ADVANCED STRUCTUAL ANALYSIS

LAB MANUAL
Using Staad Pro

Yamini Sreevalli
VITCC,Winter 2015

Register No. :

Name of the student:

Program:

Semester: Winter 2015

B.Tech, Civil

LIST OF EXERCISES
S.No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Name of Exercise
Introduction to modeling, support conditions, material
Analysis of two member truss
Analysis of static determinate truss
Analysis of static indeterminate truss
Understanding behavior of a beams from truss
Analysis of static determinate beam with different load
Analysis of static indeterminate beam
Analysis of bent comparison with truss
Analysis of portal frame
Analysis of static indeterminate frame
Analysis of gable frame
Analysis of space frame

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Date

INTRODUCTION

The methods of analysis of structures can be broadly classified as Force based methods
and Displacement based methods. Both the methods are equally good and have their own
merits. With the introduction of computers in structural analysis displacement based
methods, matrix stiffness method, gained importance in the last two decades. The matrix
stiffness method also acts a bridge between Classical methods and Finite Element
Method.
The first objective of the advanced structural analysis lab is to introduce the students to
the software based analysis using Staad Pro. STAAD Pro is based on the matrix
displacement method. In the matrix analysis of structures by the displacement method,
the structure is first idealized into an assembly of discrete structural components. Each
component has an assumed form of displacement in a manner which satisfies the force
equilibrium and displacement compatibility at the joints.

Note: For any queries in the manual and exercises please contact Yamini Sreevalli
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General Steps in the Staad Pro

Input Geometry Nodes, Beams, Plates
Input Properties (section, material)
Input Support Conditions
Input Loading Conditions
Specify Analysis Type

Run Analysis
View the results
The first four steps (input) comes under preprocessing and the output (results) comes
under postprocessing. The solution phase contains the following steps:
Developing the element stiffness matrix using constitutive law with the given
input.
Assemble the element stiffness to form global stiffness matrix using compatibility
and equilibrium.
Apply necessary boundary conditions
Solve the equations [K]{r}={R} where [K] is the structural stiffness matrix, {r}
generalized displacements and {R} generalized forces.
Knowing the displacements, reactions and elemental stresses
Little more about Staad Pro
Coordinate Systems:
Since STAAD uses the Matrix Displacement Method of structural analysis, there are 2 Cartesian
coordinate systems - the local and the global. The geometry of the structure as a whole is defined by the
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nodes at the ends of the various structural members, and each node has a unique number. Each member
also has a unique number and the topology of the member is defined relative to the node numbers
at its ends. This establishes the "MEMBER INCIDENCES" table. The location of each node is defined
relative to a global coordinate system. By default, the origin of the global coordinate system is at node
number 1.
The location of points or sections within each structural member is defined relative to the local
coordinate system with the origin at the left end node of the member viewed horizontally. Each member
has its own local coordinate system.
A. FORCES AT A SECTION OF A MEMBER
This applies to the sign of the quantity in the STAAD member stress diagram such as the bending
moment diagram.

B. FORCES ACTING ON A MEMBER'S END

In STAAD this is called the "MEMBER END FORCES"

EXERCISE 1
Aim: To understand modeling, support conditions, material
1.
2.
3.
4.

Analyse the beam with free end and repeat with roller
Increase the load from 0 kN to 1000 kN in steps of 200 and measure the deflection
Repeat step 2 with steel and concrete material
Repeat step 2 with 20 and 30 mm diameter steel

Observations: Effect of material properties and cross-section on the behavior

Result: Comment on the load-deflection curve of steel and concrete
Comment on the stress-strain curve of steel bar of 20 mm and 30 mm
EXERCISE 1B

20 mm
40 mm

500 mm

100 mm

Repeat the exercise with 10 mm and 100 mm diameter steel

100 kN

Exercise 2
Analysis of two member truss
Aim: To understand the behavior of a two member truss with different type of loading
1. Analyse the two member truss considering member angle to be 45o with vertical,
horizontal loading, loading inclined at 45o and loading inclined at 30 o
2. Repeat step 1 with members inclined at 60 o
3. Repeat step 1 if the area of the members is different

Observations: Effect of positioning of loading, cross section properties

Result:
1. From the deflection diagram for different cases of step 1 and comment on the
member force
2. Tabulate the difference in behavior of members in step 1 and step 2
3. Tabulate the difference in behavior of members in step 1 and step 3

EXERCISE 3
Analysis of static determinate truss
Aim: To understand the mechanism in truss
1. Analyse the truss shown in the figure with horizontal loading
2. Repeat the analysis of the truss with diagonal member
3. Repeat the analysis by increasing the cross-section area of the top chord member

Observation: Reading the warnings and errors of software

Result: Compare the displacement in step 2 and step 3