bentley.staad.pro trainingmanual

8/21/2019 Bentley.staad.pro TrainingManual

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STAAD. Pro Standard Training

STAAD. Pro 2007

TRN011200-1/0002


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Copyright Information

STAAD.Pro Standard Training Oct-08

Copyright © 2008 Bentley Systems Incorporated

Trademarks

AccuDraw, Bentley, the “B” Bentley logo, MDL, MicroStation and SmartLine are registered

trademarks; PopSet and Raster Manager are trademarks; Bentley SELECT is a service markof Bentley Systems, Incorporated or Bentley Software, Inc.

Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun

Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.

Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, the Acrobat logo, Distiller, Exchange, and PostScript are

trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Windows, Microsoft and Visual Basic are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.

Other brands and product names are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Patents

United States Patent Nos. 5,8.15,415 and 5,784,068 and 6,199,125.

Copyrights

©2000-2008 Bentley Systems, Incorporated.

MicroStation ©1998 Bentley Systems, Incorporated.

IGDS file formats ©1981-1988 Intergraph Corporation.

Intergraph Raster File Formats ©1993 Intergraph Corporation.

Portions ©1992 – 1994 Summit Software Company.Portions ©1992 – 1997 Spotlight Graphics, Inc.

Portions ©1993 – 1995 Criterion Software Ltd. and its licensors.

Portions ©1992 – 1998 Sun MicroSystems, Inc.

Portions ©Unigraphics Solutions, Inc.

Icc ©1991 – 1995 by AT&T, Christopher W. Fraser, and David R. Hanson. All rightsreserved.

Portions ©1997 – 1999 HMR, Inc. All rights reserved.

Portions ©1992 – 1997 STEP Tools, Inc.

Sentry Spelling-Checker Engine ©1993 Wintertree Software Inc.

Unpublished – rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States and other

countries. All rights reserved.


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Table of Contents

Table of Contents i

Module 1: Introduction 1-1

1.1 About this STAAD.Pro Training Manual 1-2

1.2 STAAD.Pro Workflow Process 1-3

Module 2: Model Generation 2-1

2.1 Pre Processor: Model Generation 2-2

2.2 The Start Page 2-3

2.3 Starting a New Project 2-7

2.4 Elements of the STAAD.Pro Screen 2-12

2.5 Job Setup 2-15

2.6 STAAD.Pro Structural Elements 2-16

2.7 Working with Grids 2-19

2.8 Entering Structure Geometry 2-27

2.9 Modeling Exercise 1 2-46

2.10 Editing Structure Geometry 2-482.11 Viewing Structure Geometry 2-82

2.12 Modeling Exercise 2 2-99

Module 3: Property Assignment 3-1

3.1 Steel Design Model Geometry 3-2

3.2 Working with Groups 3-4

3.3 Assigning Member Properties 3-11

3.4 Member Beta Angle 3-32

3.5 Assigning Member Specifications 3-453.6 Assigning Supports 3-60

3.7 Assigning Loads 3-69

3.8 The Material Page 3-85

Oct-08 i Table of Contents



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Table of Contents

Module 4: Analyzing the Model 4-1

4.1 Preparing for the Analysis 4-2

4.2 Performing the Analysis 4-10

4.3 How Does STAAD.Pro Generate Results? 4-11

4.4 Viewing the Output File 4-13

Module 5: The Post Processor 5-1

5.1 Introduction to the Post Processor 5-2

5.2 Coordinate Systems for Reporting Results 5-3

5.3 Sign Conventions for Reporting Member End Forces 5-6

5.4 How to Determine if Results are Available 5-9

5.5 Activating the Post Processor 5-12

5.6 Displaying the Displacement Diagram 5-14

5.7 Displacement and Reactions Tables 5-19

5.8 Beam Analysis Results 5-28

5.9 Verifying the Results 5-44

5.10 Viewing Results with Member Query 5-48

5.11 Using Structural Tool Tips to View Results 5-53

5.12 Labeling the Structure Diagram 5-55

5.13 Individual Control of Labels 5-62

5.14 Animation 5-65

5.15 Plotting Output from STAAD.Pro 5-69

5.16 Simple Query 5-72

Module 6: Steel Design 6-1

6.1 Introduction to STAAD.Pro Steel Design 6-2

6.2 How to Specify Steel Design Parameters 6-4

6.3 How to Use the Check Code Command 6-18

6.4 Checking Steel Design Results 6-25

6.5 Optimizing Steel Designs 6-30

6.6 Statically Indeterminate Structures 6-34

6.7 Finalizing the Design 6-39

6.8 Additional Comments Regarding Design Commands 6-51

Table of Contents ii Oct-08



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Table of Contents

Module 7: Finite Element Modeling 7-1

7.1 Introduction to Finite Element Analysis 7-2

7.2 How to Create Finite Elements 7-12

7.3 How to Create Plates with Nodes Off-Grid 7-18

7.4 Mesh Generation 7-20

7.4.1 Using Structure Wizard to Generate a Mesh 7-21

7.4.2 Creating a Mesh From a “Super-Element” 7-26

7.4.3 How to Use the Mesh Generation Cursor 7-29

7.4.4 Using the Editor to Create a Mesh 7-37

Module 8: Concrete Design 8-1

8.1 Concrete Design Example Problem 8-2

8.2 Defining Model Geometry 8-4

8.3 Defining Element Properties 8-6

8.4 Adding the Supports 8-11

8.5 Defining Beam – Slab Monolithic Action 8-13

8.6 Defining the Slab 8-16

8.7 Tools for Viewing Plates 8-20

8.8 Plate Orientation and Local Coordinate System 8-21

8.9 Defining Plate Properties 8-27

8.10 Plate Element Specifications 8-29

8.11 Assigning the Loads 8-32

8.12 P – Delta Analysis 8-37

8.13 Providing Analysis Instructions 8-438.14 Running the Analysis 8-45

8.15 Viewing the Results 8-46

8.16 Reinforced Concrete Design 8-49

8.17 Understanding Concrete Design Results 8-59

8.18 Additional Concrete Modeling Examples 8-65

Oct-08 iii Table of Contents



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Table of Contents

Table of Contents iv Oct-08


Module 9: Exercise Problems 9-1

9.1 Exercise Problem One 9-2

9.2 Exercise Problem Two 9-4

9.3 Exercise Problem Three 9-6

9.4 Exercise Problem Four 9-11

9.5 Exercise Problem Five 9-17

9.6 Exercise Problem Six 9-23


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1-1

Introduction

The following topics are included in this module.

1.1 About this STAAD.Pro Training Manual ........................................ 2

1.2 STAAD.Pro Workflow Process ......................................................... 3

Module 1


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STAAD.Pro Standard Training Manual

Module 11-2

1.1 About thi s STAAD.Pro Training Manual

In the portion of this manual that covers the training instructions,

the following conventions are used:

Bold text in a box indicates actions that you are requested to

perform.

Italic text indicates the names of commands, menus, dialog

boxes, edit box ti tles, etc. , and suggestions or actions that are

optional, but not essential.

Underlined text indicates titles of books or reference

documents.

Text in the form of Tools | Orphan Nodes | Highlight

indicates a string of sequential mouse clicks to be chosen from

a menu.

Shaded text indicates information that provides useful

commentary, but is not essential to the flow of the training.

Brackets { } indicate metric units or alternate instructions that

are to be used if working in metric. However, all screenshots

shown in this manual are based on English units.

This STAAD.Pro Training Manual is intended to be used in

conjunction with a Bentley Institute STAAD.Pro Training course.

Depending on the specific course and presentation format,

different Modules may be combined to create the overall course

content.

