Base Plate Modeling in Staad Pro

Base Plate Modeling in
STAAD PRO V8i
By
Eng. Ali Albess

YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/alialbess
Blogger: www.ali-albess.blogspot.com
Website: www.ali-albess.weebly.com
22 March 2015
Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Introduction:
In normal situations Base plates are designed using codebase procedures (e.g. AISC-ASD). But most
of the times Structural Engineers often run into situations where there are no codes available to design
a particular type of a base plate.
In these situations, an engineer may opt to do a finite element analysis on the base plate. STAAD.Pro
V8i is equipped with a lot of mesh generation and loading tools.
The purpose of this document is to demonstrate how engineers can analyze base plates using
STAAD.Pro V8i.
Exercise Problem:
Create the following base plate geometry in
STAAD.Pro.
Base plate size: 400mmX400mmX14mm
Pipe: Ø100, Wall thickness= 10mm
Stiffener: 150mmX100mm X10mm
Fig. (2): Base Plate Plan
Fig. (1): Isometric Sketch of Base Plate
Fig. (3): Base Plate Stiffener Elevation

Work Procedure:
1- Open a new STAAD.Pro file using the space option and the units of mm and KN.
2- Name your File

3- Click on the Next button and then click on the Finish button on the following screen.
The STAAD.Pro interface will appear as shown in Fig. (5)
Fig. (5): STAAD.Pro user interface

4- Create a new grid. Click on the Create button in the data area. The Linear input box will
appear as shown in Fig. (6)
Fig. (6): Linear grid box
5- Input the parameters as shown in Fig. (6)

6- Click on the Ok button. You will notice the Base plate Entry in the Data Area.

Fig. (7): Base plate Entry in the Data Area
7- Draw the outline of the base plate using beam elements. Press the Snap Node/Beam button in the Data
Area.
Fig. (8): Outline beams created using the grid system
8- Now create the pipe section base plate

9- Click on the Create button in the Data Area.
10- Select the Radial grid option and enter the input parameters as shown in Fig. (9)

Pipe R=50
Stiffener Length = 150mm

Stiffener Limit = 150+ 50 =200mm
Fig. (9): Circular grid layout for base plate interface.
11- Click on OK button

12- Turn on the R1 grid and the radial grid will appear in the STAAD.Pro graphics window as
illustrated in Fig. (10).
Fig. (10): R1-Radial Grid for Pipe & Stiffener

13- Draw the Pipe Perimeters and Stiffener
- Select R1 grid,
- Click on Snap Node/Beam,
- Draw lines as show in Fig. (13)
Fig. (13): Drawing Pipe and Stiffener Base Lines

Fig.(14): Drawing Stiffener Lines
14- Drawing the Pipe (Height = 300mm)

- Select the Line representing the Pipe base as shown in Fig. (14)
Fig. (14): Selecting the Lines representing the Pipe Base

15- Click on Transitional Repeat and fill the values as show in Fig. (15)
- Global Direction= Y
- No of Steps = 6
- Default Step Spacing = 50mm
(No of Steps X Spacing = 6 x 50 = 300mm (Pipe Height)
Fig. (15): Making Transitional repeat in the Y-direction, for the Pipe Base Plate
16- Click Ok and you get Shape Similar to what in Fig. (16)
Fig. (16): Shape after Transitional Repeat

17- Click on (Add beam) and Draw Pipe’s Vertical lines as shown in Fig. (17)
Fig. (17): Pipe Vertical Edge Lines
18- Drawing the Stiffener

Select the Node as Shown in Fig. (18), and click on Transitional Repeat

Fig. (18): Selecting Nodes for Transitional Repeat
19- Fill the 3D Repeat parameters as Shown in Fig. (19)
Fig. (19): Copy Nodes in Y- Direction, Step = 1, Default step spacing = 30mm

20- Draw the lines as shown in Fig. (20)
Fig. (20): Adding Beams
21- Select the lines as shown in Fig. (21), and Copy them in the Y- Direction:
- No of Steps = 1
- Default Step Spacing = 100mm (Stiffener Height)

Fig. (21): Transitional Repeat in Y-Direction, Distance = 100mm
22- To Get the Stiffener top Limit:
- Select the new copied lines,

- Click the Right Mouse Button
- Choose Inset Node
- Then Choose: New Node by Distance & Fill Distance = 30mm (as shown in Fig. (22))
Fig.(22): Inserting New Nodes @ Distance = 30mm

23- Now Add New Members as Shown in Fig. (23)
Fig. (23): Adding new members
24- Delete the Extra Lines/members
Fig. (24): Shape after Deleting the Extra Lines/ members

25- Filling the Pipe Plates:
- Select the Pipe Lines/Members as shown in Fig. (25),
- From Geometry: Select Create Infill Plates
Fig. (25): Selecting the Pipe Members
26- Click Right Mouse Button, Choose Structural Diagram,

- Under View: Choose: Fill Plates/Solids/Surface, You will see a shape similar to Fig. (26)
Fig. (26): Shape after selecting Fill Plates/solid/Surface

