STAAD.
pro CONNECT (Beginners Guide)
Prepared by: Jerome M. Tuble Jr
About [Link] CONNECT
[Link] is a powerful and integrated finite element analysis and design
application that includes visualization capabilities, a simple user interface, and a wide
range of design codes. You can analyze any structure exposed to static, dynamic, wind,
earthquake, thermal, and moving loads. STAAD. Pro provides structural analysis and
design for any type of project, including buildings, culverts, plants, bridges, stadiums,
and marine structures.
The standard [Link] analysis methods provide you with a grounding in the
structural and analysis requirements for an array of projects. When more advanced
capabilities are required, you can extend to [Link] Advanced.
[Link] reduces the resource hours required to properly load your
structure by automating the forces caused by gravity, wind, earthquakes, snow, or
vehicles. [Link] can easily accommodate your design and loading requirements,
including U.S., European, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese codes. With an unparalleled
quality-assurance program, open architecture for customization, and a 25-year track
record, more design firms are choosing [Link].
PRE-CONFIGURATION
Before the modeling process we need to first set up the Base unit, global axes,
design codes to ensure that the analysis adhere to your preference. This step is very
important as it helps us navigate, analyze, and perform the process considering the
constraints easily. Open the Application and Click Configuration shown in the figure 1:
Figure 1: [Link] Connect
Figure 2. Application Configuration
Figure 2 shows the Application Configuration under it is the user interface,
base unit, global axes, personalize application. Follow the steps below:
Language: Default Global Axes: Y up (Recommend)
Base unit: Metric Personalize Application: Default
Figure 3. Design Codes
After that, Click the Design Codes as shown in the Figure 3. It will show various
design codes for steel, concrete, aluminum, and timber. The design codes for each
material are based on the design code in your area. As for the Philippines, NSCP 2015
will be the reference, and follow the setup below:
Steel: AISC 360-10
Concrete: ACI 318 2011
Aluminum: Aluminum US
Timber: AITC 1994
Figure 4. Model Information
After setting up the configuration, click “okay” and Click “New” as shown in the
Figure 4. And fill up the fill name, location of the file. Make sure that the file location
upon saving the files is in the new folder to ensure that upon transferring your file to
other devices you will not have hard time locating it.
The type of the modeling depends on the designer, as Analytical is for
Structural Analysis, Physical is for Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Building
is exclusive only for license building planner. Most of the time, we will using
Analytical. And lastly, Units will be metric. Click Create and the modeling screen will
pop out.
MODELING SCREEN
Familiarize the menu bar at the top pane, Workflow at the left pane, and lastly
the beam & node table at the right pane on the modeling screen shown in the Figure
5. Note that you will find everything you need in the menu bar.
Figure 5. Modeling Screen of [Link] CONNECT
Menu bar (top pane)
1. Geometry
2. View
3. Select
4. Specification
5. Loading
6. Analysis and Design
7. Utilities
8. Search bar
Workflow (left pane)
1. Analytical Modeling
2. Physical Modeling
3. Building Planner
4. Piping (Auto Pipe)
5. Bridge (STAAD DIVA, license)
6. Postprocessing
7. Foundation Design (license)
8. Steel AutoDrafter (license)
9, Connection Design (RAM Connection, license)
10. Concrete Design (Object base method)
11. Advance Concrete Design (Ram Connect, license)
12. Earthquake (license)
Beam and Node table (right pane)
1. Node Table
2. Beam Table
Status bar(F1) (Bottom pane)
- Act as guide to direct us to the next step.
BASIC SHORTCUT KEYS
Useful shortcut keys:
1. Beam numbers = Shift + B
2. Node numbers = Shift + N
3. Beam incidence = Shift + E
4. Select all = CTRL + A
5. View (elevation) = Hold shift + right click
6. Change Cursor = Space + Selection Group
7. Skip a node = Hold CTRL + right click
Node notes:
Start node = Green
End node = Blue
MODELING THE STRUCTURE
In the modeling process, we have 3 options to model/draw the structure based
on the drawing plan. The 3 options such as the modeling using grids, repeat command,
and StWizard.
USING GRIDS
Using grids as modeling option have its advantage and disadvantage. The
advantage of using grid as the modeling option is that it allows us to model complex
and detail model based on the design of the structure. While the disadvantage of using
it is that it will consume more time since you modeling from one node to another.
Figure 6. Shows the geometry under the menu bar
GEOMETRY GRIDS BEAM GRIDLINES
CREATE UNCHECK DEFAULT
Figure 7. Shows the step-by-step process on using grids.
After you click “Create” a table will pop out shown in Figure 8, that will help
you set-up the constraint/limitations of your grid.
Figure 8. Snap Node/Beam table creating grid
Type: Irregular
Name: It depends on the designer
Origin: Default
Plane: X-Y
Angle of Plane: Y-Y, 0
Relative gridline distances: It depends on the designer (Spaces between column)
After all of that, you are ready to start to model your structure and make sure
to remember the important notes given below:
1. Snap/node beam is located at the bottom right which help you start/stop drawing
your model.
2. Always remember prevent double line or duplication of the beam.
3. Use shortcut keys such as Skip a node (hold CTRL + right click), View (hold Shift +
right click, and lastly Select all (CTRL + A).
4. Utilize the gridlines as much as you like. For example, if you want to draw the
column lines for your structure, edit the grid and add downward (Y = -3) then continue
drawing.
USING REPEAT COMMAND
The second option for modeling the structure is repeat command, it is
located at the geometry section having the icon shown in Figure 10.
Figure 10. Translational Repeat
From the name itself, it is used to create one or more copies of geometry from
repeating the selection in a specified global axis. To understand how to use it, follow
the steps below:
1. Draw first your model
2. Select the structure you want to repeat
3. Click translational repeat
4.
USING STWIZARD
stWizard is separate application under the [Link] CONNECT, where you
can design structure easily if only the structure is not complex and available.
Advanced Modeling Techniques
Modeling Applications
Model management
Finite Element
Properties
Materials
Specifications
Supports
Loadings
Post-processing
Floor diagram
Load combinations
Serviceability checks
Concrete Design
Steel investigation
Steel Design