It is assumed that the reader has access to a working copy of

STAAD.Pro to mirror some of the training steps and to complete

the exercises and tutorials.

In this manual, the first instance of a command is the most

completely documented. Subsequent references to that command

may not be as thorough since some general familiarity is assumed.


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Module 1 1-3

1.2 STAAD.Pro Workf low Process

The process of modeling and designing in STAAD.Pro can be

summarized into the following general workflow process, which issuggested inherently by the on-screen organization of the tabs

within the program:

1. Basic Geometry: Define the basic geometry of the structure

using beams, columns, plates and/or solid elements.

2. Section Properties: Define the sizes of members by width,

depth, cross sectional shape, etc.

3. Materials Constants: Specify material such as timber, steel,

concrete, or aluminum to define Poisson’s Ratio, Coefficient

of Thermal Expansion, density, etc.

4. Member Specifications: Define member orientations, member

offsets, member releases where moment transfer is to be

limited or eliminated, and conditions that only allow a partial

transfer of certain types of forces such as tension-only.

5. Supports: Define support locations and boundary conditions

including moment fixity, support stiffness, and support

angle.

6. Loads: Assign loads such as self-weight, dead, live, wind and

seismic, and define load combinations.

7. Analysis Instructions: Indicate the type of analysis to be

performed (regular analysis, P-delta, Buckling, Pushover,etc.) and define associated options.

8. Post Processing Commands: Extract analysis results, review

deflected shapes, prepare shear and moment diagrams,

generate tables to present results, etc.

9. Design Commands: Specify (for steel, concrete, timber, etc.)

Modules

3 and 11

Modules

4 and 12

Modules

5 and 13

Modules

6,8,10,14

Modules

2 and 7


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Module 11-4

-End of Module-


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2-1

Model Generation

The following topics are included in this module.

2.1 Pre-Processor: Model Generation ...................................................... 2

2.2 The Start Page .................................................................................... 3

2.3 Starting a New Project ...................................................................... 7

2.4 Elements of the STAAD.Pro Screen ............................................. 12

2.5 Job Setup ........................................................................................... 15

2.6 STAAD.Pro Structural Elements ..................................................... 16

2.7 Working with Grids ......................................................................... 19

2.8 Entering Structure Geometry ........................................................... 27

2.9 Modeling Exercise 1 ........................................................................ 46

2.10 Editing Structure Geometry ........................................................... 48

2.11 Viewing Structure Geometry ......................................................... 82

2.12 Modeling Exercise 2 ...................................................................... 99

Module

2


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Module 22-2

2.1 Pre-Processor: Model Generation

All structural analysis software generally consists of three parts:

• Pre Processor: Generates the model, assembles and

organizes all data needed for the analysis.

• Analysis Engine: Calculates displacements, member forces,

reactions, stresses, etc.

• Post Processor: Displays the results.

In STAAD.Pro, these features are integrated into a unified graphic

user interface (GUI) or working environment; you do not need to

leave one module to access another.

In this module, we will focus on the model generation aspect of

STAAD.Pro using the Pre Processor’s graphical environment to

define the geometry of our structure.


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Module 2 2-3

2.2 The Start Page

Start STAAD.Pro(double-click the STAAD.Pro icon on the

desktop or navigate through the Start menu in the lower-left cornerof the desktop).

The STAAD.Pro Start Page is displayed.

Figure 2. 1

The Start Page is divided into five sections that can be used to

achieve the following:

Project Tasks:

• Start a New Project using the STAAD.Pro wizard.


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Module 22-4

• Open an existing file using the traditional Windows browse

dialog enhanced with a model preview window.

• Open an existing file from ProjectWise, Bentley’s engineering

project team collaboration system.

• Set the program behavior with the Configuration options.

• Setup the automatic Backup configuration requirements.

• Access the License Management Tool to view and set

configuration variables for the Bentley SELECT license, such

as the server name and site activation key.

Recent Files:

• Access the last 6 models opened.

• See a preview of each model in the list by hovering the cursor

over the model name.

• Data bubbles are populated with the file path and project

information entered in a specific Job Info dialog.

Help Topics:

• Quick access to the online Help document.

• Locate technical support centers and find contact details.

• Find the latest information on the program online from the

Product News link.

•

Access the growing STAAD.Pro online knowledge base.

• Determine What’s New in the latest release of STAAD.Pro.


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Module 2 2-5

License Configuration:

• Indicates which SELECT licenses are being used by the

current session of STAAD.Pro using the following color

coding scheme:

If the license is available it is marked with a green circle:

Figure 2. 2

Licenses that have not been selected are marked with a grey

circle:

Figure 2. 3

If the selected license cannot be obtained or is not available

from the server, it will be shown with a red circle:

Figure 2. 4

STAAD News:

• Displays the most current information about STAAD and

Bentley, such as program updates, seminars, and training

courses, using an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) reader.

• Each news items is identified with a title that acts as a link to

a website containing more information on that particular item.

Automatic Backup:

• Click Backup Manager… in the Project Tasks area of the

Start Page.


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Module 22-6

• STAAD.Pro has the ability to perform automatic saves at a

user-specified frequency to protect against loss of data.

• Backup Manager also provides tools to view, compare, open,

and restore backup saves from earlier times.

• Even with powerful backup and restore features, good practice

would dictate executing manual saves after significant

modeling steps by using File | Save from the Menu Bar.

• Under normal conditions this is a user preference item.

• In order to ensure uniformity, this training session is

accompanied by a dataset of standardized STAAD.Pro training

files.

• To avoid frequent messages during training, disable the Auto

Save option by removing the check from the Enable Auto Save

checkbox, and then click OK .


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Module 2 2-7

2.3 Starting a New Pro ject

Click New Project in the Project Tasks box on the STAAD.Pro

Start Page. The New dialog provides input for:

• Structure type – See structure type descriptions below.

• File Name

• File Location

• Length Units

• Force Units

Four structure types are available:

Space:

• Acceptable for any configuration of model geometry and

loading.

• Permits three-dimensional structures.

• Permits loading in any direction.

• Permits deformations in all three global axes.

• Coordinate system follows right-hand rule.

• Best practice is to orient Y axis up (so gravity pulls in

negative Y-direction), see “Notes about Coordinate System

Orientation” below.

Plane:

• Acceptable only for two-dimensional models in the XY-

plane with no loading or deformations perpendicular to

this plane.

• All loads and deformations are in the plane of the

structure.


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Module 22-8

Floor:

• Acceptable for two-dimensional models in the XZ-plane

with loading and deformations perpendicular to this plane.

• All loads and deformations are parallel to the global Y-

axis.

Truss:

• Permits loading in any direction, but members only

provide axial resistance. Members cannot resist bending

or shear loads.

• Permits three-dimensional structures.

• Permits deformations in all three global directions.

• Coordinate system follows right-hand rule.

Structure types Plane, Floor and Truss all conserve system

resources by taking advantage of declared conditions to reduce

the complexity of the stiffness matrix. With today’s

computers, this is no longer necessary, but the program still

provides these options for the convenience of long-time users

who have become accustomed to using them.

• Select Space as the structure type.

Notes about Coordinate System Orientat ion:

• The location of components of a STAAD.Pro model is

defined with reference to the origin point of the global

coordinate system.

• This coordinate system is a bit different than that used in

CAD programs such as MicroStation.


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Module 2 2-9

• In STAAD.Pro, the Y axis points in the vertical direction,

and a plan view is represented by the XZ plane.

• STAAD.Pro provides a Set Z Up option for CAD users, but

you should be aware that many options of the program will

not work with Set Z Up; the wind load generator is one

example.

• STAAD.Pro also provides tools for re-orienting the

coordinate axis when importing or exporting to a CAD

program.

