Warnings in output of Staad Pro

Two warnings :
1. Instability
2. Zero Stiffness.
1.0 Instability Warnings:
Truss member:
Defining a member as a TRUSS member when it needs to carry Shear and Moment.
(e.g) In the truss joint, vertical member will transmit shear forces to the horizontal
members. If the members are specified as TRUSS elements, then they cannot carry
shear forces and hence will report instability as the load from the vertical members
cannot go through the horizontal members.
To eliminate this problem, instead of specifying TRUSS elements, you specify them
as a member with partial moment release option. Use member Release specification
with partial release of 0.99 instead of TRUSS specification.
Improper Supports:
For example in a single storey bay Portal frame, if both the supports are rollers,
then the frame is instable and hence you will get instability message. You must make
one support to be pinned.
Stiffness:
Connecting very stiff member with a very weak member will give instability. This is
due to large variation in stiffness of adjacent members which makes the matrix
inversion to report instability. You need to adjust the I for both the members to
eliminate this error.
Duplication:
Duplication nodes at joint, overlapping elements, Plates will lead to instability. You
need to go to Tools Check facilities to detect and eliminate these issues.
There are two checks that you can do to verify the correctness of results with
instability messages.
First you can study the static check results. The applied loading and support
reactions should cancel each other for equilibrium. If not, there is some problemms in
the model.
 Second is the joint displacement check. If you notice excessive displacement at a
node there may be instability at that node. You can view the instability in post
processing mode. Go to Nodes tab in Post processing and you will see the instability
sub tab if there is instability in the mode. Click this sub tab to view the details in table.

2.0 Zero Stiffness:

The warning will appear when you have a structure in which there is no stiffness
in a particular degree of freedom. While assembling global stiffness matrix if the
stiffness in an active degree of freedom is zero, then the structure is considered
unable to resist load acting along that degree of freedom. This is reported as zero
stiffness messages. This message can be used to investigate the cause of instability
of the model. The zero stiffness messages can indicate whether any of the degree of
freedom obstructs the load transmission to the supports.
Zero stiffness can happen in many situations. For (e.g) a frame with truss
members meeting at a joint a shear and moment and hence no relational stiffness
offered at the joint. This will give zero stiffness warning.
We can use Member Rekease option instead of truss options.
Another (e.g) a post held by cables which are pinned at their base will get
warnings for rotational degree of freedom at the cable supports. We have to use
partial moment release at one end of cable supports to eliminate the message.
 ShortCuts Keys used in Staad Pro

Shortcut key Fuction

 STAAD Y

A. Set up

Z
1. Global coordinate for Structure : X : as x axis as usual
 Y : as y axis as usual
Z : perpendicular to paper to top

2. Local coordinate for individual member along the length of the member is taken as local X
axis

Two methods of creating

B. Members & Nodes Structure Data
1. Creation of Geometry 1. Using command file
2. Using Graphical
2. General parameters to be fixed user Interface (GUI)
3. Analysis
4. Design
Geometry

Node: co ordinate of all the points of the plan is to be calculated as

Node X Y Z
1 aaa 000 bbb
2 ccc 000 ddd
3

File New Indian design code - check

New project <enter> STAAD Screen
Menu bar - on top
File Name < > / location < > Tool bar on top
Page control - left side
Data area -Right side
Length unit , Force Unit - check Main drawing
Space - check area - center

Next <enter>
Finish <enter>

Node
Give Data for nodes *After Add beam, grid will
Views available for Front, back, top & isometric appear (/ or from snap node
beam)
Rt. Click - labels - node no apply OK Create ( in Data area)
Edit ( Top menu bar ) to edit data Use linear / Radial /
irregular
Add Beam : Use plane / constr. line etc.
to add beam or to connect two nodes
Add beam from left to right & top to bottom.

