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STAAD Pro Reference

Free reference guide: STAAD Pro Reference

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About STAAD Pro Reference

The STAAD.Pro Reference is a searchable quick-reference guide for the STAAD.Pro structural analysis and design software. It covers the core input commands for building finite element models: JOINT COORDINATES for node definitions, MEMBER INCIDENCE for element connectivity, MEMBER PROPERTY for section assignments (both standard library sections like W10X49 and prismatic custom sections), CONSTANTS for material properties (E, Poisson, density, thermal expansion), and SUPPORT conditions (FIXED, PINNED, spring supports).

The reference organizes STAAD.Pro input syntax into six categories: Commands, Loads, Load Combinations, Analysis, Design, and Settings. The load section covers dead/live load cases, member loads (UNI, CON, TRAP distributions), automatic wind and seismic load generation (UBC, response spectrum with CQC combination), and moving loads for bridge analysis. Load combinations support both LOAD COMBINATION and REPEAT LOAD methods with factored combinations per ASCE 7 or KDS standards.

For analysis and design, the reference documents PERFORM ANALYSIS, PDELTA ANALYSIS (geometric nonlinear with convergence iteration), and MODAL CALCULATION for eigenvalue extraction. The design section covers both steel (AISC Unified 2016 with FYLD, NSF, KY, UNL parameters) and concrete (ACI 2019 with FC, FYMN, FYSN, CLEAR) design code checks, automatic section selection with SELECT OPTIMUM, and result interpretation including PASS/FAIL status and demand-to-capacity (D/C) ratios.

Key Features

  • Complete model definition commands: JOINT COORDINATES, MEMBER INCIDENCE, MEMBER PROPERTY (library tables and prismatic sections), CONSTANTS, and SUPPORT conditions
  • Load case definitions for dead, live, member loads (uniform, concentrated, trapezoidal), and automatic wind/seismic load generation
  • Load combination methods: LOAD COMBINATION with factors, REPEAT LOAD, MOVING LOAD for bridge analysis, and response spectrum (CQC/SRSS) with KDS/UBC codes
  • Analysis commands: PERFORM ANALYSIS with statics check, PDELTA ANALYSIS with convergence control, and MODAL CALCULATION for natural frequencies and mode shapes
  • Steel design parameters for AISC Unified 2016: yield strength (FYLD), net section factor (NSF), effective length (KY), and unbraced length (UNL)
  • Concrete design per ACI 2019: compressive strength (FC), rebar yield (FYMN/FYSN), clear cover, and separate column/beam design commands
  • Automatic optimal section selection (SELECT OPTIMUM) with target D/C ratio and CHECK CODE for all members with PASS/FAIL reporting
  • Settings and file management: UNIT system changes (METER KN, FT KIP, MM NEWTON), GROUP definitions for members/joints, STD file editor syntax, and FINISH command

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I define joints and members in STAAD.Pro?

Use JOINT COORDINATES followed by node number and X/Y/Z coordinates (e.g., "1 0.0 0.0 0.0"). Then use MEMBER INCIDENCE to define connectivity (e.g., "1 1 2" connects member 1 from joint 1 to joint 2). Members can be beams, columns, or braces depending on their orientation and loading.

How do I assign section properties to members?

Use MEMBER PROPERTY AMERICAN followed by member numbers and TABLE ST with the section name (e.g., "1 TO 4 TABLE ST W10X49"). For custom sections, use PRIS with YD and ZD dimensions (e.g., "PRIS YD 0.5 ZD 0.3" for a 500x300mm rectangular section).

How do I define load combinations in STAAD.Pro?

Use LOAD COMBINATION followed by the combination number and load case factors (e.g., "LOAD COMBINATION 101" then "1 1.2 2 1.6" for 1.2D + 1.6L). Alternatively, use REPEAT LOAD within a load case. The reference covers ASCE 7 and KDS factored combinations.

What is P-Delta analysis and when should I use it?

PDELTA ANALYSIS accounts for geometric nonlinear effects (second-order moments from axial loads acting on displaced shapes). Use it when required by KDS or AISC for stability analysis. Specify CONVERGE ITERLIM 10 for iterative convergence. This captures P-Delta and P-delta effects that linear analysis misses.

How do I run a steel design check in STAAD.Pro?

Define PARAMETER with CODE AISC UNIFIED 2016, set FYLD (yield strength), NSF (net section factor), KY (effective length factor), and UNL (unbraced length). Then use CHECK CODE ALL for code verification or SELECT ALL for automatic section optimization. Results show PASS/FAIL and critical D/C ratios.

How do I perform concrete design in STAAD.Pro?

Enclose the design block with START CONCRETE DESIGN and END CONCRETE DESIGN. Set CODE ACI 2019, FC (concrete strength), FYMN/FYSN (rebar yield for main/shear steel), and CLEAR (cover thickness). Then specify DESIGN COLUMN and DESIGN BEAM for the respective member groups.

How do I set up seismic loads in STAAD.Pro?

Use DEFINE UBC LOAD or DEFINE KDS SPECTRUM for response spectrum analysis. For UBC, specify ZONE, K, I, and S factors with SELFWEIGHT and JOINT WEIGHT. For response spectrum, define spectral parameters, damping ratio (typically 0.05), and CQC combination method with directional scaling factors.

How do I change units in STAAD.Pro?

Use the UNIT command followed by length and force units (e.g., "UNIT METER KN" for meters and kilonewtons, "UNIT FT KIP" for feet and kips). You can change units at any point in the input file, and subsequent data will be interpreted in the new units.