STAAD Pro Training on Structural Analysis

Training Program on
Structural Analysis and Design using
STAAD.Pro
Dr. Satish Annigeri
Professor, Civil Engineering Department
B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering & Technology, Hubli
Civil Engineering Department
B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering & Technology, Hubli
August 2009

Structural Analysis and Design using STAAD.Pro i
Preface
Computer aided structural analysis and design has come a long way since its advent in
the early sixties. Personal computers have become dominant and have become powerful
enough to meet almost every requirement of a typical structural design office. Structural
analysis software have become sophisticated and simplify most of the tasks associated with
structural analysis. Steel design is well supported by most structural design software while the
same cannot be said of reinforced concrete design. However, many structural engineering
software offer design of structures in both steel and reinforced concrete as per a variety of
building codes. Nowadays, most CAD software are capable of linear static, linear dynamic and
nonlinear static and nonlinear dynamic analyses.
Amongst the CAD software available, STAAD.Pro has reached a level of recognition that it
is considered the de facto standard. It has a good GUI to simplify model creation, a variety of
elements to handle most problems in civil engineering, a variety of analysis capabilities and
supports design in steel and reinforced concrete as per building codes of most major countries,
including India. It also boasts of sophisticated features such as load generation for seismic
loads, moving loads on bridges, pushover analysis and comprehensive report generation.
The intent of this training program is to introduce STAAD.Pro to a first time user of CAD
software. While one aspect is to learn to use its features, the other is to teach how beat to
model a structure so it represents the real structure it intends to represent.
This training program takes the tutorial approach, where each tutorial focuses on a
single concept and attempts to convey a holistic learning when all tutorials are completed. It is
not the intent of this training program to turn a novice into an expert. It intends to get a
beginner started on a long journey to being an expert. It therefore limits itself to its most basic
capabilities, namely, the linear static analysis.
Enough emphasis is placed on the most common tasks performed during analysis and
design, such as, creating complex models using translational repeat, circular repeat and on
operations such as selecting members and assigning them properties.
This training program on STAAD.Pro should serve as a motivation to pursue further
exploration of its capabilities and use it to its full potential.
August 2009 Dr. Satish Annigeri

Structural Analysis and Design using STAAD.Pro ii
Contents
1. Terminology and Notations........................................................................................................................1
2. Getting to Know the STAAD.Pro GUI.......................................................................................................5
3. Introduction to Modelling........................................................................................................................12
4. Material Properties and Section Properties......................................................................................15
5. Supports, Loads and Load Combinations...........................................................................................19
6. Analysis and Post-processing.................................................................................................................23
7. Modelling Complex Geometries.............................................................................................................27
8. Truss Analysis and Design Check..........................................................................................................34
9. Space Frame with Floor Loads...............................................................................................................37
10. Industrial Frame – Analysis and Design Check ...............................................................................43
11. RC Building Analysis...................................................................................................................................49
12. Double Layer Steel Grid Roof System..................................................................................................52
13. Frame with Member End Release.........................................................................................................55
14. Analysis for Seismic Loads.......................................................................................................................57

Structural Analysis and Design using STAAD.Pro 1
Tutorial 1 – Terminology and Notations
Coordinate Systems
STAAD.Pro uses two types of coordinate systems to define structure geometry, loads,
displacements and member forces.
Global Coordinate System is an arbitrary coordinate system in space which is used to
define the overall geometry and loading pattern of the structure. It is the same irrespective of
which member is considered and a given structure has only one Global coordinate system.
Once chosen, it cannot be changed. Usually the user selects the Global coordinate system to suit
the structure being modelled so that the predominant dimensions of the structure are parallel
to the Global axes.
Local coordinate system is associated with each member of a structure (or element)
and is oriented along the predominant dimensions of the member (or element). For example,
the Local X axis is along the length of a 1D member such as the truss or frame member.
Global coordinate system is used to input loads oriented along global axes and report
results such as displacements at a node, reactions at a support. Local coordinate system is used
to input loads oriented along members (such as loads perpendicular to an inclined member)
and report results such as member end forces.
In STAAD.Pro, the global Y axis is taken to be vertical (parallel to direction of gravity) and
the horizontal plane is represented by the X-Z plane. It is possible to instruct STAAD.Pro to
treat the Z axis to represent the vertical direction with the SET Z UP command.
We will use the default convention of STAAD.Pro and take Y axis to be vertical. An
advantage of this convention is that you will use X and Y axes for plane structures and X, Y and
Z axes for space structures. Taking Z axis vertical will require yhe use of X and Z axes for plane
structures and X, Y and Z axes for space structures.
Units
Units are required to specify lengths, forces and their derived units such as area, stress,
load per unit length, load per unit area, modulus of elasticity etc. STAAD.Pro permits the user
to choose from a selected set of length and force unit pairs. The user can change the units at
any stage of modelling and when the user changes the units, all data input previously are
converted to the current selected units.
We will use either Metre and kilo Newton units or Millimeter and Newton units. The
conversion of these units are 1 kN = 1000 N, 10 N = 1 kg force (actually 9.81 N = 1 kgf).
1 m = 1000 mm.
Types of Structures
Space structure is a three dimensional (3D) framed structure with loads applied in any
plane. It is the most general structure and is able to model any type of structure. Usually Y-axis
is taken to indicate the vertical direction and X-Z represents the horizontal plane.
Plane Structure is a two dimensional (2D) framed structure in the X-Y plane, with all
loads applied in the same plane.
Floor Structure is a 2D or 3D framed structure in the horizontal plane (X-Z plane) with all
horizontal displacements restrained (linear displacements along X and Z axes and rotations
about Y axis are restrained). The floor of a building is a good example for this type of structure.
Loads are applied out of the X-Z plane, usually along the Y axis.
Truss Structure is a 2D or 3D structure consisting only of truss members, and therefore
can carry only axial forces with no ability to carry bending, shear or torsional forces. This is
suitable when all members in the structure are truss members. If a structure has a combination

Structural Analysis and Design using STAAD.Pro
of frame and truss members, the structure must be modelled as
specify a few selected members as truss members.
Types of Members and Elements
A structural member may be categorised as one dimensional (1D),two dimensional (2D)
or three dimensional (3D), depending on the relative sizes of its length, breadth and thickness.
1D members have large length with very small breadth and thickness and can be used to
represent truss and frame members. 2D elements have large length and bre
thickness and can be used to represent plates and shells. 3D elements have length, breadth and
thickness which are all comparable to one another, and can be used to represent continuum
such as soil mass etc.
STAAD.Pro refers to
refers to 2D members (
elements.
Truss Members
bending, shear or torsiona
space trusses with members joined at frictionless hinges.
provide only the cross sectional area (AX).
Frame members
forces. Frame members are suitable to model members of plane and space frames. The section
properties that are required for frame members in plane frames are area (AX)
moment of area about axis of bending (IZ)
properties that must be defined are
axis (AY), effective shear area for force parallel to local Z axis (AZ),
about local Y axis (IY), second moment of area about local Z axis (IZ), second moment of area
about longitudinal axis (polar moment of inertia IX).
Plate and Shell elements are 2D elements and have a small thickness (measured along
the local Z axis) compared to their length and
and torsion forces at the edges about the local X and Y axes.
Solid elements can carry stresses along all three local axes.
STAAD.Pro is an 8 noded isoparametric finite element
Material Properties
Structural analysis requires structural properties of the materials of which the members
or elements are made.
Terminology and Notations
of frame and truss members, the structure must be modelled as a space or p
selected members as truss members.
Types of Members and Elements
represent truss and frame members. 2D elements have large length and bre
STAAD.Pro refers to 1D members such as truss and frame members
refers to 2D members (such as plates and shells) and 3D members (
are 1D members which can carry only axial forces but cannot carry
bending, shear or torsional forces. Truss members are suitable to model members of
with members joined at frictionless hinges. For truss members, it is sufficient to
provide only the cross sectional area (AX).
Frame members are 1D members which can carry axial, bending, shear and torsional
properties that are required for frame members in plane frames are area (AX)
moment of area about axis of bending (IZ). For a frame member in a space frame,
properties that must be defined are area (AX), effective shear area for force parallel to local Y
axis (AY), effective shear area for force parallel to local Z axis (AZ),
, second moment of area about local Z axis (IZ), second moment of area
about longitudinal axis (polar moment of inertia IX).
the local Z axis) compared to their length and breadth. Plate elements can carry bending, shear
and torsion forces at the edges about the local X and Y axes.
Solid elements can carry stresses along all three local axes.
STAAD.Pro is an 8 noded isoparametric finite element with three degrees of freedom per node.
Material Properties for an Isotropic Material
2
a space or plane structure, and
represent truss and frame members. 2D elements have large length and breadth but very small
truss and frame members as members while it
plates and shells) and 3D members (such as solids) as
are 1D members which can carry only axial forces but cannot carry
members are suitable to model members of plane and
For truss members, it is sufficient to
al, bending, shear and torsional
properties that are required for frame members in plane frames are area (AX) and second
or a frame member in a space frame, the
area (AX), effective shear area for force parallel to local Y
axis (AY), effective shear area for force parallel to local Z axis (AZ), second moment of area
, second moment of area about local Z axis (IZ), second moment of area
breadth. Plate elements can carry bending, shear
Solid elements can carry stresses along all three local axes. The solid element in
with three degrees of freedom per node.
Material Properties for an Isotropic Material

