StaadPro Manual by yousuf dinar

STAAD.PRO Manual V1.2013
By Yousuf Dinar
B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, University of Asia Pacific

Content:
1. Introduction to Fundamental Options:
Unit, Measurement, Various view, Various Selection
2. Creating Structures:
Coordinate plotting and making of Frame, Beam, Truss etc. by using
both manual and structure wizard
3. Support Page:
Assigning various Support and their customization
4. Member Identification:
Defining member, Using section database and thickness
5. Load Page:
Defining various Load- Dead Load, Live Load, Seismic, Wind,
member UDL, point load and creating combination
6. Analysis:
Running of Analysis and post processing the result
7. Use of Data and Analysis:
Observation of Axial, Shear , Moment, Torsion and Deformation in
both diagram and value style. Use of Table
8.
Design of Slab:
Making of Flat Plate and Analysis
9.
Design of Concrete section( full version)

The author would like to dedicate the whole work to
his beloved parents

The whole manual is divided into three part: Beginning, Intermediate and
Expert. Under Beginning part the Basic Geometry- co-ordinate system,
loading, supporting, defining and Analysis will be shown for various types of
structure; when under Intermediate part both analysis and design will be
shown for various types of structure in static linear method. Under Expert
part dynamic analysis method will be discussed with sequence. Remember
one thing that learning a StaadPro analysis software is a practice work
whereas this manual will act as a guideline.

This page is intentionally kept blank

Part: Beginning
1. Introduction to Fundamental Options:
-

Open StaadPro
A window will arrive similar to picture

Choose your Length and Force unit properly; Give your File Name and Location.
Press Next and Another window will arrive similar to this

After pressing Finish another window similar to this will arrive

Fundamental options
(1)Unit: Unit can be changed anytime during working
Input Unit

Display Unit

-Press Input Unit and a window will arrive similar to this

-Again if you want to change graphical display unit press Display unit

You can change unit, label and their position; It is not so important.
(2)Measurement: It is an essential option as you have to see the distance during working;

All this options are used to see the dimension, changing the lebel and symbol, changing the scale,
adding text, showing cut section and returning previous position.
(3)Various views: To work with the job we have to change the view of the structure several time;

All this options is used to see the view of structure from various side

Rotation can be done by rotating the option

To zoom the structure and return to previous these are required

If you want to return the whole structure use this

To see the 3D render view use

(4)Various Selection: Selections are found for various part such as node, beam, surface, plate,
solid.

If you want to see a particular part of the structure then select the area

Go to view and do the same

Here is your desired part to edit;

To return to main structure press Display whole structure

1
Now another selection method is discussed; You can use menu method to select those desired
part

2.Creating Structures:
You know a structure such as beam, frame, truss, grid etc. can be create by three method:
(a) Snap method/Manual drawing
(b)Co-ordinate plotting
(c) Structure Wizard method/Auto method
Now we will draw a beam by Snap method; Snap method is useful when you are going to draw
a truss or a customized structure

This is the window for Snap Node
method drawing;
You can choose Plane at which you are
going to plot your structure;
Angle of Plane can be changed; It is not
so important
Grid Origin should be (0, 0, 0)
Construction Lines can be increase or
decrease by changing the number; As
you are looking two 10 at X and Y;
Change it and see the deference.
Again All other option is given for view
customization
Now click at Snap Node/ Beam and
return to the graph and try to add two
point according to measurement.
1

If you add a point and create a line it will be look like such as given picture.
Now another structure- Frame will be created by Co-ordinate method;
To do this you need to use the Table shown below where you can plot coordinate (X, Y, Z) for a Node then after plotting some Node such as this
way primary work will be done
3
4
2
1

1

2
3

4

By giving the (X, Y, Z) value a Node will be created according to Input as
you are observing through the picture.
Beam can be created by Beams Table ( By
Providing Node A and Node B number but
another Beam drawing method is proved
easier than this;

1

You can simply use Add Beam option shown by 1notation in the picture
and add those node manually.
Now to complete the structure further work is required; You can copy and
paste the structure and a Table will arrive for it.
Now first select beam selection (Notation 2) and select your desired parts.

2

3

Now to do the Copy and Paste command, first you need to select the part
you want to copy than press Ctrl+C and then press Ctrl+V; A table will
arrive; Choose your X, Y or Z distance to copy it

Before Copy-Paste Operation

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
After Copy-Paste Operation

2

Same way you can cut and paste all these parts.