• It is probably a better idea to reorient the coordinate

system when importing or exporting and to use

STAAD.Pro’s default global coordinate system, rather

than using Set Z Up, while working within STAAD.Pro.

• Enter My Dataset 2_1 in the File Name field.

• The Location field provides a default path. To change the

Location click the button, and point to the location where

you wish to save the file.

Notes about the unit system:

• Two base unit systems are available: English and Metric.

• Base unit selection controls the units used to display

results in tables and reports.

• Base unit selection also dictates what type of default

values the program will use when material constants areassigned based on material types (Modulus of Elasticity,

Density, etc.).

• A default base unit setting was chosen at the time of

installation.


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Module 22-10

• The default base unit setting can be changed after

installation by following the steps in the commentary

below.

Click File | Configure from the Start Page, or click

Configuration… in the Project Tasks section of the Start

Page.

Select the Base Unit tab in the Configure Program dialog.

Choose the desired unit system from the Select Base Unit

drop-down combo box, and then click Accept .

• The base unit system for a new project is based on the

default base unit setting at the time the new project file is

created, but can be modified on a model by model basis by

selecting the desired units using the radio buttons in the

Length Units and Force Units categories on the New

dialog.

• Select Foot {Meter} for Length Units and KiloPound

{KiloNewton} for Force Units.

•

Click the Next button.

A second dialog appears offering quick access to a variety of

common “next steps”, including:

• Add Beam Sets the program up with the Snap Node/Beam

dialog and a snap grid to begin constructing a

structure made of beams and columns.

•

Add Plate Sets the program up with the Snap Node/Plate dialog to construct a structure made of plates.

• Add Solid Sets the program up with the Snap Node/Solid

dialog to construct a structure made of solids.


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Module 2 2-11

• Open

Structure

Wizard

• Open

STAAD

Editor

Opens a library of ready-made structure

templates which can be extracted and modified

parametr ically to generate the model geometry

or some of its parts.

Allows you to build your model using the

STAAD syntax commands in the STAAD editor

(non-graphical interface).

• Edit Job

Information

Automatically opens the Job Information dialog

where you can enter information relative to the

job, such as cl ient name, job number , comments,

etc.

•

Select the Edit Job Information option and click Finish .


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Module 22-12

2.4 Elements of the STAAD.Pro Screen

The elements of the STAAD.Pro Graphical User Interface (GUI)

screen are identified in the figure below.

Figure 2. 5

Menu Bar

• Near the top of the screen.

• Gives access to all of the STAAD.Pro menu functions.

• Many of the same functions are also available from the

Toolbar and from the Page Control.

Tool Bar

• Near the top of the screen.

• Gives access to the most frequently used commands.

Status Bar


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Module 2 2-13

• Tool Bar is dockable – layout can be reconfigured.

• Customized tool bars can be created.

• Hover the mouse over any icon for Tool Tip Help.

Main Window

• Large central area of screen where the model and graphical

results are displayed.

• Background color can be set to either white or black using

the File | Configure menu on the Start Page.

Status Bar

• Displayed at the bottom of the screen.

• Presents helpful information regarding the status of the

program.

• Displays cursor position, current input units, current

program operat ing mode, hints for using the program, etc.

Page Control

• A set of tabs to the left of the Main Window.

• Page Control can also be closed from within the Mode

menu to free the screen area for other uses.

• Each tab allows you to perform specific tasks.

• Organization of the Pages, from top to bottom, represents

the logical sequence of operations in STAAD.Pro.

• Generally progress through the pages from top to bottom

and enter all the data that are relevant to your project.


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Module 22-14

• Page names may or may not appear on Page tabs

depending on screen resolution and size of STAAD.Pro

window, but the icons on the Page Control tabs always

appear.

• Each page has some sub-pages.

• The Pages that display depend on the current Mode of

operation, which can be set from the Mode menu in the

Menu bar.

Data Area

•

Generally appears on the right side of the screen.

• Displays dialogs, tables, lists, etc.

• Context-sensitive to the type of operation being

performed.


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Module 2 2-15

2.5 Job Setup

• Setup is the top page in the Page Control area when in

Modeling mode.

• When the Job sub-page is selected, the Job Info dialog is

displayed in the Data Area.

• Provides facility for defining job name, client’s name, job

number, engineer’s and checker’s initials and dates,

comments, etc.

• Information entered in the Job Info dialog will be printedin the output reports and shown in the Recent Files section

of the Start Page.

• The use of this dialog is optional.

• To see how this information appears on output reports, and

on the Start Page, enter the following sample information

now:

• Job: Job

• Client : Client

• Job No.: Job No.

• Rev: Rev

• Part : Part

• Ref : Ref


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Module 22-16

2.6 STAAD.Pro Structural Elements

STAAD.Pro provides five types of elements to use in modeling

structures:

Beams:

• Linear structural members.

• The terms “member” and “beam” are synonymous.

• Use of the term “beam” should not be taken to imply that the

member cannot take an axial load.

• Selected in STAAD.Pro by either the Beams Cursor or the

Geometry Cursor.

Nodes:

• Points of connectivity between structural entities.

•

The terms “joint” and “node” are synonymous.

• Selected in STAAD.Pro by either the Nodes Cursor or the

Geometry Cursor.

Plates:

• Finite element commonly used to model “surface structures”

such as walls, slabs, plates or shells.

• May be either 3-noded (triangular) or 4-noded (quadrilateral).

• Selected in STAAD.Pro by either the Plates Cursor or the

Geometry Cursor.


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Module 2 2-17

Solids:

• Finite element enables the solution of structural problems

involving three dimensional stresses.

• Solids are useful for solving problems such as stress

distribution in concrete dams, soil and rock strata, etc.

• Solid elements consist of 8 nodes.

• Solids most commonly take the form of cubes, but, by

collapsing various nodes together, an 8-noded solid element

can be degenerated into forms with 5 to 7 nodes.

• Selected in STAAD.Pro by either the Solids Cursor or the

Geometry Cursor.

Surfaces:

• Useful in the rapid modeling of walls, slabs and planar

surfaces.

• Similar to plate elements in terms of structural behavior, but

faster and easier to model.

• The entire wall or slab can be modeled with just a few

"Surface" entities.

• When the program goes through the analysis phase, it will

automatically subdivide the surface into elements.

• Selected in STAAD.Pro by either the Surface Cursor or the

Geometry Cursor.


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Module 22-18

Guideline for selection of Plate elements or Solid elements:

If the ratio of the width of the shortest side to the thickness is less

than 10, use solid elements.

>10t

t t


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Module 2 2-19

2.7 Working wit h Grids

• Grids assist with model construction by providing dimensional

control and snap points.

• Multiple grid systems can be created and saved in one model.

• Only one grid system can be displayed at a time.

• Three types of grids can be defined: Linear, Radial and

Irregular.

Types of grid systems:

• Linear

• Two-dimensional system of regularly spaced linear (but

not necessarily orthogonal) construction lines creating a

plane of snap points .

• Plane is defined as being coincident with the global XY,

XZ, or YZ planes, or at an angle skewed with respect tothe global planes.

• Location of the origin can be defined with respect to the

global X, Y, and Z coordinate system.

• Radial

• Two-dimensional system of regularly spaced radial and

circumferential construction lines creating a plane of snap points .

• Plane is defined as being coincident with the global XY,

XZ, or YZ planes, or at an angle skewed with respect to

the global planes.


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Module 22-20

• Location of the origin can be defined with respect to the

global X, Y, and Z coordinate system.

• Well-suited for drawing circular models using piece-wise

linear techniques.

