. PRINT SUPPORT REACTION LIST 1 4

SUPPORT REACTIONS -UNIT KIP FEET STRUCTURE TYPE = PLANE

-----------------

JOINT LOAD FORCE-X FORCE-Y FORCE-Z MOM-X MOM-Y MOM Z

1 1 3.99 23.18 0.00 0.00 0.00 -11.48

2 -7.68 -4.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 67.93

3 -2.77 14.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 42.34

4 1 -3.99 24.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2 -2.32 4.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

3 -4.73 21.32 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

************** END OF LATEST ANALYSIS RESULT **************

39. LOAD LIST 1 3

40. PARAMETER

41. CODE AISC

42. UNT 10 MEMB 2 3

43. UNB 10 MEMB 2 3

44. FYLD 5760 ALL

45. TRACK 2 MEMB 2 3

46. SELECT MEMB 2 3

STAAD.PRO MEMBER SELECTION - (AISC 9TH EDITION)

***********************************************

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|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Y PROPERTIES |

|************* | IN INCH UNIT |

| * |=============================| ===|=== ------------ |

|MEMBER 2 * | AISC SECTIONS | | AX = 8.85 |

| * | ST W14X30 | | --Z AY = 3.39 |

|DESIGN CODE * | | | AZ = 3.47 |

| AISC-1989 * =============================== ===|=== SY = 5.82 |

| * SZ = 42.05 |

| * |<---LENGTH (FT)= 19.00 --->| RY = 1.49 |

|************* RZ = 5.73 |

| |

| 70.5 (KIP-FEET) |

|PARAMETER | L1 L1 STRESSES |

|IN KIP INCH | L1 IN KIP INCH |

|--------------- + L3 -------------|

| KL/R-Y= 153.21 | L3 FA = 6.36 |

| KL/R-Z= 39.76 + fa = 0.45 |

| UNL = 120.00 | L3 L1 FCZ = 21.67 |

| CB = 1.00 +L1 FTZ = 24.00 |

| CMY = 0.85 | L3 L3 FCY = 30.00 |

| CMZ = 0.85 + FTY = 30.00 |

| FYLD = 40.00 | L1 fbz = 20.13 |

| NSF = 1.00 +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---| fby = 0.00 |

| DFF = 0.00 13.8 Fey = 6.36 |

| dff= 0.00 ABSOLUTE MZ ENVELOPE Fez = 94.46 |

| (KL/R)max = 153.21 (WITH LOAD NO.) FV = 16.00 |

| fv = 0.17 |

| |

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| MAX FORCE/ MOMENT SUMMARY (KIP-FEET) |

| ------------------------- |

| |

| AXIAL SHEAR-Y SHEAR-Z MOMENT-Y MOMENT-Z |

| |

| VALUE 4.7 24.3 0.0 0.0 70.5 |

| LOCATION 0.0 19.0 0.0 0.0 9.5 |

| LOADING 3 1 0 0 1 |

| |

|**************************************************************************|

|* *|

|* DESIGN SUMMARY (KIP-FEET) *|

|* -------------- *|

|* *|

|* RESULT/ CRITICAL COND/ RATIO/ LOADING/ *|

| FX MY MZ LOCATION |

| ====================================================== |

| PASS AISC- H1-3 1.000 1 |

| 3.99 C 0.00 -70.55 9.50 |

|* *|

|**************************************************************************|

| |

|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|

STAAD.PRO MEMBER SELECTION - (AISC 9TH EDITION)

***********************************************

|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Y PROPERTIES |

|************* | IN INCH UNIT |

| * |=============================| ===|=== ------------ |

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|MEMBER 3 * | AISC SECTIONS | | AX = 10.00 |

| * | ST W14X34 | | --Z AY = 3.61 |

|DESIGN CODE * | | | AZ = 4.10 |

| AISC-1989 * =============================== ===|=== SY = 6.91 |

| * SZ = 48.64 |

| * |<---LENGTH (FT)= 15.00 --->| RY = 1.53 |

|************* RZ = 5.83 |

| |

| 71.0 (KIP-FEET) |

|PARAMETER |L3 STRESSES |

|IN KIP INCH | L3 IN KIP INCH |

|--------------- + L3 L3 -------------|

| KL/R-Y= 117.92 | L3 FA = 10.72 |

| KL/R-Z= 30.87 + fa = 2.13 |

| UNL = 120.00 | L3 L3 FCZ = 21.95 |

| CB = 1.00 + FTZ = 24.00 |

| CMY = 0.85 | L3 FCY = 30.00 |

| CMZ = 0.85 + L3 L3 FTY = 30.00 |

| FYLD = 40.00 | L0 fbz = 17.51 |

| NSF = 1.00 +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---| fby = 0.00 |

| DFF = 0.00 -3.9 Fey = 10.74 |

| dff= 0.00 ABSOLUTE MZ ENVELOPE Fez = 156.71 |

| (KL/R)max = 117.92 (WITH LOAD NO.) FV = 16.00 |

| fv = 1.31 |

| |

| MAX FORCE/ MOMENT SUMMARY (KIP-FEET) |

| ------------------------- |

| |

| AXIAL SHEAR-Y SHEAR-Z MOMENT-Y MOMENT-Z |

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| |

| VALUE 24.3 4.7 0.0 0.0 71.0 |

| LOCATION 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 |

| LOADING 1 3 0 0 3 |

| |

|**************************************************************************|

|* *|

|* DESIGN SUMMARY (KIP-FEET) *|

|* -------------- *|

|* *|

|* RESULT/ CRITICAL COND/ RATIO/ LOADING/ *|

| FX MY MZ LOCATION |

| ====================================================== |

| PASS AISC- H1-2 0.886 3 |

| 21.32 C 0.00 70.97 0.00 |

|* *|

|**************************************************************************|

| |

|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|

47. PERFORM ANALYSIS

** ALL CASES BEING MADE ACTIVE BEFORE RE-ANALYSIS. **

48. PARAMETER

49. CODE AISC

50. TRACK 1 ALL

51. CHECK CODE ALL

STAAD.Pro CODE CHECKING - (AISC 9TH EDITION)

***********************

ALL UNITS ARE - KIP FEET (UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

MEMBER TABLE RESULT/ CRITICAL COND/ RATIO/ LOADING/

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FX MY MZ LOCATION

=======================================================================

1 ST W12X35 (AISC SECTIONS)

PASS AISC- H1-1 0.855 1

23.02 C 0.00 52.01 15.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

| MEM= 1, UNIT KIP-INCH, L= 180.0 AX= 10.30 SZ= 45.6 SY= 7.5|

| KL/R-Y= 116.7 CB= 1.00 YLD= 40.00 ALLOWABLE STRESSES: FCZ= 18.19 |

| FTZ= 24.00 FCY= 30.00 FTY= 30.00 FC= 10.94 FT= 24.00 FV= 16.00 |

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

2 ST W14X30 (AISC SECTIONS)

PASS AISC- H1-3 0.969 3

5.16 C 0.00 66.64 19.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

| MEM= 2, UNIT KIP-INCH, L= 228.0 AX= 8.85 SZ= 42.1 SY= 5.8|

| KL/R-Y= 153.2 CB= 1.00 YLD= 40.00 ALLOWABLE STRESSES: FCZ= 21.67 |

| FTZ= 24.00 FCY= 30.00 FTY= 30.00 FC= 6.36 FT= 24.00 FV= 16.00 |

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

3 ST W14X34 (AISC SECTIONS)

PASS AISC- H1-2 0.959 3

21.45 C 0.00 77.36 0.00

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

| MEM= 3, UNIT KIP-INCH, L= 180.0 AX= 10.00 SZ= 48.6 SY= 6.9|

| KL/R-Y= 117.9 CB= 1.00 YLD= 40.00 ALLOWABLE STRESSES: FCZ= 21.95 |

| FTZ= 24.00 FCY= 30.00 FTY= 30.00 FC= 10.72 FT= 24.00 FV= 16.00 |

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

52. FINISH

*********** END OF THE STAAD.Pro RUN ***********

**** DATE= JUL 7,2010 TIME= 9:41:10 ****

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************************************************************

* For questions on STAAD.Pro, please contact *

* Bentley Systems Offices at the following locations *

* *

* Telephone Web / Email *

* *

* USA: +1 (714)974-2500 *

* UK +44(1454)207-000 *

* SINGAPORE +65 6225-6158 *

* EUROPE +31 23 5560560 *

* INDIA +91(033)4006-2021 *

* JAPAN +81(03)5952-6500 http://www.ctc-g.co.jp *

* CHINA +86 10 5929 7000 *

* THAILAND +66(0)2645-1018/19 [email protected] *

* *

* Worldwide http://selectservices.bentley.com/en-US/ *

* *

************************************************************

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.10 Post-Processing

STAAD.Pro offers extensive result verification and visualization facilities. These facilities are accessed from
the Post Processing Mode. The Post Processing mode is used to verify the analysis and design results and
generate reports.

For this tutorial problem, we shall perform the following tasks:

1.10.1 Going to the post-processing mode

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1.10.2 Annotating the displacements

1.10.3 Displaying force/moment diagrams

1.10.4 Annotating the force/moment diagram

1.10.5 Changing the degree of freedom for which forces diagram

1.10.6 Displaying the dimensions of the members

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.10.1 Going to the post-processing mode

At the end of section 1.8, we saw how one could go directly from the Analysis window to the post-
processing screen. However, you can access the Post Processing mode by the following procedure at any
point.

Steps:

1. Select either

the Post-Processing tool

Figure 1.95

or

Mode > Post Processing.

The Results Setup dialog opens.

Figure 2-86:

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Technical Reference Page 89 of 329

2. Select the load cases for which to display the results. For this tutorial, click [>>] to select all load
cases and click OK.

Notice that in the Post-Processing mode, the tabbed Page Control bar and the menu bar change to offer the
post processing functions:

Figure 2-87:
Page Control in Modeling Mode Page Control in Post-Processing Mode

Figure 1. 99

Menu Bar in Modeling Mode

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Menu Bar in Post-Processing Mode

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.10.2 Annotating the displacements

Steps:

The screen will now look like the figure shown below.

Figure 2-88:

The diagram currently on display is the node deflection diagram for load case 1 (DEAD + LIVE). The title at
the bottom of the diagram is indicative of that aspect. If you, say, wandered off into any other result diagram,
and wanted to get back to the deflection diagram, just select the Node > Displacement tab along the page
control area on the left side.

Figure 2-89:

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Technical Reference Page 91 of 329

Annotation is the process of displaying the displacement values on the screen. Select Results > View
Value….

The Annotation dialog opens.

Figure 2-90:

From the Ranges tab, select All nodes. If you wish to annotate deflection for just a few nodes, specify the
node numbers in the node list.

From the Node tab, set the Resultant check box. Resultant stands for the square root of sum of squares of
values of X, Y and Z displacements. Click the Annotate button and notice that the values appear on the
structure and then click Close.

Figure 2-91:

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Technical Reference Page 92 of 329

The following figure shows the annotated deflection diagram for load case 1.

Figure 2-92:

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.10.3 Displaying force/moment diagrams

Steps:

The simplest method to access the facilities for displaying force/moment diagrams is from the Beam | Forces
page along the page control area on the left side of the screen. The bending moment MZ will be plotted by
default, evidence of which can be found in the form of the Mz icon shown in the diagram below which
becomes active.

Figure 1. 106

Figure 2-93:

The option for selecting the forces/moment diagram is available from another facility also - the Results >

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Technical Reference Page 94 of 329

Bending Moment menu option.

Figure 2-94:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.10.4 Annotating the force/moment diagram

Steps:

Annotation is the process of displaying the force/moment values on the screen.

Select Results > View Value….

The Annotation dialog opens.

Select the Ranges tab and select All members. If you wish to annotate the force/moment for just a few
members, specify the beam numbers in the beam list.

Figure 2-95:

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Technical Reference Page 95 of 329

On the Beam Results tab, set the Endsand Mid point check boxes under the Bending section. Click the
Annotate button and notice that the values appear on the structure and click OK.

Figure 2-96:

The following figure shows the annotated MZ diagram for load case 2.

Figure 2-97:

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.10.5 Changing the degree of freedom for which forces diagram is plotted

Force and moment diagrams can be plotted for 6 degrees of freedom – Axial, Shear-Y, Shear-Z, Torsion,
Moment-Y, Moment-Z.

Select View > Structure Diagrams > Loads and Results.

The Diagrams Dialog opens to the Loads and Results tab.

Figure 2-98:

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Technical Reference Page 97 of 329

Select Load Case 3 (75 PERCENT OF [DL+LL+WL] and set the Shear yy check box.

The resulting figure is shown below.

Figure 2-99:

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Technical Reference Page 98 of 329

All degrees of freedom currently plotted will be indicated with a tick mark in the Diagrams dialog.

The icons of the Results toolbar may also be used to turn on/off specific degrees of freedom.

Figure 2-100:

For the sake of easy identification, each degree of freedom (d.o.f) has been assigned a different color (see
Diagrams dialog shown above). One may change the color for that d.o.f. by clicking on the color button
alongside the d.o.f, and make a new choice from the color palette.

Figure 2-101:

The appearance of the diagram may also be set to one of the 3 – Hatch, Fill or Outline by turning on the
relevant option in the dialog shown earlier.

Figure 2-102:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame

1.10.6 Displaying the dimensions of the members

To display the dimension of the members, select the Dimension tool. Alternatively, one may select the
DimensionBeams option from the Tools menu. In the dialog that opens, the option Dimension to View is
active. Click Display followed by the Close button, and the dimensions of the members will appear
alongside the members.

Figure 2-103:

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Technical Reference Page 99 of 329

Figure 2-104:

The diagram will look like the one shown below.

Figure 2-105:

We can opt to save the screenshot by clicking on the Take Picture tool (shown below). This picture may be
included in custom reports. See Chapter 2 for a tutorial on taking pictures as well as generating custom
reports.

Figure 2-106:

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Technical Reference Page 100 of 329

For obtaining a quick print of the plot on the screen, select the Print Current View tool as shown below.

Figure 2-107:

For detailed information on the Post Processing features, please refer to the Post Processing section in the
STAAD.Pro Graphical Environment manual.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for creating the model of a reinforced concrete framed
structure using STAAD.Pro.

The following topics are covered:

2.1 Methods of creating the model

2.2 Description of the tutorial problem

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2.3 Starting the program

2.4 Creating a new structure

2.5 Elements of the STAAD.Pro screen

2.6 Building the STAAD.Pro model

2.7 Viewing the input command file

2.8 Creating the model using the command file

2.9 Performing the analysis and design

2.10 Viewing the output file

2.11 Post-Processing

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.1 Methods of creating the model

As explained in Section 1.1 of tutorial problem 1, there are two methods of creating the structure data:

1. Using the graphical model generation mode, or Graphical User Interface (GUI) as it is typically
referred to.

2. Using the command file.

Both methods are explained in this tutorial also. The graphical method is explained first, from Section 2.2
onwards. Section 2.8 describes the process of creating the model using the command file method and the
STAAD.Pro text editor.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.2 Description of the tutorial problem

The structure for this project is a 2 bay, 2 story reinforced concrete frame. The figure below shows the
structure. Our goal is to create the model, assign all required input, and perform the analysis and concrete
design.

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Figure 2-108:

Basic Data for the Structure

Attribute Data
Member properties Beams 2 & 5 : Rectangular, 275 mm width X 350 mm depth

Columns 1 & 4 : Rectangular, 275 mm width X 300 mm depth

Column 3 : Circular, 350 mm diameter

Member Orientation All members except column 4 : Default

Column 4 : Rotated by 90 degrees with respect to default condition

Material Constants Modulus of Elasticity : 22 KN/sq.mm

Density : 25 kn/cu.m

Poisson's Ratio : 0.17

Supports Base of all columns : Fixed
Loads Load case 1 : Dead Load

Selfweight of the structure.

Beams 2 & 5 : 400 kg/m in global Y downward

Load case 2 : Live Load

Beams 2 & 5 : 600 kg/m in global Y downward

Load case 3 : Wind Load

Beam 1 : 300 kg/m along positive global X

Beam 4 : 500 kg/m along positive global X

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Load Case 4 : DEAD + LIVE

L1 X 1.2 + L2 X 1.5 (Use REPEAT LOAD, not Load Combination)

Load Case 5 : DEAD + WIND

L1 X 1.1 + L2 X 1.3 (Use REPEAT LOAD, not Load Combination)

Analysis Type PDELTA

Concrete Design Consider load cases 4 and 5 only.

Parameters: Ultimate Strength of Steel: 415 N/sq.mm

Concrete Strength: 25 N/sq.mm

Clear cover for top: 25 mm

Clear cover for bottom: 30 mm

Clear cover for side: 25 mm

Design beams 2 and 5

Design columns 1, 3 and 4

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.3 Starting the program

1. Select the STAAD.Pro icon from the STAAD.Pro V8i program group found in the Windows Start
menu.

Figure 2-109: The STAAD.Pro program group

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The STAAD.Pro window opens to the start screen.

Figure 2-110: The STAAD.Pro window displaying the start screen

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See "Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame" for notes regarding changing the default unit system.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.4 Creating a new structure

In the New dialog, we provide some crucial initial data necessary for building the model.

1. Select File > New

or

select New Project under Project Tasks.

Figure 2-111:

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The New dialog opens.

Figure 2-112:

The structure type is defined as either Space, Plane, Floor, or Truss:

Space
the structure, the loading or both, cause the structure to deform in all 3 global axes (X, Y and Z).
Plane
the geometry, loading and deformation are restricted to the global X-Y plane only
Floor
a structure whose geometry is confined to the X-Z plane.
Truss
the structure carries loading by pure axial action. Truss members are deemed incapable of
carrying shear, bending and torsion.
2. Select Space.

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3. Select Meter as the length unit and Kilo Newton as the force unit.

The units can be changed later if necessary, at any stage of the model creation.

4. Specify the File Name as RCFrame and specify a Location where the STAAD input file will be
located on your computer or network.

You can directly type a file path or click […] to open the Browse by Folder dialog, which is used to
select a location using a Windows file tree.

After specifying the above input, click Next.

The next page of the wizard, Where do you want to go?, opens.

Figure 2-113:

In the Where do you want to go? dialog, we choose the tools to be used to initially construct the
model.

Add Beam, Add Plate, or Add Solid

respectively, the tools selected for you used in constructing beams, plates, or solids when the
GUI opens.

Open Structure Wizard

provides access to a library of structural templates which the program comes equipped with.
Those template models can be extracted and modified parametrically to arrive at our model
geometry or some of its parts.

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Open STAAD Editor

Used to be create a model using the STAAD command language in the STAAD editor.

All these options are also available from the menus and dialogs of the GUI, even after we dismiss this
dialog.

If you wish to use the Editor to create the model, choose Open STAAD Editor, click Finish, and
proceed to Section 2.8.

5. Select the Add Beam option and click Finish. The dialog will be dismissed and the STAAD.Pro
graphical environment will be displayed.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.5 Elements of the STAAD.Pro screen

The STAAD.Pro main window is the primary screen from where the model generation process takes place. It
is important to familiarize ourselves with the components of that window before we embark on creating the
RC Frame. Section 1.5 in tutorial problem 1 of this manual explains the components of that window in
detail.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6 Building the STAAD.Pro model

We are now ready to start building the model geometry. The steps and, wherever possible, the corresponding
STAAD.Pro commands (the instructions which get written in the STAAD input file) are described in the
following sections.