Now how to use the structure wizard will be shown and discussed;

Press it to get the Table

After Pressing a new window will found similar to this

Here various types of division of
Structures is given for choice

Here various types of Structures is
given under each Main division for
choice

Choose your structure and you can also edit it, I mean you can chage its
dimension by its customization Table which will arrive after you click in a
particular structure. Follow my work;
I choose Frame Models as my Main Division and Bay Frame as my subdivision; After pressing a Table I found similar to shown below

Frame Models

Bay Frame

Bay Frame- Table

You can change, edit and modify by this table shown above.
Here by this Structure Wizard many type structure could be build easily
within a moment.
You can build bay frame, grid, beam, circular structure, various types of
Truss etc. Once you got your structure then you have to merge it StaadPro
model. Do it by shown procedure and a table will be arrive.

1

The table will indicate your desired co-ordinate at which you want to keep
it. Once it is plotted your structure creating procedure is finished.
**You can give/ provide a structure, which has only length and width, its
height by using Translation Repeat option. Select your desired part and
press Translation Repeat than a table will arrive where you can choose the
repeat direction and number of step and connecting command (Link Step)
Two picture are given to let you observe the difference between before and
after translation

1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2
3.Support Page:
Now you have to provide support at your end point of the structure.
Support is important as they determine reaction, deflection and all other
structural facts.

In left side a
structure is given
without support;
You see there are no
support below the
structure.
Remember in 3D
Render View you
cannot see the
support.
To establish support you have to create support first by pressing Support
Page and a Window will arrive simultaneously;

1

2
4
3

By doing the work sequence you can make support 2 which is a Fixed
Support which have 6 reaction and no deflection. You can also create
Pinned/ Hinge Support which has no moment but three reaction;
You can create Spring, other support by knowing their support condition,
reaction and strength; It is not so big deal.
Now after creating desired support you have to plot it at desired position to
do it you have to select desired node(Node Selection – Active) by mouse
and click to assign. Another method is, you can manually plot the support,
this time your mouse point will become support like and by clicking at right
node you will be able to set the support at its position. It is not so big deal.
You can do it easily if you practice it.
Fixed
Support

Hinge
Support

Node with Fixed
Support

Node without
Support

4.Member Identification:
Member Identification means giving the property of the member – beam,
column, slab, shear wall etc.
For flexural and axial concrete member it is called ‘Define’
For flexural and axial steel member it is called ‘Section Database’
For area, plate or surface section it is called ‘Thickness’

Property Page

When you will click it, a window will arrive similar to this
Using this you can create new
section and change the Beta Angle
Now when this Property window
is found, click in ‘Define’
Another window will arrive
Similar to below; Now follow the
command sequence 1-2-3-4-5
And you will get your first
rectangle concrete section of
12” X 6”

3

2

4

5
1

Once you created the section than you must assign it to the required/
desired part of the frame, beam or truss;
Assigning job is similar to support assigning job; You must select the
members which will be define manually by hand selection or automatically
by select menu. See the similarity through the Table given below.

Your Section

Assigning Options

Assigning
Command

Selected
Member

Now lets talk about Beta Angle; Sometime we need to plot out section in
such angle with the standard axis, then Beta Angle is need to be used.
Beta angle
command

Assigning
Command
Assigning
Command

Now see the difference between before giving Beta Angle – 20 degree and
after giving Beta Angle – 20 degree.
Before giving Beta Angle – 20 degree:

No Angle; Just longitudinal along its geometry

After giving Beta Angle – 20 degree:

20 Degree Angle with respect to its geometry

The discussion for ‘Defining’ a Concrete made flexural and axial member is
finished. Now let’s talk about ‘Section Database’.
Section Database is done for ready made or available in market Steel
section only. I will use it now, click in Property Page and wait for table.
Click in section data base.
2
3
1

4

Maintain the sequence 1-2-3-4
1- Click section database
2- Choose your Code & Section than Add it
3- The desired section is Added & ready to use
4- Select your member/grid and click ‘Assign’
Introduction to Section Database is completed here; Now we will discuss
about Area, Plate, Surface thickness.
It is required for any solid area depended formation; Making and designing
slab, Shear wall, Wall, Surface etc. can be by done this option.
You must have created surface/ Plate/Solid etc. before you are going to
define it.
To make it you can use Mesh, Plate, Surface. Choose one of them
1. Mesh – For precise slab design

Mesh

2. Plate – For fast slab design

Plate

3. Surface – For ground, area, slab etc.

Surface

Plate is used to represent the shear wall

Once plate is created then go to property page and choose thickness;

1

4

2
3

Follow the sequence and assign the thickness to the desired plate.
5. Load Page:
The structure is completed and section is defined; Support is also
determined so you can assign ‘Load’

Structure without any load

Generally Dead Load, Live Load, Wind Load and Seismic Load are
concerned.
Make sure everything (preliminary activity) is done then go to ‘Load
Page’
A window will arrive after clicking on it (Shown below)
1. New Load Table

2. Load Page
3. Load window

-

From Load Window -> Load cases details -> Add
ThenNew Load Table will appear.
Choose Dead Load from Loading type drop menu
Give title Dead Load and Add it
Again do the same for Live Load, the difference are present in
choosing Live Load from Loading type and giving title Live Load
- Now see the Table shown below, it should be look like this…..

