1.7.

1 Prismatic Properties Page 1 of 2

1.7.1 Prismatic Properties

The following prismatic properties are required for analysis:

AX = Cross sectional area

IX = Torsional constant
IY = Moment of inertia about y­axis.
IZ = Moment of inertia about z­axis.
In addition, the user may choose to specify the following properties:

AY = Effective shear area for shear force parallel to local y­axis.

AZ = Effective shear area for shear force parallel to local z­axis.
YD = Depth of section parallel to local y­axis.
ZD = Depth of section parallel to local z­axis.
For T­beams, YD, ZD, YB & ZB must be specified. These terms, which are shown in the next figure are:

YD = Total depth of section (top fiber of flange to bottom fiber of web)

ZD = Width of flange
YB = Depth of stem
ZB = Width of stem
For Trapezoidal beams, YD, ZD & ZB must be specified. These terms, which too are shown in the next figure
are:

YD = Total depth of section

ZD = Width of section at top fiber
ZB = Width of section at bottom fiber
Top & bottom are defined as positive side of the local Z axis, and negative side of the local Z axis
respectively.
STAAD automatically considers the additional deflection of members due to pure shear (in addition to
deflection due to ordinary bending theory). To ignore the shear deflection, enter a SET SHEAR command
before the joint coordinates. This will bring results close to textbook results.
The depths in the two major directions (YD and ZD) are used in the program to calculate the section
moduli. These are needed only to calculate member stresses or to perform concrete design. You can omit
the YD & ZD values if stresses or design of these members are of no interest. The default value is 253.75
mm (9.99 inches) for YD and ZD. All the prismatic properties are input in the local member coordinates.
Figure 1-34: Prismatic property nomenclature for a T and Trapezoidal section

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1.7.1 Prismatic Properties Page 2 of 2

To define a concrete member,you must not provide AX, but instead, provide YD and ZD for a rectangular
section and just YD for a circular section. If no moment of inertia or shear areas are provided, the program
will automatically calculate these from YD and ZD.
Table 1.1 is offered to assist the user in specifying the necessary section values. It lists, by structural type,
the required section properties for any analysis. For the PLANE or FLOOR type analyses, the choice of the
required moment of inertia depends upon the beta angle. If BETA equals zero, the required property is IZ.
Table 1­4: Required Section Properties
Structure Type Required Properties

TRUSS structure AX
PLANE structure AX, IZ, or IY
FLOOR structure IX, IZ or IY
SPACE structure AX, IX, IY, IZ

Reference Materials
5.20.2 Prismatic Property Specification

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