2.6.1 Generating the model geometry

2.6.2 Changing the input units of length

2.6.3 Specifying member properties

2.6.4 Specifying geometric constants

2.6.5 Specifying material constants

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2.6.6 Specifying Supports

2.6.7 Specifying Loads

2.6.8 Specifying the analysis type

2.6.9 Short-listing the load cases to be used in concrete design

2.6.10 Specifying concrete design parameters

2.6.11 Specifying design commands

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6.1 Generating the model geometry

The structure geometry consists of joint numbers, their coordinates, member numbers, the member
connectivity information, plate element numbers, etc. From the standpoint of the STAAD command file, the
commands to be generated for the structure shown in section 2.2 are:

JOINT COORDINATES

1 0.0 0.0 0.0 ; 2 0.0 3.5 0.0

3 6.0 3.5 0.0 ; 4 6.0 0.0 0.0

5 6.0 0.0 6.0 ; 6 6.0 3.5 6.0

MEMBER INCIDENCE

112;223;334;456;536

Steps:

1. We selected the Add Beam option earlier to enable us to add beams and columns to create the
structure. This initiates a grid in the main drawing area as shown below. The directions of the global
axes (X, Y, Z) are represented in the icon in the lower left hand corner of the drawing area.

Figure 2-114:

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2. A Snap Node/Beam dialog appears in the data area on the right side of the screen. Click Create. A
dialog opens which will enable us to set up a grid.

Within this dialog, there is a drop-down list from which we can select Linear, Radial or Irregular form
of grid lines.

Figure 2-115:

The Linear tab is meant for placing the construction lines perpendicular to one another along a "left to
right - top to bottom" pattern, as in the lines of a chess board. The Radial tab enables construction
lines to appear in a spider-web style, which makes it is easy to create circular type models where
members are modeled as piece-wise linear straight line segments. The Irregular tab can be used to
create gridlines with unequal spacing that lie on the global planes or on an inclined plane.

Select Linear,which is the Default Grid.

In our structure, the segment consisting of members 1 to 3, and nodes 1 to 4, happens to lie in the X-Y
plane. So, in this dialog, let us keep X-Y as the Plane of the grid. The size of the model that can be
drawn at any time is controlled by the number of Construction Lines to the left and right of the origin
of axes, and the Spacing between adjacent construction lines. By setting 12 as the number of lines to
the right of the origin along X, 7 above the origin along Y, and a spacing of 0.5 meters between lines
along both XandY (see figure below) we can draw a frame 6m X 3.5m, adequate for our segment.

After entering the specifications, provide a name and click OK.

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Figure 2-116:

This way, we can create any number of grids. By providing a name, each new grid can be identified
for future reference.

Please note that these settings are only a starting grid setting, to enable us to start drawing the
structure, and they do not restrict our overall model to those limits.

3. Let us start creating the nodes. Since the Snap Node/Beam button is active by default, with the help of
the mouse, click at the origin (0, 0) to create the first node.

Figure 2-117:

Figure 2-118:

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4. In a similar fashion, click on the following points to create nodes and automatically join successive
nodes by beam members.

(0, 3.5), (6, 3.5) and (6, 0)

The exact location of the mouse arrow can be monitored on the status bar located at the bottom of the
window where the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the current cursor position are continuously updated.

When steps 1 to 4 are completed, the frame will be displayed in the drawing area as shown below.

Figure 2-119:

5. At this point, let us remove the grid display from the structure. To do that, click Close in the Snap
Node/Beam dialog.

Figure 2-120:

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The grid will now be removed and the structure in the main window should resemble the figure shown
below.

Figure 2-121:

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6. It is very important that we save our work often, to avoid loss of data and protect our investment of
time and effort against power interruptions, system problems, or other unforeseen events.

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Switching on node and beam labels

Node and beam labels are a way of identifying the entities we have drawn on the screen. In order to display
the node and beam numbers.

1. Either

right click anywhere in the drawing area and select Labels from the pop-up menu

or

Select View > Structure Diagrams…

The Diagrams dialog opens to the Labels tab.

Figure 2-122:

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2. In the Diagrams dialog that appears, set the Node Numbers and Beam Numbers check boxes and then
click OK.

The following figure illustrates the node and beam numbers displayed on the structure. The structure
in the main window should resemble the figure shown below.

Figure 2-123:

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If you are feeling adventurous, here is a small exercise for you. Change the font of the node/beam
labels by selecting View > Options, and then selecting the appropriate tab (Node Labels / Beam labels)
from the Options dialog.

3. Examining the structure shown in section 2.2 of this tutorial, it can be seen that members 4 and 5 can
be easily generated if we could first create a copy of members 1 and 2 and then rotate those copied
units about a vertical line passing through the point (6, 0, 0, that is, node 4) by 90 degrees. Fortunately,
such a facility does exist which can be executed in a single step. It is called Circular Repeat and is
available under the Geometry menu.

First, select members 1 and 2 using the Beams Cursor tool . (Please refer to the ‘Frequently
Performed Tasks’ section at the end of this manual to learn more about selecting members.)

4. Either select

the Circular Repeat tool from the appropriate toolbar

Figure 2. 21

or

select Geometry > Circular Repeat.

The 3D Circular dialog opens.

5. Specify the Axis of Rotation as Y, Total Angle as 90 degrees, No. of Steps as 1 and the vertical line as
passing through Node number 4.

or

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You may instead specify the X and Z co-ordinates as 6 and 0 respectively.

Clear the Link Steps check box and click OK.

Figure 2-124:

After completing the circular repeat procedure, the model will look as shown below.

Before

Figure 2-125:

After

Figure 2-126:

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Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6.2 Changing the input units of length

As a matter of convenience, for specifying member properties for our structure, it is simpler if our length
units are millimeter instead of meter. This will require changing the current length units of input. The
commands to be generated are:

UNIT MMS KN

Steps:

1. Select either

the input Units tool

Figure 2-127:

or

Tools > Set Current input Unit.

The Set Current Input Units dialog opens.

Figure 2-128:

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2. Set the Length Units to Milimeterand click OK.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6.3 Specifying member properties

Our next task is to assign cross section properties for the beams and columns (see section 2.2). For those of
us curious to know the equivalent commands in the STAAD command file, they are:

MEMB PROP

1 4 PRIS YD 300 ZD 275

2 5 PRIS YD 350 ZD 275

3 PRIS YD 350

Steps:

1. Select either

the Property Page tool located on the Structure Tools toolbar.

Figure 2-129:

or

select the General | Property page from the left side of the screen as shown below.

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Figure 2-130:

The Properties - Whole Structure dialog opens.

Figure 2-131:

2. Click Define…

The Property dialog opens.

3. Select the Rectangle tab.

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The Material check box is set. If we keep it that way, the material properties of concrete (E, Poisson,
Density, Alpha, etc.) will be assigned along with the cross-section name. The material property values
so assigned will be the program defaults. We do not want default values, instead we will assign our
own values later on. Thus, clear the Material check box. Then, enter the following values:

Property Value
YD 300 mm
ZD 275 mm

Finally, click on the Add button as shown below.

Figure 2-132:

4. Repeat step 3 to create the second member property (PRIS YD 350 ZD 275), provide 350 for YDand
275 for ZD (instead of 300 and 275) and click Add.

5. To create the third member property, in the Property dialog, select the Circle option. Specify the
diameter (YD) as 350 mm. Thus, clear the Material check box and click Add.

Figure 2-133:

6. Click Close.

The next step is to assign these member properties in the following manner:

l Rect 0.30x0.28 – members 1 and 4

l Rect 0.35x0.28 – members 2 and 5
l Cir 0.35 – member 3

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To assign the member properties, follow these steps:

1. Select the first property reference in the Properties dialog (Rect 0.30x28).

2. Select the Use Cursor to Assign option in the Assignment Method box.

3. Click Assign.

The mouse pointer changes to

4. Click on members 1 and 4.

5. To stop the assignment process

select Assign

or

press the Esc key.

Figure 2-134:

In a similar fashion, assign the remaining properties.

After all the member properties have been assigned, the model will look as shown below.

Figure 2-135:

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Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6.4 Specifying geometric constants

In the absence of any explicit instructions, STAAD will orient the beams and columns of the structure in a
pre-defined way. Orientation refers to the directions along which the width and depth of the cross section are
aligned with respect to the global axis system. The rules which dictate this default orientation are explained
in Section 1 of the STAAD.Pro Technical Reference Manual.

We wish to orient member 4 so that its longer edges (sides parallel to local Y axis) are parallel to the global
Z axis. This requires applying a beta angle of 90 degrees. The command which needs to be generated is:

BETA 90 MEMB 4

Steps:

1. Select the Beta Angle tab in the Properties dialog.

2. Click Create Beta Angle.

3. In the Beta Angle dialog, specify the Angle in degrees as 90.

Figure 2-136:

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4. Highlight the expression Beta 90 in the Properties dialog.

5. Then, select member 4 using the Beams Cursor tool .

Notice that as we select the member, the Assignment Method automatically sets to Assign to Selected
Beams.

6. Click Assign.

Click anywhere in the drawing area to un-highlight the member.

(An alternative method to assign beta angles is the following. First select the member for which you wish to
assign the beta angle. Then, select Commands > Geometric Constants > Beta Angle. Specify the Angle in
Degrees to be 90, ensure that the assignment method is “To Selection” and click on OK. )

Figure 2. 36

View the orientation of the member local axes by selecting View > Structure diagrams > Labels and then
select the option for Beam Orientation.

Figure 2-137:

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Figure 2-138:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6.5 Specifying material constants

At the time of assigning member properties, we deliberately chose not to assign the material constants
simultaneously, since we wanted to specify values which are different from the built-in defaults. The desired
values are listed at the beginning of this tutorial. The corresponding commands we wish to generate in the
STAAD input file are:

CONSTANTS

E 22 ALL

UNIT METER

DENSITY 25.0 ALL

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POISSON 0.17 ALL

Steps:

1. Select Commands > Material Constants > Elasticiy….

2. In the Material Constant dialog that appears, enter 22 in the Enter Value box. Since the value has to be
assigned to all the members of the structure, the current setting of the assignment method, namely, To
View, allows us to achieve this easily. Then, click OK.

Figure 2-139:

3. For specifying the DENSITY constant, it will be convenient if we change our length units to meters.
To change the length units, as before, select the input Units tool from the Structure toolbar, or
select the Tools > Set Current input Unit menu option from the top menu bar. In the Set Current input
Units dialog that comes up, specify the length units as Meter.

Figure 2-140:

4. Following the steps 1 and 2 above, we choose Commands > Material Constants > Density, specify the
value as 25 KN/m3, and assign To View.

5. To define the Poisson's Ratio, using the similar procedure as described above, provide the value 0.17
to all members in the View.

Getting Started and Tutorials

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Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6.6 Specifying Supports

The base nodes of all the columns are restrained against translation and rotation about all the 3 global axes
(see section 2.2). In other words, fixed supports are to be specified at those nodes. The commands to be
generated are:

SUPPORTS

1 4 5 FIXED

Steps:

1. Select the Support Page tool located in the Structure Tools toolbar as shown below.

Figure 2-141:

or

select the General | Support page from the left side of the screen.

Figure 2-142:

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The Supports dialog opens.

Figure 2-143:

2. Since we already know that nodes 1, 4 and 5 are to be associated with the Fixed support, using the
Nodes Cursor tool , select these nodes.

3. Click Create.

The Create Support dialog opens.

Figure 2-144:

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4. Select the Fixed tab and click Assign.

After the supports have been assigned, the structure will look like the one shown below.

Figure 2-145:

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5. Click anywhere in the drawing area to un-select all selected nodes and prevent accidental assignment
of unwanted data to those nodes.

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6.7 Specifying Loads

Five load cases are to be created for this structure. Details of the individual cases are explained at the
beginning of this tutorial.

l Load Case 1
l Load Case 2
l Load Case 3
l Load Case 4
l Load Case 5

The corresponding commands to be generated are listed below. Notice that cases 4 and 5 are to be generated
not as the standard combination type, but using a combination load type called REPEAT LOAD. The
instructions at the beginning of this tutorial require us to analyze this structure using an analysis type called
PDelta. A Pdelta analysis is a non-linear type of analysis. In STAAD, to accurately account for the PDelta
effects arising from the simultaneous action of previously defined horizontal and vertical loads, those
previous cases must be included as components of the combination case using the REPEAT LOAD type.

UNIT METER KG

LOAD 1 DEAD LOAD

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SELFWEIGHT Y -1

MEMBER LOAD

2 5 UNI GY -400

LOAD 2 LIVE LOAD

MEMBER LOAD

2 5 UNI GY -600

LOAD 3 WIND LOAD

MEMBER LOAD

1 UNI GX 300

4 UNI GX 500

LOAD 4 DEAD + LIVE

REPEAT LOAD

1 1.2 2 1.5

LOAD 5 DEAD + WIND

REPEAT LOAD

1 1.1 3 1.3

Steps:

LOAD CASE 1

STAAD has a limitation in that one cannot change the units while editing load cases. An error message is
displayed if this is attempted.

Before creating load cases, we have to change the force unit to Kilogram. See "Tutorial 2 – Reinforced
Concrete Frame" for related information on the required steps.

(The load values are listed in the beginning of this tutorial in kg and meter units. Rather than convert those
values to the current input units, we will conform to those units. The current input units, which we last set
while specifying Density, are KN and METER.)

1. To create loads, select either

the Load Page tool located on the Structure Tools tool bar.

Figure 2-146:

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or

select the General | Load page from the left side of the screen.

Figure 2-147:

The Load & Definitions dialog opens on the right-hand side of the program window.

2. To initiate the first load case, select the Load Case Details section in the list and click Add….

Figure 2-148:

The Add New Load Cases dialog opens.

3. Select the Loading Type if you wish to associate the load case with any of the ACI, AISC or IBC

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definitions of Dead, Live, Ice, etc. This type of association needs to be done if you intend to use the
program's facility for automatically generating load combinations in accordance with those codes.

Notice that there is a check box called Reducible per UBC/IBC. This feature becomes active only
when the load case is assigned a Loading Type called Live at the time of creation of that case.

As we do not intend to use the automatic load combination generation option, we will leave the
Loading Type as None. Enter DEAD LOAD as the Title for Load Case 1 and click Add.

Figure 2-149:

The newly created load case will now appear under the Load Cases Details option.

Figure 2-150:

4. To generate and assign the selfweight load type, first select 1: DEAD LOAD. You will notice that the
Add New Load Items dialog box shows more options now.

Figure 2-151:

5. In the Add New Load Items dialog box, select the Selfweight Load option under the Selfweight item.
Specify the Direction as Y, and the Factor as -1.0. The negative number signifies that the selfweight

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load acts opposite to the positive direction of the global axis (Y in this case) along which it is applied.
Click Add button. The selfweight load is applicable to every member of the structure, and cannot be
applied on a selected list of members.

Figure 2-152:

6. Load 1 contains an additional load component, the member loads on members 2 and 5.

To create the member load, first, select 1: Dead Load followed by the Add… button. Then, click on
the Member Loaditem in the Add New Load Items dialog box.

Figure 2-153:

7. Select the Uniform Load option and specify GY as the Direction and -400 as the Force. For these
members, since the local Y axis coincides with the global Y axis, one may choose the direction of the
load as either “Y” or “GY”, they will both have the same effect. (One may view the orientation of the
member local axes by going to View > Structure Diagrams > Labels > Beam Orientation .) The

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negative value signifies that the load acts along the negative GY direction. Click Add and then Close.

8. The member load we just created has to be assigned to members 2 and 5. Select the UNI GY -400kg/m
entry in the Load & Definitions dialog.

Figure 2-154:

9. Next, select members 2 and 5 using the Beams Cursor tool . (Please refer to the ‘Frequently
Performed Tasks’ section at the end of this manual to learn more about selecting members.)

Then, select Assign to Selected Beams and then Assign.

Figure 2-155:

As we click on the Assign button, the following dialog box appears. This message box appears just to
confirm that we indeed wish to associate the loadcase with the selected beams. Click Yes.

Figure 2-156:

After the load has been assigned, the structure will look as shown below:

Figure 2-157:

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LOAD CASE 2

1. The next step is to initiate the second load case which again contains MEMBER LOADs. Select Load
Case Details and then click Add…. Once again, the Add New Load Cases dialog opens.

Figure 2-158:

In this dialog box, once again, we are not associating the load case we are about to create with any
code based Loading Type and so, we will leave that box as None. Specify the Title of the second load
case as Live Load and click Add.

Figure 2-159:

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2. To create the member load, select 2: Live Load.

Figure 2-160:

3. Follow steps 6 to 9 of the previous task to create and assign a uniformly distributed force of -600
Kg/m on members 2 and 5.

After the second load case has been assigned, the structure will look as shown below:

Figure 2-161:

Click anywhere in the drawing area to un-highlight the members.

LOAD CASE 3

1. Creating the third load case, which again has MEMBER LOADs, involves the same procedure as that
for load case 2. As before, first select Load Case Details in the Load dialog box to initiate the third
load case. Enter Wind Load as the Title for Load Case 3.

2. To apply the load on member 1, follow the procedure similar to that in steps 6 to 9. The only
differences are, the member which receives this load is 1, the Direction is GX and the Force is +300
Kg/m.

3. Similarly, for member 4 and the third load case, specify the Force as 500 Kg/m and the Direction as
GX.

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After the third load case has been assigned, the structure will look as shown below:

Figure 2-162:

LOAD CASE 4

1. We now come to the point where we have to create load case 4 as (1.2 x Load 1) + (1.5 x Load 2). We
saw in the beginning of this section that we should be creating a “REPEAT LOAD” type of
combination, and not the “LOAD COMBINATION” type. To initiate load case 4, select Load Case
Details in the Load dialog box and specify the title as DEAD + LIVE.

2. Then, click on 4: DEAD + LIVE in the Load & Definitions dialog box as shown below.

Figure 2-163:

3. In the Add New Load Items dialog box, select the Repeat Load option. Then, select Load Case 1
(DEAD LOAD), click [>] and enter the Factor as 1.2. (This indicates that the load data values from
load case 1 are multiplied by a factor of 1.2, and the resulting values are utilized in load case 4.)

4. Similarly, select Load Case 2 (LIVE LOAD), click on the > button and enter the Factor as 1.5. The
Add New Load Items dialog box will now look as shown below. Click on the Add button.

Figure 2-164:

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No further operation is required for load case 4. The recipients (members) of the loads in load case 4
are automatically chosen to be the very same ones to which the components of the REPEAT LOAD
cases (loads 1 and 2) were assigned.

The structure will now look similar to the one shown below.

Figure 2-165:

LOAD CASE 5

1. Since load cases 4 and 5 are near identical in nature, the same procedure used in creating load case 4 is
applicable for case 5 also. Let us select Load Case Details in the Load dialog box to initiate the fifth
load case. Enter Dead + Wind as the Title for Load Case 5.

2. Follow steps 16 to 19 except for associating a Factor of 1.1 with the first load case and a Factor of 1.3
with the third load case.

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The Add New Load Items dialog box will now look as shown below. Click on the Add button.

Figure 2-166:

Since we have completed creating all the load cases, we may now click Close.

The structure will now look similar to the one shown below.

Figure 2-167:

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

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Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6.8 Specifying the analysis type

The analysis type for this structure is called P-Delta. Since this problem involves concrete beam and column
design per the ACI code, second-order analysis is required and has to be done on factored loads acting
simultaneously. The factored loads have been created earlier as cases 4 and 5. Now is the time to specify the
analysis type.

The command for a pdelta analysis will appear in the STAAD file as:

PDELTA ANALYSIS

Steps:

1. Select Analysis/Print | Analysis Page on the left side of the screen.

Figure 2-168:

The Analysis/Print Commands dialog opens.

Figure 2-169:

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2. Select the PDelta Analysis tab.

3. Click Add and then Close.

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6.9 Short-listing the load cases to be used in concrete design

The concrete design has to be performed for load cases 4 and 5 only since only those are the factored cases.
To instruct the program to use just these cases, and ignore the remaining, we have to use the LOAD LIST
command.

The command will appear in the STAAD file as:

LOAD LIST 4 5

Steps:

1. Select Commands > Loading > Load List.

The Load List dialog opens.

Figure 2-170:

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2. Select load cases 4 (DEAD + LIVE) and 5 (DEAD + WIND) by holding the Ctrl key down.

3. Click [>].

Load cases 4 and 5 will be selected and placed in the Load List selection box.