• The following diagram shows an example of a radial grid

system defined in the XY plane:

Figure 2. 7

• Irregular

• Two-dimensional system of regularly or irregularly spaced

linear (but not necessarily orthogonal) construction lines

creating a plane of snap points.

•

Plane is defined as being coincident with the global XY,XZ, or YZ planes, or at an angle skewed with respect to

the global planes, or at an arbitrary plane.

An arbitrary plane can be specified by checking the Use

Arbitrary Plane box and entering the two points that

define the normal vectors of the X and Y directions of the


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Module 2 2-21

plane. (The other point to es tablish the X and Y normal ly

is the origin.)

The following diagram shows an example of defining an

arbitrary plane by defining the X and Y normal vectors.

Figure 2. 8

Spacing of the gridlines can vary in both directions.

Spacing between successive gridlines is specified in the

Relative gridline distances group box as shown below.

Figure 2. 9

Useful in creating openings in shear walls using the

surface element.

To set up grids:

• Ensure that the model named MY Dataset 2_1.std is open.


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Module 22-22

• Click the Geometry page tab in the Page Control area .

• Click the Beam sub-page tab.

This is the place we would have come if we had chosen the

Add Beam option in the Where do you want to go? dialog when

first starting the model.

• A default grid appears in the Main Window.

• The Snap Node/Beam dialog appears in the Data Area. Grid

layout is controlled by this dialog.

• Close the Snap Node/Beam dialog, and note that it can be

reopened by clicking Geometry | Snap Grid/Node | Beam , or

by cl icking on the Snap Node/Beam toolbar button .

• Click Create… in the Snap Node/Beam dialog.

• Note that the list at the top of this secondary dialog is

currently set to Linear , but also offers the Radial , and

Irregular grid type options. Keep it set to Linear for this

example.

• Type Training Grid in the Name field.

• Click the X-Y radio button in the Plane category.

Options are available to coordinate the new grid with any of

the global axis planes.

• Click the X-X radio button in the Angle of Plane

° category

and enter a value of 45 in the field.

• This rotates the grid plane 45° about the X axis.

Note that you will not see any changes taking effect on the

grid system currently displayed on the screen, the active grid

system, because we are editing a different grid system.


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Module 2 2-23

• Enter (10, 10, 0) {(3, 3, 0)} in the grid origin fields.

Note that the Grid Origin can also be changed from the default

location of (0, 0, 0) by using the icon to select an existing

node in the model to represent the new origin.

• Set the number of Construction Lines to 12 in both the X and

Y directions by clicking the up arrow in the column labeled

Right .

• Set the Spacing field to 1 {0.25) ft {m} in both the X and Y

directions.

•

Keep the Skew° set to 0 in both the X and Y directions.

A note about skewed grid lines: use caution to set the correct

Spacing value when using skewed grids. The Spacing value is

not measured perpendicular to the grid lines it applies to.

• Click OK .

• Training Grid (Linear) now appears in the list of available grid

systems in the Snap Node/Beam dialog, but Default Grid(Linear) is still the active grid system.

• Click the checkbox in front of Training Grid (Linear) to

make it the active grid system.

Default Grid (Linear) is automatically deselected, and the

Main Window now displays the new grid.

•

The Active Grid Labels Setup category in the Snap Node/Beam dialog controls how the labels will appear for the currently

selected grid system whenever it is the active grid.

Since these settings are specific to individual grid systems,

they can be set differently for each grid system in the model.


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Module 22-24

• The End(s) lists offer different options for labeling the ends of

the gridlines.

Keep them set to Start .

• Click the up arrow in the Freq. column corresponding to the

Y grid lines to increase the number to 2 .

This reduces the labeling frequency of the Y grids to every

other grid line.

• Click the X and the Z buttons in the row corresponding to the

Y grid lines. (Y should already be selected.)

This displays X, Y, and Z coordinate labels at all Y grid lines.

• The labels are currently showing coordinate values in the

global coordinate system with respect to the global origin

located at (0, 0, 0).

• Click the Local Coordinate checkbox, and note the

difference.

•

This alters the display so that coordinates are reported in terms

of a coordinate system that is local to the current grid.

The origin of the local coordinate system is located at the

origin of the grid system (global coordinate (10, 10, 0) {(3, 3,

0)} ), and with X and Y vectors lying in the plane of the grid.

Looking at the Y grid line labels, the X coordinate now reads 0

instead of 10 {3}.

The X-axis labels now read in whole numbers instead of

fractional values in decimal format.

• Click the Local Coordinate checkbox again to deselect.

• Click the Rel.Coords checkbox, and note the difference.


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Module 2 2-25

• Coordinates are now shown as relative offsets from the local

origin of the grid system (global coordinate (10, 10, 0) {(3, 3,

0)}) measured in the global X, Y, and Z directions.

Looking at the Y grid line labels, the X coordinate reads 0

instead of 10 {3}.

The X grid line labels read in fractional values in decimal

format, but they start at 0 instead of 10 {3}.

• Click the Rel. Coords checkbox again to deselect.

• Click the X and the Z buttons in the row corresponding to the

Y grids lines, to deselect both.

Now only the Y coordinate labels should be displayed at every

other Y grid line.

• Click the down arrow in the Freq. column corresponding to

the Y grid lines to decrease the number to 1 .

This sets the labeling frequency back to labeling every Y grid

line.

• Click the Axis Ids checkbox, and note how it displays an axis

pref ix on each gr id label.

This can be helpful to establish orientation, especially in

radically rotated grid systems.

• Click the Axis Ids checkbox again to deselect.

•

Click Font… and note the options that are available to change

the font and color of the labels.

• Click Cancel to close the Font dialog and return to the Snap

Node/Beam dialog.


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Module 22-26

• Click the Delete button in the Snap Node/Beam dialog to

delete Training Grid (Linear).

• Click the Default Grid (Linear) checkbox to make it the

active grid system.

Training Grid (Linear) is automatically deselected.

• Click File | Close to return to the Start Page.

• Click No when asked if you want to save the file.


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Module 2 2-27

2.8 Entering Structu re Geometry

Drawing beams:

• On the Start Page, click Open Project… and point to the

location of the dataset installation.

• Select Dataset 2_2.std and click Open .

• Click on the Geometry page tab in the Page Control area.

The Beam sub-page tab will be active by default.

• Click Geometry | Snap Grid/Node | Beam .

• The default grid appears in the Main Window. If working in

metric, Metric Grid (Linear) should be the active grid.

• Follow the steps outlined below to construct this simple portal

frame:

Figure 2. 10


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Module 22-28

• The Snap Node/Beam button in the Snap Node/Beam dialog

should be automatically activated, so that the “hot spot”

follows the cursor and snaps to grid intersections. (If not click

the Snap Node/Beam button.)

• Notice the text prompt in the Status Bar at the bottom of the

screen that says, “Add nodes/beams to line intersections using

cursor. Hold CTRL key down to reset.”

• Notice that the cursor only snaps to gr id intersections.

• Click at the origin (0, 0, 0) to create the first node.

•

The “hot spot” appears and a line will start “rubber-banding”from the origin.

• Move up the grid and click again at (0, 8, 0) {(0, 2.5, 0)} to

draw the first member.

The starting end of a member is also referred to as End A or

Node A; the other end is called End B or Node B.

•

Now the “hot spot” appears at the end of the firs t member,indicating that it is the starting point for the next member.

• Move to (7, 8, 0) {(2, 2.5, 0)} and click again.

• Move to (7, 0, 0) {(2, 0, 0)} and click one more time.

The coordinates of the current cursor position are always

provided in the Status Bar at the lower right corner of the

screen.

• Click the Snap Node/Beam button to stop drawing beams.

