Modeling Finite Elements - TRNC03184
Modeling Finite Elements - TRNC03184
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.
TRNC03184-1/0001
Section Description
In this section, you will learn how to model individual plate elements in STAAD.Pro.
Skills Taught
Modeling Quadrilateral and Triangular Plates
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Model Quadrilateral or Triangular Plates
In this exercise, you will learn how to create a single finite element (plate) using the Add Plate command:
1
3
Node #2
Node #3
Node #4
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5. In the View Window, use the Add Quad Plate tool to create the rest of the walls. (Be sure to select the nodes in either a clockwise or
counter-clockwise order. Nodes selected out of order will result in warped plates.)
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Model Plates in a Floor Grid
In this exercise, you will learn how to create a group of plate elements using the following command:
Fill Floor Grid with Plates command: Used to automatically generate plates from a selection of beams bounding panels. Typically
used for floor slabs, this method significantly reduces the modeling time for generation of floor slabs in multi-storied framed
structure.
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4. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Geometry tab and then click on the Add Plate > Infill Plates icon.
5. In the STAAD.Pro dialog, click OK.
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Section 2: Generating a Finite Element Mesh
Section Description
In this section, you will learn how to generate a finite element mesh in STAAD.Pro.
Skills Taught
Generating a Plate Mesh
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Generate a Finite Element Mesh
In this exercise, you will learn how to generate a finite element mesh using the following command:
Generate Plate Mesh command: Used to generate a polygonal or quadrilateral finite element mesh for an existing plate element.
Bias. Divn.
AB: 1 3
BC: 1 10
CD/CA: 1 3
DA: 1 10
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5. In the Choose Meshing Type dialog, select the Quadrilateral Meshing radio button and then click OK.
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6. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Select tab and then click on the Beam Cursor icon.
7. In the View Window, select any of the beam members at the roof level.
Notice that the beam members have been split and now share nodes with the plate elements. This will ensure proper force transfer and
will simulate monolithic action for concrete structures.
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Generate Surface Meshing
In this exercise, you will learn how to generate a finite element mesh using the following command:
Generate Surface Meshing command: Used to generate a polygonal or quadrilateral finite element mesh.
1
3
4. In the Choose Meshing Type dialog, select the Polygonal Meshing radio button and then click OK.
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5. In the Define Mesh Region dialog, enter the following parameters:
X Y Z Divn. Bias
30 ft {9 m} 11 ft {3 m} 90 ft {27 m}
60 ft {18 m} 11 ft {3 m} 90 ft {27 m} 9 1
60 ft {18 m} 11 ft {3 m} 120 ft {36 m} 9 1
30 ft {9 m} 11 ft {3 m} 120 ft {36 m} 9 1
30 ft {9 m} 11 ft {3 m} 90 ft {27 m} 9 1
6. In the Define Mesh Region dialog, select the HOLES option in the left pane. Then, click on the Add New Hole icon.
7. In the Define Mesh Region dialog, enter the following parameters to define the hole:
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8. In the Quick Access Toolbar, click on the Save icon.
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Use the Structure Wizard
In this exercise, you will learn how to generate a finite element mesh using the Structure Wizard:
Structure Wizard: Offers a library of pre-defined structure prototypes. The Structure Wizard may parametrically generate a
structural model and then transfer and superimpose it on the current structure.
1. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the File tab and then click New. Then, enter the following information:
File Name: FEM_2.std
Location: (navigate to the dataset folder that was supplied with this training)
Type: Analytical
Units: English
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5. In the Select Parameters dialog, enter the following information:
Length: 10 ft {3 m}
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6. In the StWizard menu bar, click File > Merge Model with STAAD.Pro model.
7. In the StWizard dialog, click Yes.
8. In the Paste Prototype Model dialog, enter the following parameters:
By the Following X, Y, and Z values: (selected)
X: 0 ft {0 m}
Y: 0 ft {0 m}
Z: 0 ft {0 m}
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Section 3: Using Parametric Models
Section Description
In this section, you will learn how to create a finite element mesh using parametric models.
Skills Taught
Creating Parametric Models
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Create a New Parametric Model
In this exercise, you will learn how to create a finite element mesh using parametric models. Parametric Models are used to preview
the final meshed state of a wall, slab, or panel before it is committed to the full model. Different trials or prototypes can be visually
examined to find the most suitable mesh.
Type: Slab
Use Nodes and Beams that Occur on or Inside the Outer Boundary as Additional Density Points and Lines: (checked)
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6. In the View Window, click at the nodes in the order indicated below:
12
1
10
11
3 9
5
4
7
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7. In the Mesh Parameters dialog, enter the following parameters:
Meshing Method: Standard
9. Keep the Select Opening Type dialog open for the next exercise.
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Model the Openings
In this exercise, you will learn how to incorporate an opening into a parametric model.
Release the Ctrl key and then click on grid intersection X40-Z22.
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Edit the Parametric Model Parameters
In this exercise, you will learn how to modify the parametric model parameters after the initial mesh is created.
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Add Density Points/Lines
In this exercise, you will learn how to add density points or lines to the parametric model.
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Merge the Model with STAAD.Pro
In this exercise, you will learn how to generate the finite element mesh in the main STAAD.Pro model using the parametric model.