4. Click OK.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6.10 Specifying concrete design parameters

Among the various terms which appear in the equations for design of concrete beams and columns, some of
these can be directly specified; such as the grade of concrete or the maximum size of reinforcing bar you
may wish to use. Such terms are called concrete design parameters. For the ACI code, a list of these
parameters is available in Section 3 of the STAAD.Pro Technical Reference Manual. The parameters we
wish to use and the corresponding command which ought to appear in the STAAD input file are:

UNIT MMS NEWTON

CODE ACI

CLT 25 ALL

CLB 30 ALL

CLS 25 ALL

FC 25 ALL

FYMAIN 415 ALL

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TRACK 1 ALL

Steps:

1. Set the force units as Newton and the length units as Millimeter.

See "Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame" for details.

2. Select the Design | Concrete page from the left side of the screen and select ACI as the Current Code
in the Concrete Design dialog.

Figure 2-171:

3. Click Define Parameters in the Concrete Design dialog.

The Design Parameters dialog opens.

Figure 2-172:

4. Select the CLT (Clear Cover for top) parameter. Then, provide the value as 25mm and click Add.

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5. Repeat step 4 to define the remaining parameters to the following values:

Parameter Value
Clb 30
Cls 25
Fc 25
Fymain 415
Track 1.0

When all the above parameters have been assigned, click Close in the Design Parameters dialog.

After all the design parameters have been assigned, the Concrete Design dialog will look as shown below.

Figure 2-173:

The next step is to assign these parameters to all the members in our model. The easiest way to do that is to
use the Assign To View method:

1. Highlight the parameter in the Concrete Design | Whole Structure dialog you wish to assign to model
elements.
2. Select the Assign to View option.
3. Click Assign.

Figure 2-174:

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Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.6.11 Specifying design commands

Design commands are the actual instructions for the design of beams and columns. We intend to design
beams 2 and 5 and columns 1, 3 and 4. The commands to be generated are:

DESIGN BEAM 2 5

DESIGN COLUMN 1 3 4

Steps:

1. Design commands are generated through the dialogs available under the Commands button in the
Concrete Design dialog. So, let us click Commands as shown below.

Figure 2-175:

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2. In the Design Commands dialog that comes up, select the Design Beam option and click Add.

Figure 2-176:

3. We also need to add a command for designing columns. So, select the Design Column option and click
on Add

4. Click Close.

The next step is to associate the Design Beam command with members 2 and 5 and the Design Column
command with members 1, 3 and 4.

1. Select the Design Beam option and then select members 2 and 5 using the Beams Cursor tool .
2. Click on Assign to Selected Beams and then Assign.

Figure 2-177:

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As we click Assign, the following dialog appears. This message box appears just to confirm that we
indeed wish to associate the design command with the selected beams. C Yes.

Figure 2-178:

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to assign the Design Column command to members 1, 3 and 4

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.7 Viewing the input command file

Let us now take a look at the data that has been written into the file that we just saved above.

1. To view the contents of the file, either

select the STAAD Editor tool

Figure 2. 82

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or

select Edit > Edit Input Command File.

The STAAD Editor window opens.

Figure 2-179:

Modifications to the data can be made in this window and saved.

2. Select File > Exit to close the Editor window.

As we saw in Section 2.1, we could also have created the same model by typing the relevant STAAD
commands into a text file using either the STAAD editor, or by using any external editor of our choice. If
you would like to understand that method, proceed to the next section. If you want to skip that part, proceed
to section 2.9 where we perform the analysis and design on this model.

Getting Started and Tutorials

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Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.8 Creating the model using the command file

Let us now use the command file method to create the model for the above structure. The commands used in
the command file are described later in this section.

The STAAD.Pro command file may be created using the built-in editor, the procedure for which is explained
further below in this section. Any standard text editor such as Notepad or WordPad may also be used to
create the command file. However, the STAAD.Pro command file editor offers the advantage of syntax
checking as we type the commands. The STAAD.Pro keywords, numeric data, comments, etc. are displayed
in distinct colors in the STAAD.Pro editor. A typical editor screen is shown below to illustrate its general
appearance.

Figure 2-180:

To access the built-in editor, first start the program using the procedure explained in Section 2.2. Next,
follow step 1 of Section 2.4.

Figure 2-181:

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You will then encounter the dialog shown below. In this dialog, choose Open STAAD Editor.

Figure 2-182:

The editor screen will open as shown below.

Figure 2-183:

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Delete all the command lines displayed in the editor window and type the lines shown in bold below (You
don’t have to delete the lines if you know which to keep and where to fill in the rest of the commands). The
commands may be typed in upper or lower case letters. Usually the first three letters of a keyword are all that
are needed -- the rest of the letters of the word are not required. The required letters are underlined.
(“SPACE” = “SPA” = “space” = “spa”)

Actual input is shown in bold lettering followed by explanation.

STAAD SPACE RC FRAMED STRUCTURE

Every input has to start with the word STAAD. The word SPACE signifies that the structure is a space frame
structure (3-D) and the geometry is defined through X, Y and Z coordinates.

UNIT METER KN

Specifies the unit to be used.

JOINT COORDINATES

1 0 0 0 ; 2 0 3.5 0 ; 3 6 3.5 0

4 6 0 0 ; 5 6 0 6 ; 6 6 3.5 6

Joint number followed by X, Y and Z coordinates are provided above. Semicolon signs (;) are used as line
separators. That enables us to provide multiple sets of data on one line.

MEMBER INCIDENCES

112;223;334

456;563

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Defines the members by the joints they are connected to.

UNIT MMSKN

MEMBER PROPERTY AMERICAN

1 4 PRIS YD 300 ZD 275

2 5 PRIS YD 350 ZD 275

3 PRIS YD 350

Member properties have been defined above using the PRISMATIC attribute for which YD (depth) and ZD
(width) values are provided in MM unit. When YD and ZD are provided together, STAAD considers the
section to be rectangular. When YD alone is specified, the section is considered to be circular. Details are
available in Section 5 of the Technical Reference Manual.

CONSTANTS

E 22 MEMB 1 TO 5

Material constant E (modulus of elasticity) is specified as 22KN/sq.mm following the command

CONSTANTS.

UNIT METER KN

CONSTANTS

DENSITY 25.0 ALL

POISSON 0.17 ALL

Length unit is changed from MMS to METER to facilitate the input of Density. Next, the Poisson’s Ratio is
specified.

BETA 90 MEMB 4

In the absence of any explicit instructions, STAAD will orient the beams and columns of the structure in a
pre-defined way (see Section 1 of the Technical Reference Manual for details.) In order to orient member 4
so that its longer edges (sides parallel to local Y axis) are parallel to the global Z axis, we need to apply a
beta angle of 90 degrees.

SUPPORT

1 4 5 FIXED

Joints 1, 4 and 5 are defined as fixed supported.

UNIT METER KG

LOAD 1 DEAD LOAD

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Force units are changed from KN to KG to facilitate the input of loads. Load case 1 is initiated along with an
accompanying title.

SELFWEIGHT Y -1

One of the components of load case 1 is the selfweight of the structure acting in the global Y direction with a
factor of -1.0. Since global Y is vertically upward, the factor of -1.0 indicates that this load will act
downwards.

MEMBER LOAD

2 5 UNIGY -400

Load 1 contains member loads also. GY indicates that the load is in the global Y direction. The word UNI
stands for uniformly distributed load. Loads are applied on members 2 and 5.

LOAD 2 LIVE LOAD

Load case 2 is initiated along with an accompanying title.

MEMBER LOAD

2 5 UNIGY -600

Load 2 also contains member loads. GY indicates that the load is in the global Y direction. The word UNI
stands for uniformly distributed load. Loads are applied on members 2 and 5.

LOAD 3 WIND LOAD

Load case 3 is initiated along with an accompanying title.

MEMBER LOAD

1 UNIGX 300

4 UNIGX 500

Load 3 also contains member loads. GX indicates that the load is in the global X direction. The word UNI
stands for uniformly distributed load. Loads are applied on members 1 and 4.

LOAD 4 DEAD + LIVE

Load case 4 is initiated along with an accompanying title.

REPEAT LOAD

1 1.2 2 1.5

Load case 4 illustrates the technique employed to instruct STAAD to create a load case which consists of
data to be assembled from other load cases specified earlier. We are instructing the program to analyze the
structure for loads from cases 1 and 2 acting simultaneously. The load data values from load case 1 are
multiplied by a factor of 1.2, and the resulting values are utilized in load case 4. Similarly, the load data

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values from load case 2 are multiplied by a factor of 1.5, and the resulting values too are utilized in load case
4.

LOAD 5 DEAD + WIND

Load case 5 is initiated along with an accompanying title.

REPEAT LOAD

1 1.1 3 1.3

We are instructing the program to analyze the structure for loads from cases 1 and 3 acting simultaneously.

PDELTA ANALYSIS

The PDELTA ANALYSIS command is an instruction to the program to execute a second-order analysis and
account for P-delta effects.

LOAD LIST 4 5

The above LOAD LIST command is a means of stating that all further calculations should be based on the
results of load cases 4 and 5 only. The intent here is to restrict concrete design calculations to that for load
cases 4 and 5 only.

START CONCRETE DESIGN

CODE ACI

UNIT MMSNEWTON

CLT 25 ALL

CLB 30 ALL

CLS 25 ALL

FC 25 ALL

FYMAIN 415 ALL

TRACK 1 ALL

We first line is the command that initiates the concrete design operation. The values for the concrete design
parameters are defined in the above commands. Design is performed per the ACI Code. The length units are
changed from METER to MMS to facilitate the input of the design parameters. Similarly, force units are
changed from KG to NEWTON. The TRACK value dictates the extent of design related information which
should be produced by the program in the output. The parameters specified include CLT (Clear cover for top
surface), CLB (Clear cover for bottom surface), CLS (Clear cover for sides), FC(Strength of concrete), and
FYMAIN (Ultimate strength of steel). These parameters are described in Section 3 of the Technical
Reference Manual.

DESIGN BEAM 2 5

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DESIGN COLUMN 1 3 4

The above commands instruct the program to design beams 2 and 5 for flexure, shear and torsion, and to
design columns 1, 3 and 4 for axial load and biaxial bending.

ENDCONCRETE DESIGN

This command terminates the concrete design operation.

FINISH

This command terminates the STAAD run.

Let us save the file and exit the editor.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial Problem 2: Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.9 Performing the analysis and design

STAAD.Pro performs Analysis and Design simultaneously. In order to perform Analysis and Design, select
the Run Analysis option from the Analyze menu.

Figure 2-184:

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

As the analysis progresses, several messages appear on the screen as shown in the next figure.

Figure 2-185:

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Notice that we can choose from the three options available in the above dialog:

Figure 2-186:

These options are indicative of what will happen after we click on the Done button.

The View Output File option allows us to view the output file created by STAAD. The output file contains
the numerical results produced in response to the various input commands we specified during the model
generation process. It also tells us whether any errors were encountered, and if so, whether the analysis and
design was successfully completed or not. Section 2.10 offers additional details on viewing and
understanding the contents of the output file.

The Go to Post Processing Mode option allows us to go to graphical part of the program known as the Post-
processor. This is where one can extensively verify the results, view the results graphically, plot result
diagrams, produce reports, etc. Section 2.11 explains the post processing mode in greater detail.

The Stay in Modelling Mode lets us continue to be in the Model generation mode of the program (the one we
current are in) in case we wish to make further changes to our model.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.10 Viewing the output file

During the analysis process, STAAD.Pro creates an Output file. This file provides important information on

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whether the analysis was performed properly. For example, if STAAD.Pro encounters an instability problem
during the analysis process, it will be reported in the output file.

We can access the output file using the method explained at the end of the previous section. Alternatively,
we can select the File > View > Output File > STAAD Output option from the top menu. The STAAD.Pro
output file for the problem we just ran is shown in the next few pages.

Figure 2-187:

The STAAD.Pro output file is displayed through a file viewer called SproView. This viewer allows us to set
the text font for the entire file and print the output file to a printer. Use the appropriate File menu option
from the menu bar.

Figure 2-188:

By default, the output file contains a listing of the entire input also. You may choose not to print the echo of
the input commands in the output file. Please select Commands > Miscellaneous > Set Echo option from the
menu bar and select the Echo Off button.

It is quite important that we browse through the entire output file and make sure that the results look
reasonable, that there are no error messages or warnings reported, etc. Errors encountered during the analysis
& design can disable access to the post-processing mode – the graphical screens where results can be viewed

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graphically. The information presented in the output file is a crucial indicator of whether or not the structure
satisfies the engineering requirements of safety and serviceability.

****************************************************

* *

* STAAD.Pro V8i SELECTseries1 *

* Version 20.07.06.35 *

* Proprietary Program of *

* Bentley Systems, Inc. *

* Date= JUL 7, 2010 *

* Time= 11:37:11 *

* *

* USER ID: Bentley Systems *

****************************************************

1. STAAD SPACE RC FRAMED STRUCTURE

input FILE: Tut_02_rcframe.STD

2. START JOB INFORMATION

3. ENGINEER DATE 16-FEB-02

4. END JOB INFORMATION

5. input WIDTH 79

6. UNIT METER KN

7. JOINT COORDINATES

8. 1 0 0 0; 2 0 3.5 0; 3 6 3.5 0; 4 6 0 0; 5 6 0 6; 6 6 3.5 6

9. MEMBER INCIDENCES

10. 1 1 2; 2 2 3; 3 3 4; 4 5 6; 5 6 3

11. UNIT MMS KN

12. MEMBER PROPERTY AMERICAN

13. 1 4 PRIS YD 300 ZD 275

14. 2 5 PRIS YD 350 ZD 275

15. 3 PRIS YD 350

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16. CONSTANTS

17. E 22 MEMB 1 TO 5

18. UNIT METER KN

19. CONSTANTS

20. DENSITY 25.0 ALL

21. POISSON 0.17 ALL

22. BETA 90 MEMB 4

23. SUPPORTS

24. 1 4 5 FIXED

25. UNIT METER KG

26. LOAD 1 DEAD LOAD

27. SELFWEIGHT Y -1

28. MEMBER LOAD

29. 2 5 UNI GY -400

30. LOAD 2 LIVE LOAD

31. MEMBER LOAD

32. 2 5 UNI GY -600

33. LOAD 3 WIND LOAD

34. MEMBER LOAD

35. 1 UNI GX 300

36. 4 UNI GX 500

37. LOAD 4 DEAD + LIVE

38. REPEAT LOAD

39. 1 1.2 2 1.5

40. LOAD 5 DEAD + WIND

41. REPEAT LOAD

42. 1 1.1 3 1.3

43. PDELTA ANALYSIS

P R O B L E M S T A T I S T I C S

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-----------------------------------

NUMBER OF JOINTS/MEMBER+ELEMENTS/SUPPORTS = 6/ 5/ 3

SOLVER USED IS THE IN-CORE ADVANCED SOLVER

TOTAL PRIMARY LOAD CASES = 5, TOTAL DEGREES OF FREEDOM = 18

++ Adjusting Displacements 11:37:11

44. LOAD LIST 4 5

45. START CONCRETE DESIGN

46. CODE ACI

47. UNIT MMS NEWTON

48. CLT 25 MEMB 1 TO 5

49. CLB 30 MEMB 1 TO 5

50. CLS 25 ALL

51. FC 25 MEMB 1 TO 5

52. FYMAIN 415 MEMB 1 TO 5

53. TRACK 1 ALL

54. DESIGN BEAM 2 5

=====================================================================

BEAM NO. 2 DESIGN RESULTS - FLEXURE PER CODE ACI 318-05

LEN - 6000. MM FY - 415. FC - 25. MPA, SIZE - 275. X 350. MMS

LEVEL HEIGHT BAR INFO FROM TO ANCHOR

(MM) (MM) (MM) STA END

_____________________________________________________________________

1 51. 2 - 16MM 312. 5438. NO NO

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

| CRITICAL POS MOMENT= 39.24 KN-MET AT 3000.MM, LOAD 4|

| REQD STEEL= 367.MM2, RHO=0.0045, RHOMX=0.0193 RHOMN=0.0033 |

| MAX/MIN/ACTUAL BAR SPACING= 273./ 41./ 184. MMS |

| REQD. DEVELOPMENT LENGTH = 480. MMS |

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

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Cracked Moment of Inertia Iz at above location = 20964.0 cm^4

2 306. 3 - 12MM 0. 860. YES NO

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

| CRITICAL NEG MOMENT= 33.29 KN-MET AT 0.MM, LOAD 4|

| REQD STEEL= 302.MM2, RHO=0.0036, RHOMX=0.0193 RHOMN=0.0033 |

| MAX/MIN/ACTUAL BAR SPACING= 273./ 37./ 94. MMS |

| REQD. DEVELOPMENT LENGTH = 360. MMS |

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

Cracked Moment of Inertia Iz at above location = 19148.5 cm^4

3 306. 3 - 12MM 4390. 6000. NO YES

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

| CRITICAL NEG MOMENT= 36.17 KN-MET AT 6000.MM, LOAD 4|

| REQD STEEL= 329.MM2, RHO=0.0039, RHOMX=0.0193 RHOMN=0.0033 |

| MAX/MIN/ACTUAL BAR SPACING= 273./ 37./ 94. MMS |

| REQD. DEVELOPMENT LENGTH = 360. MMS |

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

Cracked Moment of Inertia Iz at above location = 19148.5 cm^4

B E A M N O. 2 D E S I G N R E S U L T S - SHEAR

AT START SUPPORT - Vu= 43.94 KNS Vc= 69.67 KNS Vs= 0.00 KNS

Tu= 2.55 KN-MET Tc= 2.4 KN-MET Ts= 3.4 KN-MET LOAD 4

STIRRUPS ARE REQUIRED FOR TORSION.

REINFORCEMENT FOR SHEAR IS PER CL.11.5.5.1.

PROVIDE 12 MM 2-LEGGED STIRRUPS AT 124. MM C/C FOR 2705. MM

ADDITIONAL LONGITUDINAL STEEL REQD. FOR TORSIONAL RESISTANCE = 0.79 SQ.CM.

AT END SUPPORT - Vu= 44.90 KNS Vc= 69.19 KNS Vs= 0.00 KNS

Tu= 2.55 KN-MET Tc= 2.4 KN-MET Ts= 3.4 KN-MET LOAD 4

STIRRUPS ARE REQUIRED FOR TORSION.

REINFORCEMENT FOR SHEAR IS PER CL.11.5.5.1.

PROVIDE 12 MM 2-LEGGED STIRRUPS AT 124. MM C/C FOR 2705. MM

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ADDITIONAL LONGITUDINAL STEEL REQD. FOR TORSIONAL RESISTANCE = 0.79 SQ.CM.