Note that the gr id could have been set up with 7 lines {8 lines}

to the right of the origin, and 8 lines {10 lines} above the

origin. This would eliminate having to constantly check


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Module 2 2-29

cursor location by counting grid lines or looking at the

coordinate readout.

Another good way to set the grid for this example would have

been to set the gr id to 1 line to the right of the or igin in the

posi tive X direct ion, and 1 line above the or igin in the positive

Y direction, then set the spacing to 7 feet {2 meters} in the X

direction and 8 feet {2.5 meters} in the Y direction.

Use the grid to its best advantage.

• Grids can be adjusted on the fly.

• Nodes that have al ready been placed will NOT move with the

grid. They maintain their coordinates once they have been

placed.

• To demonstrate this, make sure Default Grid (Linear) {Metric

Grid (Linear)} is still the active grid system, and then click the

Edit… button.

• Edit the Spacing of the X grid lines to 1.5 {0.35} and press the

tab key.

• Note that the gr id changed in the Main Window, but the

existing nodes did not move with the grid.

• Edit the Spacing of the X grid lines back to 1 {0.25} , and then

click OK .

• A copy of this model is already saved in this state in the

dataset, and is named Dataset 2_3.std.


• Click No when asked if you want to save the changes.


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Module 22-30

How to move the “Hot Spot”:

• Open the file named Dataset 2_3.std .

•

Click on theGeometry

page tab in the Page Control area.

• Click on the Beam sub-page tab.

• Click Geometry | Snap/Grid Node | Beam to open the Snap

Node/Beam dialog.

• Ensure that Default Grid (Linear) {Metric Grid (Linear)} is

activated (has a check in the checkbox).

The Snap Node/Beam button in the Snap Node/Beam dialog

should be automatically activated, so that the “hot spot”

follows the cursor and snaps to grid intersections. (If not,

click the Snap Node/Beam button.)

• Click at (7, 0, 0) {(2, 0, 0)} and note that the cursor is “rubber-

banding” from that location.

This is where the cursor was when the last node of the portalframe was placed.

• Press and hold the Control (Ctrl) key.

• Move the cursor around and notice that the line is no longer

“rubber-banding” from the previous click location. The last

node will no longer be considered the starting point of the next

member.

• While holding the Control (Ctrl) key, click on the node at (7,

8, 0) {(2, 2.5, 0)} .

• Release the Control (Ctrl) key, and note that the cursor is now

“rubber-banding” from the node at (7, 8, 0) {(2, 2.5, 0)}.

• Click on the node at (0, 0, 0) to draw the first diagonal.


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Module 2 2-31

The Status Bar in the lower left corner of the screen displays

some instructions for the currently active command or program

mode. Remember to check this area any time you are in doubt

about what response the program expects from you. Right

now, it provides a hint regarding use of the Control (Ctrl) key

to move the “hot spot.”

• Press and hold the Control (Ctrl) key.

• While holding the Control (Ctrl) key, click on the node at

(0, 8, 0) {(0, 2.5, 0)} .

• Release the Control (Ctrl) key, and click on the node at

(7, 0, 0) {(2, 0, 0)} to add the second diagonal.

• Click the Snap Node/Beam button once more to stop drawing

beams.

• Keep this model open for use in the next section.

How to “Undo” an operation:

•

Ensure that Dataset 2_3.std is still the active model.

• Assume that the diagonal members were just added in error.

• They could be deleted by methods that will be illustrated in a

later section.

• Or, the Undo command could be used in this case.

• Click the Undo icon twice, or click Edit | Undo Add

Beam twice.

• The diagonals are deleted.

• For demonstration purposes, click the Redo icon twice.


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Module 22-32

• The diagonals are restored.

• Click the pulldown arrow to the right of the Undo icon .

This function provides the ability to Undo multiple commandsat one time. The Redo icon also has this feature.

• A list of modeling steps is presented with the most recent step

on top. Double click the second Add Beam item in the list to

undo the most recent two steps.

• The diagonal members are deleted.

STAAD.Pro will purge the Undo cache if changes are made inthe command file editor and the Save command is issued.

Nothing that was done before the command fi le was changed

and saved will be available to Undo.

There is an Undo feature in the command file editor, but once

changes are saved and the editor is closed, that cache i s purged

as well.

The Undo command from the Main Window cannot undochanges made in the command file editor.

• Click the pulldown arrow to the right of the Redo icon .

• Double click the second Add Beam item in the list to restore

the diagonal members.






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Module 2 2-33

Using the “Add Beams” Tool:

• Reopen the file named Dataset 2_3.std .

• This returns us to a version of the portal frame model that does

not already have the cross braces.

• The model automatically opens to the Job sub-page of the

Setup page in the Page Control area .

• Note that no gr id is currently disp layed.

• The Add Beams tool provides another way to add

members to a model.

• It will automatically snap to existing nodes in the structure and

allow a beam to be added between two existing nodes, without

the use of a grid.

• Only adds one beam at a time.

• Does not use the last node as the beginning for the next beam.

• Click the Add Beams tool on the Geometry toolbar.

• Note that the black tr iangle in the lower right corner of th is

icon indicates that there are additional tools available

“beneath” the visible icon.

• To display the other tools associated with this icon, click and

hold the left mouse button while pointing to one of these

icons.

The Add Beams tool is also accessible from the Menu Bar by

clicking Geometry | Add Beam | Add Beam from Point to

Point.

• The mouse cursor changes to the Add Beams cursor.


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Module 22-34

• Click at the lower left node in the portal frame, and note that

a line starts “rubber-banding” between that node and the

cursor location.

•

Click at theupper right node

. A single member has now been created between those two nodes. Note no “rubber-

banding”.

• Draw the other diagonal in a similar manner.

• Note that these members were drawn without the use of gr ids.

• The Add Beam tool can also be used to add a beam where there

is no node.

• Click near the middle of the horizontal member .

• Click Yes in response to the prompt asking if you want to add

a node.

The Insert Nodes into Beam dialog offers many ways to

specify the location of new nodes to be added.

•

Enter 0.5 in the Proportion field, and click the Add New

Point button. A value of 3.5000 {1.0000} appears in the

Insert ion Points box.

• Click OK . A new node is created at the specified location,

and the text prompt in the lower left corner of the screen

indicates “Click on node at start of beam”.

• Click on the node that was just created . A line starts

“rubber-banding” between that node and the cursor location.

• Click near the middle of the vertical member on the right .

• Click Yes to the prompt about adding a new node.


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Module 2 2-35

• This time, click the Add Mid Point button, and then click

OK .

Note that this is a faster method of adding a node at the mid-

point than the method used on the horizontal member.

• Click on this new node to finish adding the new member.

• An even faster method would be to use the Add Beam between

Mid-Points tool . This is one of the additional tools

available “beneath” the Add Beams icon.

• Click and hold the left mouse button while pointing to the

Add Beams tool.

• When the sub-toolbar pops up, keep the left mouse button

depressed and point the cursor to the Add Beam between Mid-

Points tool , and then release the mouse button.

• The Add Beam between Mid-Points tool now remains the

visible icon.

•

Click the Add Beam between Mid-Points tool. The message

in the Status Bar says “Select First Beam”.

• Click on the vertical member on the left . The message in the

Status Bar now says “Select Second Beam”, and the line starts

“rubber-banding” from the mid-point of the vertical member.

• Click on the left-hand member of the top horizontal beam.

• Another diagonal member is created as shown below:


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Module 22-36

Figure 2. 11

• Click the Add Beam between Mid-Points toolbar button

again to turn the tool off.

An alternate method to turn the tool off would be to click

Geometry | Add Beam | Add Beam between Mid-Points from

the Menu Bar.





Creating geometry using the spreadsheet:

• On the Start Page, click Open Project… and point to the

location of the dataset installation.