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Section 4: Specifying Plate Properties
Section Description
In this section, you will learn how to specify plate properties in STAAD.Pro.
Skills Taught
Modifying Plate Orientation
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Modify the Plate Orientation
In this exercise, you will learn how to re-orient plates using the following command:
Plate Reference Point command: Used to specify options for determining the general direction of the local Z axis of elements.
2. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the View tab and then click on the Label Settings icon.
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3. In the Diagrams dialog, select the following check boxes:
Plate Orientation (T): (checked)
BASE OF THE STRUCTURE: Notice that the local Z axes for the
horizontal plate elements at the base of the structure are pointing
down. When plate elements are analyzed in STAAD.Pro, the
stress at the “top” and “bottom” of the plate will be reported. The
side of the plate elements pointing in the direction of the positive
Z local axis will represent the “top” of the plate when the results
are reported. For this reason, we will reorient the plates so that
the local Z axis is pointing up.
WALL OF THE TANK: Notice that the local Z axes for some of the
vertical plate elements in the wall of the tank are pointing towards
the center of the tank while other plates are pointing towards the
outside of the structure. To facilitate other operations, such as
adding pressure loads to the tank structure, we will reorient the
plates so that the local Z axis for all of the plates points towards
the center of the tank.
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4. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Select tab and then click on the Select Plates Parallel > To XZ.
5. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Specification tab and then click on the Plate > Plate Reference Point icon.
6. In the Plate Reference Point dialog, enter the following information:
X: 0 ft {0 m}
Y: 20 ft {6 m}
Z: 0 ft {0 m}
Assign: To Selection
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7. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the View tab and then click on the Left View icon.
8. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Select tab and then click on the Plate Cursor icon.
9. In the View Window, use the Plates Cursor to select all of the plates that represent the “walls” of the tank.
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10. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Specification tab and then click on the Plate > Plate Reference Point icon.
11. In the Plate Reference Point dialog, enter the following information:
X: 110 ft {33.85 m}
Y: 0 ft {0 m}
Z: -10 ft {-0.5 m}
Assign: To Selection
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Assign Plate Properties
In this exercise, you will learn how to assign properties to plate elements using the following command:
Plate Thickness command: Used to specify the thickness and material for plate elements.
Click OK.
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7. In the View Window, use the Plates Cursor to select all of the plates that represent the “roof” of the tank.
8. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Specification tab and then click on the Plate Thickness icon.
9. In the Plate Element/Surface Property dialog, select the Plate Element Thickness option and then enter the following parameters:
Node 1: 0.5 in {12 mm}
Material: STEEL
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10. In the View Window, use the Plates Cursor to select all of the plates that represent the “walls” of the tank.
11. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Specification tab and then click on the Plate Thickness icon.
12. In the Plate Element/Surface Property dialog, select the Plate Element Thickness option and then enter the following parameters:
Node 1: 0.75 in {20 mm}
Material: STEEL
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13. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Select tab and then click on the Select Plates Parallel > To XZ.
14. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Specification tab and then click on the Plate Thickness icon.
15. In the Plate Element/Surface Property dialog, select the Plate Element Thickness option and then enter the following parameters:
Node 1: 18 in {450 mm}
Material: CONCRETE
16. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Geometry tab and then click on the Input Units icon.
17. In the Set Input Units dialog, enter the following parameters:
Length Units: Foot {Meter}
Click OK.
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18. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the View tab and then click on the 3D Rendering icon.
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Section 5: Modeling Plate Loads
Section Description
In this section, you will learn how to model plate loads in STAAD.Pro.
Skills Taught
Modeling Plate Loads
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Model Plate Loads
In this exercise, you will learn how to model plate loads in STAAD.Pro, which can be defined as one of the following:
Pressure on Full Plate: Used to define a pressure load that acts on the full surface of an element.
Concentrated Load: Used to define a concentrated load that acts at a specific point within the boundary of an element.
Partial Plate Pressure: Used to specify a uniform pressure load on the entire element or on a portion of the element.
Direction: GY
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4. In the Load & Definition dialog, highlight the PR GY -0.05 kip/ft2 {PR GY -2.35 kN/m2} load item.
5. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the View tab and then click on the Left View icon.
6. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Select tab and then click on the Plate Cursor icon.
7. In the View Window, use the Plates Cursor to select all of the plates that represent the “roof” of the tank.
8. In the Load & Definition dialog, click on the Assign to Selected Plates radio button and then click on the Assign button.
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9. In the STAAD.Pro dialog, click Yes to confirm the assignment.
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Model Hydrostatic Plate Loads
In this exercise, you will learn how to model the following types of hydrostatic loads:
Hydrostatic Plate Load: Used to model loads due to hydrostatic pressure on one or more adjacent elevations. The hydrostatic load
is converted to trapezoidal loads on the elements and the load is applied over the entire area of the element.
4. In the Ribbon toolbar, select the Select tab and then click on the Plate Cursor icon.
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5. In the View Window, use the Plates Cursor to select all of the plates that represent the “walls” of the tank.
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7. In the Add New: Load Items dialog, enter the following parameters:
W1 (Min Global Axis): 0.08 kip/ft {1.2 kN/m}
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