___ 2J____________________ 6000X 275X 350_____________________ 3J____

| |

||========= ====================||

| 3No12 H 306. 0.TO 860 3No12|H|306.4390.TO 6000 |

| 23*12c/c124 | | |23*12c/c124 |

| 2No16 H 51. 312.TO 5438 | | | | | | | |

| ================================================================== |

| |

|___________________________________________________________________________|

___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

| | | | | | | | | |

| ooo | | | | | | ooo | | ooo |

| 3#12 | | | | | | 3#12 | | 3#12 |

| | | | | | | | | |

| | | 2#16 | | 2#16 | | 2#16 | | |

| | | oo | | oo | | oo | | |

| | | | | | | | | |

|___________| |___________| |___________| |___________| |___________|

=====================================================================

BEAM NO. 5 DESIGN RESULTS - FLEXURE PER CODE ACI 318-05

LEN - 6000. MM FY - 415. FC - 25. MPA, SIZE - 275. X 350. MMS

LEVEL HEIGHT BAR INFO FROM TO ANCHOR

(MM) (MM) (MM) STA END

_____________________________________________________________________

1 51. 2 - 16MM 312. 5438. NO NO

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

| CRITICAL POS MOMENT= 39.24 KN-MET AT 3000.MM, LOAD 4|

| REQD STEEL= 367.MM2, RHO=0.0045, RHOMX=0.0193 RHOMN=0.0033 |

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| MAX/MIN/ACTUAL BAR SPACING= 273./ 41./ 184. MMS |

| REQD. DEVELOPMENT LENGTH = 480. MMS |

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

Cracked Moment of Inertia Iz at above location = 20964.0 cm^4

2 306. 3 - 12MM 0. 860. YES NO

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

| CRITICAL NEG MOMENT= 33.29 KN-MET AT 0.MM, LOAD 4|

| REQD STEEL= 302.MM2, RHO=0.0036, RHOMX=0.0193 RHOMN=0.0033 |

| MAX/MIN/ACTUAL BAR SPACING= 273./ 37./ 94. MMS |

| REQD. DEVELOPMENT LENGTH = 360. MMS |

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

Cracked Moment of Inertia Iz at above location = 19148.5 cm^4

3 306. 3 - 12MM 4890. 6000. NO YES

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

| CRITICAL NEG MOMENT= 36.17 KN-MET AT 6000.MM, LOAD 4|

| REQD STEEL= 329.MM2, RHO=0.0039, RHOMX=0.0193 RHOMN=0.0033 |

| MAX/MIN/ACTUAL BAR SPACING= 273./ 37./ 94. MMS |

| REQD. DEVELOPMENT LENGTH = 360. MMS |

|----------------------------------------------------------------|

Cracked Moment of Inertia Iz at above location = 19148.5 cm^4

B E A M N O. 5 D E S I G N R E S U L T S - SHEAR

AT START SUPPORT - Vu= 18.56 KNS Vc= 69.78 KNS Vs= 0.00 KNS

Tu= 4.74 KN-MET Tc= 2.4 KN-MET Ts= 6.3 KN-MET LOAD 5

STIRRUPS ARE REQUIRED FOR TORSION.

REINFORCEMENT FOR SHEAR IS PER CL.11.5.5.1.

PROVIDE 12 MM 2-LEGGED STIRRUPS AT 124. MM C/C FOR 2705. MM

ADDITIONAL LONGITUDINAL STEEL REQD. FOR TORSIONAL RESISTANCE = 1.47 SQ.CM.

AT END SUPPORT - Vu= 19.11 KNS Vc= 69.12 KNS Vs= 0.00 KNS

Tu= 4.74 KN-MET Tc= 2.4 KN-MET Ts= 6.3 KN-MET LOAD 5

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STIRRUPS ARE REQUIRED FOR TORSION.

REINFORCEMENT FOR SHEAR IS PER CL.11.5.5.1.

PROVIDE 12 MM 2-LEGGED STIRRUPS AT 124. MM C/C FOR 2705. MM

ADDITIONAL LONGITUDINAL STEEL REQD. FOR TORSIONAL RESISTANCE = 1.47 SQ.CM.

___ 6J____________________ 6000X 275X 350_____________________ 3J____

| |

||========= ==============||

| 3No12 H 306. 0.TO 860 3No12 H 306.4890.TO 6000 |

| 23*12c/c124 23*12c/c124 |

| 2No16 H 51. 312.TO 5438 | | | | |

| ================================================================== |

| |

|___________________________________________________________________________|

___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________

| | | | | | | | | |

| ooo | | | | | | | | ooo |

| 3#12 | | | | | | | | 3#12 |

| | | | | | | | | |

| | | 2#16 | | 2#16 | | 2#16 | | |

| | | oo | | oo | | oo | | |

| | | | | | | | | |

|___________| |___________| |___________| |___________| |___________|

********************END OF BEAM DESIGN**************************

55. DESIGN COLUMN 1 3 4

====================================================================

COLUMN NO. 1 DESIGN PER ACI 318-05 - AXIAL + BENDING

FY - 415.0 FC - 25.0 MPA, RECT SIZE - 275.0 X 300.0 MMS, TIED

AREA OF STEEL REQUIRED = 882.8 SQ. MM

BAR CONFIGURATION REINF PCT. LOAD LOCATION PHI

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----------------------------------------------------------

8 - 12 MM 1.097 4 END 0.650

(PROVIDE EQUAL NUMBER OF BARS ON EACH FACE)

TIE BAR NUMBER 12 SPACING 192.00 MM

COLUMN INTERACTION: MOMENT ABOUT Z -AXIS (KN-MET)

--------------------------------------------------------

P0 Pn max P-bal. M-bal. e-bal. (MM)

2109.38 1687.50 785.43 97.75 124.5

M0 P-tens. Des.Pn Des.Mn e/h

47.51 -375.48 75.05 51.22 0.19501

--------------------------------------------------------

COLUMN INTERACTION: MOMENT ABOUT Y -AXIS (KN-MET)

--------------------------------------------------------

P0 Pn max P-bal. M-bal. e-bal. (MM)

2109.38 1687.50 775.80 88.78 114.4

M0 P-tens. Des.Pn Des.Mn e/h

43.01 -375.48 75.05 3.92 0.01493

--------------------------------------------------------

====================================================================

COLUMN NO. 3 DESIGN PER ACI 318-05 - AXIAL + BENDING

FY - 415.0 FC - 25.0 MPA, CIRC SIZE 350.0 MMS DIAMETER TIED

AREA OF STEEL REQUIRED = 1096.8 SQ. MM

BAR CONFIGURATION REINF PCT. LOAD LOCATION PHI

----------------------------------------------------------

10 - 12 MM 1.176 4 STA 0.650

(EQUALLY SPACED)

TIE BAR NUMBER 12 SPACING 192.00 MM

COLUMN INTERACTION: MOMENT ABOUT Z/Y -AXIS (KN-MET)

--------------------------------------------------------

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P0 Pn max P-bal. M-bal. e-bal. (MM)

2489.81 1991.85 939.46 109.84 116.9

M0 P-tens. Des.Pn Des.Mn e/h

62.23 -469.35 153.05 73.16 0.09657

--------------------------------------------------------

====================================================================

COLUMN NO. 4 DESIGN PER ACI 318-05 - AXIAL + BENDING

FY - 415.0 FC - 25.0 MPA, RECT SIZE - 275.0 X 300.0 MMS, TIED

AREA OF STEEL REQUIRED = 1056.0 SQ. MM

BAR CONFIGURATION REINF PCT. LOAD LOCATION PHI

----------------------------------------------------------

4 - 20 MM 1.523 5 STA 0.650

(PROVIDE EQUAL NUMBER OF BARS ON EACH FACE)

TIE BAR NUMBER 12 SPACING 192.00 MM

COLUMN INTERACTION: MOMENT ABOUT Z -AXIS (KN-MET)

--------------------------------------------------------

P0 Pn max P-bal. M-bal. e-bal. (MM)

2247.93 1798.34 764.68 123.35 161.3

M0 P-tens. Des.Pn Des.Mn e/h

63.35 -521.51 43.92 10.51 0.06838

--------------------------------------------------------

COLUMN INTERACTION: MOMENT ABOUT Y -AXIS (KN-MET)

--------------------------------------------------------

P0 Pn max P-bal. M-bal. e-bal. (MM)

2247.93 1798.34 755.33 111.44 147.5

M0 P-tens. Des.Pn Des.Mn e/h

57.35 -521.51 43.92 47.49 0.30890

--------------------------------------------------------

********************END OF COLUMN DESIGN RESULTS********************

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56. END CONCRETE DESIGN

57. FINISH

*********** END OF THE STAAD.Pro RUN ***********

**** DATE= JUL 7,2010 TIME= 11:37:12 ****

************************************************************

* For questions on STAAD.Pro, please contact *

* Bentley Systems Offices at the following locations *

* *

* Telephone Web / Email *

* *

* USA: +1 (714)974-2500 *

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************************************************************

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11 Post-Processing

STAAD.Pro offers extensive result verification and visualization facilities. These facilities are accessed from
the Post Processing Mode. The Post Processing mode is used to verify the analysis and design results and
generate reports.

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For this tutorial problem, we shall perform the following tasks:

2.11.1 Going to the post-processing mode

2.11.2 Viewing the deflection diagram

2.11.3 Switching between load cases for viewing the deflection

2.11.4 Changing the size of the deflection diagram

2.11.5 Annotating displacements

2.11.6 Changing the units in which displacement values are

2.11.7 The Node Displacement Table

2.11.8 Displaying force/moment diagrams

2.11.9 Switching between load cases for viewing the

2.11.10 Changing the size of the force/ moment diagram

2.11.11 Changing the degree of freedom for which forces diagram

2.11.12 Annotating the force/moment diagram

2.11.13 Changing the units in which force/moment values are

2.11.14 Beam Forces Table

2.11.15 Viewing the force/moment diagrams from the Beam |

2.11.16 Restricting the load cases for which results are viewed

2.11.17 Using Member Query

2.11.18 Producing an on-screen report

2.11.19 Taking Pictures

2.11.20 Creating Customized Reports

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.1 Going to the post-processing mode

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At the end of section 2.9, we saw how one could go directly from the Analysis window to the post-
processing screen. However, you can access the Post Processing mode by the following procedure at any
point.

Steps:

1. Select either

the Post-Processing tool

Figure 1.95

or

Mode > Post Processing.

The Results Setup dialog opens.

Figure 2-189:

2. Select the load cases for which to display the results. For this tutorial, click [>>] to select all load
cases and click OK.

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.2 Viewing the deflection diagram

The screen will now look like the figure shown below.

Figure 2-190:

The diagram currently on display is the node deflection diagram for load case 1 (DEAD LOAD).

To return to this particular diagram, either select

the Node | Displacement page along the page control area on the left side.

Figure 2-191:

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or Results > Deflection.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.3 Switching between load cases for viewing the deflection diagram

Steps:

1. To change the load case for which to view the deflection diagram, either

select the desired load in the Active Load list

Figure 2-192:

or

select the Symbols and Labels tool

Figure 2. 100

or

select View > Structure Diagrams

For these last two options, the Diagrams dialog opens.

2. Select the Loads and Results tab and choose the desired load case from the Load Case list box.

Figure 2-193:

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3. Click OK.

The following figure shows the deflected shape of the structure for load case 3.

Figure 2-194:

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4. To display the deflection for say, load case 5 (DEAD + WIND), repeat steps 1 through 3 and select
load case 5.

The deflection of Load Case 5 will now be displayed on the model as shown in the following figure.

Figure 2-195:

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.4 Changing the size of the deflection diagram

Steps:

If the diagram appears too imperceptible, it may be because it may be drawn to too small a scale. To change
the scale of the deflection plot, you may

1. Select the Scale tool

Figure 2-196:

or

choose Scale from the Results menu

Figure 2-197:

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or

select View > Structure Diagrams > Scales.

The Diagrams dialog opens to the Scales tab.

Figure 2-198:

2. In the Displacement field, specify a smaller number than what is currently listed, and click OK.

The deflection diagram should now be larger.

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In the Diagrams dialog Scales tab, if you set Apply Immediately check box, pressing the up or down
buttons associated with the parameter will produce immediate results in terms of a smaller or a larger
diagram.

Figure 2-199:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.5 Annotating displacements

Annotation is the process of displaying the displacement values on the screen.

Steps:

1. Select Results > View Value….

2. The following dialog opens. From the Ranges tab, select Allnodes.

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If you wish to annotate deflection for just a few nodes, specify the node numbers in the node list.

Figure 2-200:

1. Select the Node tab and set the Resultant option.

Figure 2-201:

Resultant stands for the square root of sum of squares of values of X, Y and Z displacements.

2. Click Annotate and then click Close.

The structure deflection diagram is annotated for load case 2, as in the following figure.

Figure 2-202:

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.6 Changing the units in which displacement values are annotated

The units in which displacement values are displayed in the post-processing mode are referred to as the
display units.

Steps:

1. Modify the display units by either

selecting the Change Graphical Display Unit tool,

Figure 2-203:

or

selecting Tools > Set Current Display Unit

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or

selecting View > Options .

The Options dialog opens.

Figure 2-204:

2. Select the Structure Units tab and change the Dimensions of Displacement from Millimeter to cm.

3. Click OK.

The diagram will be updated to reflect the new units.

Figure 2. 116

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.7 The Node Displacement Table

Upon entering the Post-Processing mode, the first screen that we come across is shown below.

Figure 2-205:

For the Node > Displacement page on the left side, notice that there are 2 tables displayed along the right
side. The upper table, called the Node Displacements table, lists the displacement values for every node for
every selected load case. Load cases may be selected or de-selected for the purpose of this table from the
Results > Select Load Case menu. (See section 2.11.16 for details) The lower table is called the Beam
relative displacement table.

If you happen to close down any of these tables, you can restore them from the View > Tables menu.

Figure 2. 118

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The Node Displacement table window has two tabs: All and Summary (see figure below).

Figure 2-206:

All
This tab presents all nodal displacements in tabular form for all load cases and all degrees of freedom.

Figure 2-207:

Summary
This tab, shown in the figure below, presents the maximum and minimum nodal displacements
(translational and rotational) for each degree of freedom. All nodes and all Load Cases specified
during the Results Setup are considered. Maximum values for all degrees of freedom are presented

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with the corresponding Node of occurrence and Load Case number (L/C).

Figure 2-208:

For the Beam Relative Displacement table, the details are as follows:

All
The All tab presents the displacements of members at intermediate section points. All specified
members and all specified load cases are included. The table shows displacements along the local axes
of the members, as well as their resultants.
Max Displacements
The Max Displacements tab presents the summary of maximum sectional displacements (see figure
below). This table includes the maximum displacement values and location of its occurrence along the
member, for all specified members and all specified load cases. The table also provides the ratio of the
span length of the member to the resultant maximum section displacement of the member.

Figure 2-209:

The sub-pages under the Node page are described below in brief.

Page Sub-Page Purpose

Node Displacement Displays nodal displacements along with tabular results
for Node-Displacements and sectional Beam
displacements.
Reactions Displays support reactions on the drawing as well as in a
tabular form.
Modes Displays mode shapes for the selected Mode shape
number. The eigenvectors are simultaneously displayed in

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tabular form. This Page appears only for dynamic

analyses cases, namely, response spectrum, time history,
and if modal calculations are requested.
Time History Displays Time history plots, for time history analysis.
This sub-page too will appear only if time history analysis
is performed.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.8 Displaying force/moment diagrams

Steps:

1. The simplest method to access the facilities for displaying force/moment diagrams is from the Beam |
Forces page along the page control area on the left side of the screen. The bending moment MZ will be
plotted by default, evidence of which can be found in the form of the Mz icon show in the diagram
below which becomes active.

Figure 2. 123

Figure 2-210:

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2. The option for selecting the force/moment diagram is available from another facility also - the Results
> Bending Moment menu option - as shown below.

Figure 2-211:

Getting Started and Tutorials

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Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.9 Switching between load cases for viewing the force/moment diagram

Steps:

1. To change the load case for which to view the force/moment diagram, you may click in the list box
called Active Load and choose the one you want.

Figure 2-212:

or

select the Symbols and Labels tool

or

select View > Structure Diagrams.

The Diagrams dialog opens.

Figure 2-213:

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2. Select the Loads and Results tab and choose the second load case (LIVE LOAD) from the Load Case
list box and set the Shear yy check box.

3. Click OK.

The figure below shows the shear force diagram for load case 2.

Figure 2-214:

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4. To display the bending moment diagram for say, load case 4 (DEAD + LIVE), follow steps 1 to 3
above and select load case 4.

The following diagram should appear in the drawing area:

Figure 2-215:

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.10 Changing the size of the force/ moment diagram

Steps:

If the diagram appears too imperceptible, it may be because it is drawn to too small a scale. To change the
scale of the moment plot, you may

1. Select the Scale tool

Figure 2-216:

or

select Results > Scale

Figure 2-217:

or

select View > Structure Diagrams > Scales

The Diagrams dialog opens to the Scales tab.

Figure 2-218:

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2. In the Bending field, specify a smaller number than what is currently listed, and click OK. The
moment diagram should now be larger.
3. In the above dialog, if you set the Apply Immediately check box, pressing the up or down arrow keys
alongside the number will produce immediate results in terms of a smaller or a larger diagram.

Figure 2-219:

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.11 Changing the degree of freedom for which forces diagram is plotted

Force and moment diagrams can be plotted for six degrees of freedom: Axial, Shear-Y, Shear-Z, Torsion,
Moment-Y, and Moment-Z.

1. Select View > Structure Diagrams > Loads and Results.

Figure 2-220:

The check box associated with each degrees of freedom which are displayed is set.

The icons of the Results toolbar may also be used to turn on/off specific degrees of freedom.

Figure 2-221:

For the sake of easy identification, each degree of freedom (d.o.f) has been assigned a different color. You
may change the color for that d.o.f. by clicking on the color button alongside the d.o.f, and make a new
choice from the color palette.

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Figure 2-222:

The appearance of the diagram may also be set to one of the three options: Hatch, Fill, or Outline by turning
on the relevant option in the dialog shown earlier.

Figure 2-223:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.12 Annotating the force/moment diagram

Annotation is the process of displaying the force/moment values on the screen.

Steps:

1. Select Results > View Value.

The Annotation dialog opens.

2. Select the Ranges tab and select All members.

If you wish to annotate the force/moment for just a few members, specify the beam numbers in the
beam list.

Figure 2-224:

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3. Select the Beam Results tab, check the Maximum option for Bending results.

Figure 2-225:

4. Click Annotate and the click Close.

The maximum moment, MZ, values for load case 5 are displayed on the structure bending diagram, as
show in the following figure.

Figure 2-226:

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.13 Changing the units in which force/moment values are annotated

The units in which force and moment values are displayed in the post-processing mode are referred to as the
display units.

Steps:

1. Modified units by either

selecting the Change Graphical Display Unit tool

Figure 2-227:

or

selecting Tools > Set Current Display Unit

or

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selecting View > Options .

The Options dialog opens.

2. Select the Force Units tab. For bending moments, change the Moment unit from its current setting to
kip-ft .

Figure 2-228:

3. Click OK.

The diagram will be updated to reflect the new units.

Figure 2-229:

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.14 Beam Forces Table

When we select the Beam | Forces page from the page control area on the left side, the screen that appears is
shown below.

Figure 2-230:

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The axial forces and shear forces, bending and torsional moments in all selected beams for all selected load
cases are displayed in a tabular form along the right half of the screen. Load cases may be selected or de-
selected for the purpose of this table from the Results > Select Load Case menu. (See section 2.11.16 for
details)

If you happen to close down any of these tables, you can restore them from the View > Tables menu.

Figure 2. 149

The Beam End Forces table window has three tabs: All, Summary and Envelope.

Figure 2-231:

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All
This tab presents all forces and moments corresponding to all 6 degrees of freedom at the start and end
of each selected member for all selected load cases.

Figure 2-232:

Summary
This tab, shown in the next figure, presents the maximum and minimum values (forces and moments)
for each degree of freedom. All beams and all Load Cases specified during the Results Setup are
considered. Maximum values for all degrees of freedom are presented with the corresponding Node of
occurrence and Load Case number (L/C).

Figure 2-233:

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Envelope
This tab shows a table consisting of the maximum and minimum for each degree of freedom for each
member, and the load case responsible for each of those values.

Figure 2-234:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.15 Viewing the force/moment diagrams from the Beam > Graphs page

The Graphs page in the Post Processing Mode is used to graphically view moments and forces such as
Axial, Bending zz, Shear yy and Combined Stresses for individual members.

1. Select Beam | Graph on the left side of the screen as shown below.

Figure 2-235:

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The View window shows the loading on the structure. On the right side of the screen, the
force/moment diagrams appear (see the following figure).

2. Select a member in the main window and the graphs are plotted for that member in the data area.

The following figure shows the graphs plotted for member 1 for load case 4.

Figure 2-236:

The following figure shows the graphs plotted for member 2 for the same load case.

Figure 2-237:

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3. Right click on any of the force/bending diagrams and select Diagrams… from the pop-up menu.

