CES 2- COMPUTER SOFTWARES

FOR STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

STAAD.PRO CONNECT EDITION FUNDAMENTALS
MODULE 1: GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
Intended Learning Outcomes
✓ Distinguish the Graphical User Interface of the computer
software for structural analysis.
✓ Differentiate global and local axis orientations.
✓ Classify member end forces.
✓ Identify the plate element local coordinate system.
✓ Classify different models of structural entities.
✓ Apply functions of select cursor and assignment method.
✓ Apply most used commands using the space bar quick
commands.
Intended Learning Outcomes
➢ Manipulate control views.
➢ Isolate selected objects.
➢ Use command file editor.
➢ Apply the use of the Analysis Output Viewer.
INTRODUCTION TO STAAD.Pro
STAAD.Pro CONNECT Edition is an acronym for (STructural Analysis And Design)
which is a general-purpose structural analysis program; thus, the ultimate power
tool for computerized structural engineering.
Bentley STAAD.Pro is a popular structural engineering software product for 3D
model generation, analysis, and multi-material design. It has an intuitive, user-
friendly graphical user interface, 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
system.
It is for static, dynamic, and non-linear analysis of buildings, bridges,
containment structures, embedded structures, 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 needs.
INTRODUCTION TO STAAD.Pro
A program written and developed by the late Amrit Das in the '70s
under his company Research Engineers Inc. and then acquired by
Bentley in 2005. It is one of the first structural analysis and design
software that takes advantage of iterative design and is conducive to
the workflow of a personal computer.
As of today, STAAD.Pro is one of the most widely used structural
analysis and design software products worldwide. Some of the
world's greatest pieces of infrastructure from bridges to skyscrapers
to stadiums to historical monuments were designed using
STAAD.Pro.
OTHER COMPUTER SOFTWARES
SAP (Structural Analysis Program) 2000 is a software from Computers
and Structures, Inc, headquartered in Walnut Creek, California. It offers a
single user interface to perform modeling, analysis, design, and reporting.
The customizable SAP2000 interface allows users to define window
layouts and toolbar layouts.
ETABS (Extended Three-dimensional Analysis of Building Systems) is an
engineering software product that caters to multi-story building analysis
and design. Modeling tools and templates, code-based load prescriptions,
analysis methods and solution techniques, all coordinate with the grid-like
geometry unique to this class of structure. Basic or advanced systems
under static or dynamic conditions may be evaluated using ETABS.
OTHER COMPUTER SOFTWARES
RAM Structural System provides you a complete solution for analysis,
design, drafting, and documentation for steel and concrete buildings,
foundations, and even individual structural components; all in compliance
with your local building codes.
Getting Started
Before we begin modeling structure geometry, we will first review
the graphical user interface and the structural entities that can be
created in STAAD.Pro, and a few basic features of the STAAD.Pro
graphical environment.
The Start Page
Open STAAD.Pro by double-clicking the icon from your desktop or
navigating from the program location through the Start menu. The
STAAD.Pro Start Page will be displayed automatically when the
program is opened.
The Start Page
Open STAAD.Pro by double-clicking the icon from your desktop or
navigating from the program location through the Start menu. The
STAAD.Pro Start Page will be displayed automatically when the
program is opened.
Configuration
In STAAD.Pro, the following program features can be configured from
the Start Page to suit the Philippine’s local settings:
Configuration
In STAAD.Pro, the following program features can be configured from
the Start Page to suit the Philippine’s local settings:
Mouse Controls
➢Scroll the mouse scroller to zoom in and zoom out the STAAD.Pro
model
➢Press the mouse scroller to pan the model
➢Left-click is mostly used in selecting STAAD.Pro objects, assigning
properties, support, specifications, etc.
➢Right-click is used to open the Context Menu
Global Axis Orientation
The default orientation of the global coordinate system of STAAD.Pro
is that the Y-axis points in the vertical direction and a plan view is
represented by the XZ plane. This coordinate system orientation may
be different than that used in some CAD programs. To address this,
STAAD.Pro provides an option called Set Z Up. This option may be
used in situations where model geometry is being imported from a
CAD file where the Z-axis has been oriented vertically. However, be
aware that the use of the Set Z Up option will eliminate the ability.
Local Axis Orientation of Members
It always depends on the orientation of the members.
✓ local x-axis is always parallel to the axis (body) of the member.
✓ local y-axis is always parallel to the greater depth of the
member.
✓ Local z-axis is always parallel to the shorter side of the member.
Local Axis Orientation of Members
Local Axis Orientation of Members
Member End Forces
Plate Element Local Coordinate System
Output of Plate Element Stresses and Moments
Graphical User Interface
The STAAD.Pro Graphical User Interface (GUI) is divided into several
sections:
➢Quick Access Toolbar: The quick access toolbar is located just above the
ribbon controls. It contains some of the most frequently used tools in a
convenient location such as saving a model, opening a new model, etc.
➢Ribbon Tool Bar: Provides access to STAAD.Pro modeling, analysis, and
design commands.
➢File Tab: This contains file management tools and program configuration.
➢View Window: Displays graphical representation of the model and any
other display options that a user would set.
Graphical User Interface
The STAAD.Pro Graphical User Interface (GUI) is divided into several sections:
➢Workflow Page Control: This allows you to perform specific tasks from each
page.
Hint: The organization of the pages, from left to right, represents the logical
sequence of operations in STAAD.Pro. Though not required, it is recommended
to progress through the pages, from left to right, to enter all the data that is
relevant to your project.
➢Workflow Panel: An organized panel to reflect the typical process of modeling,
analyzing, and post-processing a structure. These groups all of the common
tasks associated with a major stage of your structural project in STAAD.Pro.
Graphical User Interface
The STAAD.Pro Graphical User Interface (GUI) is divided into several sections:
➢Data Area: Displays dialogs, tables, lists, and so forth. The Data Area is context-
sensitive to the type of operation being performed.
➢Status Bar: Presents helpful information regarding the status of the program. It
also displays pertinent information for the current page, such as hints for using
the current command, current program operating mode, cursor position, current
input units, etc.
Graphical User Interface
STAAD.Pro Structural Entities
STAAD.Pro provides four types of entities to use in modeling structure geometry:
Nodes: Nodes are points of connectivity between structural entities.
Beams: Beams are linear structural members. The terms "member" and "beam"
are synonymous. In addition, the use of the term "beam" should not be taken to
imply that the member cannot resist an axial load. (Beam entities are used to
model beams, columns, braces, etc.)
Plates: Plates are finite elements commonly used to model "surface structures"
such as walls, slabs, plates, or shells. Plates may be either 3-noded (triangular) or
4-noded (quadrilateral).
STAAD.Pro Structural Entities
Solids: Solids are finite elements that enable 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
typically consist of 8 nodes. Solids most commonly take the form of cubes, but by
collapsing various nodes together, an 8-noded solid element can degenerate into
forms with 5 to 7 nodes.
Graphical User Interface
➢Scroll the mouse scroller to zoom in and zoom out the STAAD.Pro
model
➢Press the mouse scroller to pan the model
➢Left-click is mostly used in selecting STAAD.Pro objects, assigning
properties, support, specifications, etc.
➢Right-click is used to open the Context Menu
Select Cursor
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 entities are crowded
together.
Assignment Method
The options under Assignment Method are used to assign material tags,
properties, load items, specifications, etc. to members and elements.
 Assignment Method
Options Description
Assign To Selected Beams To assign to selected members or elements. This is done by going to the Select menu,
then choosing the appropriate cursor option. Select the desired members or elements
using the cursor. When all desired geometry is selected, click the Assign To Selected
Beams radio button, then click the Assign button. Note that the label for this button
changes depending on whether members or elements are selected.