27- To fill the Stiffener Plates:
- Click on Surface Meshing

- Follow the Same Sequence Shown in Fig. (27)
3
4
2 5
Fig. (27): Sequence of Points to create Surface Meshing
Note: You can choose any other continuous sequence but you shall remember the pints sequence
when filling the Meshing parameters,
See Fig. (28) to understand how we will adjust the meshing parameters

No of Divisions = 1
No of Divisions = 4
No of Divisions = 2
No of Divisions = 4
No of Divisions = 1
Fig. (28): Number of division for Mesh adjusting parameters
28- Define Mesh Parameters

After following the mesh sequence shown in Fig. (27), and Keeping in mind the Numbers of
Divisions shown in Fig. (28), Adjust the meshing parameters as show in Fig. (29)

Line 1 No of Divisions
Fig. (29): Adjusting Meshing parameters
29- Click OK, and your Stiffener Plates Fill will looks like the ones shown in Fig. (30)
Fig. (30): Stiffener’s Filled Plates

30- Do the reaming 3- Stiffeners plates filling (using Generate Rotate )
- Before using Generate Rotate, you need 2-Nodes on the Rotation Axis
- Add Two Members as shown in Fig. (31)
- Select the Two new Added Members, Click the Mouse Right Click and Choose Insert Node,
then Choose Add Mid-Point
Fig.(31) Adding Two Members at Bottom & top Bases of the Pipe, with Inserting a Mid-Point
- Click on Plate Cursor

- Select the Stiffener Plates as shown in Fig. (32)
- Click on (Generate – Rotate)

Fig. (32): Selecting the Stiffener Plates
31- Create – Rotate Parameters as shown in Fig. (33), and Click OK
Fig. (33): Generate – Rotate Parameters, Selecting Node 1 & Node 2, Angle = 90, Generate Mode =
Copy

The New model will be as shown in Fig. (34)
Fig. (34): Model after applying Generate – Rotate
32- Keep the Plates Selected and Repeat the Generate – Rotate more two times as following
- Click on Generate – Rotate again and adjust the Angle = 180, then OK
- Click on Generate – Rotate again and adjust the Angle = -90, then OK
- The final Shape Shall be Same as shown in Fig. (35)

Fig. (35): The Stiffeners Shape after finishing Generate - Rotate
33- Creating Mesh for the Base Plate

- Click on Generate Surface Meshing Icon
- Flow the sequence shown in Fig. (36)

- Number of divisions Between [1] & [2] = 4 (Same No of Stiffener’s Plates]
- Number of divisions Between [2] & [3] = 1 (Same No of Pipe Plates]
- Number of divisions Between [3] & [4] = 1 (Same No of Pipe Plates]
- Number of divisions Between [4] & [5] = 4 (Same No of Stiffener’s Plates]
- Number of Divisions Between [5] & [1] = 6

4
2 3
5
Divisions=4
Divisions=1
Divisions=1
Divisions=4
1
Fig.(36): Sequence of Meshing on Base Plate and Number of Divisions
Fig.(37): Generated Mesh on Part of Base Plate

34- Complete the Balance Part of Base plate shown in Fig. (38)
Click on Generate Surface Meshing and Follow the Sequence show in Fig. (38), and use number
of divisions as shown in Fig. (39)
1
4
Fig.(38): Sequence of Meshing on Base Plate and Number of Divisions
Fig. (39): Number of Divisions
- Number of divisions Between [1] & [2] = 6 (Same No Plates]

- Number of divisions Between [2] & [3] = 2 (Optional]
The New generated mesh shape will be similar to the one shown in Fig. (4)
Fig.(40): Generated Mesh on Part of Base Plate
35- Select all the plates as shown in Fig. (41),
Fig. (41): Selecting all plates on the base plate

36- Click on Generate Mirror Icon. The Mirror Pop menu will appear, Select Mirror Plan X-Y, and
Select a point on the Mirror Surface (Center Node of the Pipe), as shown in Fig. (42), and Click
OK, The opposite site of the plate will be generated.
Fig. (42): Mirror Parameters
Fig. (43): Plate Shape after the mirror

37- To do the remaining Two sides, we will use Create – Rotate, adjust the Rotate Parameters as
Shown in Fig. (44)
Fig. (44): Adjusting Mirror Parameters
38- Repeat Create- Rotate again and Use the Angle = -90, all parameters as Shown in Fig. (45)
Fig. (45): Adjusting Mirror Parameters

Fig. (46): Rendered Shape of the Pipe with Base Plate
39- Now we Need to Assign Materials:

- From Geometry , Click on Thickness, and add 3-Plate Thickness as below:
- 14mm: will be used for the Base Plate
- 10mm: will be used for the Stiffeners
- 05mm: Will be used for the Pipe Thickness
Fig. (47): Adding Plate Thickness