Figure 2-238:

The Diagram dialog opens.

4. Set the check box for the degrees of freedom you wish to view in the diagram.

Figure 2-239:

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5. Click OK .

The selected degree of freedom are plotted in that window.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.16 Restricting the load cases for which results are viewed

Steps:

1. To restrict the load cases for which results are viewed, either select the Results Setup tool or, go
to Results > Select Load Case menu option as shown below.

Figure 2-240:

2. In the Results Setup dialog that comes up, let us first un-select the already selected load cases by
clicking on the [<<] button.

Figure 2-241:

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3. Select load cases 1 (DEAD LOAD) and 3 (WIND LOAD) by holding the ‘Ctrl’ key down. Then, click
[>]. After the load cases have been selected, click OK.

Figure 2-242:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.17 Using Member Query

Member query is a facility where several results for specific members can be viewed at the same time from a
single dialog. It is also a place from where many of the member attributes such as the property definition,
specifications (releases, truss, cable, etc.) and beta angle can be changed for input purposes.

Steps:

To access this facility, first select the member. Then, either go to Tools > Query > Member menu option or,
double-click on the member. Let us try double-clicking on member 4.

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Figure 2-243:

As we double-click on member 4, the following dialog opens. Let us take a look at the Property tab.

Figure 2-244:

The figure above shows where the buttons are located on the member query box. If the member contains
output result tabs (Shear/Bending, Deflection, Steel Design, etc.) in the query box, changing member
attributes like releases will cause these result tabs to disappear. This is due to the fact that the current output
no longer reflects the new input.

NOTE: If you assign or change property by clicking on the Assign/Change Property button in the above
dialog, ensure that you keep the check mark on “Apply to this Member only” in the ensuing dialog. Else,
changing the member attributes for one member will subsequently change the attributes of all other members

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belonging to the same attribute list. For example, if the current member's property is also assigned to other
members, changing the property on the current member will change the property of all the members.

Let us click on the Shear/Bending tab. The following dialog appears.

Figure 2-245:

The above page contains facilities for viewing values for shears and moments, selecting the load cases for
which those results are presented, a slider bar (see next figure) for looking at the values at specific points
along the member length, and a Print option for printing the items on display. Experiment with these options
to see what sort of results you can get. Grab the slider bar using the mouse and move it to obtain the values
at specific locations.

Figure 2-246:

Another page (Deflection) of the above dialog is shown below.

Figure 2-247:

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The Concrete Design page of the above dialog is shown below.

Figure 2-248:

To look at the results of another member using this query facility, simply close down this query dialog and
repeat the steps outlined earlier in this section for the desired member.

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.18 Producing an on-screen report

Occasionally, we will come across a need to obtain results conforming to certain restrictions, such as, say,
the resultant node displacements for a few selected nodes, for a few selected load cases, sorted in the order
from low to high, with the values reported in a tabular form. The facility which enables us to obtain such
customized on-screen results is the Report menu on top of the screen.

Here, you will create a report that includes a table with the member major axis moment (MZ) values sorted
in the order High to Low, for members 1 and 4 for all the load cases.

Steps:

1. Select members 1 and 4 from the structure using either

the Beams Cursor tool

or

Select > By List > Beams and type 1 and 4 as the member numbers.

2. Select Report > Beam End Forces.

The Beam End Forces dialog opens.

Figure 2-249:

3. Select the Sorting tab.

4. Select Moment-Z as the End Force, set the Sorting Order to List from High to Low, and set the
Absolute Values check box under If Sorting done.

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If you wish to save this report for future use, select the Report tab, provide a title for the report, and set
the Save ID check box.

5. Select the Loading tab and ensure all the five load cases have been selected.

6. Click OK.

The member end forces sorted table opens with the MZ values sorted from High to Low based on
Absolute numbers.

Figure 2-250:

7. To print this table, right click anywhere in this table area and select Print from the pop-up menu.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.19 Taking Pictures

There are several options available for taking pictures. The simplest of these is in the edit menu and is called
Copy Picture. It transfers the contents of the active drawing window to the windows clipboard. We can then
go into any picture processing program like Microsoft Paint or Microsoft Word and paste the picture in that
program for further processing.

Another more versatile option enables us to include any "snapshot" or picture of the drawing window into a
report. It is called Take Picture and is under the Edit menu. Let us examine this feature.

Steps:

1. To take a picture, either

Select the Take Picture tool

or

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Select Tools > Take Picture.

Figure 2. 172

The Picture # dialog opens.

Figure 2-251:

2. Provide a caption for the picture so that it may be identified when building a report. Click OK to save
the picture.

This picture is saved till we are ready to produce a customized report of results.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 2 – Reinforced Concrete Frame

2.11.20 Creating Customized Reports

STAAD.Pro offers extensive report generation facilities. Items which can be incorporated into such reports
include input information, numerical results, steel design results, etc. One can choose from among a select
set of load cases, mode shapes, structural elements, etc.. We may include any "snapshot" or picture of the
screen taken using the Take Picture toolbar icon. Other customizable parameters include the font size, title
block, headers, footers, etc.

1. Select either

the Reports | Reports Page

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Figure 2-252:

or

the Report Setup tool .

The Report Setup dialog opens.

Figure 2-253:

Different tabs of this dialog offer different options. The Items tab lists all available data which may be
included in the report. Note that the items under the Selected list are the ones which have been selected
by default.

Available items are classified into seven categories: input, Output, Pictures,Reports, STAAD.etc

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output, Steel Design Output and Advanced Query Reports.

Figure 2-254:

2. In our report, you will include Job Information, Node Displacement Summary, Beam Max Moments,
and Picture 1.

Job Information is already selected by default.

From the Available list box, select Output. From the available output items, select Node Displacement
Summary and Beam Max Moments.

Then select Pictures from the Available list box and select Picture 1.

When all the items have been selected, the Report Setup dialog should appear as shown below.

Figure 2-255:

Report Detail Increments indicates the number of segments into which a member would be divided for
printing sectional displacements, forces, etc.

3. Select the Load Cases tab to select the Load Cases to be included in the report. The Grouping options
are used to group report data by Node/Beam numbers or by Load Case number.

In the first case, all Load Case results will appear under a particular Node or Beam. In the second case,

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results for all Nodes or Beams for a particular Load Case will appear together.

Figure 2-256:

4. Select the Picture Album tab to visually identify the pictures taken earlier. The following figure
displays Picture 1 as stored by the program.

Figure 2-257:

5. The Options tab lets you include Header, Footer, Page Numbers, Table Grids, fonts for Column
Heading and Table data, etc.

6. The Name and Logo tab allows you to enter the Company Name and Logo. Click on the blank area
and type the name and address of the company. Click Font in the Text group and adjust the font to be
Arial 16 Pt Bold. Click on the Right radio button in the Alignment group under Text to right-align the
company name.

Figure 2-258:

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7. Select OK to finish

or

select Print to print the report.

It is always a good idea to first preview the report before printing it. This is done by selecting the Print
Preview tool.

Figure 2-259:

The first and the last pages of the report are shown in the next two figures.

Figure 2-260:

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Figure 2-261:

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This brings us to the end of this tutorial. Though we have covered a large number of topics, there are many
more features to explore in STAAD.Pro.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for modeling and analysis of a slab supported along two
edges.

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The following topics are covered:

3.1 Methods of creating the model

3.2 Description of the tutorial problem

3.3 Starting the program

3.4 Creating a new structure

3.5 Elements of the STAAD.Pro screen

3.6 Building the STAAD.Pro model

3.6.1 Generating the model geometry

3.6.2 Changing the input units of length

3.6.3 Specifying Element Properties

3.6.4 Specifying Material Constants

3.6.5 Specifying Supports

3.6.6 Specifying Primary Load Cases

3.6.7 Creating load combinations

3.6.8 Specifying the analysis type

3.6.9 Specifying post-analysis print commands

3.7 Viewing the input command file

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3.8 Creating the model using the command file

3.9 Performing the analysis and design

3.10 Viewing the output file

3.11 Post-Processing

3.11.1 Viewing stress values in a tabular form

3.11.2 Printing the tables

3.11.3 Changing the units of values which appear in the above

3.11.4 Limiting the load cases for which the results are

3.11.5 Stress Contours

3.11.6 Animating stress contours

3.11.7 Creating AVI Files

3.11.8 Viewing plate results using element query

3.11.9 Producing an onscreen report

3.11.10 Viewing Support Reactions

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.1 Methods of creating the model

As explained in Section 1.1 of tutorial problem 1, there are two methods of creating the structure data:

1. Using the graphical model generation mode, or Graphical User Interface (GUI) (GUI) as it is typically
referred to.

2. Using the command file.

Both methods of creating the model are explained in this tutorial. The graphical method is explained from
Section 3.2 onwards. The command file method is explained in Section 3.8.

Getting Started and Tutorials

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Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.2 Description of the tutorial problem

The structure for this project is a slab fixed along two edges. We will model it using 6 quadrilateral (4-
noded) plate elements. The structure and the mathematical model are shown in the figures below. It is
subjected to selfweight, pressure loads and temperature loads. Our goal is to create the model, assign all
required input, perform the analysis, and go through the results.

Figure 2-262:

Figure 2-263:

Basic Data for the Structure

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Attribute Data
Element Slab is 300mm thick
properties
Material E, Density, Poisson, Alpha – Default values for concrete
Constants
Supports Nodes along 2 edges are fixed as shown in Figure 3.2
Primary Loads Load 1: Selfweight

Load 2: Pressure Load of 300Kg/sq.m. acting vertically downwards

Load 3: 75 degree F uniform expansion, plus top surface is 60 degrees

hotter than the bottom
Combination Case 101: Case 1 + Case 2
Loads
Case 102: Case 1 + Case 3
Analysis Type Linear Elastic

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.3 Starting the program

1. Select the STAAD.Pro icon from the STAAD.Pro V8i program group found in the Windows Start
menu.

Figure 2-264: The STAAD.Pro program group

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The STAAD.Pro window opens to the start screen.

Figure 2-265: The STAAD.Pro window displaying the start screen

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See "Tutorial 1 – Steel Portal Frame" for notes regarding changing the default unit system.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.4 Creating a new structure

In the New dialog, we provide some crucial initial data necessary for building the model.

1. Select File > New

or

select New Project under Project Tasks.

Figure 2-266:

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The New dialog opens.

Figure 2-267:

The structure type is defined as either Space, Plane, Floor, or Truss:

Space
the structure, the loading or both, cause the structure to deform in all 3 global axes (X, Y and Z).
Plane
the geometry, loading and deformation are restricted to the global X-Y plane only
Floor
a structure whose geometry is confined to the X-Z plane.
Truss
the structure carries loading by pure axial action. Truss members are deemed incapable of
carrying shear, bending and torsion.
2. Select Space.

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3. Select Meter as the length unit and Kilo Newton as the force unit.

The units can be changed later if necessary, at any stage of the model creation.

4. Specify the File Name as Plates Tutorial and specify a Location where the STAAD input file will be
located on your computer or network.

You can directly type a file path or click […] to open the Browse by Folder dialog, which is used to
select a location using a Windows file tree.

After specifying the above input, click Next.

The next page of the wizard, Where do you want to go?, opens.

Figure 2-268:

5. Set the Add Plate check box.

Figure 2-269:

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In the Where do you want to go? dialog, we choose the tools to be used to initially construct the
model.

Add Beam, Add Plate, or Add Solid

respectively, the tools selected for you used in constructing beams, plates, or solids when the
GUI opens.

Open Structure Wizard

provides access to a library of structural templates which the program comes equipped with.
Those template models can be extracted and modified parametrically to arrive at our model
geometry or some of its parts.

Open STAAD Editor

Used to be create a model using the STAAD command language in the STAAD editor.

All these options are also available from the menus and dialogs of the GUI, even after we dismiss this
dialog.

If you wish to use the Editor to create the model, choose Open STAAD Editor, click Finish, and
proceed to Section 3.8.

6. Click Finish. The dialog will be dismissed and the STAAD.Pro graphical environment will be
displayed.

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.5 Elements of the STAAD.Pro screen

The STAAD.Pro main window is the primary screen from where the model generation process takes place. It
is important to familiarize ourselves with the components of that window before we embark on creating the
RC Frame. Section 1.5 in tutorial problem 1 of this manual explains the components of that window in
detail.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.6 Building the STAAD.Pro model

We are now ready to start building the model geometry. The steps and, wherever possible, the corresponding
STAAD.Pro commands (the instructions which get written in the STAAD input file) are described in the
following sections.

3.6.1 Generating the model geometry

3.6.2 Changing the input units of length

3.6.3 Specifying Element Properties

3.6.4 Specifying Material Constants

3.6.5 Specifying Supports

3.6.6 Specifying Primary Load Cases

3.6.7 Creating load combinations

3.6.8 Specifying the analysis type

3.6.9 Specifying post-analysis print commands

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.6.1 Generating the model geometry

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The structure geometry consists of joint numbers, their coordinates, member numbers, the member
connectivity information, plate element numbers, etc. From the standpoint of the STAAD command file, the
commands to be generated are:

JOINT COORDINATES

1000;2200;3202;4002

5400;6402;7600;8602

9 2 0 4 ; 10 0 0 4 ; 11 4 0 4 ; 12 6 0 4

ELEMENT INCIDENCES SHELL

11234;22563;35786

4 4 3 9 10 ; 5 3 6 11 9 ; 6 6 8 12 11

In this tutorial, we will explore 4 different methods to create the model shown in section 3.2:

1. Using a mixture of drawing an element and the Copy/Paste facility.

2. Using a mixture of drawing an element and the Translational Repeat facility.

3. Using the Structure Wizard facility in the Geometry menu.

4. Using the Mesh Generation facility of the main graphical screen.

Creating the Plates - Method 1

Creating the Plates - Method 2

Creating the Plates - Method 3

Creating the Plates - Method 4

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.6.2 Changing the input units of length

As a matter of convenience, for specifying element properties for our structure, it is simpler if our length
units are centimeter instead of meter. This will require changing the current length units of input. The
command to be generated is:

UNIT CM KN

Steps:

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1. Select either

the Input Units tool

Figure 2-310:

or

Tools > Set Current input Unit

The Set Current Input Units dialog opens.

Figure 2-311:

2. Set the Length Units to Centimeter and click OK.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.6.3 Specifying Element Properties

Just as properties are assigned to members, properties must be assigned to plate elements too. The property
required for plates is the plate thickness (or the thickness at each node of elements if the slab has a varying
thickness).

The corresponding command which should be generated in the STAAD command file is:

ELEMENT PROPERTY

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1 TO 6 THICKNESS 30

Steps:

1. Select either

the Property Page tool located on the Structure Tools toolbar.

Figure 2-312:

or

select the General | Property page from the left side of the screen as shown below.

Figure 2-313:

The Properties - Whole Structure dialog opens.

2. Click Thickness….

Figure 2-314:

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The Plate Element/ Surface Property dialog opens.

3. The dialog shown below comes up. Let us provide the plate thickness as 30cm. Notice that the field
called Material is presently on the checked mode. If we keep it that way, the material properties of
concrete (E, Poisson, Density, Alpha, etc.) will be assigned along with the plate thickness. The
material property values so assigned will be the program defaults. (To see those default values, click
Materials in the dialog shown in the previous figure.) Since we want to assign just the default values,
let us keep the Material box in the checked mode itself. Then, click Add followed by the Close button
as shown below.

Figure 2-315:

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At this point, the Properties dialog will look as shown below.

Figure 2-316:

4. Since we want the thickness to be applied to all elements of the structure, let us select the Assignment
Method called Assign to View and then click Assign as shown in the above figure.

The following message dialog opens. Click the Yes button to confirm.

Figure 2-317:

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The structure will now look as shown below.

Figure 2-318:

5. Click anywhere in the drawing area to un-highlight the selected entities. We do this only as a safety
precaution. When an entity is highlighted, clicking on any Assign option is liable to cause an
undesired attribute to be assigned to that entity.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.6.4 Specifying Material Constants

In Section 3.6.3, we kept the Material check box “on” while assigning the element properties. Consequently,
the material constants (E, Density, Poisson’s Ratio, etc.) of concrete got assigned to the plates along with the
properties, and the following commands were generated in the command file:

UNIT METER KN

CONSTANTS

E 2.17185e+007 MEMB 1 TO 6

POISSON 0.17 MEMB 1 TO 6

DENSITY 23.5616 MEMB 1 TO 6

ALPHA 1.0E-5 MEMB 1 TO 6

Hence, there is no longer a need to assign the constants separately. However, if we hadn’t assigned them as

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before, we could go to the menu option Commands > Material Constants and assign them explicitly as
shown in the figure below.

Figure 2-319:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.6.5 Specifying Supports

The slab is fixed-supported along the entire length of two of its sides. However, when modeled as plate
elements, the supports can be specified only at the nodes along those edges, and not at any point between the
nodes. It hence becomes apparent that if one is keen on better modelling the edge conditions, the slab would
have to be modeled using a larger number of elements.

In our case, the commands we need to generate are:

SUPPORTS

1 2 4 5 7 10 FIXED

Steps:

1. To create supports, select the Support Page tool located in the Structure Tools toolbar as shown below.

Figure 2-320:

Alternatively, one may go to the General | Support page from the left side of the screen.

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Figure 2-321:

2. In either case, the Supports dialog opens as shown in the next figure.

3. For easy identification of the nodes where we wish to place the supports, toggle the display of the
Node Numbers on.

4. Since we already know that nodes 1, 2, 5, 7, 4 and 10 are to be associated with the Fixed support,
using the Nodes Cursor , select these nodes.

5. Then, click Create in the Supports dialog as shown below.

Figure 2-322:

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6. The dialog shown below comes up. The Fixed tab happens to be the default which is convenient for
this case. Click Assign as shown below.

Figure 2-323:

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It is important to understand that the Assign button is active because of what we did in step 4 earlier.
Had we not selected the nodes before reaching this point, this option would not have been active.

After the supports have been assigned, the structure will look like the one shown below.

Figure 2-324:

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.6.6 Specifying Primary Load Cases

Three primary load cases have to be created for this structure. Details of these load cases are available at the
beginning of this tutorial. The corresponding commands to be generated are listed below.

UNIT METER KG

LOAD 1 DEAD LOAD

SELF Y -1.0

LOAD 2 EXTERNAL PRESSURE LOAD

ELEMENT LOAD

1 TO 6 PR GY -300

LOAD 3

TEMPERATURE LOAD

1 TO 6 TEMP 40 30

Steps:

1. To create loads, select the Load Page tool located on the Structure Tools tool bar.

Figure 2-325:

Alternatively, one may go to the General | Load page from the left side of the screen.

Figure 2-326:

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2. Notice that the pressure load value listed in the beginning of this tutorial is in KN and meter units.
Rather than convert that value to the current input units, we will conform to those units. The current
input units, which we last set while specifying THICKNESS was CENTIMETER. We have to change
the force unit to Kilogram and the length units to Meter. To change the units, as before, select the
Input Units tool from the top toolbar, or select the Tools > Set Current input Unit menu option
from the top menu bar. In the Set Current input Units dialog that comes up, specify the length units as
Meter and the force units as Kilogram.

3. A window titled “Load” appears on the right-hand side of the screen. To initiate the first load case,
highlight Load Case Details and click Add.

Figure 2-327:

4. The Add New Load Cases dialog opens. The drop-down list box against Loading Type is available in
case we wish to associate the load case we are creating with any of the ACI, AISC or IBC definitions
of Dead, Live, Ice, etc. This type of association needs to be done if we intend to use the program's
facility for automatically generating load combinations in accordance with those codes.

Notice that there is a check box called Reducible per UBC/IBC. This feature becomes active only

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when the load case is assigned a Loading Type called Live at the time of creation of that case.

As we do not intend to use the automatic load combination generation option, we will leave the
Loading Type as None. Enter Dead Load as the Title for Load Case 1 and click Add.

Figure 2-328:

The newly created load case will now appear under the Load Cases Details in the Load dialog.

