STAAD Pro

Basic Steps
1. Geometry > Beams Model the geometry of the structure. The lines represent the centre line of the beams ( = beams, columns, bracings) General > Property Assign sectional properties ( Cross section , plate thickness etc) and Material data General > Spec ( Optional) This used to assign specifications to beams, plates and nodes. This overrides the basic structural behavior. General > Support To assign supports for the model. ( e.g Pinned, fixed, roller, springs, etc) General > Load In this mode, loads cases will be defined and under each load cases load values will be added. The load cases can be further combined to create design load cases. Analysis/Print > Analysis This is used to define the method analysis ( Normal, Non linear, cable analysis, imperfection analysis, etc) On the menu: Analysis > Run Analysis This is used to process the model information and analyze the model.

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Example: To analyze the following wing structure

Start STAAD pro and enter the following information and Click next, Select Add beam and click Finish.

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Click on View from +z to change the view to an elevation view.

Notice that the grid system looks parallel to your screen. Click on Snap node beam and click on points (1,4) (4,4) and (8,4). ( this is because we need two beam spans of 3m and 4m.). Escape to finish.

Next we need to assign the property. Go to General > Property Pre- select the member by dragging a window around the beams. ( e.g. click at location P1 and drag up to P2)

Next on the properties - Whole Structure palette click Define and go to Rectangle and enter the cross section size and click Assign, Close

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Next go to General > Support to assign pinned supports. Using the Nodes Cursor window-select window select the entire model. Then, only the node points (member ends) will be selected.

Next on the Supports Whole structure palette, click create and go to Pinned tab and click Assign

Next go to General > Loads . In order to add a load value, a load case should be created. To create a load case, select load case details and click Add. Enter a name for the load case title and click add, close.

Next select the load case title and click add.

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Go to member load > uniform force and enter the load value of -10, 10, and click Add, close

Next assign the load value to the members

Click Yes

Next go to Analysis/Print and in the dialog box under Perform analysis tab click Add, Close

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Now the model is ready for analysis. To process the model for analysis, On the menu, go to Analyze, Run Analysis and click Run analysis.

After the analysis is complete it will display the following box.

Select Go to post processing mode and click Done Click OK

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Go to Beam > Graphics to see the bending moment, shear force and axial force diagrams.

Double click on the beam and go to Shear bending tab to see more detailed results.

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