Modeling Structural Geometry in The SPPM - TRNC03076 PDF

Practice Workbook
This workbook is designed for use in Live instructor-led training and for OnDemand selfstudy.
The explanations and demonstrations are provided by the instructor in the classroom, or in the OnDemand
eLectures of this course available on the Bentley LEARN Server (learn.bentley.com).
This practice workbook is formatted for on-screen viewing using a PDF reader.
It is also available as a PDF document in the dataset for this course.
Modeling Structural Geometry in the

STAAD.Pro Physical Modeler
This workbook contains exercises to introduce you to the STAAD.Pro Physical Modeler and to practice
creating physical members in STAAD.Pro CONNECT Edition.
TRNC03076-1/0001
DO NOT DISTRIBUTE - Printing for student use is permitted

Section 1: Getting Started
Section Description
In this section, you will learn the basic skills to create a new STAAD.Pro model and enter the STAAD.Pro Physical Modeler.
Skills Taught
 Customizing the Program Configuration
 Creating a New Physical Model
Copyright © 2018 Bentley Systems, Incorporated DO NOT DISTRIBUTE - Printing for student use is permitted 2
Customize the Program Configuration
In this exercise, you will learn how to customize the following program configurations:
 Base Unit: Dictates the system of units that will be used internally to shore numerical values during calculations.
 Global Axis Orientation: Dictates the direction of the vertical axis in STAAD.Pro. The default orientation of the global coordinate
system is that the Y axis points in the vertical direction.
1. Launch STAAD.Pro CONNECT Edition.

2. In the STAAD.Pro Start Page, click on the Configure item.
3. In the Application Configuration dialog, enter the following information:
 Base Unit: English {Metric}
 Global Axis Orientation: Y up
Then, click OK.

Y
The default orientation of the global coordinate system is that the

Y axis points in the vertical direction and a plan view is represented
by the XZ plane.
X You do have an option to specify the vertical axis as the Z axis, but
this option will eliminate the ability to use some other functions in
the program, such as the wind load generator.
4. Keep this model open for the next exercise.

Create a New Project
In this exercise, you will learn how to create a new project in STAAD.Pro. In STAAD.Pro CONNECT Edition, the following structure
types/workflows are available to create the model geometry:
 Analytical Workflow: Used to model your structure using analytical elements. The analytical model is a finite element model of the
structure which is typically processed directly by the analysis and design engine.
 Physical Workflow: Used to model your structure in the STAAD.Pro Physical Modeler using physical members. The physical
model is sued to draw structural elements as they are physically constructed. The program will then decompose this into an
analytical modeling which is passed to the STAAD.Pro analysis and design engine when you run your model.
1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

2. In the STAAD.Pro Start Page, click on the New item. Then, enter the following information:
 File Name: PMembers_1.std
 Location: (navigate to the dataset folder that was supplied with this training)
 Type: Physical
 Units: English
Then, click on the Create button.
3. Keep this model open for the next exercise.
Section 2: Modeling Members and Nodes
Section Description
In this section, you will learn the basic skills to create a new STAAD.Pro model and to model nodes and members.
Skills Taught
 Using the Geometry Table
 Using the Geometry Toolbar
 Deleting Members
 Merging Member
 Segmenting Members
 Intersecting Members
Use the Geometry Tables
In this exercise, you will learn how to create nodes and members using the following tables in the Data Area:
 Nodes Table: Lists the node numbers and their coordinates. This table can be used to define new nodes and edit existing node
coordinates.
 Beams Table: Lists the members and their incidences, along with member properties, materials and member lengths. This table
can be used to add new or edit existing beams.