40- Next Step is to Assing Materials as per the previous Description
- To Select the Base Plates, From Select Menu, choose Select Plates Parallel to X-Z, then
assign the 14mm Thikness
- To select the Pipe Plates, use Select by missing objects propoerties
- Assign the 5mm Plate Thickness to Pipe Plates
Fig. (48): Assigning Plate Thickness (10mm) to Stiffiner Plates
41- Next Step is to Delete unwated Lines which we use to idintify the shape edges
- Select the Beam Cursor
- Select all the shape, and then delete all lines, except the two lines in the center of the Pipe
(at top & Botton as we need to use the cente point when assigning the loads), as shown in
Fig.(49)
- Now Select the Two Center Lines Delete them but Keep the Nodes,

Fig. (49): Selcting & Deleting all unwanted Lines
42- From Spec Tap, Choose Node Specifications, Master/Slave, and Define Node No 89 as Master
Node as shown in Fig. (50), then Click Add
Fig. (50): Define Master/Slave Nodes

43- Select the other Nodes as shown in Fig. (51), and Click on Assign
Fig. (51): Assigning Master/Slave Point
44- From Support, Click on Create, and then select Foundation, Define Support as shown in Fig.
(52), then Click on Add
Fig. (52): Defining Foundation Support

45- Pick Support 2 from the Supports List, Select the all Base Plate plates, (use Select by plates
parallel to X-Z), then Click on Assign as shown in Fig. (53),
Fig. (53): Assigning Support 2 (Foundation) to Base Plate selected Plates
Loadings:
46- Select the General->Load & Definition control tab on the left.
47- Click on Load Case Details tree item in the Data Area.
48- Click on Add
49- Define a load case and name it as: DEAD LOAD + WIND Load, as shown in Fig. (54), then Click
on Add

Fig. (54): Defining a Load Case: Dead Load + Wind Load
50- Under the defined load case (Dead Load + Wind Load) add the below listed Load Cases
- Self-weight Y-1
- Nodal Load (as shown in Fig. (55)
Notes:
a- Self-weight: will include the base plate weight

b- Nodal Load: This represents the reaction on the support, taken from the Full Staad Model of
the whole Structure you are designing.

Fig. (55): Defining the Nodal Load, Fy= -25 KN, Mx= 5 KNm
51- Assign the Nodal Load:

- Select the Nodal Load case, Select the master Node at top of the Pipe, and click assign, as
shown in Fig. (56)
Fig. (56): Assigning the Nodal Load to the Master Node

52- Now you assigned load shall be same as shown in Fig. (57)
Fig. (57): Assigned Nodal Load on Master Node
53- Select Analysis/ Print, Define Analysis type, Click on Add

54- Performa Analysis
55- Go toe Post processing
56- Check the design analysis

Fig. (58): Design Analysis: Node displacement (Resultant)
Note: you can do necessary modifications to your designed plate to get reasonable results, For
Example if you want to reduce the Node Displacement (Plate Deflection) increase the base Plate
Thickness

Base Plate Modeling in Staad Pro

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Base Plate Modeling in

STAAD PRO V8i

Eng. Ali Albess

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Fig. (2): Base Plate Plan

Fig. (1): Isometric Sketch of Base Plate

Fig. (3): Base Plate Stiffener Elevation

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

2- Name your File

The STAAD.Pro interface will appear as shown in Fig. (5)

Fig. (5): STAAD.Pro user interface

Fig. (6): Linear grid box

5- Input the parameters as shown in Fig. (6)

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Fig. (8): Outline beams created using the grid system

8- Now create the pipe section base plate

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Stiffener Length = 150mm

Fig. (9): Circular grid layout for base plate interface.

11- Click on OK button

Fig. (10): R1-Radial Grid for Pipe & Stiffener

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Fig. (13): Drawing Pipe and Stiffener Base Lines

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

14- Drawing the Pipe (Height = 300mm)

Fig. (14): Selecting the Lines representing the Pipe Base

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Fig. (16): Shape after Transitional Repeat

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Fig. (17): Pipe Vertical Edge Lines

18- Drawing the Stiffener

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

19- Fill the 3D Repeat parameters as Shown in Fig. (19)

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Fig. (20): Adding Beams

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

22- To Get the Stiffener top Limit:

- Select the new copied lines,

Fig.(22): Inserting New Nodes @ Distance = 30mm

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Fig. (23): Adding new members

24- Delete the Extra Lines/members

Fig. (24): Shape after Deleting the Extra Lines/ members

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Fig. (25): Selecting the Pipe Members

26- Click Right Mouse Button, Choose Structural Diagram,

Fig. (26): Shape after selecting Fill Plates/solid/Surface

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

- Click on Surface Meshing

Fig. (27): Sequence of Points to create Surface Meshing

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Fig. (28): Number of division for Mesh adjusting parameters

28- Define Mesh Parameters

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Fig. (29): Adjusting Meshing parameters

Fig. (30): Stiffener’s Filled Plates

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

- Click on Plate Cursor

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

31- Create – Rotate Parameters as shown in Fig. (33), and Click OK

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com

Fig. (34): Model after applying Generate – Rotate

Eng. Ali Albess, www.youtube.com/c/alialbess , Email: albessali@gmail.com, www.ali-albess.weebly.com