See under Load Cases Details Dead
Load and Live Load are present now all
you have to do is click in Add and wait
for another table.

New Table, Arrived after clicking Add

Now under Self Weight Add it, again click in Floor Load;

Give Load pressure 130 kip/sft & Define Y Range
Minimum 0 ft
Maximum (your highest floor) 30 ft
And Add it
From next picture see the difference between before loading and after
loading.

Repeat the whole procedure for Live Load again.
Now Let me talk about Wind Load
Wind Load is a typical load for all high rise building; Follow the procedure
to make a Wind Load in StaadPro 2006 for a typical 4 -storey 3 X- bay and
3 Y-bay frame building.

Building in X –Y Plane
Front View

First Action: Make your structure and do not forget their co-ordinate.
20,20
0,20

10,20

Z- Axis

0,0

10,0

20,0
X- Axis

Now Define all member and assign support to the end node from X- Y
plane.
Second Action: Go to Load Page and let the table arrive;
Now you have to give the definition of the Wind Load.
Click Definitions and then Add

Wind Definitions

Then Press Add

After Clicking Add another Window will arrive; Write Wind in X and then
again press Add.
A Load called Type- 1 will
be added under Wind
definition

Now do same for Wind in Y so that another load called Type- 2 may added
under Wind definition

Now Close it and then click in Type- 1 so that another window may arrive
which is shown below. Full fill it.

Height of
Building (1-99)
Intensity of
Wind

You can find the Intensity
by using Excel where Cz,
Cp, Ct etc. are used to get
design force and pressure
Check Excel document

Another way is Click in button
below.

shown above. A window will arrive shown
Now press OK

Now see your
given chart is full
filled
But your building
is 2 storey and 20
ft high so keep 20
feet data only.
Press Add and
give factor 1 and
Add again. Now
press Load Cases
Detail.
Click in Add a Window will arrive shown below
Provide Dead in
Loading Type and give
name Dead Load in
Title
And Add. Do the same
for Live Load, Wind
Load in X, Wind Load
in Y while Loading
Type will be Live,
Wind and Wind
respectively. Now Close it and watch your window should be like below.

Load Cases Details: Dead Load, Live Load,
Wind in X, Wind in Y

Now your wind loads are defined but you have to assign it to the concern
structure.
How to assign the wind loads?
At first click in Wind in X and then press Add
A dialogue box will arrive similar to this.
Now see and follow
the notation
2

1, 2, 3
Notation 1: Select
Wind Load
Notation 2: Define

1
3

X range as your
Wind is in X
direction
After putting correct

data as the Table is
filled in right, your
structure will be
look like the
picture shown
below.

Add it

Do the same process for Wind in Z. Remember one thing in StaadPro

X is horizontal, Y is vertical and Z is perpendicular to the screen.
Now it is time to discuss about Seismic Load or Earthquake. To design or
analysing a structure with seismic you must entry seismic first (Before Dead
Load and Live Load) otherwise it will not work.

How to define the wind loads?

Go to Commands- Loading – Definitions – Seismic Load - UBC 1994

A window will appear similar to this;

Fill it similar to the table
Zone – 0.15
Importance factor – 1
Rw in X – 5
Rw in Z – 5
Site coëfficiënt – 1.5
Ct value – 0.03 for RCC
0.075 for Steel
And Add it.
It will be added under
Seismic Definition

Select it and press Add another
table will appear

Add

Add it again under self-weight
Now go to Load Cases Details and Add Seismic in X and Seismic in Z
while loading type is Seismic

Seismic X and Seismic Z are added

Now select Seismic X then Add a table will appear shown below

Fill it as shown in above and add it. Do the same for Seismic Z; Then see
the Table again.
It is ready to be analysed.

Now let’s discuss about how to give UDL, point load, Concentrated
moment
First make a 2D Frame similar to below.

2D Frame

To do this follow the steps
- Draw line
- Provide support
- Define member
Under Load Cases Details There are 2 Dead Load – Load Case 1, Load
Case 2
First we will create point load.