Assign To view To assign to all members or elements in a view.

Use Cursor To Assign To assign to members or elements using the cursor. Select the Use Cursor To Assign
radio button, then click the Assign button. The button will appear depressed and the
label will change to Assigning.
Assign To Edit List To assign a typed list of member or element numbers. Select the Assign To Edit List
radio button, then type the list of member or element numbers and click the Assign
button.
The SPACE BAR quick commands
The space bar quick commands will help the user to access the most used
commands throughout the structure modeling, analysis and design. User can
customize the commands that he/she wants to include in the space bar quick
commands.
View Tools
To manipulate and control views
Select Object Only Tools
To isolate selected objects
Command File Editor
When structure geometry is created in the graphical user interface, STAAD.Pro
automatically converts your actions into a command language and stores them
in a command tile, a simple text file in ASCII (American Standard Code for
Information Interchange) format. As you become more experienced in using
STAAD.Pro, you may find that it is easier to make a quick change to certain
commands, values, or design parameters in the command tile editor rather than
adjusting the model in the graphical user interface (GUl).
Command File Editor
STAAD.Pro Analysis Output Viewer
During the analysis process, STAAD.Pro creates an output file. This file
provides important output information from the analysis model. The
engineer may also review whether the analysis was performed properly
or not from the output file. For example, if STAAD.Pro encounters an
instability problem during the analysis process, it will be reported in the
output file.
Keyboard Shortcuts