2. In the Data Area, click on the Nodes tab and the Node Coordinates sub-tab. Then, enter the following information into the Spreadsheet:
Node X Y Z
1 0 ft 24 ft 0 ft
2 20 ft 30 ft 0 ft
3 20 ft 24 ft 0 ft
3. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the View tab and then click on the Numbering > Node icon.
4. In the Data Area, click on the Members tab and the Connectivity sub-tab. Then, enter the following information into the Spreadsheet:
Beam Node A Node B

1 1 2
2 2 3
3 3 1
5. In the Data Area, click on the Nodes tab and the Coordinates sub-tab. Then, enter the following information into the Spreadsheet:
Node X Y Z
4 0 ft 12 ft 0 ft
5 0 ft 0 ft 0 ft
6 20 ft 12 ft 0 ft
7 20 ft 0 ft 0 ft
6. In the Quick Access Toolbar, click on the Save icon.
Generate Nodes
In this exercise, you will learn how to generate nodes using the following commands:
 Node > Linear Generation of Nodes command: Used to add a line of evenly spaced nodes.
 Node > Circular Generation of Nodes command: Used to add a circular arc of evening spaced nodes.
 Node > Quadratic Generation of Nodes command: Used to add a quadrangular array of nodes.

2. In the Main Window, click anywhere in the screen to deselect all currently selected items. Then, use your cursor to select the following
nodes: Node #1 and Node #2. (Hold down the Ctrl key to select more than one item at a time.)
Click #2
Click #1
3. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Node tab and then click on the Linear Generation icon.
4. In the Linear Generation of Nodes dialog, enter the following information:
 Nodes to Generate Between Selection: 3
Then, click OK.
5. In the Main Window, click anywhere in the screen to deselect all currently selected items. Then, use your cursor to select the following
nodes in the following order: Node #4, Node #6, Node #1, and Node #3. (Hold down the Ctrl key to select more than one item at a time.)
Pick this Node 3rd Pick this Node 4th
Pick this Node 1st Pick this Node 2nd
6. In the Ribbon, select the Node tab and then click on the Quadratic Generation icon.
7. In the Quadrangular Generation of Nodes dialog, enter the following information:
 Nodes to Generate within 1 - 2: 3
 Nodes to Generate within 1 - 4: 0
Use the Create Member Tool
In this exercise, you will learn how to model physical members using the following command:
 Model > Create Member command: Used to draw members graphically by snapping to nodes or grid points in the View Window.

2. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Model tab and then click on the Create Member icon.
3. In the Main Window, use your cursor to click on Node #16. Then, click on Node #8.
4. Use the Create Member tool to model members at the following location:
 Click on Node #8. Then, click on Node #14.
5. Use the Create Member tool to model members at the following location:
6. In the Ribbon, select the Model tab and then click on the Create Member icon to deactivate it.
7. In the Quick Access toolbar, click on the Save icon.
Segment Members
In this exercise, you will learn how to segment members using the following commands:
 Member > Segment Members > Split Members in a Number of Segments command: Used to split the selected members into
divisions of equal length.
 Member > Segment Members > Segment Member Given Node and Distance command: Used to split the selected members into
two at a specified distance from a selected end node.
 Member > Segment Members > Segment Members at Intersections command: Used to segment selected members at points
where they intersect.

2. In the Main Window, click anywhere in the screen to deselect all currently selected items. Then, use your cursor to draw a fence around
to truss members and nodes:
Fence
3. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Member tab and then click on the Segment Member > Segment Members at Intersections.
Mirror Model Geometry
In this exercise, you will learn how to mirror structural geometry using the following command:
 Model > Mirror Copy command: Used to generate a “mirrored” copy of a selected portion of the model about a plane.

2. In the Main Window, use to cursor to draw a fence around the entire model to select it.
3. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Model tab and then click on the Mirror Copy icon.
4. In the Mirror Model dialog, enter the following information:
 Mirror Plane: YZ
 X: 20 ft
 Y: 0 ft
 Z: 0 ft
Then, click OK.
Delete Members
In this exercise, you will learn how to delete structural geometry.