To make it select Load Case 1 and press Add so that a window will arrive
shown below

Select it

Do the same in the window to get a 10 kip point load which will be 5 feet
above from the bottom point in Y direction. You can see it is already added
under Load Cases 1

It is ready to assign in the column; Select the member at left side and
assign it. Your structure should be look like this

10 Kip concentrated Load is
given

Now let’s talk about concentrated moment. Now click in Load Case 1 and
press Add. A table will arrive and go to member load then go to
concentrated moment; A window will open similar to this.

Do the same and Add
it. This moment will be
added under Load
Case 1; You can assign
it in a column now.

Your structure will be like this.

10 Kip Point Load
5 K-ft Moment

Perspective View

Now it is time for discuss about UDL
Go to Load Cases Details – Load Case 2 – Add – Member Load –
Uniform Force
A table will arrive shown below and fill it by same way

Your UDL will appear under Load Case 2 and it is ready to assign; Select
the beam ( There is a Beam in your 2D Frame) and assign it.
See your UDL in the 2D Frame.

20 kip/ feet Uniform Load

Using same process you can provide
-

Uniform moment
Trapezoidal Load and Moment
Hydrostatic
Linear Varying Load
Snow Load
Vehicle Load
Dynamic and Time response etc.

Load Combination:
`When you assign Dead Load, Live Load, Wind
and Seismic together it should be combined. The way is used to
mix up all these Load is called Load Combination.
There are many types of Combination
Now I will provide Dead Load, Live Load, Wind in

6. Analysis:
After doing all these pre-analysis activity or you can call it modelling
It is time to learn about analysis. After analysis you can see deflection,
shear, moment, axial, torsion for each member. You can also see the
animation during analysis. Analysis is prerequisite of design for all
types of structural member.
Follow the step: Commands –> Analysis
A window will open after clicking in Analysis
Press Ok

Now go to Analyze – Run Analysis or press
Ctrl + F5
A table will appear; Press Run Analysis

Another Window will appear; Use radio button Go to Post Processing
Mode and Done

Then Result Setup dialogue box will appear

Press OK and complete the procedure.

You can see the displacement shape & value for both node and beam.

If you want its shear, moment, axial, torsion etc. for each member then
chapter 7 ( Use of Data and Analysis)
7. Use of Data and Analysis:
It is part of Post- Processing when geometry, support and define job are part
of Modelling.
You can move between Modelling and Post- Processing by using thses two
options

You can see both value and diagram in StaadPro for all combination that is
made by you.
Combination

Staad Output

Click Staad Output to get Output Viewer

How to see the axial force in StaadPro?
Go to View – Tables and click it

Using this Tables you can get any output
anytime.

To see the axial diagram click in Axial Force

Axial Force

And to get those value go to Symbols and Levels
A window will appear where you will go Loads and Results

And after pressing OK your Axial Force will come with value.
Use this to get diagram

And use Loads and Results to get its values.

Part: Intermediate
8. Design of Slabs:
Slab is the upper portion of the building. In this Intermediate part
we will discuss about Flat Plate. Designing of a slab means
calculating its no of steel required and analysis means computing its
deformation, shear, moment and its deform shape.
When we design a axial or flexural members (i.e. Beams, Columns
etc.) then the loads from slab are exchanged in the beams.
What does it mean?
It means when you design a beams then you have these load to be
considered
- Self-weight of beam
- Dead Load (i.e. Cladding, random wall)
- Live Load
- Load from Slab
And You don’t make the slab using plate, surface etc.
Now come to the point- When you design a flat plate then you draw the
slab in such a way so that the beam is covered by the slab.

Slab

Beam

Slab- One way & Two way Slab

Slab

Beam

Slab- Flat Plate
From above two picture you should understand the difference is made
while drawing the these two slab.
Now I will design a Flat Plate in detail; Just follow the steps
I will design a Flat Plate when Dead Load is 120 pcf, Live Load is 110 pcf

Using the geometry daw the span and bay; Make a two storey building.
Now let’s define it; Go to property page – Define –

After doing this you will make a 6’’ by 6’’ Concrete section; Assign it in your
frame and see the 3D rendering View

Again using Property Page you will define a new thickness. After clicking
the Thickness a window will arrive.

If you do the same you will get a thick surface or you can call it Plate which
is ready for assign as a Slab.
Did you notice that plate thickness is also 6 inch similar to defined beam
section which is done in above portion.
This 6 inch plate is not ready to be assigned as you did not build the plate.
How to build plate?
Don’t mash up it with thickness define.
You will build your plate by this way. After that you will assign it through
definition process which is done by property process.

Plate Option

Click it and connect 4 node of a area so that it become a Plate.