The commonly required properties are Young’s Modulus (E), Poisson’s Ratio (ߥ), Density,
Thermal coefficient (α), Critical damping and Shear modulus (G). Of these, the important one is
Young’s modulus, which is required for all analyses. Density is required if you want STAAD.Pro
to calculate self weight of members automatically. Shear modulus is required when shear
deformations are important, such as in shear walls, deep beams, plate and solid elements.
Poisson’s Ratio can be used to calculate the Shear modulus from Young’s modulus. Thermal
coefficient is required only in problems in which temperature loads are imposed. Critical
damping coefficient is required only for problems involving dynamic loads.
Further, it is important to be aware of the units being used at any given point of time and
input the material properties in the correct units. Alternatively, you can change the units
before inputting the material property values.
Material Property Steel Concrete M20 M30
1 Young’s Modulus 2 × 10ହ
N/mm2
(2 × 10଼
kN/m2)
5000ඥ݂௖௞
N/mm2
22,360 N/mm2
(2.236x107 kN/m2)
27,386 N/mm2
(2.7386x107 kN/m2)
2 Poisson’s Ratio 0.2 0.3
3 Density 78.5 kN/m3
(78.5x10-6 N/mm3)
25 kN/m3
(25x10–6 N/mm3)
4 Damping Ratio 2 % 5%
Unit conversion factors are as follows:
To Convert From To By
N/mm2 kN/m2 103
kN/m3 N/mm3 Multiply with 10ି଺
N/m3 N/mm3 10ିଽ
Stiffness Method
Most structural analysis programs are based on the matrix stiffness method, usually in
the form of the Finite Element Method. The matrix stiffness method can be represented in the
form of the stiffness equation, which is as follows:
ሾ‫ܭ‬ሿሼ‫ݔ‬ሽ = ሼܲሽ
where [K] is the stiffness matrix of the structure of size ݊ × ݊, {x} is the vector of unknown
displacements of size ݊ × 1 and {P} is the vector of known external loads corresponding to the
unknown displacements. Here, n is the number of unknown displacements. Of course, this is
only a simplistic representation, but is sufficient for a first introduction.
The stiffness equation is first solverd for the unknown displacements {x} and from the
unknown displacements, the forces in all the members of the structure can be determined. The
stiffness matrix depends on the stiffness contribution of individual members of the structure.
The stiffness matrix and load vector are expressed in global coordinate system and the
resulting displacements obtained are therefore in global coordinate system. To find the
member end forces, which are usually in local coordinate system, the displacements at the
nodes of the member are transformed from global to local coordinate system. From the
displacements at the nodes of a member, expressed in local coordinate system, the member
forces are calculated in local coordinate system.
Typical Load Calculations
In the examples we will analyse in subsequent tutorials, we will use loads whose detailed
calculations are not shown. In this section, we will describe the steps used in arriving at those
loads. The Dead Load calculations are based on densities of materials and are assumed to be
25 kN/m3 for reinforced concrete, 20 kN/m3 for brick masonry, 78.5 kN/m3 for structural steel,

0.13 kN/m2 for asbestos cement sheeting, 1 kN/m2 for weather proof course and 1 kN/m2 for
flooring.
With the above values of densities, the typical dead loads of different components work
out to the following values:
Building Component Dead Load
RC Slab, 125 mm thick 3.125 kN/m2
RC Slab, 150 mm thick 3.75 kN/m2
230 mm thick brick masonry wall of 3 m height 13.8 kN/m
230 mm thick brick masonry wall of 0.8 m height 3.68 kN/m
Live loads are taken from IS:875 (Part 2)-1987 and are taken as 2 kN/m2 for floors of
residential buildings, 3 kN/m2 for floors of commercial buildings, 1.5 kN/m2 for horizontal
roofs with access, 0.75 kN/m2 for roofs with no access. For inclined roofs, live loads are
calculated as specified in IS:875 (Part 2).

Tutorial 2 – Getting to Know the STAAD.Pro GUI
Introduction
STAAD.Pro provides a user friendly graphical user interface (GUI) to model, analyse, post
process and design a structure. The GUI consists of the main graphics window where the
structure is shown graphically and a collection of interaction tools, namely, main menu at the
top, toolbars at the top (below the menu) and to the sides, Mode bar at the top of the graphics
window (below the horizontal toolbars) and status bar at the bottom. Depending on the task
you are performing at any given time, you will also see forms for structure data arranged
vertically to the right.
Main Menu
The main menu offers the following choices:
Menu Option
Keyboard
Shortcut
Action
File Alt+F Contains a collection of commands for file operations –
creating a new file, opening an existing file, saving the current
file, saving the current file with a different name, closing a file,
Printing a file,
Edit Alt+E Contains a collection of commands for edit actions – undo or
redo a previous action, cut, copy, paste and/or delete selected
data or geometry. It also has other choices such as editing the
input command file.
View Alt+V Contains a collection of commands to view the model in the
graphics window – zoom, pan, view selected objects only, view
toolbars, view management etc.
Tools Alt+T Contains a collection of commands which provide a useful set
of tools – model verification, calculator, unit converter,
dimensions, section wizard, modify section database, create
group etc.
Select Alt+S Contains a collection of commands for selection of members
by various criteria – orientation with global axes, orientation
with global planes, lying between a specified range etc.
Geometry Alt+G Contains a collection of commands to create and modify model
geometry – nodes, members, translational and circular repeat
operations, move, rotate, mirror, structure wizard etc.
Commands Alt+C Contains a collection of commands for defining parameters
such as material constants, geometric constants, support
specifications, member specifications etc.
Analyze – Command for initiating analysis and design.
Mode Alt+M Contains a collection of commands for initiating the main
operation modes – modelling, post-processing etc.
Windows Alt+W Contains a collection of commands for managing the various
windows opened.
Help Alt+H Contains a collection of commands for obtaining online help,
technical support etc.

Toolbars
Toolbars let the user quickly choose an operation, whic
through the main menu. Here are some
• Each toolbar has a
operations.
• Pausing the mouse over one of the icons brings
represents.
• A toolbar can be dragged onto the graphical window by dragging the toolbar by the two
vertical lines at its left end. A toolbar are not attached to the edge of the graphical
window is called a floating
• The name of the toolbar becomes visible once it is dragged out from the edge of the
graphical window. A toolbar can be closed by clicking on the X at the top right of a
floating toolbar.
• To see the list of all available toolbars and choose the one
invisible, choose View
available toolbars. Visible toolbars are indicated by a tick mark in the box to the left of
their names. Clicking on the box toggles the visibilit
display of tooltips and create new toolbars of your own.
Structure Toolbar
Tables
Input Units
Change Graphical Display Units
Cut Section
Symbols and Labels
Getting to Know the STAAD.Pro GUI
Toolbars let the user quickly choose an operation, which otherwise may take more time if done
through the main menu. Here are some things you must know about toolbars:
Each toolbar has a name and contains a group of icons representing a set of related
Pausing the mouse over one of the icons brings up a tooltip explaining the operation it
A toolbar can be dragged onto the graphical window by dragging the toolbar by the two
window is called a floating toolbar.
The name of the toolbar becomes visible once it is dragged out from the edge of the
To see the list of all available toolbars and choose the ones to make them visible /
View -> Toolbars... from the main menu. This displays names of all
their names. Clicking on the box toggles the visibility of a toolbar. You can also toggle
display of tooltips and create new toolbars of your own.
Toolbars available in STAAD.Pro
Input Units
Change Graphical Display Units
Cut Section
Symbols and Labels
Loads Dimension
Display Node to Node Distance
Info
Scale
6
h otherwise may take more time if done
things you must know about toolbars:
and contains a group of icons representing a set of related
explaining the operation it
A toolbar can be dragged onto the graphical window by dragging the toolbar by the two
The name of the toolbar becomes visible once it is dragged out from the edge of the
s to make them visible /
from the main menu. This displays names of all
y of a toolbar. You can also toggle
Display Node to Node Distance
Scale
Insert Text

Structure Toolbar
Structure Tools Toolbar
Structure Tools Toolbar
Rotate Toolbar
View From + Z
View From - Z
View From - X
View From + X
View From + Y
View From - Y
Isometric View Rotate Up
Rotate Down
Rotate Left
Rotate Right
Spin Left
Spin Right
Toggle View Rotation Mode
Rotate Toolbar helps view the model from different directions
View Toolbar
View Toolbar helps viewing operations such as zoom and pan
Geometry Toolbar
Geometry Toolbar helps to add members and elements to the model

Generate Toolbar
Generate Toolbar helps in copying existing members to create complex models
Results Toolbar
Results Toolbar helps in quickly displaying results after analysis is complete
Selection Toolbar
Selection Toolbar
Mode Toolbar
Mode Toolbar

Labels Toolbar
Labels Toolbar
Steel Design Toolbar
Steel Design Toolbar
File Toolbar
File Toolbar
Print Toolbar
Print
Print Preview Report
Report Setup Take Picture
Export View
Print Current View
Print Preview Current View
Print Toolbar
Mode Bar
The Mode Bar contains the main operations that can be performed in STAAD.Pro,
arranged in a sequence above the graphics window. These are Modeling, Postprocessing,
Steel Design etc. Out of these, we will mainly use the first two, namely Modeling and
Postprocessing.