Node crusher / Beam crusher : for selection of node or beam

Node beam Leble

Rt. Click - labels - Beam no / beam orientation apply OK View Structure Diagram -
Chage to Isometric view / top Leble

Node crusher <enter>

Select node ( use ctrl key for multiple selection)

For column to repeat for floors

Geometry ( Top menu bar ) - Translation repeat <enter>
To change Input Unit
Global direction Y <check> Input unit Icon /
No of steps xxx Tool set current input unit

Step spacing xxx

Link step - - check (if required) Node beam Leble
View Structure Diagram -
Ok <enter> Leble
Member Offset
For beams to repeat for floors Beam crusher (select)
Change to front view Specification page icon /
General Spec. page
Beam crusher <select> Use both start & end point
Select beams to be copied by rubber band method / picking etc.
Geometry ( Top menu bar ) - Translation repeat <enter>
Global direction Y <check>
No of steps xxx
To get Member information
Step spacing xxx
Select by all all beams
Link step - - check (if required) Command pre analysis
print member property
Ok <enter>

For foundation
Similar to above, but y is ve.
To View3D model
Select section Rt. Click structure - /
General ( left side of screen) View Structure diagram
menu
Property
Define
Type of section
To edit input file
Edit input file /
STAAD editor
 Material of section
For column : Local z = Global z
Local x = Global y i.e length of column
Local y = other side.
For Beam : Local y = Global y
Local x = Global y i.e length of beam
Local z = other side i.e. width of beam.

Column section Beam section

Y Z

Z Y

Give data <enter>

add < enter >
.
.
close < enter>
After selecting the specific section in the property box, the same is assigned to the members.
Ctrl Select member assign - save <enter >
To see the shape and size of column.
Rt. Click - labels - structure section out line - apply OK
For center line
Rt. Click - labels - structure section out line - none OK
To check the property of any section is missing?
Select ( top menu bar) missing attributes missing property <enter>

Adding support
General ( left side of screen)
Support
Create ( left side box)
Fixed end
Add <enter>
Front view
Node crusher <active>
Select the supporting nodes
Assign
To view whole structure
On top menu bar
<enter>
Loading
Definition
(Seismic definition)
General
Load Definition new
Code IS 1893 2002
Zone - (for Zone 3) 0.16
Response Factor 5
Importance Factor 1
Soil factor - 1- hard soil
2- medium soft soil
3- soft soil
Add
Self weight

***
Add
Close
(Wind definition)
Wind Definition
Type 1, Comment Wind 1
Add
Type 1
Add
Intensity Height
0 0
1.8 9
Add, Exposure factor 0
Close
Load case detail
*( Load case for seismic load)
Load case detail
Add
Number 1, Loading Type : Seismic ,Title load case 1, S in X dir
Add
Close
Load case 1,
Add
Seismic load,
X direction, Factor :1
Add
Close
Load case detail
Add
Number 2, Loading Type : Seismic ,Title load case 2, S in (-)X dir
Add
Close
Load case 2,
Add
Seismic load,
X direction, Factor : -1
Add
Close
Load case detail
Add
Number 3, Loading Type : Seismic, Title load case 3, S in Z dir
Add
Close
Load case 3,
Add
Seismic load,
Z direction, Factor : 1
Add Close
Load case detail
Add
Number 4, Loading Type : Seismic , Title load case 4, S in (-)Z dir
Add
Close
Load case 4,
Add
Seismic load,
Z direction, Factor : -1
Add Close
Load case detail
Add
Number 4, Title load case 4, S in (-)Z dir
Add
Close
Load case 4,
Add
Seismic load,
Z direction, Factor : -1
Add Close
________________________________________________________________

*( Load case for Wind load)

