STAAD Pro

Basic Sequence followed in STAAD Pro Analysis

1. Geometry > Beams

Model the geometry of the structure. The lines represent the centre line of the
beams ( = beams, columns, bracings)

2. General > Property

Assign sectional properties ( Cross section , plate thickness etc) and Material data

3. General > Spec ( Optional)

This used to assign specifications to beams, plates and nodes. This overrides the
basic structural behavior.

4. General > Support

To assign supports for the model. ( e.g Pinned, fixed, roller, springs, etc)

5. General > Load

In this mode, loads cases will be defined and under each load cases load values
will be added. The load cases can be further combined to create design load
cases.

6. Analysis/Print > Analysis

This is used to define the method analysis ( Normal, Non linear, cable analysis,
imperfection analysis, etc)

7. On the menu: Analysis > Run Analysis

This is used to process the model information and analyze the model.

Example: To analyze the following structure

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

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

Notice that the grid system looks parallel to your

screen.

Click on “Snap node beam” and click on points (1,4)

(4,4) and (8,4). ( this is because we need two beam
spans of 3m and 4m.). Escape to finish.

Next we need to assign the property.

Go to General > Property

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Pre- select the member by dragging a window around the beams. (
e.g. click at location P1 and drag up to P2)

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

Next go to “General” > “Support” to assign pinned supports.

Using the “Nodes Cursor” window-select the entire model. Then, only the node points (member
ends) will be selected.

Next on the “Supports – Whole structure” palette, click create

and go to “Pinned” tab and click “Assign”

Next go to “General “ > “Loads” . In order to add a load value,

a load case should be created.

To create a load case, select “load case

details” and click “Add”. Enter a name for
the load case title and click “add”, close.

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Next select the load case title and click add.

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

Next assign the load value to the members

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Click “Yes”

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

Now the model is ready for analysis. To process the model for analysis,

On the menu, go to “Analyze”, “Run Analysis” and click “Run analysis.

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

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Select “Go to post processing mode” and click “Done”
In the results setup dialog box Click OK

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

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

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