STAAD.Pro GUI in Modell
Modeling mode is used while building a model of the structure to be analysed. It consists
of the following main options in the form of tabs arranged vertically to the left of the graphics
window and consists of the following:
Each option in turn has sub options, arranged as a secobd level of tabs which change
depending on the option chosen in the first level.
The important tabs that we will use often are:
• General tab consisting of
• Analysis/Print tab consisting of
• Design tab consisting of
STAAD.Pro GUI in Post Processing Mode
Getting to Know the STAAD.Pro GUI
ling Mode
mode is used while building a model of the structure to be analysed. It consists
window and consists of the following: Setup, Geometry, General, Analysis/Pri
depending on the option chosen in the first level.
The important tabs that we will use often are:
tab consisting of Property, Load, Support and Materia
tab consisting of Analysis and Post-Print tab, and
tab consisting of Steel and Concrete tabs.
STAAD.Pro GUI in Post Processing Mode
10
mode is used while building a model of the structure to be analysed. It consists
Analysis/Print, Design.
Material tabs
tab, and

Postprocessing mode becomes available only after the analysis of the structure is
complete. It allows the user to view the results and generate reports. The main options are
Node, Beam, Animation and Reports.
The sub-options under each option are:
• Node tab has Displacement and Reactions, and
• Beam tab has Forces, Stresses, Unity Check and Graphs
The Animation and Report tabs do not have sub=options. They bring up a dialog box with
a number of tabs.

Tutorial 3 – Introduction to
Modelling
Let us learn modelling
bay plane frame with fixed supports. The figure and data are given below:
Material Properties
M20 for all members, E = 22,360 N/mm
Density not defined since we do
automatically.
Section Properties
Rectangular section 230x400
Loads
Dead Load: UDL of 10
Live Load: UDL of 8 kN/m on member 2
Steps in Modelling and Analysis in STAAD.Pro
The steps of modelling and analysis for truss and frame structures are usually the same
for almost all structures and are listed below:
• Create a new structure
• Customize the gri
• Add nodes and beams
• Define material properties
• Define section properties and assign to members
• Define supports and assign to nodes
• Define loads and assign to nodes and/or members
• Define type of analysis
• Choose post-
• Analyse the structure
• Study the results
Introduction to Modelling
Let us learn modelling a plane frame through the simple example of a single
Geometry and load for Example 1
M20 for all members, E = 22,360 N/mm2 (2.236x107 kN/m2), Poisson’s ratio = 0.2.
Density not defined since we do not intend to calculate self weight of the members
Rectangular section 230x400 mm for all members.
UDL of 10 kN/m on member 2 (beam) acting vertically downward
kN/m on member 2 (beam) acting vertically downward.
Steps in Modelling and Analysis in STAAD.Pro
for almost all structures and are listed below:
Create a new structure
Customize the gridlines for creating nodes and beams
Add nodes and beams
Define material properties
Define section properties and assign to members
Define supports and assign to nodes
Define loads and assign to nodes and/or members
Define type of analysis
-analysis print commands
Analyse the structure
Study the results
12
simple example of a single storey, single
), Poisson’s ratio = 0.2.
not intend to calculate self weight of the members
acting vertically downward.
acting vertically downward.

Tutorial 3 – Introduction to Modelling
We will learn each of the above steps in detail one by one.
three steps in this tutorial and take up the rest in subsequent tutorials.
Create a New Structure
Start STAAD.Pro if not already open
structure, if any and create a new
toolbar). Follow these steps
In the first dialog box, choose the following:
• New structure type
• Units – Choose
• Filename – ex01
• Location – Folder where you are going to save all the files created during this
training program. Click on
In the second dialog box, choose the f
• Choose the Add Beam
Customize the Grid
For a plane structure
will show the gridlines in elevation, making it easy
structures.
Note the Snap to existing nodes too
can click only at intersection of construction lines. When you have previously drawn nodes and
members, choosing this option allows you to click on existing nodes in addition to intersection
of gridlines.
You can display X, Y, Z coordinates for each
both. It is also possible to define X
Add Nodes and Members
To add nodes and beams, c
structure. As long as this button
out of snap mode. Click on
We will learn each of the above steps in detail one by one. We will complete the first
three steps in this tutorial and take up the rest in subsequent tutorials.
STAAD.Pro if not already open. If it is already open, then save and close the current
reate a new structure as. (Locate the Close and
these steps.
In the first dialog box, choose the following:
New structure type – Choose Plane Structure
hoose Meter and kiloNewtons
ex01
Folder where you are going to save all the files created during this
training program. Click on Next button.
In the second dialog box, choose the following:
Add Beam option in the second dialog box. Click on
To make it easy to create the geometry,
Three options are available (i) linear (ii) radial and
(iii) Irregular. In this example, we will use the
will learn the use of irregular grids in another tutorial.
Linear grid consists of lines parallel to two of the axes
(X--Y, X-Z or Y-Z) at a regular spacing. You can choose the
to be considered to the Left and Right of the origin
spacing between the grid lines. Grids can be further customized
by changing the origin of the grid and specifying a skewness for
the axes (this will change the angle between the axe
angle other than 90°).
Before beginning to add beams in the
option, let us fine tune the grid to suit our problem. Change the
parameters in the Construction Lines section of the form.
doing so, note the units being used and change them to kN and
metres if necessary. For X-axis, lave Left as 0m, c
X axis from 10m to 6m. Similarly, for Y axis
10m to 5m. Spacing being 1 m, the lengths are 6
and 5 m along Y axis, which are the maximum dimensions of the
given plane frame along X and Y axes.
For a plane structure, you can click on View From +Z icon on the
lines in elevation, making it easy to create nodes and beams
Snap to existing nodes too option at the bottom of the form. By default, you
display X, Y, Z coordinates for each gridline either at the start, or at the end or
ble to define X-Z or Y-Z grids.
Add Nodes and Members
To add nodes and beams, click on the Snap Node/Beam button and
this button remains pressed, snap mode is on. Click on it again to come
out of snap mode. Click on Close button when you are finished creating the geometry
13
We will complete the first
save and close the current
Open icons on the File
Folder where you are going to save all the files created during this
Click on Finish button.
To make it easy to create the geometry, customize the grid.
linear (ii) radial and
In this example, we will use the Linear grid. We
ular grids in another tutorial.
parallel to two of the axes
Z) at a regular spacing. You can choose the length
Left and Right of the origin and the equal
Grids can be further customized
by changing the origin of the grid and specifying a skewness for
the axes (this will change the angle between the axes to any
Before beginning to add beams in the Snap Node/Beam
option, let us fine tune the grid to suit our problem. Change the
parameters in the Construction Lines section of the form. Before
doing so, note the units being used and change them to kN and
as 0m, change Right for
for Y axis change Right from
m, the lengths are 6 m along X axis
m along Y axis, which are the maximum dimensions of the
icon on the Rotate toolbar. This
to create nodes and beams for plane
at the bottom of the form. By default, you
line either at the start, or at the end or
and start sketching the
remains pressed, snap mode is on. Click on it again to come
creating the geometry.

Tutorial 3 – Introduction to Modelling
You can go back to Snap Node/Beam
the Geometry toolbar. You can
Symbols and Labels icon
Numbers. Since this is a frequently required operation, there are keyboard shortcuts for these
operations – N (Shift N) to toggle display of node numbers and
beam numbers. Note: Ensure that the graphics window is selected
before pressing these keys.
Note the node and beam data
display are connected to each other. Changing the coordinates in the
the display. For example, c
graphical display will change immediately.
Selecting Nodes and Members
You can also select nodes and beams either
in the forms. With the mouse, you can select either nodes or members at one given point of
time, depending on the type of cursor chosen. To select members, click on the
icon in the Selection toolbar
toolbar. Similarly there are different cursors to select
A selected beam or node is shown in red in the graphics window and the corresponding
row is highlighted in the Nodes/Beams table
member highlights the start and end nodes of a beam in green (start node) and blue (end node)
colours. Double clicking on a selected member brings up a dialog box showing the Geometry,
Propert and Loading for that member.
Thus, clicking on Beam 1 in the graphical window will select the corresponding row in
the Beams table. To select multiple beams, press the
beam. For example, clicking on Beam 3 while the Control key is pressed, adds Beam 3
selection and the corresponding row is selected in the Beams table.
To remove a beam from a group of selected beams,
beam. To cancel the entire selection, click the mouse on a vacant area of the graphics window
The same applies to selection of nodes, except that to select nodes in the graphical
window, you must first choose the
Selection can also be done by dragging the mouse to enclose the nodes or mem
want to select. Only nodes or members fully enclosed within the dragged window are selected.
Selection Mode can be changed by right clicking the mouse to bring up the context menu
and clicking on Selection Mode
dragging the mouse to draw a line to intersect the member you want to select.
Snap Node/Beam mode by clicking on the Snap Node/Beam
You can turn on display of node and beam numbers by clicking on the
icon on the Structure toolbar and selecting Node Numbers
Since this is a frequently required operation, there are keyboard shortcuts for these
to toggle display of node numbers and B (Shift B)
Ensure that the graphics window is selected by clicki
before pressing these keys.
Note the node and beam data are shown in the forms to the right. The data and graphical
display are connected to each other. Changing the coordinates in the Nodes table
the display. For example, click on the X coordinate of Node 3 and type 7 and press Enter. The
graphical display will change immediately.
Selecting Nodes and Members
You can also select nodes and beams either using the mouse in the graphical window or
With the mouse, you can select either nodes or members at one given point of
time, depending on the type of cursor chosen. To select members, click on the
toolbar. To select nodes, click on the Nodes Cursor
. Similarly there are different cursors to select Plates, Surface or
Nodes/Beams table on the right. Pausing the mouse over a selected
Propert and Loading for that member.
licking on Beam 1 in the graphical window will select the corresponding row in
. To select multiple beams, press the Control (Ctrl) key
beam. For example, clicking on Beam 3 while the Control key is pressed, adds Beam 3
selection and the corresponding row is selected in the Beams table.
from a group of selected beams, Ctrl-Click on th
beam. To cancel the entire selection, click the mouse on a vacant area of the graphics window
Selecting beams
window, you must first choose the Nodes Cursor from the Selection toolbar
Selection can also be done by dragging the mouse to enclose the nodes or mem
and clicking on Selection Mode Drag Line (Ctrl+Shift+F3). Now you can select a member by
14
Snap Node/Beam icon on
turn on display of node and beam numbers by clicking on the
Node Numbers and Beam
Since this is a frequently required operation, there are keyboard shortcuts for these
B (Shift B) to toggle display of
by clicking on its title bar
shown in the forms to the right. The data and graphical
Nodes table will change
lick on the X coordinate of Node 3 and type 7 and press Enter. The
in the graphical window or
With the mouse, you can select either nodes or members at one given point of
time, depending on the type of cursor chosen. To select members, click on the Beams Cursor
Nodes Cursor icon in the Selection
or Geometry.
the mouse over a selected
licking on Beam 1 in the graphical window will select the corresponding row in
key while selecting a new
beam. For example, clicking on Beam 3 while the Control key is pressed, adds Beam 3 to the
on the previously selected
beam. To cancel the entire selection, click the mouse on a vacant area of the graphics window.
oolbar.
Selection can also be done by dragging the mouse to enclose the nodes or members you
can select a member by