Figure 2-329:

5. To generate and assign the first load type, select 1: Dead Load. You will notice that the Add New Load
Items dialog shows more options now.

Figure 2-330:

6. In the Add New Load Items dialog, select the Selfweight Load option under the Selfweight item.
Specify the Direction as Y, and the Factor as -1.0. The negative number signifies that the selfweight
load acts opposite to the positive direction of the global axis (Y in this case) along which it is applied.
Click Add. The selfweight load is applicable to every member of the structure, and cannot be applied
on a selected list of members.

Figure 2-331:

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Technical Reference Page 239 of 329

7. Next, let us initiate the creation of the second load case which is a pressure load on the elements. To
do this, highlight Load Case Details In the Add New Load Cases dialog, once again, we are not
associating the load case we are about to create with any code based Loading Type and so, leave that
box as None. Specify the Title of the second load case as External Pressure Load and click Add.

Figure 2-332:

To generate and assign the second load type, highlight 2: External Pressure Load.

Figure 2-333:

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8. In the Add New Load Items dialog, select the Pressure on Full Plate option under the Plate Loads item
enables the load to be applied on the full area of the element. (The Concentrated Load is for applying
a concentrated force on the element. The Trapezoidal and Hydrostatic options are for defining
pressures with intensities varying from one point to another. The Partial Plate Pressure Load is useful
if the load is to be applied as a “patch” on a small localized portion of an element.)

Provide -300 kg/m2 for W1 (Force), GY as the Direction and click Add followed by Close.

Figure 2-334:

9. Since the pressure load is to be applied on all the elements of the model, the easiest way to do that is to
set the Assignment Method to Assign to View. Then, click Assign in the Load dialog as shown below.

Figure 2-335:

After the load has been assigned, the model will look as shown below.

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Figure 2-336:

10. Next, let us create the third load case which is a temperature load. The initiation of a new load case is
best done using the procedure explained in step 7. In the dialog that comes up, let us specify the Title
of the third load case as Temperature Load and click Add.

Figure 2-337:

11. To generate and assign the third load type, as before, select 3: Temperature Load.

Temperature Loads are created from the input screens available under the Temperature option in the
Add New Load Items dialog.

12. In the Add New Load Items dialog, make sure that the Temperature item is selected under the
Temperature Loads option. Then, provide 40 as the Temperature Change for Axial Elongation and 30
as the Temperature Differential from Top to Bottom and click Add and then click Close.

Figure 2-338:

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13. Since we intend to apply the temperature load on all the plates, as before, choose Assign to View and
click Assign in the Loads dialog (see step 9 for explanation).

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.6.7 Creating load combinations

The specifications at the beginning of this tutorial require us to create two combination cases. The
commands required are:

LOAD COMBINATION 101 CASE 1 + CASE 2

1 1.0 2 1.0

LOAD COMBINATION 102 CASE 1 + CASE 3

1 1.0 3 1.0

Steps:

1. To initiate and define load case 4 as a load combination, once again, highlight the Load Case Details
option. In the Add New Load Cases dialog, click on the Define Combinations option from the left-
hand side. Enter the Load No: as 101 and the Title as Case 1 + Case 2.

Figure 2-339:

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2. Next, in the Define Combinations box, select load case 1 from the left side list box and click [>].
Repeat this with load case 2 also. Load cases 1 and 2 will appear in the right side list box as shown in
the figure below. (These data indicate that we are adding the two load cases with a multiplication
factor of 1.0 and that the load combination results would be obtained by algebraic summation of the
results for individual load cases.) Finally, click Add.

Figure 2-340:

Case 101 has now been created.

3. To initiate and define load case 5 as a load combination, as before, enter the Load No: as 102 and the
Title as Case 1 + Case 3.

4. Next, repeat step 2 except for selecting load cases 1 and 3 instead of cases 1 and 2.

Figure 2-341:

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Thus, load 102 is also created. If we change our mind about the composition of any existing
combination case, we can select the case we want to alter, and make the necessary changes in terms of
the constituent cases or their factors.

Figure 2-342:

5. Let us exit this dialog by clicking on the Close button.

It is also worth noting that as load cases are created, a facility for quickly switching between the various
cases becomes available at the top of the screen in the form of a load case selection box as shown below.

Figure 2-343:

We have now completed the task of creating all load cases.

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Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.6.8 Specifying the analysis type

The analysis type we are required to do is a linear static type. We will also obtain a static equilibrium report.
This requires the command:

PERFORM ANALYSIS PRINT STATICS CHECK

Steps:

1. Select the Analysis/Print | Analysis Page from the left side of the screen.

Figure 2-344:

The Analysis/Print Commands dialog opens.

Figure 2-345:

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2. Select the Perform Analysis tab. To obtain the static equilibrium report, select the Statics Check print
option.

In response to this option, a report consisting of the summary of applied loading and summary of
support reactions, for each load case, will be produced in the STAAD output file. See section 3.10 for
information on viewing this report.

3. Finally, click Add followed by the Close button. The Analysis dialog in the data area with the newly
added instruction will look as shown below.

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Figure 3. 103

Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.6.9 Specifying post-analysis print commands

Two types of element results can be requested: a) ELEMENT STRESSES at the centroid or any point on the
element surface b) the element forces at the nodes. The former consists of stresses and moments per unit
width, as explained in sections 1.6.1 and 3.41 of the STAAD Technical Reference Manual. The latter
consists of the 3 forces and 3 moments at each node of the elements in the global axis system (see section
3.41 for details).

We would like to obtain both these results. We will also set the units in which these results are printed to KN
and Meter for element stresses and Kg and Meter for element forces. This requires the specification of the
following commands:

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UNIT METER KN

PRINT ELEMENT STRESSES LIST 3

UNIT KG METER

PRINT ELEMENT FORCE LIST 6

These results will be written in the STAAD output file and can be viewed using the procedure explained in
section 3.10.

Steps:

1. Set the length and force units to Meter and Kilonewton respectively.

See "Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab" for additional information on this procedure.

2. Select the Analysis/ Print | Post Print page.

Figure 2-346:

3. Click Define Commands in the data area on the right hand side of the screen.

The Analysis/Print Commands dialog opens.

Figure 2-347:

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4. Select the Element Forces/Stress tab. Select the Print Element Stresses option and click Add followed
by Close.

5. Set the length and force units to Meterand Kilogram respectively.

6. Then, repeat steps 2 and 3. In step 3, select the Print Element Forces option and click Add followed by
the Close button.

At this point, the Post Analysis Print dialog will look as shown below.

Figure 2-348:

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7. To associate the PRINT ELEMENT STRESSES command with element 3, first select the command as
shown in the previous figure. Then, using the Plates Cursor , click on element no. 3.

As we select the plate, the Assignment Method automatically becomes Assign to Selected Plates. Click
Assign as shown below.

Figure 2-349:

8. To associate the PRINT ELEMENT FORCE command with element 6, repeat step 7 except for selecting
element no. 6 in the place of element no. 3.

We have now completed the tasks of assigning the input for this model.

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Remember to save your work by either selecting File > Save, the Save tool, or pressing CTRL+S.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.7 Viewing the input command file

Let us now take a look at the data that has been written into the file that we just saved earlier. As we have
seen in the previous tutorials, while the model is being created graphically, a corresponding set of commands
describing that aspect of the model is being simultaneously written into a command file which is a simple
text file. An abstract of those commands was also mentioned under the title “commands to be generated
are ...” at the beginning of each section of this tutorial.

The contents of that text file can be viewed in its entirety either by clicking on the STAAD Editor tool or, by
going to the Edit menu and choosing Edit Input Command File as shown below.

Figure 2-350:

Figure 2-351:

A new window will open up with the data listed as shown here:

Figure 2-352:

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This window and the facilities it contains is known as the STAAD Editor.

We could make modifications to the data of our structure in this Editor if we wish to do so. Let us Exit the
Editor without doing so by selecting the File > Exit menu option of the editor window (not the File > Exit
menu of the main window behind the editor window).

Instead of using the graphical methods explained in the previous sections, we could have created the entire
model by typing these specific commands into the editor. This was one of the methods mentioned in section
3.1 of this tutorial. If you would like to understand that method, proceed to the next section. If you want to
skip that part, proceed to section 3.9 where we perform the analysis on this model.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.8 Creating the model using the command file

Let us now use the command file method to create the model for the above structure. The commands used in
the command file are described later in this section.

The STAAD.Pro command file may be created using the built-in editor, the procedure for which is explained
further below in this section. Any standard text editor such as Notepad or WordPad may also be used to
create the command file. However, the STAAD.Pro command file editor offers the advantage of syntax
checking as we type the commands. The STAAD.Pro keywords, numeric data, comments, etc. are displayed
in distinct colors in the STAAD.Pro editor. A typical editor screen is shown below to illustrate its general
appearance.

Figure 2-353:

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To access the built-in editor, first start the program using the procedure explained in Section 3.3. Next,
follow step 1 of Section 3.4 (also, see Figures below).

Figure 2-354:

You will then encounter the dialog shown below. In that dialog, choose Open STAAD Editor.

Figure 2-355:

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At this point, the editor screen will open as shown below.

Figure 2-356:

Delete all the command lines displayed in the editor window and type the lines shown in bold below (You
don’t have to delete the lines if you know which to keep and where to fill in the rest of the commands). The
commands may be typed in upper or lower case letters. Usually the first three letters of a keyword are all that
are needed -- the rest of the letters of the word are not required. The required letters are underlined.
(“SPACE” = “SPA” = “space” = “spa”)

Actual input is shown in bold lettering followed by explanation.

STAAD SPACE SLAB SUPPORTED ALONG 2 EDGES

Every input has to start with the word STAAD. The word SPACE signifies that the structure is a space frame
structure (3-D) and the geometry is defined through X, Y and Z coordinates.

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UNIT METER KN

Specifies the unit to be used for data to follow.

JOINT COORDINATES

1000;2200;3202;4002

5400;6402;7600;8602

9 2 0 4 ; 10 0 0 4 ; 11 4 0 4 ; 12 6 0 4

Joint number followed by X, Y and Z coordinates are provided above. Semicolon signs (;) are used as line
separators. That enables us to provide multiple sets of data on one line. For example, node 6 has (X, Y, Z)
coordinates of (4, 0, 2).

ELEMENT INCIDENCES SHELL

1 1 2 3 4 ; 2 2 5 6 3 ; 3 5 7 8 6 ; 4 4 3 9 10 ;

5 3 6 11 9 ; 6 6 8 12 11

The incidences of elements are defined above. For example, element 3 is defined as connected between the
nodes 5, 7, 8 and 6.

UNIT CMKN

ELEMENT PROPERTY

1 TO 6 THICKNESS 30

The length unit is changed from meter to centimeter. Element properties are then provided by specifying that
the elements are 30 cm thick.

UNIKN ERMET T

CONSTANTS

E 2.17185e+007 ALL

POISSON 0.17 ALL

DENSITY 23.5616 ALL

ALPHA 1e-005 ALL

Material constants, which are E (modulus of elasticity), Density, Poisson’s Ratio and Alpha, are specified
following the command CONSTANTS. Prior to this, the input units are changed to Meter and KN.

SUPPORTS

1 2 4 5 7 10 FIXED

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Joints 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10 are defined as fixed supported. This will cause all 6 degrees of freedom at these
nodes to be restrained.

UNIT KG

LOAD 1 DEAD LOAD

Force units are changed from KN to KG to facilitate the input of loads. Load case 1 is then initiated along
with an accompanying title.

SELFWEIGHT Y -1

Load case 1 consists of selfweight of the structure acting in the global Y direction with a factor of -1.0. Since
global Y is vertically upward, the factor of -1.0 indicates that this load will act downwards.

LOAD 2 EXTERNAL PRESSURE LOAD

Load case 2 is initiated along with an accompanying title.

ELEMENT LOAD

1 TO 6 PRGY -300

Load 2 is a pressure load on the elements. A uniform pressure of 300Kg/m2 is applied on all the elements.
GY indicates that the load is in the global Y direction. The negative sign (-300) indicates that the load acts
opposite to the positive direction of global Y.

LOAD 3 TEMPERATURE LOAD

Load case 3 is initiated along with an accompanying title.

TEMPERATURE LOAD

1 TO 6 TEMP 40 30

Load 3 is a temperature load. All the 6 elements are subjected to a in-plane temperature increase of 40
degrees and a temperature variation across the thickness of 30 degrees. This increase is in the same
temperature units as the Alpha value specified earlier under CONSTANTS.

LOADCOMB 101 CASE 1 + CASE 2

1 1.0 2 1.0

Load combination 101 is initiated along with an accompanying title. Load cases 1 and 2 are individually
factored by a value of 1.0, and the factored values are combined algebraically.

LOAD COMB 102 CASE 1 + CASE 3

1 1.0 3 1.0

Load combination 102 is initiated along with an accompanying title. Load cases 1 and 3 are individually
factored by a value of 1.0, and the factored values are combined algebraically.

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PERFORM ANALYSIS PRINT STATICS CHECK

The above command instructs the program to proceed with the analysis. A static equilibrium report is also
requested with the help of the words PRINT STATICS CHECK.

UNIT METER KN

PRINT ELEMENT STRESS LIST 3

The stresses and unit width moments are requested at the centroid of element 3 in KN and Meter units.

UNIT KG METER

PRINT ELEMENT FORCE LIST 6

The forces and moments for all 6 d.o.f at the corner nodes of element 6 are requested in KG and Meter units.

FINISH

This command terminates the STAAD run.

Let us save the file and exit the editor.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.9 Performing the analysis and design

In order to obtain the displacements, forces, stresses and reactions in the structure due to the applied loads,
the model has to be analyzed. If the pass-fail status of the members and elements per the requirements of
steel and concrete codes is to be determined, that involves a process called design. Both these processes are
launched by selecting Analysis > Run Analysis.

Figure 2-357:

If the structure has not been saved after the last change was made, you should save the structure first by
using the Save command from the File menu.

As the analysis progresses, several messages appear on the screen as shown in the next figure.

Figure 2-358:

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At the end of these calculations, two activities take place. a) A Done button becomes active b) three options
become available at the bottom left corner of this information window.

Figure 2-359:

These options are indicative of what will happen after we click Done.

The View Output File option allows us to view the output file created by STAAD. The output file contains
the numerical results produced in response to the various input commands we specified during the model
generation process. It also tells us whether any errors were encountered, and if so, whether the analysis and
design was successfully completed or not. Section 3.10 (also, see section 1.9) offers additional details on
viewing and understanding the contents of the output file.

The Go To Post Processing Mode option allows us to go to graphical part of the program known as the Post-
processor. This is where one can extensively verify the results, view the results graphically, plot result
diagrams, produce reports, etc. Section 3.11 explains the Post processing mode in greater detail.

The Stay in Modelling Mode lets us continue to be in the Model generation mode of the program (the one we
currently are in) in case we wish to make further changes to our model.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

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3.10 Viewing the output file

During the analysis stage, an output file containing results, warnings and messages associated with errors if
any in the output, is produced. This file has the extension .anl and may be viewed using the output viewer.
Section 1.9 of this manual contains information on viewing this file.

In Sections 3.6.8 and 3.6.9, we had provided instructions to the program to write some very specific results
in the output file. Let us examine those results.

****************************************************

* *

* STAAD.Pro V8i SELECTseries1 *

* Version 20.07.06.35 *

* Proprietary Program of *

* Bentley Systems, Inc. *

* Date= JUL 7, 2010 *

* Time= 11:44:10 *

* *

* USER ID: Bentley Systems *

****************************************************

1. STAAD SPACE SLAB SUPPORTED ALONG 2 EDGES

input FILE: tut_03_slab.STD

3. UNIT METER KN

4. JOINT COORDINATES

5. 1 0 0 0 ; 2 2 0 0 ; 3 2 0 2 ; 4 0 0 2

6. 5 4 0 0 ; 6 4 0 2 ; 7 6 0 0 ; 8 6 0 2

7. 9 2 0 4 ; 10 0 0 4 ; 11 4 0 4 ; 12 6 0 4

9. ELEMENT INCIDENCES SHELL

10. 1 1 2 3 4 ; 2 2 5 6 3 ; 3 5 7 8 6 ; 4 4 3 9 10

11. 5 3 6 11 9 ; 6 6 8 12 11

13. UNIT CM KN

14. ELEMENT PROPERTY

15. 1 TO 6 THICKNESS 30

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17. UNIT METER KN

18. CONSTANTS

19. E 2.17185E+007 ALL

20. POISSON 0.17 ALL

21. DENSITY 23.5616 ALL

22. ALPHA 1.0E-005 ALL

24. SUPPORTS

25. 1 2 4 5 7 10 FIXED

27. UNIT KG

28. LOAD 1 DEAD LOAD

29. SELFWEIGHT Y -1

31. LOAD 2 EXTERNAL PRESSURE LOAD

32. ELEMENT LOAD

33. 1 TO 6 PR GY -300

35. LOAD 3 TEMPERATURE LOAD

36. TEMPERATURE LOAD

37. 1 TO 6 TEMP 40 30

39. LOAD COMB 101 CASE 1 + CASE 2

40. 1 1.0 2 1.0

42. LOAD COMB 102 CASE 1 + CASE 3

43. 1 1.0 3 1.0

45. PERFORM ANALYSIS PRINT STATICS CHECK

P R O B L E M S T A T I S T I C S

-----------------------------------

NUMBER OF JOINTS/MEMBER+ELEMENTS/SUPPORTS = 12/ 6/ 6

SOLVER USED IS THE IN-CORE ADVANCED SOLVER

TOTAL PRIMARY LOAD CASES = 3, TOTAL DEGREES OF FREEDOM = 36

STATIC LOAD/REACTION/EQUILIBRIUM SUMMARY FOR CASE NO. 1

DEAD LOAD

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CENTER OF FORCE BASED ON Y FORCES ONLY (METE).

(FORCES IN NON-GLOBAL DIRECTIONS WILL INVALIDATE RESULTS)

X = 0.300000029E+01

Y = 0.000000000E+00

Z = 0.199999989E+01

***TOTAL APPLIED LOAD ( KG METE ) SUMMARY (LOADING 1 )

SUMMATION FORCE-X = 0.00

SUMMATION FORCE-Y = -17298.83

SUMMATION FORCE-Z = 0.00

SUMMATION OF MOMENTS AROUND THE ORIGIN-

MX= 34597.65 MY= 0.00 MZ= -51896.48

***TOTAL REACTION LOAD( KG METE ) SUMMARY (LOADING 1 )

SUMMATION FORCE-X = 0.00

SUMMATION FORCE-Y = 17298.82

SUMMATION FORCE-Z = 0.00

SUMMATION OF MOMENTS AROUND THE ORIGIN-

MX= -34597.65 MY= 0.00 MZ= 51896.48

MAXIMUM DISPLACEMENTS ( CM /RADIANS) (LOADING 1)

MAXIMUMS AT NODE

X = 0.00000E+00 0

Y = -3.20664E-01 12

Z = 0.00000E+00 0

RX= 9.80376E-04 12

RY= 0.00000E+00 0

RZ= -6.49326E-04 9

STATIC LOAD/REACTION/EQUILIBRIUM SUMMARY FOR CASE NO. 2

EXTERNAL PRESSURE LOAD

CENTER OF FORCE BASED ON Y FORCES ONLY (METE).