Plate Cursor

Plate is making by Mouse

Select the Plate Cursor and Select the whole structure and you will select
those Plate only. Plate can be Copy and Delete like beams.

Your Plates are selected by Mouse

Now you have to assign your thickness to your plate.

I assigned your thickness in your Frame system; Now see how does it look

3D Render View

Now give Load; Go to Load Page and Add two Load Case; One of them is
Dead Load another is Live Load. Under Dead Load you add Floor Load
and a table will arrive

Fill the Table according to this
table;
When you are working with a
Slab you are going to give
Load by Floor;

Now it is time for analysis and design. To analysis go to command – analysis
– Perform analysis – OK (Table)
Now Press Ctrl + F5

and Run Analysis; It will take few seconds to analysis.
Analysis is not our objective; We need to design it.

Go to Commands – Design –
Concrete Design
A table will open shown below
called Concrete Design Table

1

Go to Commands – Choose Design Slab/
Element - Add
2

And this design command will added under
Start Concrete Design;

3

You have to assign the slab under this
DESIGN ELEMENT;
There is a Question Mark. It will
remove when you will assign it in proper
element;
Select the Whole Plate ( using Plate
Cursor) and Assign it then this question
mark will remove.

After Assign action it is
changed.

Now press Ctrl + F5 ( Analysis); This time it will be designed.
In output document you will get the number of steel are required to give
stability and safety.

9. Design of Concrete section( full version):
In this section a Concrete frame consist of beams and Columns will
designed.
Steps:
(1) Geometry- Creating the frame
(2) Support
(3) Define those member
(4) Load
(5)Analysis
(6)Design Command
(7)Design
(8) Output Observation
Now let’s do the Geometry portion
First create a frame- Node Snap method/ Co-Ordinate Method/
Structure Wizard (Choose one of them)
I am going to use Structure Wizard. My structure is shown below:

Perspective View

Top View

It is time to provide Support by support page; I will make and use fixed
support.

Using Property Page, I will define my member; I will use 12’’ by 12’’
Concrete Section all over (For both Column and Beam)
After assign job I structure is similar to below:

3D Render View after
assign job

It is time to provide load in my structure. Go to Load page and create four
load- Dead Load, Live Load, Seismic and Wind Load
For Dead and Live Load you don’t have to provide definition. For Wind
and Seismic definition is an important fact. Seismic should be first load.
All these things are shown in Load Page chapter.
Here I made my Load Page and structure:

For your help every load page in sequence is shown in next page:
So that you can- maintain the load sequence
- Choose actual minimum and maximum value of X, Y, Z
- Choose accurate load value and type
- Check your work

Seismic Definition

Wind Factor Definition

Wind Intensity
Definition

Seismic Load Case in X:
Self Weight

For Seismic in Z all these values will
remain same except where radio
button is X direction, there will be Z
direction.

Seismic Load Case in X:
UBC Load

Dead Load- Floor

Wind Load Case in X

Live Load- Floor

For Wind Load in Z all these values
will remain same except where radio
button is X direction, there will be Z
direction.

Now see the total summary of your Load work:

Load assign job is finished. Now it is time for analysis. Analysis process is
already shown in previous pages.

To start the Analysis process;
Go to Commands – Perform
Analysis – OK
Then press Ctrl + F5 to
complete the process and Run
Analysis

Choose Go to post processing Mode and Done
Another window will open and press OK.

Then Node and Beam displacement will arrive in Tabular Form and
Diagram

In analysis section we discussed about various combination. Combination is
done to mix up the effects of various loading together.
You can check the displacement for various combination using this option

You can see also shear, axial, moment, torsion by Table options

Tables

You are now in Design stage.

Go to Commands – Design –
Concrete Design; A window will
open
This window is called Design
Window

From Design Window press
Command and Add Design Beams and
Design Columns
Then Assign Design Beam and Design
Column to its member.
After this you need to pacify some design
facts such as Clear Cover, Tie-bar data,
Minimum main reinforcement size etc.
You can customize or make a new style by
Define Parameters

Now to complete the Design Process you have to analysis it again.

Press on Run Analysis and
from new window choose
View Output File and Done

Now you will get StaadPro Output Viewer window

This is total design documents.
When you are in post processing section you can see the result and reports
which are important to see the displacement, axial, shear, moment, torsion
and stresses for beams, columns and plate; Use of report is more important
than result.
When result give values, Report not only gives value but also provides
effects in a report form.

Design Lesson for Concrete Section is finished here.

For further inquiry or version:
Email: Yousuf_dinar@yahoo.com, yousufdinar2012@gmail.com
Cell No: +880 1675585448

StaadPro Manual by yousuf dinar

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