Tutorial 4 –Material Properties
Define and Assign Material Properties
Mode: Modeling General
In the Modeling mode
window. This brings up the
Material – Whole Structure
STAAD.Pro, namely STEEL, ALUMINIUM and CONCRETE. However, we can define additional
materials if we need. To create a new material, click on
dialog box where you can define a name for the material and the value
properties. You may have to change the units before clicking on Create button and change the
units to millimetres and Newtons. Enter E as 22,360
enter Density, since we will not be applying self
You will now see the new material M20 in the list of materials. To edit any material, first
click on the name of the material in the
then click on the Edit button
and change the value and press enter.
properties for steel and reinforced concrete (as per IS:456
Once the material property is defined, it must be assigned to the members. In this
problem, all members are made of the same material. Hence we can click on the material that
we wish to assign in the
Assign to View option and click on the
and when confirmed, all members visible in the view are highlighted indicating the members to
whom the material property is assigned. It will also label the me
material.
In case different members are of different materials, the assignment can be done by
Cursor to Assign option and choose the members one by one. Alternately, after highlighting
the material to be assigned, you can cho
Beams option and press on the
The material property assigned to a member can be changed any time. When you click on
the name of a material in the
property is assigned are immediately highlighted. To assign a different material, first deselect
the selected members by clicking on a vacant area of the graphics window, choose the
Material Properties and Section Properties
Define and Assign Material Properties
General Material
Modeling mode, click on the General and Material tabs to the left of the graphics
window. This brings up the Materials table to the right of the graphics window along with the
Whole Structure form. By default, three materials are already
To create a new material, click on Create button
dialog box where you can define a name for the material and the value
You may have to change the units before clicking on Create button and change the
units to millimetres and Newtons. Enter E as 22,360 N/mm2 and Poisson’s Ratio as 0.3. Do not
since we will not be applying self weight in this example.
the name of the material in the Material – Whole Structure form
Edit button. Alternatively, click on the respective item in the
and change the value and press enter. Note: Ensure that the units are correct.
properties for steel and reinforced concrete (as per IS:456-2000) were discussed in Tutorial
we wish to assign in the Material – Whole Structure form (M20 in our case), choos
option and click on the Assign button. STAAD.Pro will ask for confirmation,
whom the material property is assigned. It will also label the members with the name of the
In case different members are of different materials, the assignment can be done by
option and choose the members one by one. Alternately, after highlighting
the material to be assigned, you can choose the members, choose the
option and press on the Assign button.
the name of a material in the Material – Whole Structure form, all members to
15
and Section Properties
tabs to the left of the graphics
table to the right of the graphics window along with the
By default, three materials are already defined in
Create button. This will bring up a
dialog box where you can define a name for the material and the values for its structural
You may have to change the units before clicking on Create button and change the
and Poisson’s Ratio as 0.3. Do not
form and highlight it and
Alternatively, click on the respective item in the Materials table
Ensure that the units are correct. Material
2000) were discussed in Tutorial 1.
form (M20 in our case), choose the
button. STAAD.Pro will ask for confirmation,
mbers with the name of the
In case different members are of different materials, the assignment can be done by Use
option and choose the members one by one. Alternately, after highlighting
ose the members, choose the Assign to Selected
form, all members to whom the

Tutorial 4 –Material Properties and Section Properties
members whose material property is to be changed, choose the Assign to Selected Beams
option and press on the Assign button. Immediately, the material property label will be
changed.
Define and Assign Section Properties
Mode: Modeling General Property
Toolbar: Structure Tools Property Page
Create a Section
When in Modeling mode, click on General tab and then click on Property tab. This will
bring up the Beams table on the right side along with the Properties – Whole Structure
form. You can see that in the Beams table, Property Refn and Material columns are empty,
indicating that they have not yet been defined. The Properties – Whole Structure box
currently does not list any Sections. We will now create a section and assign it to the beams.
To create a section, click on Define button in the Properties dialog box. This brings up
the Property dialog box. In the list of shapes on the left, click on Rectangle and on the right
side enter the required values. Dimension ZD is measured parallel to the local Z axis of the
member, which is the stronger axis, and is the smaller dimension of the section with that
dimension parallel to the horizontal plane. Dimension YD is measured parallel to the local Y
axis, which is the weaker axis and is the longer side of the section with that dimension
perpendicular to the horizontal plane.
Note that section dimensions are defined in local coordinate system, which consists of
the local X-axis coinciding with the length of the member, going from the start node to the end
node. That is why it is important to note which of the ends of the beam is the start node. This is
required again when we want to interpret the nature of the member end forces after analysis is
complete. The local Y-axis is the minor axis of the section and the local Z-axis is the major axis
of the section. By default, it is assumed that the local Y-axis (the minor axis) is parallel to the
global Y-axis. If this is not the case, we must specify an additional parameter for the member,
called the Beta Angle (ββββ), which is defined as follows:
1. When the local X_axis is parallel to the vertical axis (usually the global Y-axis), β angle is
the angle through which the local Z-axis must be rotated about the local X-axis to bring
it parallel and in the same positive direction as the global Z-axis.
2. When the local X-axis is not parallel to the global vertical axis (usually the Y-axis), it is
the angle through which the local coordinate system has been rotated about the local
X-axis to starting from a position of having the local Z-axis parallel to the global X-Z
plane (horizontal plane) and the local Y-axis in the same positive direction as the global
vertical axis.
In our case, ZD is 0.23 mm (0.23 m) and YD is 400 mm (0.40 m). At the same time, the
Material must be chosen for the section, which must be changed to M20. Note that STAAD.Pro
allows you to do unit conversion without having to explicitly change the units by pressing the
F2 key and entering the units along with the value and STAAD.Pro will convert it to the current
units. Click on Add button to add the section to the list of available sections. Note that the
section is assigned a Ref (reference number) by which it will be referred. You can create as
many sections as required for the entire structure at once. Click on the Close button when you
have created all the sections required to define the members in the structure.
Assign Section Properties
Note that there is a question mark symbol before the names of the sections. This
indicates that the section has been defined but has not yet been assigned to any members. The
next step is to assign this property to all the members of the structure. This can be done in a
variety of ways. The best way is to Use Cursor to Assign. But when the structure has more
number of beams, other methods may prove to be faster – Assign to View after selecting a set
of members and choosing to view only the selected members (View -> View Selected Objects
Only from the Main Menu). Another option is to use Assign to Selected Beams after selecting

the beams to which the property is to be assigne
the Beam numbers are known and especially if the numbers are contiguous.
Required Section Properties
The different properties of a section are listed below:
Symbol Section Property
AX Area of section
AY Effective shear area in local Y
energy is high, such as, shearwalls)
AZ Effective shear area in local Z
is high, such as, shearwalls)
IY Second moment of a
IZ Second moment of area about local Z
IX Polar moment of inertial about local X
It may not be necessary to define all properties for all types of members and structures.
The required properties which must be specified
listed in the table below:
TRUSS structure
PLANE structure
FLOOR structure
SPACE
Material Properties and Section Properties
the beams to which the property is to be assigned. Assign to Edit List may be a good choice if
Required Section Properties
The different properties of a section are listed below:
Section Property
Effective shear area in local Y-axis (required for members whose shear strain
energy is high, such as, shearwalls)
Effective shear area in local Z-axis(required for members whose shear strain energy
is high, such as, shearwalls)
Second moment of area about local Y-axis (major axis)
Second moment of area about local Z-axis (minor axis)
Polar moment of inertial about local X-axis
necessary to define all properties for all types of members and structures.
which must be specified for members in different structure types are
Structure Type Required Properties
TRUSS structure AX
PLANE structure AX, IZ, IY
FLOOR structure IX, IZ, IY
SPACE structure AX, IX, IY, IZ
17
may be a good choice if
(required for members whose shear strain
(required for members whose shear strain energy
necessary to define all properties for all types of members and structures.
for members in different structure types are