• Select Dataset 2_2.std and click Open .


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Module 2 2-37

• Click the Geometry page tab in the Page Control area .

• Click the Beam sub-page tab.

Grids will intentionally be left off to illustrate that this method

of entering geometry is completely independent of grid

systems.

• Node 1 has al ready been entered. In the Nodes spreadsheet in

the Data Area, input the following coordinate values, using the

tab or arrow keys to move between cells:

Node (X, Y, Z)

1 (0, 0, 0)2 (0, 8, 0) {(0, 2.5, 0)}

3 (7, 8, 0) {(2, 2.5,0)}

4 (7, 0, 0) {(2, 0, 0)}

• The nodes appear in the Main Window as their coordinates are

entered in the spreadsheet.

• In the Beams spreadsheet, input the following node numbers,

using the tab key to move between cells:

Beam Node A Node B

1 1 2

2 2 3

3 3 4

4 1 3

5 2 4

•

The beams appear in the Main Window as their end nodes are

entered in the spreadsheet.

• Note that this portal frame has been created complete ly

independently of any grid systems.


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Module 22-38

• It is not necessary to save this model. The dataset already

contains a file in this state named Dataset 2_4.std.



How to use the Structure Wizard:

• Structure Wizard is a powerful and useful utility for creating

structures from a built-in library of standard prototype

structures.

• For a demonstration of some of its capabilities, Structure

Wizard will be used to build a model of the structure shown in

the figure below:

Figure 2. 12

• The general procedure will be to create the structure geometry

in three steps:


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Module 2 2-39

• Get the basic truss unit from Structure Wizard .

• Add a column.

• Use the Mirror command to create the left side.

This will be demonstrated in a later section.

Creating the Truss:

• Click New Project… from the Project Tasks section of the

Start Page.

• Click Space type structure in the New dialog.

• Enter STRUCTURE WIZARD for the File Name.

STAAD.Pro will automatically append the .std extension.

• Select Foot {meter} for Length Units and KiloPound

{KiloNewton} for Force Units.

• Click the Next button.

• Click the Open Structure Wizard checkbox in the Where do

you want to go? dialog, and then click the Finish button.

The Structure Wizard can also be accessed from within

STAAD.Pro at any time by using the Geometry | Run

Structure Wizard command.

• The STAAD.Pro graphic environment now appears, and the

Structure Wizard window opens.

Note the radio button options to toggle between Prototype

Models and Saved User Models.


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Module 22-40

STAAD.Pro provides the ability to save user models in a

parametr ic format that al lows them to be recalled and modified

quickly.

•

SelectPrototype Models

.

• Click File | Select Units in the Structure Wizard’s Menu Bar .

The Select Units dialog opens and allows a choice of unit

systems to use in the definition of the prototype structure.

This does not necessarily have to be set to the same units as

the main STAAD.Pro model.

This makes it possible to create a prototype in one unit system

and then merge it into a model with a different unit system.

• Ensure that the units are set to Feet {Meters} , and click OK .

• Click the Model Type list in the upper left corner and note the

buil t- in categories of structure prototype models that are

already available.

• Select Truss Models in the Model Type list.

Structure Wizard displays six types of truss prototype models

on the left side of the window.

• Double-click the North Light truss icon to create the right

half of the truss structure.

Another option to select the North Light prototype is to drag

and drop the North Light structure type icon over to the right

side of the Structure Wizard window, where the coordinateaxes tripod is displayed.

• The Select Parameters dialog contains fields for entering

parametr ic dimensions for the structure. Note that the units

are in feet {meters}, as expected.


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Module 2 2-41

• Enter values as shown in the figure below:

Figure 2. 133

In this example, the Width is set to 0, because only a planar

model is desired, not multiple units in the third direction.

{For metric units, set the Length dimension to 7.5 meters and

the Height to 3 meters}.

• Click the button with 3 dots in it just to the right of the

No. of bays along length field. A dialog is displayed showingthe current breakdown of bay lengths. By default, the program

sets the bay lengths equal. This dialog permits the individual

bay lengths to be revised manual ly , but it enforces the

constraint that the sum of the bay lengths must remain the

same as the overall length of the truss.

For this example, leave the bay lengths set to their default

values.

• Click OK or Cancel to dismiss this dialog.

• Click the Apply button in the Select Parameters dialog. The

structure now appears on the right side of the Structure Wizard

window.


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Module 22-42

• The local origin for the structure is indicated by a colored

coordinate axis tripod. Note the location of the origin and the

orientation of the local coordinate axes. It will be useful to

know where the local origin is when importing the structure

into the STAAD.Pro model. The coordinate axis tripod showsthat the origin is located at the lower left corner of the truss.

• The structure can be viewed from various angles by dragging it

with the mouse. It helps to grab the structure near the top of

the view, and think of it as being encapsulated in a transparent

sphere.

• Press and hold the Control (Ctrl) key, and note how it locks

the structure so that it only rotates about one of the twoorthogonal axes in the plane of the screen.

• Press and hold the Shift key, and note how it locks the

structure so that it only rotates about one of the three local

axes indicated by the tripod. The axis of rotation is controlled

by where the st ructure is grabbed with respect to the three

reference circles shown on the screen.

•

After rotating the structure in either the Shift key or Control(Ctrl) key modes, just click the mouse anywhere in the right

side of the Structure Wizard window to return to “clear

sphere” rotation mode.

• Now, pull down Structure Wizard’s File menu and select

Merge Model with STAAD.Pro Model .

If you do not see the Merge Model with STAAD.Pro Model

command, check to be sure that you have pulled down

Structure Wizard’s File menu, not the File menu in

STAAD.Pro’s Main Window.

• Click Yes in the next dialog to confirm the intent to transfer

the prototype structure into the STAAD.Pro project.


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Module 2 2-43

• Some discussion about units…

• The purpose of the Paste Prototype Model dialog is to

adjust the position of the prototype model when it is

placed in the STAAD.Pro model. Therefore, the units

provided in the Paste Prototype Model dialog are

controlled by the Set Current Display Unit… setting in the

STAAD.Pro main menu. (Tools | Set Current Display

Unit…)

• By contrast, the purpose of the Select Parameters dialog is

to create the geometry of the prototype within the

Structure Wizard . Therefore, the units provided in the

Select Parameters dialog are controlled by the Select Units

setting in the Structure Wizard main menu. (File | Select

Unit ).

• For this reason, it is possible that the units that come up in

the Paste Prototype Model dialog could be different than

the units that come up in the Select Parameters dialog.

• By default, a prototype model will be placed into a

STAAD.Pro model so that the origin of the prototype model

coincides with the origin of the STAAD.Pro model.

• The Paste Prototype Model dialog currently provides two

methods to shift the insertion point of the prototype model to a

location other than (0, 0, 0) in the STAAD.Pro model:

• By distance between following two nodes and specifying

two reference nodes, or

• By the following X, Y, and Z values and entering the

desired coordinate location.

If the prototype model were being merged into a STAAD.Pro

model that already contained some elements, a third option to

locate the prototype model would be available. This option

uses a Reference Pt button to allow the prototype model to be


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Module 22-44

inserted at any existing point on the STAAD.Pro model. This

option will be demonstrated in a later section.

• The truss is to be supported by 15-foot {5-meter} columns. If

the coordinate location of the bottom of the columns is to be atY = 0, then the truss should be inserted 15 feet {5 meters} in

the positive Y direction from the origin of the global

coordinate system.

• Select By the following X, Y, and Z values in the Paste

Prototype Model dialog, and enter a value of 15 ft { 5 meters}

in the Y field.

• Click OK .