Load case detail
Add
Number 5, Title load case 5, Wind in X dir
Add
Close
Load case 5,
Add
Wind load,
Direction X (check)
Define y range
Minimum Value ( Give data minimum may be 2.1 m)
Maximum value (give data)
Factor 1
Add
Close
Load case detail
Add
Number 6, Title load case 6, Wind in (-)X dir
Add
Close
Load case 6,
Add
Wind load,
Direction X (check)
Define y range
Minimum Value ( Give data minimum may be 2.1 m)
Maximum value (give data)
Factor (-1)
Add
Close
Load case detail
Add
Number 7, Title load case 7, Wind in Z dir
Add
Close
Load case 7,
Add
Wind load,
Direction Z (check)
Define y range
Minimum Value ( Give data minimum may be 2.1 m)
Maximum value (give data)
Factor 1
Add
Close
Load case detail
Add
Number 8, Title load case 8, Wind in (-)Z dir
Add
Close
Load case 8,
Add
Wind load,
Direction Z (check)
Define y range
Minimum Value ( Give data minimum may be 2.1 m)
Maximum value (give data)
Factor (-1)
Add
Close
________________________________________________________________
*( Load case for Dead load)
Load case detail
Add
Number 9, Title load case 9, Dead Load
Add
Close
Load case 9,
Add
Floor Load
Pressure = (-) 3.5 KN/ m2
Y range (Give minimum and Maximum value as per floor condition.)
Direction : Global Y
Add
Close
Load case 9,
Add
Self weight
Add
Close
Assign
________________________________________________________________
*( Load case for Live load)
Load case detail
Add
Number 10, Title load case 10, Live Load
Add
Close
Load case 10,
Add
Floor Load
Pressure = (-) 2 KN/ m2
Y range (Give minimum and Maximum value as per floor condition.)
Direction : Global Y
Add
Close
** (X range and Z range may be changed as per requirement under Load case 10 according to
floor size.)
________________________________________________________________
*( Load case for Wall load)
Load case detail
Add
Number 11, Title load case 11, Wall Load
Add
Close
Load case 11,
Add
Member Load
Uniform force
W1 : (-) 15 KN/m.
Direction GY
Add
Close
Select
Assign
** (Load may be according to height and thick ness of wall,
For stairs , the load may be calculated and the d1 , d2 value may be given.
The load is assigne after selecting beams in each floor)
Load case 11,
Add
Member Load
Uniform force
W1 : (-) 4.5 KN/m.
Direction GY
Add
Close
Select
Assign
** (For parapets)
Load case 11,
Add
Member Load
Uniform force
W1 : (-) 12 KN/m.
Direction GY
Add
Close
Select
Assign
** (For Stairs)
________________________________________________________________

*( Load Combination)
*Load case detail
Add
Define combination
Name : Combination Load Case 12: 1(DL + LL)
Normal
Factor : 1
Transfer dead & live loads to right (i.e. case 9, 10, 11 here i.e dead load, live load, wall load)
Add
close
*Load case detail
Add
Define combination
Name : Combination Load Case 13: 1.5 (DL + LL)
Normal
Factor : 1.5
Transfer dead & live loads to right (i.e. case 9, 10, 11 here i.e dead load, live load, wall load)
Add
Close
*Load case detail
Add
Define combination
Name : Combination Load Case 14: 1.2 (DL + LL+ S in X)
Normal
Factor : 1.5
Transfer dead & live loads to right (i.e. case 9, 10, 11,1 here i.e dead load, live load, wall load &
Seismic in X direction)
Add
Close
*Load case detail
Add
Define combination
Name : Combination Load Case 15: 1.2 (DL + LL+ S in (-)X)
Normal
Factor : 1.5
Transfer dead & live loads to right (i.e. case 9, 10, 11,2 here i.e dead load, live load, wall load &
Seismic in (-)X direction)
Add
Close
Similarly combine loads for Seismic in both Z dir, Wind in both X & zZ direction, i.e Load case
16- 21)
(** Seismic Definition for Spro : 04 & onwards
In the seismic definition below self weight
1. The member load copied and pasted with load changing to weight
2. The ve sign changed to + ve sign, GY to be deleted
3. Also, the Floor load copied and pasted with load changing to weight
4. The ve sign changed to + ve sign GY to be deleted
5. The live load may be reduced to 0.5 instead of 2 )
________________________________________________________________