Available Section Shapes
STAAD.Pro provides the following types of sections, whose properties it can calculate:
Shape Requires Section Properties
Circle YD – Diameter of the circle
Rectangle YD – Depth of the section along local Y-axis
ZD – Breadth of section along local Z-axis
Tee YD – Overall dimension along local Y-axis
ZD – Overall dimension along local Z-axis
YB – Dimension of web along local Y-axis
ZB – Dimension of web along local Z-axis
Trapezoidal YD – Overall dimension along local Y-axis
ZD – Dimension of side parallel to local Z-axis towards positive side of local
Y-axis
ZB – Dimension of side parallel to local Z-axis towards negative side of local
Y-axis
General No particular shape. User must calculate all required properties, such as AX,
IY, IZ and input them individually
Section Database
STAAD.Pro has a database of standard steel sections used in many countries. Names and
properties of standard sections are available in the database and only the name of the section
need be selected and STADD.Pro will automatically assign the required section properties. This
is available in the Properties – Whole Structure dialog box by clicking on the Section
Database button.
The sections are arranged in increasing order of their AX values. Clicking on the View
Table button below the Select Beam list box shows the detailed section properties and allows
selection of multiple sections to be included into the list of sections to be used in the structure.
Some Tips
Save the structure as often as possible by pressing Ctrl+S key on the keyboard or from
the main menu File Save.
Find help on any topic by going to main menu Help Contents... or pressing F1 key on
the keyboard. Study the Technical Reference section in the help file.
Use the Rotate Toolbar to view the model from different sides, zooming in and zooming
out. You can see an isometric view to visualize in 3D.

Tutorial 5 – Supports
Mode: Modeling General
Toolbar: Structure Tools
Create and Assign Suports
In Modeling mode, Click
Supports – Whole Structure
S1 – No support. This indicates that there are no restraints, and this is applied to all nodes. To
define a support, we must create a new support and assign it to the two supports.
Click on Create button
predefine supports(Fixed and Pinned and there is provision to define a support with any
restraints required. We shall choose the predefined Fixed support and click on
add it to the list of available support types. Notice that a support
Click on S2 and click on the
nodes to which this type of support is to be assigned, nam
Assign button to stop assigning. Click on the
Supported Nodes table and see that nodes 1 and 4 are specified as Support S2.
If you assigned the support to the wrong
node where the support is to be removed. The corresponding line will be highlighted in the
Supported Nodes table. Click on the Node column of the selected row and press
To edit the support restrain
icon on the Selection toolbar
where you can change the support restraints.
Understanding Supports
A typical node in a structure is
degrees of freedom, namely, the three linear degrees of freedom along the global X, Y and Z
axes (FX, FY, FZ respectively) and the three rotational degrees of freedom about the global X, Y
and Z axes (MX, MY, MZ respectively). This is the default “
to all nodes by default.
If one or more degrees of freedom at a node are restrained, the node is called a support,
and the restraint/release conditions for that node mu
Supports, Loads and Load Combinations
General Support
Toolbar: Structure Tools Support Page
Click on General tab and then on the Support
Whole Structure dialog box. Initially, there is only one support defined, namely,
No support. This indicates that there are no restraints, and this is applied to all nodes. To
button to create a new support. This brings up a dialog box with a few
restraints required. We shall choose the predefined Fixed support and click on
add it to the list of available support types. Notice that a support S2 – Support 2
Click on S2 and click on the Assign button. Click on Use Cursor To Assign
nodes to which this type of support is to be assigned, namely nodes 1 and 4. Click again on the
to stop assigning. Click on the Close button to finish assigning. Take a look at the
If you assigned the support to the wrong node, choose Node Cursor
Supported Nodes table. Click on the Node column of the selected row and press
To edit the support restraints assigned to a support, click on the
toolbar and double click on the support. This brings up a dialog box
where you can change the support restraints.
A typical node in a structure is assumed to be free to displace along all of the six possible
axes (MX, MY, MZ respectively). This is the default “S1 – No Support”
and the restraint/release conditions for that node must be specified. Thus, for a fixed support,
19
Load Combinations
Support tab. This brings up the
dialog box. Initially, there is only one support defined, namely,
No support. This indicates that there are no restraints, and this is applied to all nodes. To
to create a new support. This brings up a dialog box with a few
restraints required. We shall choose the predefined Fixed support and click on Add button to
Support 2 is now listed.
Use Cursor To Assign and click on the two
ely nodes 1 and 4. Click again on the
to finish assigning. Take a look at the
Node Cursor and click on the
Supported Nodes table. Click on the Node column of the selected row and press Delete key.
ts assigned to a support, click on the Support Edit Cursor
and double click on the support. This brings up a dialog box
assumed to be free to displace along all of the six possible
No Support” condition applied
st be specified. Thus, for a fixed support,

Tutorial 5 – Supports, Loads and Load Combinations
all degrees of freedom are restrained and for a pinned support, all linear degrees of freedom
are restrained while all rotational degrees of freedom are released. The restraints/releases for
different types of support are as follows:
Type of Support Restraints Releases
Fixed FX, FY, FZ, MX, MY, MZ –
Pinned FX, FY, FZ MX, MY, MZ
Rollers resting on horizontal plane FY, FZ FX, MX, MY, MZ
The Enforced But tab on the Create Support dialog box allows the user to release only
selected degrees of freedom. The Fixed But tab is similar to the Enforced But tab but can also
specify additional spring stiffness at the support which is useful in representing stiffness of
foundation soil. The other options are (i) Foundation, which allows the user to choose the
type of foundation and subgrade modulus (ii) Inclined, which is allows the user to define a
roller support with rollers resting on an inclined plane not parallel to any of the global axes.
Loads and Load Combinations
Mode: Modeling General Load
Toolbar: Structure Tools Load Page
Create Primary Load Cases
In Modeling mode, Click on General tab and then on
the Load tab. This brings up the Loads page where you can
see Load Cases Details along with Definitions and Load
Envelopes. Click on the Load Cases Details and see it turn
white letters on a blue background) and then click on the
Add... button at the bottom.
This brings up the Add New : Load cases dialog box,
with Primary option selected in the list on the left (indicated
by an yellow page icon). For each Primary Load case, specify
its Number, Loading Type and Title.
Numbering is usually done sequentially starting
with 1, but user can choose any unique number instead of
sequential numbers.
Loading Type can be None, Dead, Live, Wind, Seismic
etc. It is usually left as None, but can be changed to other
types when using certain building codes such as ACI
(American Concrete Institute), AISC (American Institute of
Steel Construction, UBC (Uniform Building Code, USA) or IBC
(International Building Code).
Title is useful because it is used to identify the load in result output. Choose brief but
meaningful title for each load, such as, DL for dead load, LL for live load, WL for wind load, EQ
for earthquake load etc.
Create two Primary Load Cases, namely (i) Number: 1, Type: None, Title: DL and
(ii) Number: 2, Type: None, Title: LL. Click on Close button to close the Add New : Load cases
dialog box. Now you will see the two Primary Load cases in the Loads page.
Create Load Items for Primary Load cases
Click on the DL Primary load case and click on Add button. This brings up the Add
New - Load Items dialog box. On the left, you will see a list of load items that can be added. At
this point of time, it is necessary to think only of the types of loads that are to be applied on the
structure without worrying about the members on whom they are applied, this assignment will

be done later. Click on Member Load item in the list on the left and enter –10 kN/m for W1.
Leave d1, d2 and d3 as zero. Choose direction as GY (global Y-axis). Click on the Add button
and then click on Close button to return to the Load Page. Repeat the step for the second
Primary Load case, namely, LL except that enter the value of W1 as –8 kN/m.
This is how the Load page will look when the steps are
completed.
Take note of the following: UNI GY –10 kN/m under the
DL primary load case means it is an UDL (UNI), acts along the
global Y-axis (GY) and has an intensity of 10 kN/m acting in
the negative direction (minus sign).
Also note the small question mark in red colour to the
left of the load item. It indicates that the load item has not
been assigned to any member.
To assign a load item to one or more members, first
select the load item by clicking on it. Then click on the Assign
button and choose the Use Cursor to Assign option and
click on member 2 with the Beams Cursor selected.
Immediately, the load is shown graphically in blue colour in
the graphical window.
Repeat this step for the UNI GY –8 kN/m and apply it to
member 2. Note that the loads are displayed when you click
on the load items and the currently selected load item is
shown in blue colour and other load items in the same load case are shown in green colour.
You can turn on display of load values in the Symbols and Labels Loading Display
Options Load Values option (keyboard shortcut Shift+V).
We are now ready to
define the load combination.
Click on Load Cases Details
and click on Add button. In
the Add New : Load Cases
dialog box click on Define
Combinations load case as
Number: 3, Name: 1.5 (DL +
LL), Type: Normal. Then move
the load cases 1. DL and 2. LL
from the Available Load Cases
on the left to the Load
Combination Definition on the
right by clicking on the >>
button. Change the Factor for
both load cases to 1.5. Click on Add button and then on Close button.
Understanding Loads – Primary Loads and Load Combinations
Loads on a structure can be of one of the following types:
• Nodal loads – Loads applied at the nodes. Nodal loads can be either point loads with
six components (Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz) or support displacements.
• Member loads – Loads applied directly on a member instead of at one of the nodes.
Member loads can be of a variety of types, namely, UDL (Uniform), Point load
(Concentrated Force), Linear Varying load, Trapezoidal load, Uniform moment,
Concentrated Moment, Fixed End (equivalent loads at the ends of the member can
be calculated and assigned).