The structure is transferred into the STAAD.Pro model. The

Structure Wizard is dismissed, and the STAAD.Pro Main

Window is now visible.

• Click the Geometry | Beam page in the Page Control.

• In the Nodes table in the Data Area, note that the Y coordinate

for nodes 1 through 5 is 15 ft. {5 m}, indicating that the truss

was indeed inserted 15 feet {5 meters} above the STAAD.Pro

origin.

Adding the column:

• The next step in creating this model is to add the column at the

shallow end of the truss. But first, the node at the base of the

column must be created.

• In the Nodes table of the Data Area, input the coordinates (25,

0, 0) {7.5, 0, 0} on the line for node 11.

• The newly created node 11 appears in the diagram in the Main

Window.


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Module 2 2-45

• Click Geometry | Add Beam | Add Beam from Point to

Point .

The cursor changes to the Add Beams cursor.

•

Click the node on the shallow end of the truss and clickagain at the new node .

• Click the Add Beams icon to turn the Add Beams tool

off.

This tool remains active until it is turned off.

• The remaining steps for completing this model will be

demonstrated in a later section.


dataset, and is named Dataset 2_STRUCTURE WIZARD.std.


• Click No when asked if you want to save.


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Module 22-46

2.9 Modeling Exercise 1

Create this model by applying the modeling techniques that have

been presented up to this point. Some abbreviated notes are provided below for general guidance if necessary.

Tips:

•

New Project… from the Start Page, Project Tasks category.

• Space , My Exercise 1 , Foot {Meters} , KiloPound

{KiloNewton} , Add Beam .

• Geometry Page, Beam Sub-page, Snap Node/Beam dialog,

Edit… , adjust grid to suit.

Figure 2. 14


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Module 2 2-47

• Note the order of the node numbers in the figure .

• Press and hold Control (Ctrl) to move the “hot spot”.

• Snap Node/Beam to stop adding members.

• Close button to dismiss the Snap Node/Beam dialog.

• File | Close , Yes to save.


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Module 22-48

2.10 Editing Structu re Geometry

How to use the cursors in the STAAD.Pro Selection toolbar:

• In the Project Tasks section of the Start Page, click Open

Project… and open the model called Dataset 2_5.std .

• The Selection toolbar is normally docked vertically on the left

side of your screen.

• Hover the cursor over any of the toolbar buttons and a tooltip

help label pops up with the function of the toolbar button.

• Twelve different cursors are available for selecting the various

types of STAAD.Pro entities.

• Each cursor selects specific types of objects for editing or

manipulation.

• Having specific cursors can be very convenient when assigning

properties where various types of enti ties are crowded

together.

Cursor Selects

Nodes Cursor Nodes only

Beams Cursor Members only

Plates Cursor Plate elements only

Surface Cursor Surface entities only

Solids Cursor Solid elements only

Geometry Cursor All types of entities


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Module 2 2-49

Select Text Text labels only

Load Edit Cursor Loads only

Support Edi t Cursor Supports only

Member Release Edit Cursor Member releases only

Filtered Selection CursorMultiple types of geometric

entities with specific attributes

Select JointsConnections defined in the RAM

Connection module

Cursor Facts:

• The Nodes Cursor selects the nearest node when you click

anywhere in the drawing area.

• The Beams Cursor selects/deselects individual members by

clicking on them. Multiple members are selected by pressing

Control (Ctrl) and clicking.

• The Geometry Cursor selects all entities in a certain area, no

matter what type of entities they are.

• The Select Text Cursor is disabled or “grayed out” if there are

no text objects in the model.

• The Filtered Selection Cursor helps quickly identify the

location of entities with certain attributes. (This cursor type

will be easier to demonstrate once the model has properties

assigned to the members.)

• The Select Joints cursor is disabled or “grayed out” unless you

are in the RAM Connection module and at least one connection

has been defined.

• In addition to using the toolbars, you can also choose cursors

from the Select menu on the Menu Bar.


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Module 22-50

• Another related toolbar, the Labels toolbar, contains more

cursors that are used to turn individual labels on and off. It is

explained in more detail in the Module 5 – The Post Processor.

• Click Select | Selection Mode , and note that three options areavailable: Drag Box, Drag Line , and Region . This works

hand-in-hand with the cursor choice.

• The cursor choice controls WHAT items will be selected. The

Selection Mode controls HOW those items will be selected.

Drag Box:

•

Creates a rectangular selection box.

• When the Beams Cursor is used in the Drag Box mode, the

rule is that a member will be selected if the box includes the

mid-point of the member. This holds true regardless of which

direction the box is placed (left to right, right to left, top to

bottom, or bottom to top) .

Drag Line:

• Creates a selection line.

• When the Beams Cursor is used in the Drag Line mode, any

beam crossed by the Drag Line will be selected.

Region:

• Creates a selection polygon of any shape.

• The polygon is always closed, and left-clicking with the mouse

inserts additional vertices.

• Can be used to create very irregular shapes to selectively

include and exclude various items.


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Module 2 2-51

• Double-click to stop creating more vertices and execute the

selection.

• Similar to Drag Box, a member will be selected if the region

includes the mid-point of the member.

Additional options for member selection:

• Click Select | By List | Beams… from the Menu Bar .

• The Select Beams dialog will open with a list box listing all

the beams in the model.

• One option is to select from the list of all beams in the

model by clicking individual beam numbers in the list.

Control (Ctrl) + click will select multiple beams. Shift +

click will select a contiguous group of beam numbers.

• Another option is to type the desired beam numbers in the

Enter list field, separated by spaces.

• To demonstrate the use of the “To” command to select arange of members, enter 1 To 3 in the Enter list field.

• Click the Select Listed Entities button followed by the

Close button.

• Click Select | By All | All Beams from the Menu Bar to

quickly select all beams in a model.

•

Click Select | Entity at Node | Beams from the Menu Bar toselect all beams that connect to a particular node to be chosen

from a list.

• Click Select | By Inverse | Inverse Beam Selection from the

Menu Bar to invert the current selection status of all beams in

the model. Selected beams become deselected and vice versa.


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Module 22-52

• Click Select | Beams Parallel To | (X or Y or Z) from the

Menu Bar to select all beams that are parallel to the selected

axis.

•

And others.

How to delete members graphically:

• Ensure that the cursor type is the Beams Cursor .

Check the Selection toolbar in the upper left corner of the

screen or pull down the Select menu to see which cursor is

active.

• Hold Control (Ctrl) and click on the two highlighted

members in the view below.

Figure 2. 155

• Press the Delete key on the keyboard, or click the Delete iconon the Menu Bar, or click Edit | Delete .

• Click OK to confirm.

• Sometimes deleting members leaves nodes without structural

element attachment, known as Orphan Nodes.


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Module 2 2-53

• If Orphan Nodes are created when members are deleted

graphically, STAAD.Pro will prompt for a decision as to

whether to delete these nodes or not.

Using the spreadsheets to delete or modify geometry:

• It is also possible to delete beams (one at a time or many at

once) from the Beams spreadsheet.

This method may be useful if the beams to be deleted are in

sequential numerical order, making them easy to select from a

list.

•

Click the Geometry page tab in the Page Control area .


• Notice the Nodes and Beams tables in the Data Area that

resemble spreadsheets.

If the table names are not visible, make their windows wider.

•

These tables are actually compatible with Microsoft Excel

worksheets. They can be copied and pasted into Microsoft

Excel. The structure geometry can also be created in a

spreadsheet and then copied and pasted into STAAD.Pro.

When pasting from Excel, select the first row in the

STAAD.Pro table, right mouse click, and choose Paste. Use

the column mapping table to map the data into the appropriate

columns.

• Table data can also be copied and pasted from RAM Advanse

into STAAD.Pro.