(FORCES IN NON-GLOBAL DIRECTIONS WILL INVALIDATE RESULTS)

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X = 0.299999999E+01

Y = 0.000000000E+00

Z = 0.199999999E+01

***TOTAL APPLIED LOAD ( KG METE ) SUMMARY (LOADING 2 )

SUMMATION FORCE-X = 0.00

SUMMATION FORCE-Y = -7200.00

SUMMATION FORCE-Z = 0.00

SUMMATION OF MOMENTS AROUND THE ORIGIN-

MX= 14400.00 MY= 0.00 MZ= -21600.00

***TOTAL REACTION LOAD( KG METE ) SUMMARY (LOADING 2 )

SUMMATION FORCE-X = 0.00

SUMMATION FORCE-Y = 7200.00

SUMMATION FORCE-Z = 0.00

SUMMATION OF MOMENTS AROUND THE ORIGIN-

MX= -14400.00 MY= 0.00 MZ= 21600.00

MAXIMUM DISPLACEMENTS ( CM /RADIANS) (LOADING 2)

MAXIMUMS AT NODE

X = 0.00000E+00 0

Y = -1.33465E-01 12

Z = 0.00000E+00 0

RX= 4.08045E-04 12

RY= 0.00000E+00 0

RZ= -2.70258E-04 9

STATIC LOAD/REACTION/EQUILIBRIUM SUMMARY FOR CASE NO. 3

TEMPERATURE LOAD

***TOTAL APPLIED LOAD ( KG METE ) SUMMARY (LOADING 3 )

SUMMATION FORCE-X = 5.1567483E-11

SUMMATION FORCE-Y = 2.4152937E-27

SUMMATION FORCE-Z = -1.0313497E-10

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SUMMATION OF MOMENTS AROUND THE ORIGIN-

MX= -4.0357990E-12 MY= 3.3531239E-10 MZ= 1.5953626E-13

***TOTAL REACTION LOAD( KG METE ) SUMMARY (LOADING 3 )

SUMMATION FORCE-X = 4.5770903E-02

SUMMATION FORCE-Y = 6.0460481E-05

SUMMATION FORCE-Z = 1.5288378E-02

SUMMATION OF MOMENTS AROUND THE ORIGIN-

MX= 0.00 MY= -0.87 MZ= 0.00

MAXIMUM DISPLACEMENTS ( CM /RADIANS) (LOADING 3)

MAXIMUMS AT NODE

X = 2.01178E-01 12

Y = 8.97375E-01 12

Z = 1.66238E-01 11

RX= -3.51267E-03 12

RY= -2.41810E-04 11

RZ= 2.62397E-03 12

************ END OF DATA FROM INTERNAL STORAGE ************

47. UNIT METER KN

48. PRINT ELEMENT STRESS LIST 3

ELEMENT STRESSES FORCE,LENGTH UNITS= KN METE

----------------

STRESS = FORCE/UNIT WIDTH/THICK, MOMENT = FORCE-LENGTH/UNIT WIDTH

ELEMENT LOAD SQX SQY MX MY MXY

VONT VONB SX SY SXY

TRESCAT TRESCAB

3 1 -18.13 72.86 -3.96 -20.42 -3.35

1308.65 1308.65 0.00 0.00 0.00

1404.84 1404.84

TOP : SMAX= -220.35 SMIN= -1404.84 TMAX= 592.24 ANGLE= -11.1

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BOTT: SMAX= 1404.84 SMIN= 220.35 TMAX= 592.24 ANGLE= 78.9

2 -7.54 30.33 -1.65 -8.50 -1.39

544.68 544.68 0.00 0.00 0.00

584.71 584.71

TOP : SMAX= -91.71 SMIN= -584.71 TMAX= 246.50 ANGLE= -11.1

BOTT: SMAX= 584.71 SMIN= 91.71 TMAX= 246.50 ANGLE= 78.9

3 96.73 -59.42 -30.45 -14.83 18.43

10779.74 5300.97 -5044.91 -2309.56 3890.06

10912.06 5585.64

TOP : SMAX= 269.70 SMIN=-10642.36 TMAX= 5456.03 ANGLE= 55.1

BOTT: SMAX= 624.69 SMIN= -4960.95 TMAX= 2792.82 ANGLE= 53.8

101 -25.67 103.19 -5.61 -28.92 -4.74

1853.33 1853.33 0.00 0.00 0.00

1989.55 1989.55

TOP : SMAX= -312.06 SMIN= -1989.55 TMAX= 838.74 ANGLE= -11.1

BOTT: SMAX= 1989.55 SMIN= 312.06 TMAX= 838.74 ANGLE= 78.9

102 78.61 13.44 -34.41 -35.24 15.08

10643.04 5713.20 -5044.91 -2309.56 3890.06

11074.60 6408.65

TOP : SMAX= -923.25 SMIN=-11074.60 TMAX= 5075.67 ANGLE= 52.7

BOTT: SMAX= 1848.79 SMIN= -4559.86 TMAX= 3204.33 ANGLE= 57.9

**** MAXIMUM STRESSES AMONG SELECTED PLATES AND CASES ****

MAXIMUM MINIMUM MAXIMUM MAXIMUM MAXIMUM

PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL SHEAR VONMISES TRESCA

STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS

1.989548E+03 -1.107460E+04 5.456030E+03 1.077974E+04 1.107460E+04

PLATE NO. 3 3 3 3 3

CASE NO. 101 102 3 3 102

********************END OF ELEMENT FORCES********************

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50. UNIT KG METER

51. PRINT ELEMENT FORCE LIST 6

ELEMENT FORCES FORCE,LENGTH UNITS= KG METE

--------------

**NOTE- IF A COMBINATION INCLUDES A DYNAMIC CASE OR IS AN SRSS OR ABS COMBINATION

THEN RESULTS CANNOT BE COMPUTED PROPERLY.

GLOBAL CORNER FORCES

JOINT FX FY FZ MX MY MZ

ELE.NO. 6 FOR LOAD CASE 1

6 0.0000E+00 4.5324E+02 0.0000E+00 -1.1313E+03 0.0000E+00 7.9082E+02

8 0.0000E+00 5.0615E+02 0.0000E+00 -3.2050E+02 0.0000E+00 2.3979E+02

12 0.0000E+00 -7.2078E+02 0.0000E+00 7.5724E-12 0.0000E+00 -3.9294E-12

11 0.0000E+00 -2.3860E+02 0.0000E+00 -4.6695E+02 0.0000E+00 -6.0134E+02

ELE.NO. 6 FOR LOAD CASE 2

6 0.0000E+00 1.8864E+02 0.0000E+00 -4.7087E+02 0.0000E+00 3.2915E+02

8 0.0000E+00 2.1067E+02 0.0000E+00 -1.3340E+02 0.0000E+00 9.9804E+01

12 0.0000E+00 -3.0000E+02 0.0000E+00 -3.0699E-13 0.0000E+00 1.8010E-12

11 0.0000E+00 -9.9310E+01 0.0000E+00 -1.9435E+02 0.0000E+00 -2.5029E+02

ELE.NO. 6 FOR LOAD CASE 3

6 -2.9880E+05 6.6191E+02 -3.0717E+05 6.3684E+03 2.7911E+03 -5.5444E+03

8 3.0633E+05 -9.9012E+02 -3.2773E+05 4.3051E+03 -3.7448E+03 4.3520E+03

12 3.2019E+05 6.4459E-12 3.2019E+05 -6.0036E+03 3.6675E-11 6.0036E+03

11 -3.2773E+05 3.2821E+02 3.1470E+05 -4.0134E+03 9.5379E+02 -2.8310E+03

ELE.NO. 6 FOR LOAD CASE 101

6 0.0000E+00 6.4188E+02 0.0000E+00 -1.6022E+03 0.0000E+00 1.1200E+03

8 0.0000E+00 7.1682E+02 0.0000E+00 -4.5390E+02 0.0000E+00 3.3959E+02

12 0.0000E+00 -1.0208E+03 0.0000E+00 -8.3210E-04 0.0000E+00 8.8595E-05

11 0.0000E+00 -3.3792E+02 0.0000E+00 -6.6131E+02 0.0000E+00 -8.5163E+02

ELE.NO. 6 FOR LOAD CASE 102

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6 -2.9880E+05 1.1151E+03 -3.0717E+05 5.2371E+03 2.7911E+03 -4.7536E+03

8 3.0633E+05 -4.8397E+02 -3.2773E+05 3.9846E+03 -3.7449E+03 4.5918E+03

12 3.2019E+05 -7.2078E+02 3.2019E+05 -6.0036E+03 7.4911E-03 6.0036E+03

11 -3.2773E+05 8.9607E+01 3.1470E+05 -4.4804E+03 9.5378E+02 -3.4324E+03

53. FINISH

*********** END OF THE STAAD.Pro RUN ***********

**** DATE= JUL 7,2010 TIME= 11:44:11 ****

************************************************************

* For questions on STAAD.Pro, please contact *

* Bentley Systems Offices at the following locations *

* *

* Telephone Web / Email *

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

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3.11 Post-Processing

If there are no errors in the input, the analysis is successfully completed. The extensive facilities of the Post-
processing mode can then be used to

1. view the results graphically and numerically

2. assess the suitability of the structure from the standpoint of safety, serviceability and efficiency

3. create customized reports and plots

The procedure for entering the post processing mode is explained in section 2.11.1 of this manual.

Node results such as displacements and support reactions are available for all models. The methods
explained in the first two tutorials – see sections 2.11.2 to 2.11.7 – may be used to explore these. If beams
are present in the model, beam results will be available too (see sections 2.11.8 to 2.11.18 for information on
these). For this example, we will look at the support reactions. We do not have any beams in our model, so
no results will be available for this type of entity.

For plates, the results available are stresses, and “unit width” moments. There are several different methods
for viewing these results, as explained in the next few sections.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.11.1 Viewing stress values in a tabular form

1. Select View > Tables

or

Right-click in the View window and select Tables from the pop-up menu.

The Tables dialog opens.

Figure 2-360:

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2. Select Plate Center Stress and click OK.

The Plate Center Stress table opens.

Figure 2-361:

The table has the following tabs:

Shear, Membrane and Bending

These terms are explained in Section 1.6.1 of the STAAD Technical Reference Manual. The
individual values for each plate for each selected load case are displayed.
Summary
This tab contains the maximum for each of the 8 values listed in the Shear, Membrane and
Bending tab.
Principal and Von Mises
These terms too are explained in Section 1.6.1 of the STAAD Technical Reference Manual. The
individual values for each plate for each selected load case are displayed, for the top and bottom
surfaces of the elements.
Summary

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This tab contains the maximum for each of the 8 values listed in the Principal and Von Mises
tab.
Global Moments
This tab provides the moments about the global X, Y and Z axes at the center of each element.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.11.2 Printing the tables

All of these tables may be printed by clicking the right mouse button in the table area and selecting the Print
option.

Figure 2-362:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

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3.11.3 Changing the units of values which appear in the above tables

The length and force units of the stresses and moments are displayed alongside the individual column
headings for the terms.

1. Select Tools > Set Current Display Unit….

The Options dialog opens.

Figure 2-363:

2. Select the Force Units tab and specify the required unit from the Stress and Moment fields.
3. Click Apply for the changes to take effect immediately. Once you are sure that you have chosen the
proper unit combination, click OK.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.11.4 Limiting the load cases for which the results are displayed

When we entered the post-processing mode, we chose all load cases in the Results Setup dialog. The tables
hence contain results for all the load cases.

Used the following procedure to change that load list.

1. Select Results > Select Load Case….

The Results Setup dialog opens.

Figure 2-364:

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2. Select the load cases you want from the Available list and the click [>].

The selected load cases are transferred from the Available list to the Selected list

3. Click OK.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.11.5 Stress Contours

Stress contours are a color-based plot of the variation of stress or moment across the surface of the slab or a
selected portion of it. There are 2 ways to switch on stress contour plots:

1. Select either

the Plate | Contour page

Figure 2-365:

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Technical Reference Page 272 of 329

or

Select Results > Plate Stress Contour.

The Diagrams dialog opens

Figure 2-366:

2. From the Stress type field, select the specific type of stress for which you want the contour drawn.

3. From the Load Case selection box, select the load case number.

Stress values are known exactly only at the plate centroid locations. Everywhere else, they are

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calculated by linear interpolation between the center point stress values of adjacent plates. The
Enhanced type contour chooses a larger number of points compared to the Normal type contour in
determining the stress variation.

4. View Stress Index will display a small table consisting of the numerical range of values from smallest
to largest which are represented in the plot.

Let us set the following:

l Load case – 102

l Stress Type – Von Mis Top

l Contour Type – Normal Fill

l Index based on Center Stress

l View Stress Index

l Re-Index for new view

Figure 2-367:

5. Click Apply.

The following diagram will be displayed. We can keep changing the settings and click on Apply to see
all the various possible results in the above facility.

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Figure 2-368:

6. Let us keep the dialog open to examine the feature (Animation) explained in the next section.

If some portion of the structure appears truncated, we can bring that portion into view by choosing one
of the following methods:

a. Select the Zoom Outtool to shrink the size of the region drawn.

Figure 2-369: Before and After using the Zoom tool

b. Select the Pan tool to shift the position of the structure away from the index.

Figure 2-370: Before and After using the Pan tool

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.11.6 Animating stress contours

The same dialog shown in the previous section may be used to obtain the stress contours in an animated
view. This is a method of getting a “dynamic” instead of static representation of the plot.

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1. After making the choices as explained in that section, click on the Animation tab of the Diagrams
dialog.
2. Select the Stress option and then click Apply.

Figure 2-371:

3. To stop the animation, select the No Animation option and click Apply again.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.11.7 Creating AVI Files

Video files are a mechanism by which a dynamic result, such as, a deflection diagram in animation, may be
captured and recorded. Presently, this facility is available in STAAD for node deflection, beam section
displacement, mode shape and plate stress contour diagrams. These files can then be viewed using video
player programs such as the Windows Media Player.

1. Select Tools > Create AVI File.

The Create AVI File dialog opens.

Figure 2-372:

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Technical Reference Page 277 of 329

In an animated view, the movement from one extremity to the other is captured as several frames. The
number of frames that comprise such a movement is controlled by specifying a value for Total No. of
Frames. The speed of motion is controlled by the Frame Rate /sec. The rest of the options in the above
dialog are for the type of diagram from which the video file is to be created. Certain items such as
Mode Shape and Plate Stress contour do not become active (remain grayed out) if the required data of
that type are not present in the STAAD file, such as a modal extraction, or finite elements.

2. After making the appropriate selections, click OK.

A dialog opens to specify the filename.

3. Provide a filename and location for the video file and click OK.

The Video Compression dialog opens.

Figure 2-373:

4. Select a compression option and set the Quality value. Click OK to begin creating the video file.

Video files can be quite large, and compression is a technique used reduce the size of these files,
though some video smoothness is lost in this process.

When the file has been generated, a message indicating that the operation was successful opens.

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Figure 2-374:

5. Click OK to dismiss.

The file with the extension .AVI is saved in the same folder where the STAAD input file is located.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.11.8 Viewing plate results using element query

Element Query is a facility where several results for a specific element can be viewed at the same time from
a single dialog. Let us explore this facility for element 4.

1. Select the Plate Cursor tool.

2. Double-click on element 4

or

select element 4 and then select Tools > Query > Plate.

The Plate dialog opens.

The various tabs of the query box enable one to view various types of information such as the plate
geometry, property constants, stresses, etc., for various load cases, as well as print those values.

Some example tabs of this dialog are shown in the following figures.

Figure 3. 141

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Figure 3. 142

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Figure 3. 143

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Figure 3. 144

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Figure 3. 145

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.11.9 Producing an onscreen report

Occasionally, we will come across a need to obtain results conforming to certain restrictions, such as, say,
the resultant node displacements for a few selected nodes, for a few selected load cases, sorted in the order
from low to high, with the values reported in a tabular form. The facility which enables us to obtain such
customized on-screen results is the Report menu on top of the screen.

Let us produce a report consisting of the plate principal stresses, for all plates, sorted in the order from Low
to High of the Principal Maximum Stress (SMAX) for load cases 101 and 102.

1. Select all the plates using the Plates Cursor .

2. Select Report > Plate Results > Principal Stresses.

The Plate Forces dialog opens.

Figure 2-375:

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3. Select the Loading tab.

4. Select load cases 101 and 102 in the Available list and click [>] to add them tot he Selected list.
5. Select the Sorting tab. Choose SMAX under the Sort by Plate Stress category and select List from
Low to High as the Set Sorting Order .

Figure 2-376:

6. (Optional) If you wish to save this report for future use, select the Report tab, provide a title for the
report, and set the Save ID check box.

7. Click OK.

The following figure shows the table of maximum principal stress with SMAX values sorted from
Low to High.

Figure 2-377:

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8. To print this table, right-click anywhere within the table and select Print from the pop-up menu.

Select the print option to get a hardcopy of the report.

To transfer the contents of this table to a Microsoft Excel file

1. Click at the top left corner of the table with the left mouse button. The entire table will become
highlighted.
2. Right click and select Copy from the pop-up menu.
3. Open an Excel worksheet, click at the desired cell and Paste the contents.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Tutorial 3 – Analysis of a Slab

3.11.10 Viewing Support Reactions

Since supports are located at nodes of the structure, results of this type are available along with other node
results such as displacements.

1. Select the Node | Reactions page on the left side of the screen.

Figure 2-378:

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The reactions at the supports will be displayed on the drawing as shown below.

Figure 2-379:

The six values — namely, the three forces along global X, Y and Z, and the three moments Mx, My
and Mz, in the global axis system — are displayed in a box for each support node.

Display of one or more of the six terms of each support node may be toggled off in the following manner.

1. Select Results > View Value….

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The Annotation dialog opens.

Figure 2-380:

2. Select the Reactions tab. Clear the Global X and Global Z check boxes in the Direct category.
3. Click Annotate and then Close.

The drawing will now contain only the remaining 4 terms (see figure below).

Figure 2-381:

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To change the load case for which the reactions are displayed, select the desired case from the load selection
box.

Figure 2-382:

For better clarity in viewing the results in the drawing area (and for reducing the clutter on the screen), a
variety of methods are available. For example, keep the mouse pressed on top of Zoom In button, and watch
the drawing get progressively bigger. Use the Pan button to physically shift the drawing around. Other
options like Dynamic Zoom and Zoom Window buttons may also be used. To restore the original view, click
Display Whole Structure. (Some of these options are explained in greater detail in the ‘Frequently Performed
Tasks’ section at the end of this manual.)

Icon Name
Zoom In

Pan

Dynamic Zoom

Zoom Window

Display Whole

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Structure

The table on the right side of the screen contains the reaction values for all supports for all selected load
cases.

Figure 2-383:

This table can also be displayed from any mode by clicking on the View menu, choosing Tables, and
switching on Support Reactions.

The method explained in section 3.11.3 may be used to change the units in which these values are displayed.
The summary tab contains the maximum value for each of the 6 degrees of freedom along with the load case
number responsible for it.

Figure 2-384:

This brings us to the conclusion of this tutorial. Additional help on using plates is available in Examples 9,
10 and 18 in the Examples Manual.

Getting Started and Tutorials

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Section 3 Frequently Performed Tasks

1. Selecting nodes, beams, plates, etc.

2. Viewing the structure from different angles

3. Switching on labels for nodes, beams, plates, etc.

4. Displaying a Portion of the Model

5. Creating Groups

6. Displaying Loads on the screen

7. Displaying Load Values on the screen

8. Structural Tool Tip Options

9. Identifying Beam Start and End

10. Plotting from STAAD.Pro

Getting Started and Tutorials

Frequently Performed Tasks

1. The Selection Toolbar

Icon Corresponding Menu item Purpose Description

Select > Nodes Cursor Used to select First, select the Nodes
nodes graphically Cursor tool. Then, click
on the nodes you wish
to select. To select
Nodes Cursor multiple nodes, hold
down the Control key
while selecting, or
create a rubber-band
style window around the
desired nodes.