• Floor loads – Loads transferred to beams by floors. STAAD.Pro automatically
distributes the loads to all adjoining beams.
• Temperature loads – Loads due to temperature change.
• Seismic loads, Time history loads, Response Spectra – Loads due to earthquakes.
The loads are organized as independent load cases which STAAD.Pro calls as Primary
Loads. In addition, STAAD.Pro can define Load Combinations as linear combinations of any of
the Primary Loads. The user can define any number of Primary Loads and Load Combinations.
Each Primary load case can consist of any number of Nodal and/or Member loads. Each defined
load in a Primary Load can be assigned to one or more nodes or members.
Load combinations are linear combinations of one or more previously defined Primary
Load cases. For example, to obtain the limit state design forces for limit state design as per
IS:456-2000, use a linear combination of 1.5 times dead load and 1.5 times live load. This is
applicable to elastic analyses as the results due to a linear combination of the loads is simply
the linear combination of the results of the individual Primary load cases.

Tutorial 6 – Analysis and Post-processing
Choose Analysis Type
Mode: Modeling Analysis / Print Analysis
In Modeling mode, click on Analysis/Print tab and then on Analysis tab. This brings up
the Analysis/Print Commands dialog box. Choose the Statics Check option in the Perform
Analysis tab, then click on Add button and finally on the Close button to close the dialog box.
In the Analysis – Whole Structure page on the right, you will see the PERFORM ANALYSIS
PRINT STATICS CHECK entry.
Note the different types of analyses that STAAD.Pro can carry out, which include P-Delta
analysis, Pushover analysis, Cable analysis and Imperfection analysis.
Choose Post Analysis Print Commands
Mode: Modeling Analysis / Print Post-Print
In Modeling mode, click on Post-Print tab and then on Analysis tab. In the Post
Analysis Print – Whole Structure page, click on the Define Commands button to bring up
the Analysis/Print Commands dialog box. Click on the Member Forces button, click on the
Add button and click on the Close button.
Note the question mark in yellow colour to the left of the newly added PRINT MEMBER
FORCES command in the Post Analysis Print – Whole Structure page. The question mark
indicates that the print command is not yet assigned to any member. To get the results printed
for all members, click on the PRINT MEMBER FORCES command to select it, then choose the
Assign to View option and click on the Assign button. After the assignment, the yellow
question mark disappears.
Analyse the Structure
Main Menu: Analyze Run Analysis (Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+F5)
From the main menu, choose Analyze, then choose
STAAD Analysis option and then click on Run Analysis
button. This will start the analysis of the structure and shows
the progress, errors and warnings. If there are errors, they
must be debugged and remove before analysis can be
performed. Warnings are usually not critical and analysis will
be performed, but it is important to study the warning

messages to ensure that they are not critical. Additional information about time taken and
name of output file are also displayed. Click on the Close button to go back to STAAD.GUI. You
can choose the View Output File option before the clicking the Close button to directly open
the results output file.
Messages after completion of analysis
Study the Results – Statics Check
The results can be examined graphically in the graphics window or viewed numerically
in the results output file. Both have their merits and demerits, but usually a combination of
both is the best way to verify that the analysis has been carried out correctly.
It is a very important to verify that all data has been input correctly, using the correct
units and that the nodes, members, supports and loads have been modelled accurately so as to
represent the structure to be built as closely as possible. It is necessary to verify that all loads
have been represented and applied on the correct members. In the absence of such a
verification and validation, you are very likely to suffer from the Garbage In Garbage Out
(GIGO) syndrome which is very common to the use of computers to many fields. Even though
this is a critical step, it most often ignored and can lead to catastrophic results. It is bets to get
the model verified by another person or do it a few hours after finishing the modelling steps. It
is best to develop a procedure of your own to verify the model thoroughly.
From the output file, verify the statics check, namely, the total loads and reactions along
global X, Y and Z axes. The total load must be equal to the total load you estimate by hand and
the loads and reactions must balance each other for all load cases.
Summation
Load Case 1. DL Load Case 2. LL
Loads Reactions Loads Reactions
∑ F୶ 0 0 0 0
∑ F୷ –60 +60 –48 +48
∑ ‫ܨ‬୸ 0 0 0 0
∑ M௫ 0 0 0 0
∑ M௬ 0 0 0 0
∑ M௭ –180 +180 –144 +144

Study the Results – Member Forces
Member forces are expressed in terms of local axes of the member and the sign
convention is as shown in the figure below. As per this convention, member forces are positive
when acting in the positive direction of the corresponding local axis. Thus a positive member
force Fx1 at the near (start) end indicates compressive axial force while a negative value
indicates tension. Similarly, a positive member force Fx2 at the far end indicates a tensile axial
force while a negative value indicates compression.
Similarly, bending moments are positive when they follow the right hand rule. Thus, a
positive value for the bending moment about major axis Mz1 at the near end indicates hogging
while a negative value indicates sagging. Similarly, a positive value for the bending moment
about the major axis Mz2 at the far end indicates sagging while a negative value indicates
hogging. According to the right hand rule, if you hold any axis with your right hand with the
thumb pointing in the positive direction of that axis, the positive direction for the moments is
indicated by the remaining fingers of the right hand (it is the direction in which a right handed
screw advances when turned clockwise).

Tutorial 7 – Modelling Complex Geometries
Structural Wizard
Maximum time and effort in structural analysis is spent in creating the geometry and
verifying its correctness and accuracy. Hence, speeding up this process and making it error free
can result in tremendous benefits. This goal is achieved through the Structural wizard, which
provides parameterized templates for a variety of commonly used structures. It allows the user
to customize the parameters for even complicated geometries and quickly generates the
geometry so the engineer can continue with the process of applying loads and carrying out the
analysis.
Structure wizard is available at the time
of creating a new structure after completing
the first step where the user defines the
filename, folder, type of structure and units.
Choosing Open Structure Wizard option in
the Where do you want to go? Dialog box
and clicking on Finish button opens the
Structure wizard. Structure wizard can also
save user created models as templates for use
in future, so that if there is a model you use
often, but is not available in the prototype
models provided by STAAD.Pro, you can use
this feature to your advantage.
The prototype models available include
Truss models, Frame models, Surface / Plate
models, Solid models and Composite models.
It also allows importing models saved in DXF
formats by other CAD programs or import existing STAAD models. There is a feature to create
models through VBA Macro (Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications). Under each category, a
number of models are available, making it a versatile tool. Another fact that makes it even
more powerful is that it allows the user to customize the parameters so that it meets your
exact requirements. For example, if the spacing between frames is not constant, you can define
different spacing between different frames.
As an exercise, let us create a 3D frame with 3 storeys (height of ground storey 5 m and
upper storeys 3.2 m each), 2 bays along X-axis (with spacing of 5 m and 8 m) and 4 bays along
Z-axis (with equal spacing of 4 m). Define the following in the Select Parameters dialog box:
• Length: 5.0 m + 8.0 m = 13 m 2 bays Length is taken along the global X-axis
• Height: 5.0 m + 2 x 3.2 m = 11.4 m 3 bays Height is taken along the Y-axis
• Width: 4 x 4 m = 16 m 4 bays Width is taken along Z-axis
Create a new STAAD.Pro model and name the file ex02 in the workshop folder
previously created. To create this model using the Structure Wizard, choose Prototype
Models option, choose Frame Models option on in the drop down box and double click on the
Bay Frame icon in the list of available models in the left pane. Before doing so, note the
orientation of the global coordinate axes shown in the right pane.
Initially, each dimension is divided into the specified number of equal bays. This is
acceptable for the width (4 bays of 4 m each) but the other two dimensions must be
customized. To do this, click on the button with three dots in front of the number of bays along
the required direction. This brings up a dialog box where the equal bay widths are shown. You
can edit these bay widths as required, but ensure that the total length in that direction is
exactly what is specified in the Select Parameters dialog box. Click on OK button to close the
dialog box. Thus along the length, the bay widths must be Bay 1: 5 m, Bay 2: 8 m. Along the

height, the bay widths must be Bay 1: 5 m, Bay 2: 3.2 m and Bay 3: 3.2 m. Click on Apply button
and the model will be created immediately. Remember that Bay 1 is the one which is nearest
to the origin of the coordinate system.
From the main menu, choose File Merge Model with STAAD.Pro model and confirm
Yes. Before merging the model created by the Structure wizard with the existing model in
STAAD.Pro (if any), you can specify the coordinates of the point at which the origin of the
model must be placed or alternately, you can specify a distance by which the model must be
moved based on the distance between any two nodes that you can choose in the existing
STAAD.Pro model. Usually, it is best to specify the coordinates of the point where the origin of
the created model must be inserted. Let us choose the point (0, 0, 0), which is the origin of the
STAAD.Pro model. Save the model as ex03 in the workshop folder.
Linear Grids
We have already used linear grid in Tutorial 3. The gridlines are parallel to two specified
directions (X-y< X-Z or Y-Z directions) and have a constant distance between the gridlines,
which may be different along the two directions. It is possible to choose the origin of the grid
and the skewness of the gridlines. This can be used when the distances between the nodes is a
multiple of the grid interval. If the distances are such that it is difficult to find the grid interval,