2. In the Main Window, hold down the Ctrl key and use your cursor to click on the central column.
Click
Click
3. On your keyboard, press the Delete key to remove the members from the model.
Merge Members
In this exercise, you will learn how to merge structural members using the following commands:
 Member > Merge > Merge Members Keeping Nodes command: Merges selected members into a single member connecting to
the two end nodes. Intermediate nodes will be kept in the model.
 Member > Merge > Merge Members Deleting Nodes command: Merges selected members into a single member connecting to
the two end nodes. Intermediate nodes will be deleted.

2. In the Main Window, hold down the Ctrl key and use your cursor to select the floor girders.
Click Click
3. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Member tab and then click on the Merge > Merge Members Keeping Nodes icon.
Copy the Structure
In this exercise, you will learn how to copy structural geometry using the following command:
 Model > Copy command: Used to make a copy of a selected portion of the model along an axis direction (i.e., translational copy).

2. In the Main Window, use to cursor to draw a fence around the entire model to select it.
3. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Model tab and then click on the Copy icon.
4. In the Copy Model dialog, enter the following information:
 Reference CS: WCS
 Direction: Z
 Number of Copies: 2
 Spacing: 30 ft
 Link Steps: (unchecked)
 Open Base: (unchecked)
Then, click OK.
5. In the Main Window, click on the Global Axis Perspective. Then, click on the Switch to Isometric View icon when it appears.
Switch to Isometric View icon
Generate Members
In this exercise, you will learn how to generate members using the following command:
 Node > Member Generation icon: Select a global direction along which you want to generate members between the selected
nodes. The members will be generated from each node to the last node in a line along the selected direction.

2. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the View tab and then click on the Left View icon.
3. In the Main Window, use your cursor to select each of the nodes of the middle frame at the roof and floor levels.
Fence
4. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Node tab and the click on the Member Generation > +Z icon.
5. In the Ribbon, select the Node tab and the click on the Member Generation > -Z icon.
6. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the View tab and then click on the Isometric icon.
Section 3: Modeling Surfaces
Section Description
In this section, you will learn how to model surfaces in the STAAD.Pro Physical Modeler.
Skills Taught
 Modeling Surfaces
 Modeling Openings
 Copying Surfaces
Model Surfaces
In this exercise, you will learn how to model surfaces in the Physical Modeler using the following command:
 Model > Create Surface command: Used to draw surfaces graphically by snapping to nodes or grid points in the View Window.

2. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Model tab and then click on the Create Surface icon.
3. In the Main Window, use your cursor to click on Node #38, Node #5, Node #1, Node #30, and then back on Node #38.
Model Openings
In this exercise, you will learn how to model openings in surface elements using the following command:
 Model > Openings command: Used to draw openings in surfaces graphically by snapping to nodes or grid points in the View
Window.

2. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Model tab and then click on the Grid icon.
3. In the Create Grid dialog, enter the following information:
 Plane: YZ
 Creation Method: By Spacing
 Number of Spaces in Y: 8
 Grid Spacing Y: 3 ft
 Number of Spaces in Z: 20
 Grid Spacing Z: 3 ft
Then, click OK.
4. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Model tab and then click on the Openings icon.
5. In the Main Window, create the opening as seen in the following figure:
Copy Surfaces
In this exercise, you will learn how to copy structural geometry using the following command:
 Model > Copy command: Used to make a copy of a selected portion of the model along an axis direction (i.e., translational copy).

2. In the Main Window, use the cursor to select the surface wall element.
3. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Model tab and then click on the Copy icon.
4. In the Copy Model dialog, enter the following parameters:
 Direction: X
 Number of Copies: 1
 Spacing: 40 ft
Then, click OK.
Section 4: Creating the Analytical Model
Section Description
In this section, you will learn how to transfer your structural data from the STAAD.Pro Physical Modeler to the STAAD.Pro Analytical Modeling
Mode.
Skills Taught
 Performing the Integrity Check
 Specifying the Analysis Model Options
 Returning to the Analytical Modeling Mode
Perform an Integrity Check
In this exercise, you will learn how to perform an integrity check on the Physical Model using the following command:
 Model > Model Integrity Check command: Used to perform a range of checks for duplicate objects, overlapping objects, orphan
nodes, warped surfaces, and zero length members.

2. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Model tab and then click on the Model Integrity Check icon.
3. In the Model Integrity Check dialog, enter the following information:
Then, click on the Select button.
Note: Notice that the model contains 3 orphan nodes. You may want to remove these nodes before creating the analytical model.
4. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Model tab and then click on the Model Integrity Check icon.
5. In the Model Integrity Check dialog, enter the following information:
Then, click on the Delete button.
Specify the Analysis Model Options
In this exercise, you will learn how to specify the analysis model options using the following command:
 File > Options command: Used to specify the units, analysis model options, and model display controls.

2. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the File tab and then click Options.
3. In the Options dialog, select the Analysis Model tab and then enter the following parameters:
 Add Intermediate Nodes at Intersections: (checked)
 Segment Members: (checked)
 Segment Surfaces: (checked)
 Mesh Type: Quadrangular
 Maximum Allowed Distance between Nodes: 3 ft
 Merge Nodes Tolerance: 0.006562 ft
Then, click OK.
Return to the Analytical Modeling Mode
In this exercise, you will learn how to create the analytical model from the physical model using the following command:
 Model > Return to Analytical Modeling command: Closes the STAAD.Pro Physical Modeler and opens to modeling file in the
Analytical Modeling workflow.

2. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Model tab and then click on the Return to Analytical Model icon.
3. In the Return to Analytical Modeling dialog, click OK once the process is complete.
4. In the Create Analysis Model dialog, click Yes to close the Physical Modeler and return to the Analytical Modeler.

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Practice Workbook

Modeling Structural Geometry in the

DO NOT DISTRIBUTE - Printing for student use is permitted

 Creating a New Physical Model

1. Launch STAAD.Pro CONNECT Edition.

 Global Axis Orientation: Y up

Then, click OK.

The default orientation of the global coordinate system is that the

4. Keep this model open for the next exercise.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

Then, click on the Create button.

3. Keep this model open for the next exercise.

 Using the Geometry Toolbar

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

Beam Node A Node B

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

Then, click OK.

Pick this Node 3rd Pick this Node 4th

Pick this Node 1st Pick this Node 2nd

 Nodes to Generate within 1 - 4: 0

8. In the Quick Access Toolbar, click on the Save icon.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

 Click on Node #14. Then, click on Node #9.

 Click on Node #9. Then, click on Node #12.

 Click on Node #12. Then, click on Node #10.

 Click on Node #10. Then, click on Node #3.

 Click on Node #4. Then, click on Node #1.

 Click on Node #7. Then, click on Node #6.

 Click on Node #6. Then, click on Node #3.

 Click on Node #4. Then, click on Node #6.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

4. In the Quick Access toolbar, click on the Save icon.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

5. In the Quick Access toolbar, click on the Save icon.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

4. In the Quick Access toolbar, click on the Save icon.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

4. In the Quick Access toolbar, click on the Save icon.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

 Link Steps: (unchecked)

 Open Base: (unchecked)

Then, click OK.

Switch to Isometric View icon

6. In the Quick Access toolbar, click on the Save icon.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

7. In the Quick Access Toolbar, click on the Save icon.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

4. In the Quick Access Toolbar, click on the Save icon.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

 Creation Method: By Spacing

Then, click OK.

6. In the Quick Access Toolbar, click on the Save icon.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

Then, click OK.

 Specifying the Analysis Model Options

 Returning to the Analytical Modeling Mode

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

6. In the Quick Access Toolbar, click on the Save icon.

1. Continue with the model from the previous exercise.

 Segment Members: (checked)

 Segment Surfaces: (checked)

 Mesh Type: Quadrangular

 Maximum Allowed Distance between Nodes: 3 ft