axis is hotter by (100+1000)/2 = 550, then the increase in temperature for the lower layer of web

elements is (100+550)/2 = 325, and for the upper layer is (550+1000)/2 = 775.
For the sake of this example, if 1–20 are the elements of the bottom flange, first (lower) layer of
the elements for the web are 21–30, second layer for the web are 31–40, and top flange is 41–60,
here is one way to describe that set of temperature changes.

LOAD 1 TEMP INCREASE

TEMPERATURE LOAD
1 TO 20 TEMP 100 0
21 TO 30 TEMP 325 0
31 TO 40 TEMP 775 0
41 TO 60 TEMP 1000 0

These data assume that each flange is at a uniform temperature, and each layer of web elements is
at a uniform temperature. More elements for the web will give better results. If you are trying to
match theoretical results, then the supports would be at the center line of the web.

Related Question:
Is there a way to apply a temperature load in such a way that the plate expands or contracts along
one direction and not the other? For example, for a slab in the horizontal plane XZ, I want it to
expand only in X and not in Z.

Answer:
No. Uniform increase or decrease in temperature occurs along both the local axes (X and Y). Fig
1.6.13 shows the displaced shape (in plan view) of a doubly symmetric plate subjected to a
uniform temperature increase. The dark lines form the original configuration of the mesh, and the
faint lines indicate the displaced shape. Notice the doubly symmetric displaced shape.
FIGURE 1.6.13 Uniform expansion of a slab along two directions

However, the support conditions of the structure can be specified in such a way that it will allow
expansion/contraction of the overall slab or wall along one direction only. For the above plate, if it
is to be constrained from displacing in the Z direction, specify FIXED BUT FX supports at the
nodes of the top and bottom edges. That will prevent translation along Z.

1.6.2.11 Temperature Loads and Buckling

The buckling load caused by temperature change can be calculated by performing a buckling
analysis. STAAD.Pro uses a linear finite element analysis buckling theory (3D Euler buckling)
where the geometric stiffness matrix used in buckling is based on the original member length and
the static linear axial force calculated for the members. For more information, see Section 1.6 of
Part III.

1.6.2.12 Heat Transfer Analysis

Heat transfer analysis is not available in STAAD.Pro.

1.6.2.13 Relationship between Material Properties and Temperature

STAAD. Pro assumes that the material properties are not a function of temperature.

1.6.3 Strain Load—Discussion

Axial elongation or axial shrinkage of a member can be input through a Strain Load facility. This
facility is available only for members, meaning, it is not available for plate elements or solid
elements.
There are two ways to specify a strain load.
1. Magnitude of elongation or shrinkage. Elongation is specified as a positive number and
shrinkage as a negative number. It has units of length. It is specified using the keyword
STRAIN.

UNIT CMS
LOAD 7
TEMPERATURE LOAD
7 TO 10 STRAIN 1.0

FIGURE 1.6.14 Dialog box in the STAAD.Pro GUI for specifying STRAIN load

2. Elongation or shrinkage as a fraction of the unstressed length of the member. This means that
the elongation or shrinkage in length units is divided by the member length. The resulting value is
a unit-less quantity. As before, a positive value is to be specified for elongation, and a negative
value for shrinkage. It is specified using the keyword STRAINRATE.
This type of strain can currently be specified only by typing the appropriate command in the
STAAD.Pro input file. There is no facility in the STAAD. Pro GUI to specify this.

UNIT CMS
LOAD 7
TEMPERATURE LOAD
7 TO 10 STRAINRATE 0.00333

So, if there is a 100-in.-long member that was stretched for 1 in., we could enter it as

UNIT INCHES
 LOAD 18
TEMPERATURE LOAD
79 STRAIN 1.0

or

UNIT INCHES
LOAD 18
TEMPERATURE LOAD
79 STRAINRATE 0.01

Thus, the input that accompanies the keyword STRAIN is delta_L, while that for
STRAINRATE is (delta_L)/L,
where delta_L is the change in length
L is the length of the member.
The strain rate can be useful when several unequal length members have the same strain rates but
different strains.
CHAPTER 2

Load Generation

2.0 Load Generation

2.0.1 Introduction
The concept of load generation was introduced in Section 1.0.1.1. It is the process of taking a load
source quantity such as wind pressure or a moving vehicle, and converting it to individual load
items on the entities of the structure, in a format that enables the creation of the load vector for a
stiffness analysis.
The following load generation facilities available in STAAD.Pro are discussed in this chapter:
Wind loads
Snow loads
Moving loads
Seismic loads (of the static equivalent type)
Notional loads

2.1 Wind Load Generation

2.1.1 Introduction
Wind load generation is a process that involves conversion of the wind pressure acting on
structures into joint and member loads in the mathematical model. When wind acts on a panel
bound by beams and columns, and the panel is an entity such as glass or a non-load-bearing wall,
which is not defined as part of the structural model, then the load caused by wind needs to be
computed and applied on the frame in the form of member loads and joint loads. This is the intent
of the wind load generation facility. The input for this task consists of:
1. Structure geometry
2. Wind pressure profile, which is the table of pressure values versus the height ranges over which
those pressures act
Item 1 is known from the node coordinates and member incidences. The input for Item 2 is
described in Section 2.1.15.STAAD.Pro is equipped with the facilities to calculate the wind
pressure profile for only a few codes as mentioned in that section. For codes not on that list, the
user must obtain the profile manually or using external tools. Also, the program generates loads
only on frame members (line entities connected between two nodes). If the structure does not
contain members, such as models consisting only of plates and/or solids, loads will not be
generated.

Required reading
1. Technical Reference manual—Sections 1.17.3, 5.31.3, and 5.32.12
2. Application Examples manual—Example 15
3. Graphical Interface Help manual—Section 2.3.7.12.1.3

2.1.2 Data Required for Wind Load Generation

The input that is specific to wind load generation consists of the following steps:
1. A definition block in which the wind pressure (intensity) and exposure factor are provided.

Example 1

UNIT FEET
DEFINE WIND LOAD
TYPE 1
INTENSITY 0.1 0.15 HEIGHT 12 24
EXPOSURE 0.90 YRANGE 11 13