or when you want to have gridlines only where the nodes and beams are present, it is better to
use irregular grid.
Irregular Grids
Irregular grid is a linear grid with unequal spacing between grid lines. Here, we must
specify the relative distance between the consecutive grid lines along the two directions. Skew
grid lines can be generated using the “Use arbitrary plane” checkbox by specifying the
orientation of the X, Y axes. Normal gridlines can be generated by choosing one of the standard
planes, namely, X-Y, X-Z or Y-Z.
The attractiveness of the
irregular grid is that you can have
gridlines exactly where you want,
without having to have gridlines
at some regular interval. Let us
create a plane frame shown in the
figure in the X-Y plane.
Along X-axis, the bay widths
are -1.5 m, 5 m, 8 m and 1.5 m.
Along the Y-axis, the bay widths
are 5 m, 3,2 m and 3.2 m. This
could be generated using the
linear grid with an equal spacing
of 0.5 m between the gridlines.
This would create 32 grid
intervals. Using the irregular grid,
we will have only the gridlines we
want. See the next figure for the gridlines created by this method. It is now easier to create the
beams using the Snap Node/Beam option. Note the origin is at (0, 0, 0), the balcony on the left
starts at x = 0 m, the first column line is at x = 1.5 m, the second column line is at x = 6.5 m,
third column line is at x = 14.5 m and the balcony overhang at the right is at x = 16.0 m.
Radial Grids
Radial grid consists of radial lines and tangential lines. The start angle and sweep angle
can be specified. The start radius and end radius can be specified. The number of bays in the
radial direction and number of bays (sectors) of the central angle can be specified. The radial
5m3.2m3.2m
5 m 8 m
1.5 m1.5 m
X
Y

distance and central angle will be divided into equal intervals. Radial grid is useful to model
curved beams, shells etc.
Translational Repeat
If a three dimensional frame is made of plane frames repeated at regular intervals along
length of the building, modelling effort can be minimized by using the Translational Repeat
option. It requires the following input:
• Global direction – The direction in which the original geometry is to be repeated. It can
be one of X, Y or Z.
• Number of steps – The number of copies, excluding the originally selected geometry.
• Default step spacing – The constant distance between the copies.
• Step and Spacing table – This is updated based on the data entered in Number of steps
and Default step spacing. You can change and customize any individual spacing.
• Renumber bay – If this option is selected, a third column is added to the Step – Spacing
table, named “Number from”. Here the user can specify the starting number for the
first node in each copy.
• Link steps – If this option is selected, members will be added in the direction of
repetition interconnecting the copies generated.
• Open base – This option is active only when Link steps option is selected. When
selected, additional link members are not added at the base.
• Generation flag – You can choose to regenerate only the geometry (nodes and
members), only geometry and properties (nodes, members, material and section
properties) or all properties (including support conditions).
We will use the plane frame created using the irregular grid as the initial model and
repeat that frame along the Z –axis to obtain a 3D frame model. If you define the support
conditions before the translational repeat operation, you can save the effort of defining the
supports later.
Open the model ex03 created previously using the irregular grid and add fixed supports
at the base using the Support Page icon on the Structure Tools toolbar. The frame with fixed
supports at the base looks as shown in the figure when displayed in Isometric View (Rotate
toolbar Isometric View icon).
Let there be 4 bays along the Z-axis with an equal spacing of 4 m, except for the second
bay, which is 3.5 m. Select all the members by dragging a window to enclose all the members
and then click on the Translational Repeat icon on the Generate toolbar. On the 3D Repeat

dialog box, choose Global Direction: Z, Number of Steps: 4, Default Step Spacing: 4 m,
change the spacing for Step 2 to 3.5 m, select Link Steps and Open Base and Generation
Flags: All. Click on OK button and the selected members and supports will be repeated four
times along the Z-axis at spacing of 4 m. 3.5 m, 4 m and 4 m. While repeating the members,
additional members will be generated along the Z-axis at all points of intersection of members
in the X-Y plane, except at the base.
This results in the model
shown in the figure below. Note
that the supports at the base are
also repeated along with the
nodes and members.
However, this is not exactly
what we wanted. The beams
connecting the ends of the balcony
beams on either side are not
required. Select them and delete
them. You can view the model
from different directions to verify
that it is correct. Save the file as
ex04.
Circular Repeat
For this example let us try to create the geometry shown in the figure below. It is a plane
truss which is symmetrical about a vertical line passing through the ridge. The span and height
to the ridge at the bottom are given. Bottom chord on each side is divided into 7 equal parts.
From the span and height, we can calculate the length of the bottom chord as well as the angle
made by the top and bottom chords with the horizontal.
1.8m
Create a new STAAD model with the following parameters: Filename: ex05 in the folder:
workshop, Type of Structure: Truss, Units: Millimeters and Newton. In the next dialog box,
select Add Beam option and click on Finish button. The span is 7600 mm and therefore half
the span is 3800 mm. Height to the bottom chord at the ridge is 1800 mm. Thus the length of

the bottom chord is 4200 mm. There being 6 equal divisions of the bottom chord, the constant
interval is 700 mm.
We will first create the nodes and members on the left half with the bottom and top
chord along the X-axis. We will subsequently rotate the geometry about an axis passing
through the ridge and parallel to the global Y-axis.
We will follow these steps:
1. Customize the linear grid and create the bottom chord along the X-axis having a length
of 4200 mm.
2. Split the bottom chord into seven equal intervals.
3. Translational Repeat the bottom chord to form the top chord and the vertical members.
4. Add the diagonal members.
5. Delete the top chord member next to the ridge
6. Circular Repeat the nodes and members about an axis passing through (0, 0) and
parallel to the Z-axis by 25.3729 degrees to the horizontal. Delete the original
members.
7. Circular repeat the members about an axis passing through the ridge and parallel to the
global Y-axis.
8. Add the top chord members, diagonal members and vertical member near the ridge,
create an irregular grid with 3800, 3800 mm spacing along X-axis and 1800, 500 mm
along Y-axis.
Note that setting n = 6 divides the existing member into seven equal parts, because “n” is
the number of points inserted between the existing end points of the beam.
Irregular grid along X-Y axes Split the bottom chord into six equal parts
Translational repeat for one step Delete two members at top right

Circulr repeat by 25.3769 deg about origin Rotated and original members
Circular repeat once about node 17 Member after rotation by 180 deg
Irregullar grid Final model
Generate Mirror
Step 7 in the above example could have also been done by Generate Mirror command.
Generate mirror dialog box

Tutorial 8 – Truss Analysis and Design Check
We will use the truss model generated in Tutorial 7 and add the remaining properties to
complete the analysis. In addition, we will also learn how to check whether the sections chosen
are adequate to carry the design forces as per IS:800-1984 (Note: current code is IS:800-2007).
The data for the problem is as follows:
• Supports: Both supports are pinned.
• Material properties: Steel with E = 2x105 N/mm2, Density 78.5 kN/m3, Yield
stress = 250 N/mm2.
• Member sections: Top and bottom chord members are ISA 50x50x6. Other members
are ISA 40x40x5.
• Loads: Self weight shall be included in the analysis. Dead loads at the intermediate
points are 1 kN downward. Live loads at the intermediate points as 0.6 kN downward.
Loads at the end points are half of the loads at the intermediate points. No wind loads.
No ceiling loads.
• Analysis/Print: Perform analysis with statics check. Print member forces and node
displacements.
• Design Check: Check whether the sections chosen are adequate as per IS:800-1984 for
steel yield stress of 250 N/mm2.
Define Supports
• Structure Tools toolbar Support Page or Modeling mode General tab Support
tab.
• Create Pinned Support: Supports – Whole Structure dialog Create. Create Support
dialog Pinned tab Add Close.
• Assign Supports: Supports – Whole Structure dialog Select S2 Support 2 Use
Cursor to assign Click on the two support nodes one after the other Close.
Material Properties
• Modeling mode General tab Material tab.
• Create new Material Property: Material – Whole Structure dialog Create
Title: ST250, E: 2e5 (N/mm2), Poisson’s ratio: 0.2, Density: 7.85e-5 (N/mm2).
• Assign material Properties to Members: Material – Whole Structure dialog Assign to
View Assign Confirm Close.
Material property dialog box