• These tables are completely interactive with the graphics

display.


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• Ensure that the Beams Cursor is active, and click on any

member .

• The corresponding member in the table is highlighted.

• Select the Nodes Cursor and fence around any node .

• The line in the Nodes table corresponding to that node

becomes highlighted.

• Click any row in the Beams or Nodes tables and the

corresponding beam or node is highlighted in the graphic

display.

• Change one of the coordinates in the Nodes table and watch

the display change, then change it back to its original value .

• Delete any line from the Beams spreadsheet and note the

effect in the graphic display.

• Click Undo to get the beam back.

If Orphan Nodes are created when members are deleted fromthe spreadsheet, STAAD.Pro does not automatically prompt

for a decision as to whether to delete them or not.

However, they can be automatically detected with Tools |

Orphan Nodes | Highlight , or they can be automatically

deleted with Tools | Orphan Nodes | Delete .

• A copy of this model is already saved in the dataset, and is

named Dataset 2_6.std.




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Module 2 2-55

Using the STAAD.Pro Editor to modify structure geometry:

• Click Open Project… in the Project Tasks section of the Start

Page.

• Open Dataset 2_6.std .

• As you create your structure using the graphic interface,

STAAD.Pro converts your actions into a command language

and stores them in a command file, a simple text file in ASCII

format.

• STAAD.Pro appends the command file with the extension .std .

• Experienced STAAD.Pro users often find that if they just want

to make a quick change to a value, it is easier to edit the value

in the command file, rather than modifying it with the graphic

interface.

Early releases of STAAD did not include a graphical user

interface (GUI). All program input had to be performed by

writing statements in a command file.

The STAAD.Pro Examples manual contains twenty-nine

example problems and fourteen verification problems created

using the input file as the primary input method. You can

study these examples if you wish to learn how to write or

interpret STAAD.Pro command files.

You can also issue a command using the graphic interface, and

then open the command file to see what the equivalent

command language is.

• Open the editor by clicking Edit | Edit Input Command File

or by clicking the icon on the File toolbar.

• Any standard text editor can actually be used to create or edit

the STAAD.Pro input file.


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Module 22-56

• The STAAD.Pro command file editor offers the advantage of

syntax checking.

• In the STAAD.Pro editor, STAAD.Pro keywords, numeric

data, comments, etc., are displayed in distinct colors: • Red = Commands

• Black = User-defined text labels and names

• Blue = Numerical values

• Green = Remarks and comments

•

The command language syntax resembles ordinary English.From the Jo int Coordinates statement, you can see that the

node definitions consist of node numbers followed by the XYZ

coordinates. Node data fields are separated (delimited) by

semicolons (;).

• Find the coordinates of node number 3, and edit the Y

coordinate from 8 to 12 {from 2.5 to 4}.

•

Click File | Save and then File | Exit in the STAAD Editor’smenu bar (not the STAAD.Pro menu bar).

• Click the Geometry tab.

• Note that node number 3 in the graphic display has moved.

The node table in the Data Area now shows a value of 12 {4}

for the Y coordinate of node number 3.

•

Go back into the editor and change the Y coordinate for node 3 back to 8 {2.5}.

• Click File | Save and then File | Exit in the STAAD Editor’s

menu bar.


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Module 2 2-57

• Remember to never make changes in the command file and in

the graphics input mode simultaneously.

• Always be sure to save and close the command file before

going back to working on the model in the graphic interface.



How to merge members:


• Click View | Structure Diagrams… from the Menu Bar.

• Click the Labels tab.

• Click the checkboxes to view Beam Numbers and Node

Points , and then click OK .

• Notice that the top horizontal beam is segmented into three

individual members of various lengths, with two intermediate

nodes.

This was caused by the diagonal members that were modeled

and then subsequently deleted.

• Since there is no longer a reason to maintain those particular

intermediate nodes, they can be removed, and the individual

members can be merged into one.

• Ensure that the Beams Cursor is active, and select the three

horizontal members .

• Click Geometry | Merge Selected Members .


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Module 22-58

• The Merge Selected Beams dialog opens, and the three member

numbers are listed.

• In the Beam No. to Keep list, choose 10 .

If materials and properties had already been assigned, this

dialog also provides the ability to specify which to keep as

multiple members are merged into one.

• Click Merge and Close .

• The top horizontal member has been consolidated into one

member with number 10.

How to split a beam into two or more members:

• Ensure that Dataset 2_7.std is still open.

• Assume that the top horizontal member needs to be segmented

into three, equal-length segments.

• Select the top horizontal member .

• Click Geometry | Split Beam .

• The Insert Nodes into Beam dialog displays the member

number and length. It contains three options for specifying

where to insert new nodes along the beam: Add New Point ,

Add Mid Point , Add n Points .

Add New Point:

• Distance from the starting node to the new node can be

entered in the Distance field, or

• A ratio can be entered in the Proportion field, where the

value represents distance from the starting end of the


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Module 2 2-59

member to the new node divided by the total length,

expressed as a decimal value.

For example, to add a node ¼ the distance from the

starting end to the ending end, type 0.25 in the Proportion

field.

Add Mid Point:

• Creates an insertion point at the midpoint of the member.

Add n Points:

• Enter the number of nodes to insert into a beam in the “n

=” field. The program divides the beam into n+1 equal

segments, separated by n nodes.

• Enter a value of 2 in the n = field.

• Click Add n Points .

• Click OK .

Geometry | Insert Node… and Geometry | Split Beam are

identical commands provided for convenience.

The Insert Node command is also accessible through the menu

that pops up from a right-click of the mouse in the Main

Window.

Note that the Insert Node command will not appear in the pop-

up menu unless at least one member has been selected.


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Module 22-60

How to create a connection between two intersecting members:

• Ensure that Dataset 2_7.std is still open.

•

The two diagonal members form a cross-brace, but there iscurrently no connection between them. The cross braces are

independent members, and cannot transfer any load to each

other.

• Assume that the intent is for the bracing members to be

connected and to transfer load at their intersection.

• This condition can be achieved easily in STAAD.Pro by

splitting and connecting these members at their intersection.

• To highlight the two diagonal members, ensure that the Beams

Cursor is active.

• Click on one of the cross-braces , hold down the Control

(Ctrl) key, and then click on the other cross-brace .

• Click Geometry | Intersect Selected Members | Intersect .

The Enter Tolerance field in the Intersect Members dialog is

an option through which to tell the program to find the point of

closest approach between 2 lines even when they do not

intersect each other. It is useful in a case when a mathematical

precision rela ted error in the respective node coordinates

causes the 2 lines to be in different planes.

For lines which truly intersect each other, the tolerance can be

set to zero, and the intersect members command will function properly.

• Leave the Tolerance set to 0 and click OK .

• Click OK to acknowledge the message box indicating that two

new beams have been created.


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Module 2 2-61

• Both diagonal members have been split into two, and a new

node now exists at the intersection point.

• In the Intersect Selected Members sub-menu, there is another

option called Highlight .

• The Highlight function also requests a tolerance value like the

Intersect function.

• The Highlight function then graphically highlights all

intersecting members in the structure that satisfy the tolerance.

This is a useful tool in models with many crossing but

unattached members. The highlighted conditions can be

graphically examined and selectively split or left as-is.





How to renumber beams and nodes:


• Click on the Geometry page tab in the Page Control area.


• Click on the Symbols and Labels icon in the Structure

toolbar.

• Click Beam Numbers on the Labels tab, Beams category, and

then click OK .


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Module 22-62

• Looking at the Beams spreadsheet and Nodes spreadsheet, note

that the member numbers and node numbers are not in

consecutive numerical order due to editing.

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