Tips and Tricks for using STAAD.Pro:

1. Q: When I am printing the help contents, the sentences are often truncated at the right end due to inadequate width for the right margin and/or font size. The pictures too are cut off. Is there a way to set the right margin so we can see all text and pictures in the printed document?
   A: One way to overcome this problem is to print the pages in landscape mode.
2. Q: Whenever I start up STAAD.Pro, I want the default unit system to come up as Metric instead of English. What is the setting for this specification?
   A: Start STAAD.Pro. From the File menu, select Configure. Choose Base unit and set it to Metric.
3. Q: I have a beam whose local axis is parallel to the global X axis. I want to orient it in a way that its web is parallel to the global XZ plane.
   A: Specify a Beta angle of 90 degrees. Beta angles can be specified from the Commands - Geometric Constants menu.
4. Q: A member property is declared using the Tapered option. What do the values reported in response to the PRINT MEMBER PROPERTY command represent?
   Ans. The average of the values between those at the start and end locations of the member.
5. Q: I have a Wide Flange section with a concrete slab on top, resulting in composite action. How do I assign properties so that the "composite" nature of the section can be taken advantage of?
   A: STAAD does have a facility for defining a composite section consisting of a wide flange with a concrete slab on top. This property assignment can be made through the Commands - Member Property page.
6. Q: I am modeling a portal frame where the connection between the beam and column is of the "Welded" type. Do I have to assign any specific command to convey this message to the analysis engine?
   A: By default, all connections are assumed to be of the type where the forces of all 6 degrees of freedom can be transmitted across the connection. Since this assumption conforms to the requirement of a welded type of connection, no special instructions have to be specified in the STAAD file.
7. Q: In the STAAD/Pro Graphical User Interface, how does one delete a support?
   A: Select the support type S1, which is designated "No support" and assign it to the node where you want the support removed.
8. Q: I want to perform a seismic analysis per the UBC 1997 code. However, instead of using the code specifications for calculating the periods of the structure, I want to specify my own.
   A: It can be done. The input syntax for UBC loading includes 2 parameters by the name PX and PZ, which indicate the periods of the structure in X and Z directions.
9. Q: How many modes does STAAD use by default in response spectrum and time history analyses?
   A: In STAAD/Pro 2000 and older – 3 In STAAD.Pro 2001 - 6
10. Q: I am analyzing a large structure and encounter an error message "Read /Write Error in Unit 17". I have been told that this is due to insufficient disk space. My input file is located on the D drive which has over 10 GB of free space. How do I remedy this situation?
    A: During the analysis, temporary files are created and placed in the folder pointed to by the SET TEMP parameter under the Windows Environment settings. Usually, this is on the C: drive. Further, the virtual memory paging files may also be residing on the C: drive. You can a) change the virtual memory settings so multiple drives are used b) Change the "SET TEMP" folder to point to the drive with a large amount of free space.
11. Q: The KL/ry reported for a T shape does not match my hand calculations. I am using the AISC ASD 9th edition code.
    A: For singly symmetric shapes, KL/r for the Y axis has to be calculated using the rules for flexural torsional buckling as explained in page 3-53 of the AISC ASD manual.
12. Q: I am unable to view any of the mode shapes besides the first mode shape.
    A: From the View menu, select "Structure Diagrams - Loads and Results", and choose the mode you want to view.