*( Analysis )
Analysis ( from left side menu bar)
Perform analysis
No print
OK
Pre print active
Define command ( Rt. Side of screen)
Support information <active>
Add
Close
Node crusher <active>
? Print support information < active>
Select Supports
Assign
Close
Post print <active>
Define command ( Rt. Side of screen)
Load List <active>
Transfer load list 12 ( as foundation is generally designed for LL & DL with Factor of sefty 1)
Support Reaction <active>
Add
Close
Node crusher <active>
? Print support reaction < active>
Select Supports
Assign
Close
(PERFORM ANALYSIS
PRINT SUPPORT INFORMATION
LOAD LIST 12
PRINT SUPPORT REACTION )
________________________________________________________________
*( Design )
Post print <active>
Define command ( Rt. Side of screen)
Load List <active>
Transfer load list 13-21
Add close
Design (left side menu bar)
Concrete (left side menu bar)
Code : IS 456 (right side menu bar)
Select parameter
Transfer all parameters to left
Transfer following parameters to right
Fc
Fy main
Fy Secondary
Max Main
Min Main
Min Secondary
Ok
Change unit to Newton & mm
Click on the fig on top menu bar
Or,
Tool Set current input unit

Define Parameter
Active Fc : 20 N/ m2 Add Close
Fy Main : 415 N/ m2 Add Close
Fy Seco. : 415 N/ m2 Add Close
Max Main : 20mm Add Close
Max Sec : 10mm Add Close
Min Main : 12 mm Add Close
Min Sec : 8mm Add Close
Select the structure
Assign the above parameters one by one
Yes
Command
Design Beam
Add
Design Column
Add
Close
Design Column <Active>
Select column ( Beams parallel to Y axis )
Assign
Yes
Design Beam <Active>
Select Beam ( Beams parallel to X & Z axis )
Assign
Yes
Analyze
Run Analysis
View out put file
Done
Result
_______________________________________________________________
Fail
To see whether any member fails in the output fie
Click on the Find (binocular figure)
Fail - find next / Mark all for beams
ADE (adequate) - find next / Mark all for columns
*( For Printing)
Edit
Take picture
Picture 1
Title ( eg. Support nodes)
Ok
File
Report Setup
Pictures
Picture 1 pass to right
Picture album
Full page
Ok
File
Print purview report Edit
Take picture
Picture 2
Continue .
Copy out put file to wordn fie
Select
Copy
Paste in word file
_______________________________________________________________
*( To view output file latter )
Dont save after run analysis / viewing the output file
*( Beam Level)
View Option Beam level
1. Horizontal alignment
2. Vertical alignment
3. Font
*( Node Level)
View Option Beam level
1. Horizontal alignment
2. Vertical alignment
3. Font
*( For use of torsion)
Design
Define Parameter
Torsion to be option selected
*( For merge beam)
Select the two consecutive members to be merged
Tool merge selected members
Merge
Close yes
*( To copy a node / member)
Select the element
Right click
Copy
Paste
Giving coordinate of X Y Z
*( Beta angle) For orientation along Global X axis
*( Release)
_______________________________________________________________

*( ID from Auto cad Plan in FPS system)

Draw the center line
Move
Select object
Specify the base point of displacement as top left corner
Destination as origin
Format
Units
Engineering to decimal
Scale
Select object
Origin 0.0254 (to convert to meter)
For coordinates
Command
ID <enter>
9( or tools inquiry ID)
Select point
()ve Y considered as positive Z
_______________________________________________________________

*( Wall weight)
10 thick wall
Weight: 0.28 (wall thickness + plaster)* 1* (3-0.3) * 19.2 Kn / m2 = 14.5 Kn / m
(Floor height beam height)
For parapets generally ; 2 Kn. / m at roof top and balcony

*( Seismic Parameter)
Code IS 1983
Zone = 0.16 (for zone III)
Importance factor =1 For ordinary residential building
=2 For hospital building
RF =3 For ordinary construction
=5 For specific construction
SS =1 Soil Standard for hard soil
=2 Soil Standard for medium soil
=3 Soil Standard for soft soil
ST =1 Structure Type for RCC frame
=2 Structure Type for Steel frame
=3 Structure Type for Other

***
Member weight no sign
50% wall load of ground floor for plinth beams
50% wall load of ground floor and 50% load of first floor for ground floor roof beams and so on
Floor weight
Dead load full
Live load 25% , if LL < 3Kn/sqm
Live load 50% , if LL > 3Kn/sqm