Section Properties
• Modeling mode General tab Property tab.
• Select Steel Sections from Database: Properties – Whole Structure Section Database
Steel, Indian S Shape Search for ISA 40x40x5 and ISA 50x50x6 sections one after
the other Add Close.
• Assign ISA 50x50x6 to top and bottom chord members: Properties – Whole Structure
Select ISA 50x50x6 Select top and bottom chord members Assign to Selected
Beams Assign Confirm Close.
• Repeat above step for ISA 40x40x5 for remaining members.
Loads
• Modeling mode General tab Load tab or Structure Tools toolbar Load Page.
• Define Load Cases: Load page Select Load Cases Details Add
• Define Primary Loads: Add New Load Cases dialog. Primary 1 DL Add. Primary
2 LL Add. Define Combinations 3 DL + LL (1 x DL and 1 x LL) Add. Close.
• Define Load Items for DL: Load page Select 1 : DL Add Add New Load Items.
• Load Item for DL – Self weight: Select Selfweight Selfweight load Direction: Y
Factor: -1.
• Load Item for DL – Nodal load on intermediate points: Nodal Load Node
Fy: -1 (kN) Add.
• Load Item for DL – Nodal load on end points: Nodal Load Node Fy: -0.5 (kN)
Add.
• Load Item for LL – Nodal load on intermediate points: Nodal Load Node
Fy: -0.6 (kN) Add.
• Load Item for LL – Nodal load on end points: Nodal Load Node Fy: -0.3 (kN)
Add Close.
• Assign Load Items: Select one of the nodal loads Use Cursor to Assign. Repeat for all
loads.
Analysis and Print
• Modeling mode Analysis/Print tab Analysis / Print Command tab Perform
Analysis Statics check Add Close.
• Modeling mode Analysis/Print tab Post Print / Print Command tab Add
Close.
• Post-Print Options: Post Analysis Print – Whole Structure Define Command Load
List Move DL + LL from Load Cases (on the left) to Load List (on the right).
• Choose Print Join t Displacements and apply it to all nodes with Assign To View option.
Post-processing
• Post-processing mode Results Setup Envelope of Load Cases in Selected List
Select: DL + LL Load Case OK.
• Study the node displacements and its summary: Node tab Displacement tab. Node
displacements table Summary tab.
• Examine the axial forces in the members – their magnitude and nature:Beam tab
Forces tab. Beam End Forces table Summary tab.

Design Check
• Modeling mode Design tab Steel tab.
• Steel Design – Whole Structure dialog Current Code: IS800. Click on Select
Parameter button Select Fyld. Click on Define Parameters button FYLD:
250 N/mm2. Click on Command button Check Code.
• Assign Parameters and Commands: Select FYLD with question mark in yellow Assign
to View Assign Confirm. Select CHECK CODE Assign to View Assign
Confirm.
• Analyse and Print: Main Menu Analyze Run Analysis STAAD Analysis Run
Analysis.
• Check if all members pass the design check. If any member fails, increase the section. If
all members are over-safe, decrease the section.

Tutorial 9 – Space Frame with Floor Loads
We will now analyse a 3D frame structure for dead and live loads applied on the slab. You
have noticed that the model consists only of beams and columns but not the slabs. The dead
load and live load of the slab must be transferred to the beams and then to the columns. This
can be done using the Floor Load feature. We will apply the dead load of the walls as UDL on
the beams on which the walls rest. This brings up the issue of assigning loads on beams by
selecting the beams. Selecting beams in a 3D frame is a tedious, error prone and frustrating
task. We will see how this problem can be addressed by creating member groups.
We will take the model of the 3D frame created in Tutorial 7 and stored in file ex03 and
apply the loads on it. Start STAAD.Pro and open the file ex03. It already has all the required
nodes, beams and supports. The finished model should look as shown in the figure below.
Finished model after Translational Repeat
We will proceed with the following steps:
• Define material properties and section properties and assign them to the respective
members.
• Create two primary load cases, namely, DL and LL and one load combination
1.5 (DL + LL).
• Perform analysis.
• Study the results.
But before we do that, we will create member groups as follows:
Group Name Beams in the Group
COL Columns
SEC_BM Beams parallel to Z-axis. Beams with spans of 4 m or 3.5 m.
MAIN_BM Beams parallel to X-axis. Beams with spans of 5 m and 8 m. Balcony beams
are not included in this group.
LT_BALC_BM Balcony beams on the left side (between x=0 to x=1.5 m)
RT_BALC_BM Balcony beams on the right side (between x=14.5 m to x=16.0 m)
The procedure to create groups is to first select the members to be included into a group,
then create the group using the main menu Tools Create New Group option. For each group,

you must specify a name, and the group type indicating whether the group consists of nodes or
beams. Note that a group can consists of either nodes or beams not a mixture of both.
To select the beams to be put into a group, we must use the main menu option Select.
Under this menu, we can select beams in different ways: (i) Beams parallel to one of the axes
(Beams Parallel To) (ii) Beams lying within a specified range of X, Y or Z coordinates (By
Range) (iii) By inverting the current selection (By Inverse Inverse Beam Selection) and a
variety of other ways. Beam selection can be simplified when you use the main menu option
View View Selected Objects Only option.
Creating Beam Groups
We will begin with the simplest, the COL group consisting of all the columns. In this
model, all columns are vertical (parallel to the Y-axis) and hence can be easily selected with the
Select Beams Parallel To Y. All the columns are now shown in red colour. To create a
new group, choose from the main menu Tools Create New Group... option. In the Create
Group dialog box enter Group Name: COL and choose Group Type: Beam and click on OK.
Click on the group name and choose Assign to Selected Geometry option and click on
Associate button. To test whether the group was formed as you expected, deselect all
members by clicking the mouse on a vacant area of the graphics window, then click on the
name of the group and click on Highlight button. Verify all columns are selected and no
members other than columns are selected. Click Close button to close the dialog box.
If the group was not created as you expected, the main reason could be that you did not
specify the Group Type as Beam. But there is no way to edit the properties of a group. The only
solution is to delete the group and repeat the procedure carefully.
Next, we will create the SEC_BM group consisting of secondary beams parallel to Z-axis.
This too is easy and similar to the previous procedure except that you will select beams
parallel to Z axis.
To form the next group MAIN_BM consisting of the beams parallel to the X-axis but not
the balcony beams. Let us first select all beams parallel to the X-axis. Then use the View
View Selected Objects Only. This hides all members not currently selected from the view. The
beams are present but are not visible. Click anywhere on a vacant area so that no members are
selected. Now choose from the main menu Select By Range YZ... option. Enter X Minimum
as 1.5 m (start of the main beams) and X Maximum as 14.5 m (end of the main beams) and lick
OK. Notice that the balcony beams on either side are not selected. Now create the new group
MAIN_BM.
Now from the main menu choose Select By Inverse Inverse Beam Selection. This
deselects the main beams and selects the balcony beams. On the main menu click on View
View Selected Objects Only option. Now all beams are visible with only the balcony beams on
either side selected. Repeat the View View Selected Objects Only option to once again hide
all beams except the balcony beams. Using the mouse select only the balcony beams on the left
side and create a new group named LT_BALC_BM. Invert the beam selection and create a new
group named RT_BALC_BM. Now test each group individually and ensure that the groups have
been formed correctly.
Material Property
Modeling General Material. Create a new material named M20 with
E = 22360 N/mm2, Poisson’s Ratio = 0.20 and Density = 25 kN/m3. Since units have to be
consistent, and assuming you are currently using kN and metre units, use
E = 22360x103 kN/m2 which may be entered as 22360e3 in the dialog box. Click on the Close
button to close the Material – Whole Structure dialog box.
Section Property
Modeling General Property. Define the following sections for the different types of
beams and columns:

Component Section Dimension
Columns 230 x 500 mm with longer dimension parallel to the X-axis.
Main Beams
Balcony Beams 230 x 400 mm with longer dimension vertical (parallel to Y-axis).
Secondary Beams
We will first define the two
required sections. Note that they are
rectangular sections and the longer
dimension is YD, the shorter
dimension is ZD and material is M20.
The dialog box for defining the
column section is shown below. In
this dialog box, STAAD allows you to
convert units using the F2 key. Let
the units be metres. To enter YD as
500 mm, click inside the YD text box
and press F2. Type the dimension,
press the space bar type the units and press Enter key. The units will be converted to the
current units if required. Do not forget to press the space bar before typing the unit. Choose
the material as M20.
You now have two section properties defined, namely, 1 Rect 0.50x0.23 and
2 Rect 0.40x0.23. To assign the first section property to the columns, follow these steps:
• Click on the 1 Rect 0.50x0.23 section property in the Properties – Whole Structure
dialog box.
• Main menu Select By Group name... option.
• Select Groups dialog box Click on G1 _COL group name (All columns will be
highlighted) Close.
• Properties – Whole Structure dialog box Assign To Selected Beams Assign
Confirm Yes.
Repeat the steps for the main beams, secondary beams and balcony beams. In this
problem, all of them have the same section property. Click on 2 Rect 0.40x0.23 section
property and select all the beams. Note that selecting multiple groups in the Select Groups
dialog box adds to the previous selection. Steps are similar to the above, except that you will
click on G2 _SEC_BM, G3 _MAIN_BM, G4 _LT_BALC_BM and G5 _RT_BALC_BM group names one
after the other. Once all the beams are selected, use Assign To Selected Beams Assign
Confirm Yes.
Loads
We will create two Primary Load cases and one Load Combination as follows:
1. DL Primary Load Case. Dead load consisting of the following load items:
1. Self weight of beams and columns.
2. Floor Load: Dead load on floor and roof slabs, distributed to
the adjoining beams. Dead load intensity is 6 kN/m2.
3. Wall load on external beams of all storeys except the roof
beams. UDL is 14 kN/m (0.23x1x3.0x20 = 13.8 kN/m. Note
height taken as 3 m instead of 3.2 m).
4. Wall load on external beams of roof. UDL is 3.7 kN/m
(0.23x1x0.8x20 = 3.68 kN/m. Note height taken as 0.8 m).

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