Select > Beams Cursor Used to select First, select the Beams
beams graphically Cursor. Then, click on
the members you wish
to select. To select
Beams Cursor multiple members, hold
down the Control key
while selecting, or

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create a rubber-band
style window around the
desired beams.
Select > Plates Cursor Used to select First, select the Plates
plates graphically Cursor. Then, click on
the plates you wish to
select. To select multiple
Plates Cursor plates, hold down the
Control key while
selecting, or create a
rubber-band style
window around the
desired plates.
Select > Surface Cursor Used to select First, select the Surface
surface graphically Cursor. Then, click on
the surface you wish to
select. To select multiple
Surface Cursor surfaces, hold down the
Control key while
selecting, or create a
rubber-band style
window around the
desired surfaces.
Select > Solids Cursor Used to select First, select the Solids
solids graphically Cursor. Then, click on the
solids you wish to select.
To select multiple solids,
Solids Cursor hold down the Control
key while selecting, or
create a rubber-band style
window around the
desired solids.
Select > Geometry Cursor Used to select any First, select the Geometry
geometry Cursor. Then, click on the
graphically. It is a entity you wish to select.
mechanism for To select multiple entities,
Geometry selecting nodes, hold down the Control
Cursor beams, plates and key while selecting, or
solids, or, any create a rubber-band style
combination of window around the
these, desired entities.
simultaneously.
Select > Load Edit Cursor Used to graphically First, select the Load Edit
select a component Cursor. Then, double-
of an existing load click on the diagram of
case for the load component you
Load Edit modification. wish to edit.
Cursor
Select > Support Edit Cursor Used to graphically First select the Support
select a support Edit Cursor. Then,
whose parameters double-click on the
one may wish to support icon at the node

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Support Edit modify. where you wish to

Cursor modify the details of the
existing support.
Select > Release Edit Cursor Used to graphically First, select the Release
select and modify Edit Cursor. Then,
an existing member double-click on the
release specification member on which a
Release Edit currently defined START
Cursor or END release condition
has to be modified.
Select > Text Cursor Used to enter the To edit any pre-created
mode for editing text, first, select the Text
pre-created text Label Cursor. Then,
labels double-click on the text
Select Text that you wish to modify.
Select > Filtered Selection Used to select This is used to select
Cursor multiple types of multiple types of
geometric entities geometric entities (nodes,
(nodes, beams, beams, surfaces, etc.)
Filtered surfaces, etc.) with with specific attributes in
Selection specific attributes in one pass.
one pass.
None Used to select This is used to
joints, when he/she select joints. With this
uses the RAM cursor set as the active
connection interface selection cursor, one
Select Joints from within may assign design briefs
STAAD. to joints or one may
simply double click on
the joints to launch RAM
Connection etc.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Frequently Performed Tasks

2. The Rotation Toolbar

Icon Description Example

Displays the structure as
seen from the front. When
the global Y axis is
vertical, this is the
View From +
elevation view, as looking
Z
towards the negative
direction of the Z-axis.

Displays the structure as

seen from the back. When
the global Y axis is

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View From - vertical, this is the

Z elevation view, as seen
looking towards the
positive direction of the
Z-axis.

Displays the structure as

seen from the right side.
When the global Y axis is
vertical, this is the side
View From + elevation, as seen looking
X towards the negative
direction of the X-axis.

Displays the structure as

seen from the left side.
When the global Y axis is
vertical, this is the side
View From - elevation, as seen looking
X towards the positive
direction of the X-axis.

Displays the structure as

seen from the top looking
down. When the global Y
axis is vertical, this is the
View From + plan view, as seen from
Y the sky looking down.

Displays the structure as if

one is looking up
skywards.
View From -
Y

Displays the structure in

the isometric view. The
angle which defines
isometric view is
Isometric View generally X = 30, Y = 30,
Z=0

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Getting Started and Tutorials

Frequently Performed Tasks

3. Switching on labels for nodes, beams, plates, etc.

Labels are a way of identifying the entities we have drawn on the screen. To demonstrate this facility, open
EXAMP01.STD as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-1:

1. To switch the node and beam labels on, either

¡ Select the Symbols and Labels tool.

Figure 3-2:

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or

¡ Right-click anywhere in the View area and select Labels from the reset pop-up menu.

Figure 3-3:

or

¡ Select View > Structure Diagrams.

The Diagrams dialog opens.

2. Select the Labels tab and select the options for the appropriate labels (examples shown in the
following figure). Click OK to update the View window and close the dialog.

Figure 3-4:

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The following figure shows the structure with the node and beam labels displayed on it.

Figure 3-5:

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3. To change the font of the node/beam labels, select View > Options.

The Options dialog opens.

Figure 3-6:

4. Select the appropriate tab (Node Labels / Beam labels) and click Font… to make the desired changes.
Click OK to close the Font dialog.

Getting Started and Tutorials

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Frequently Performed Tasks

4. Displaying a Portion of the Model

Sometimes, the large number of entities that are drawn on the screen may make it difficult to clearly see the
details at any particular region of the structure. In such cases, one is confronted with the task of de-cluttering
the screen or looking at specific regions or entities while removing the rest of the structure from the view.

There are different methods in STAAD.Pro by which you can view a portion of the structure. The following
pages demonstrate three different methods.

Method 1 – View > New View

1. To demonstrate this method, open EXAMP08.STD as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-7:

2. To view only the members which are at the midheight level, first select those members by selecting
the View From + Z tool and dragging a rubber-band around these members in the View window.

Making sure that the Beams Cursor tool is the active selection tool.

Figure 3-8:

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3. To visually verify that the correct members have been selected, select the Isometric View tool .

The selected members will appear highlighted.

Figure 3-9:

4. Create a new view by either

select View > New View…

or

right click anywhere in the current view window and select New View… from the pop-up menu.

The New View dialog opens.

Figure 3-10:

The dialog includes options open the new view in a new (child) window or to replace the current
(parent) view window.

5. Select the Create a new window for the view option and click OK.

The portion of the structure that we selected will now be displayed in a new window as shown in the

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following figure. Multiple child view windows may be created in this way.

Figure 3-11:

New view windows are helpful for performing such operations as adding and deleting members,
assigning properties, loads, supports, and more. A new view of a selected portion offers the advantage
of decluttering the screen and limiting the displayed objects to just a few chosen entities.

6. To return to the parent view window, close the new view (child) window by clicking close [X] in the
top-right corner.

7. Repeat steps 2 through 4 to start another New View.

8. Select the Display the view in the active window option and click OK.

The original structure will be hidden and, the portion of the structure that we selected will instead be
displayed in the current (parent) view window as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-12:

9. Select the Display Whole Structure tool to restore original view.

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Figure 3-13:

These new views may be saved by going to the View > View Management > Save View menu option.
Provide a title for the new view. These saved views may later be opened by going to the View > Open
View menu option.

Method 2 – Tools > Cut Section

1. To demonstrate this method, open EXAMP08.STD as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-14:

2. Select the Symbols and Labels tool.

The Diagrams dialog Opens.

Select the Node Numbers option and click OK.

This will aide in specifying a node number in the following step.

Figure 3-15:

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3. Select Tools > Cut Section.

The Section dialog opens.

Figure 3-16:

The Range By Joint method

Since the beams of the mid-height level happen to contain joint # 10 (or any of the joint numbers from
7 to 12), it would be convenient if we could instruct the program to display the entities lying in the X-
Z plane, and passing through any one of those joints 7 to 12. The facilities of the Range By Joint tab
enable us to do that.

4. Let us select that tab (it happens to be the default). Here, we can select the plane of the section by
clicking on one of the options – X-Y, Y-Z, or X-Z. We have to choose the X-Z Plane for our example.
Then, in the Node # drop down list, provide a joint that lies on the sectional plane. In our example, we
may choose any one of the nodes between 7 and 12. Let us choose With Node #10. Click OK.

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The following figure shows the cut portion of the original structure displayed in the drawing area.

Figure 3-17:

5. Select the Display Whole Structure tool to restore original view.

Alternatively, go to the dialog shown in step 4 and click Show All.

The Range By Min/Max method

Steps:

Another convenient way of choosing the beams at the mid-height level is to specify that those beams
lie in the X-Z plane between the Y range values of 12ft - a and 12ft + a, where, “a” is an arbitrary
value such as say, 2ft.

6. To do this, let us select the Range By Min/Max tab. Here, we can again select the plane of the section
by clicking on one of the options – X-Y, Y-Z, or X-Z. We have to choose the X-Z Plane for our
example. The Minimum and Maximum edit boxes represent the boundary distances along the axis
perpendicular to the sectional plane. Every object lying between these two distances will be displayed.
In our example, let us provide 10 as the Minimum and 14 as the Maximum distance. (Before doing so,
make sure that the current input units of length, displayed at the bottom right corner of the STAAD
program window, are feet.) Then, click OK.

Figure 3-18:

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The following figure shows the cut portion of the original structure displayed in the drawing area.

Figure 3-19:

7. Select the Display Whole Structure tool to restore original view.

The Select to View method

For demonstrating this method, instead of viewing specific beams, let us look at the nodes instead.

Steps:

Using this option, the portion of the structure we wish to view can be selected by specifying the
objects which lie in that portion. The Window/Rubber Band option allows us to select the portion of
the structure to view by specifying a rubber-band window around it. The View Highlighted Only
option displays only the selected (highlighted) objects on screen and, the members and elements we
wish to view must be selected before choosing this option. The Select To View option allows us to
view only Beams, Plates, and/or Solids, depending on the corresponding check boxes that are
activated.

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8. For our example, let us choose the Select To View option and set the Node check box. Then, click OK
as shown below.

Figure 3-20:

The following figure shows the view of the structure with only the nodes displayed.

Figure 3-21:

9. Select the Display Whole Structure tool to restore original view.

These new views may be saved by going to the View > View Management > Save View menu option.
Provide a title for the new view. These saved views may later be opened by going to the View > Open
View menu option.

Method 3 – View > Zoom

The Zoom menu option allows us to zoom in (magnify) or out (reduce) on a portion of the structure, as one
would, using a telescope.

1. To demonstrate this method, open EXAMP09.STD as shown in the following figure.

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Figure 3-22:

2. Say, we want to magnify the portion of the structure shown in the figure below.

Figure 3-23:

3. To select the plates as shown in the above figure by first selecting the View From + Z tool. Then,
select the Plates Cursor tool and drag a window around the plate elements in the View window as
shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-24:

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By the way, looking at the model from View From + Y, or, View From - X, and using the rubber-band
window methods can be just as effective in selecting these elements.

4. Select the Isometric View tool.

This is useful to ensure that the correct entities are selected, as in the previous figure.

5. Magnify the selected portion of the structure by either

select the Zoom Window tool

Figure 3-25:

or

select the View > Zoom > Zoom Window.

The mouse pointer changes to a cross hair in the View window.

6. Click and drag a window around the selected portion of the structure.

The view magnifies on the selected portion of the structure.

Figure 3-26:

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Alternately, the Zoom In tool is used to magnify the view by a pre-defined factor.

The Dynamic Zoom tool is used to display the enlarged view in a new window.

Figure 3-27:

Select a region by clicking and dragging in the View window, similar to using the Zoom Window tool.
That region will now be displayed in a new window in the drawing area as shown in the following
figure.

Figure 3-28:

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7. To restore the view of the full structure, select the Display Whole Structure tool.

These new views may be saved by going to the View > View Management > Save View menu option.
Provide a title for the new view. These saved views may later be opened by going to the View > Open
View menu option.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Frequently Performed Tasks

5. Creating Groups

Group names are a means for easily identifying a collection of entities like Beams, Plates or Solids using a
single moniker. By grouping these entities, we need to assign attributes such as member properties and
material constants just to the group, a simple process, compared to the task of assigning them to the
individual members.

1. To demonstrate this, open EXAMP01.STD as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-29:

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Consider the members which form the truss as being in one of three groups: Top Chords, Bottom
Chords, and Web Members.

2. Select the Beams Cursor tool and then select the inclined members in the View window as shown
in the following figure.

Figure 3-30:

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3. Select Tools > Create New Group.

The Define Group Name dialog opens.

4. Enter _TOPCOR for Group name.

Group Names must begin with the underscore ‘_’ character.

Since group names can be assigned to Nodes, Beams, Plates, Solids as well as a general category
called Geometry, it is very important that we choose the proper entity type. Hence, specify the Select
Type as Beam and click OK.

Figure 3-31:

The Create Group dialog opens.

5. Click Associate.

The Assign Methods in the Create Group dialog is presently set to Associate to Selected Geometry.

Figure 3-32:

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6. Select the members forming the bottom chord as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-33:

7. Click Create in the Create Group dialog. Follow steps 4 and 5 and assign the Group Name _BOTCOR
to these members.

8. Now, you'll group together web members in the truss. Using the mouse, select the Transverse Truss
members as shown in the figure below.

Figure 3-34:

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9. Next, follow step 7 except for specifying the Group Name as _TRNTRUS.

Figure 3-35:

10. Click Close in the Create Group dialog.

Three groups have now been created. You select Select > By Group Name to open the Select Groups dialog,
which can be used to select a named group.

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If the option for Show Label are unchecked, labels such as beam numbers will not be displayed for these
specific members, even if the beam numbering icon is switched on for the entire structure.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Frequently Performed Tasks

6. Displaying Loads on the screen

1. To demonstrate this feature, open EXAMP08.STD as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-37:

2. Select the Loads tool and then select a specific load as the Active Load from the drop-list of all loads
in the input file.

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Figure 3-38:

or

Select View > Structure Diagrams. In the Diagrams dialog that opens, select the Loads and Results
tab. Select the Loads option and select the load case we want from the Load Case list box. Then, click
OK.

Figure 3-39:

The following figure shows Load Case 1 for this example model.

Figure 3-40:

Getting Started and Tutorials

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Frequently Performed Tasks

7. Displaying Load Values on the screen

1. In the previous exercise, we saw the method for turning on load icons, but not the numeric value of
those loads. To view load values,open EXAMP08.STD as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-41:

2. Select the Loads tool and then right click anywhere in the View window and select Labels from the
pop-up menu.

or

select the Symbols and Labels tool

or

select View > Structure Diagrams and select the Labels tab in the Diagrams dialog.

The Diagrams dialog opens to the Labels tab.

3. Set the Load Values check box under the Loading Display Options category as shown in the following
figure.

Figure 3-42:

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The following figure shows the example structure with the load values displayed on it.

Figure 3-43:

4. Select Tools > Set Current Display Unit.

The Options dialog opens.

Select the Force Units tab and then change the selection under the Force to kip and Distributed Force
to kN/m.

Figure 3-44:

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5. Click OK.

The values are updated with the new units.

Figure 3-45:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Frequently Performed Tasks

8. Structural Tool Tip Options

Structural tool tips offer a facility for displaying any customized input or output information about a node,
beam, plate or solid element when the mouse cursor is placed over the structural entity. The tool tips are
similar to the ones displayed when the mouse cursor hovers over a toolbar icon. When the mouse cursor is
moved away from that spot, the information displayed is switched off too.

1. Select View > Structural Tool Tip Options.

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The Tool Tip Options dialog opens.

Figure 3-46:

2. Select the Show Tool Tip option such that it is check to ensure tool tips are toggled on.

The Tip Delay box signifies the amount of time it takes from when the mouse cursor first appears over
an entity to when the tool tip actually pops up. This number is expressed in milliseconds (i.e. 1000 = 1
second).

The options (items that can be displayed) for each entity are shown under the Options box. A check
mark signifies that the particular data item will be displayed in the tool tip. An option with a “+” next
to it signifies that further options can be enabled or disabled. A red “X” indicates the data will not be
shown in the tool tip. Simply click on the check box to turn an option on or off.

Structural tool tips can thusly be configured to display a wide variety of information by hovering over
a model entity, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-47:

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The tool tips automatically display the results for the active load case. All values are reported in the current
display units.

Getting Started and Tutorials

Frequently Performed Tasks

9. Identifying Beam Start and End

When assigning attributes like member releases or member offsets, one additional item of information which
accompanies this information is whether that attribute is applied at the “START” node of a member or the
“END” node. Hence, there has to be a way to quickly identify these two points without mistaking one for the
other.

1. To demonstrate this facility, open EXAMP01.STD as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-48:

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2. There are two different ways to identify the start and/or end of a beam:

a. Hover the mouse pointer over a specific beam.

The resulting tool tip will display the start node and end node of that beam in two distinct colors
along with their corresponding coordinates. Of course, it is necessary to have the tool tips
display turned on for this method to work.

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b. Right-click anywhere it the View window and select Labels from the reset pop-up menu.

The Diagrams dialog opens to the Labels tab.

Set the Beam Ends check box. To alter the color in which the start and/or end is displayed,
simply click on the color palette next to the Start Color and/or End Color options and choose the
color you want. Then, click Apply to update the changes. Click OK to close the dialog.

Figure 3-50:

The following figure shows the structure with the start and end of all beams displayed in two
separate colors.

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Figure 3-51:

Getting Started and Tutorials

Frequently Performed Tasks

10. Plotting from STAAD.Pro

Explained below are five methods for plotting the drawing of the STAAD model and STAAD result
diagrams.

Method 1 : Using the Print Current View option

1. To demonstrate this facility, open EXAMP14.STD as shown in the following figure.

Figure 3-52:

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2. Select the Print Preview Current View tool to preview the image as it will appear on paper.

Figure 3-53:

The Print Preview window opens to display the view in a report format.

Figure 3-54:

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3. Select the Print Current View tool to plot the image.

Figure 3-55:

The standard Windows Print dialog opens, which is used to select the printer or plotter where you
wish to send the image.

Figure 3-56:

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4. Select the desired printer and click OK.

Method 2 : Using the Take Picture option

1. Either select

the Take Picture tool.

Figure 3-57:

or Edit > Take Picture.

The Picture # dialog opens.

2. Enter a Picture ID and caption.

Figure 3-58:

3. Select File > Report Setup…

or

Select the Report Setup tool.

Figure 3-59:

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The Report Setup dialog opens.

4. On the Items tab, select Pictures from the available list of items.

Figure 3-60:

If more than one picture is available, select the one you wish to plot by clicking [>].

5. Select the Picture Album tab and set the Full Page check box. Click OK.

Figure 3-61:

6. Select File > Print Report.

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The diagram will be plotted.

Alternatively, Select File > Export Report > MS Word File to create a report you can print from
Microsoft Word.

In the Save As dialog, specify a name for the file and click Save. In the template dialog, select the
Normal template.

Figure 3-62:

Microsoft Word will now start building the file with the picture in it. Once this task is completed, the
new file is opened in Microsoft Word.

Method 3 : Using the Export View option

STAAD.Pro has a facility to export the drawing to a graphic image file.

1. With the diagram you wish to plot is displayed on screen, select the Export View tool in the Print
toolbar.

Figure 3-63:

The Save As dialog opens.

2. Select the graphic format in which you wish to save the file (i.e., Bitmap, JPEG, TIFF, GIF, etc.)

Figure 3-64:

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Provide a file name and save the file.

3. Open a word processing or graphics editing program (e.g., Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop).

4. Import or insert the drawing from the file saved above. You can now print the image file from the
graphics program.

Method 4 : Using the Copy Picture option

1. Highlight the window containing the diagram that you wish to plot. This can be done by making sure
the title bar of that window has the color which indicates that it is in focus.

2. Select Edit > Copy Picture.

3. Open a graphics program capable of cropping the graphics image to your needs (e.g., Microsoft Paint,
Corel PaintShop Pro, Adobe Photoshop, etc.).

Paste the clipboard contents into an empty file in this program. You will notice that the drawing from
the STAAD window is now pasted in that program. Using the tools provided by the graphics program,
you can modify the drawing if you wish. You can now print the image file from the graphics program.

Method 5 : Using the Windows Clipboard

1. When the diagram that you wish to plot is displayed on the screen, press the Print Screen key (for
some keyboards, this functionality requires pressing Shift+Print Screen). The entire image currently in
view will be copied to the Windows clipboard.

2. Open a graphics program capable of cropping the graphics image to your needs (e.g., Microsoft Paint,
Corel PaintShop Pro, Adobe Photoshop, etc.). Paste the clipboard contents into an empty file in this
program. You will notice that the entire STAAD screen (including the diagram, menus, toolbar icons,
tables, etc.) is part of the pasted image.
3. Using the tools provided by the graphics program, crop the image so as to preserve just the drawing
and eliminate unwanted portions. You can now print the image file from the graphics program.

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