STAAD

What is structural engineering software? What software is used for structural analysis?

Structural engineers must make a variety of difficult decisions every day. To help them perform this advanced work, structural engineers rely on dedicated structural engineering software. This software helps automate extremely time-consuming processes for the structural engineer, including building a digital model, studying the forces acting on the structure, solving the equations and mathematics that predict the structure’s behavior; and ensuring all elements and systems in the structure and have adequate strength and stiffness.

Further, it is important to choose software that will help structural engineers conform to regulatory codes and ensure safety. Structural engineering software helps users save time and ensure accuracy, which is vital when dealing with structure stability and strength.

STAAD is a popular structural analysis application known for advanced analysis, diverse applications of use, interoperability, and time-saving capabilities. STAAD helps structural engineers perform 3D structural analysis and design for both steel and concrete structures. A physical model created in the structural design software can be transformed into an analytical model for structural analysis. Many design code standards are incorporated into STAAD to make sure that the structural design complies with local regulations.

STAAD is available in multiple versions. Find out which version is right for you.

What does STAAD stand for?

STAAD stands for Structural Analysis and Design software.

What software products are included in Structural WorkSuite?

Structural WorkSuite eliminates concerns about product-by-product license availability by combining individually priced applications into a single bundle. It helps engineers on tight budgets take advantage of comprehensive workflows rather than being stuck with the inefficiencies and limitations of partial workflows. Each Structural WorkSuite user can employ all applications within the software package with no extra fees. Learn more.

Structural WorkSuite includes: 

• STAAD.Pro, Advanced Analysis and Advanced Concrete Design (RCDC) 
• STAAD Foundation Advanced 
• RAM Structural System which includes RAM Steel, RAM Frame Steel Design, RAM Concrete, RAM Frame Analysis, and RAM Foundation 
• RAM Concept which includes RAM Concept Post Tension 
• RAM Elements 
• RAM Connection 
• RCDC-FE 
• Structural Synchronizer 
• Microstran.Advanced with design code 
• Limcon with design code 

What other software products is STAAD compatible with?

• Revit  
• STAAD Foundation Advanced 
• AutoPIPE 
• RAM Connection  
• RAM Concept 
• RAM Structural System  
• ProStructures  
• SACS  
• RCDC (for concrete design/detailing) 
• MicroStation (basic DXF)  
• Any third-party app using OpenSTAAD  
• 3rd parties developed their own interop: 
  • PDMS (AVEVA)  
  • SmartPlant (Hexagon) 
  • CIS2 

What design codes are in STAAD?

• Many design code standards are incorporated into STAAD to make sure that the structural design complies with local regulations. Some of these codes include:
  • ASCE 7
  • IBC
  • IS1893
  • IS456
  • IS13920
  • AISC 360
  • ACI 318
  • AISI
  • EN 1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2)
  • EN 1993-1-1 (Eurocode 3)
  • IS800
  • IS801

How much does STAAD cost?

A practitioner license of STAAD.Pro costs $2,791 USD and STAAD.Pro Advanced costs $3,835 USD at Virtuosity.com. Prices vary per region. To see the price in your region, select your region at the bottom of the page. While there are various types of licensing available, a common choice is the 12-month practitioner license offered through Virtuosity, Bentley's eCommerce store. When you purchase through Virtuosity you get a Virtuoso Subscription which means you get the software AND the training, expert services, and custom mentoring you need to get started quickly.

Expert services and tailored training, when and where you need it.

At Virtuosity, we understand how important it is to get the most out of every working moment. You need to limit downtime, and use each software application to its fullest potential.  There is just no time to spare. That's why every software purchase through Virtuosity comes as a bundle with “Keys” or credits that can be redeemed for expert services and training, so you can get started right away. Learn more about our training options.

Each practitioner license comes with a number of "Keys" and you can always purchase additional "Keys" as you go. 

There is a menu of expert services and training options that you can redeem your "Keys" for:

User Interface 

• Graphical capabilities. Models can be created quickly and accurately using structural grids, tooltips to highlight data, frame generators, and a structure wizard for standard structural frames 
• Visualization. From simple wire frames for speed, accuracy, and ease of use to fully rendered 3D models for clear mass distribution and presentation 
• All new advanced IDE style Editor with IntelliSense, Database Integration, and context sensitive help 
• Meshing capabilities. Triangular or quadrilateral meshes created from zones within defined models or imported from DXF files 
• Load generators. Seismic UBC, IBC, ASME wind and snow, bridge loading BEAVA 
• Customizable interface with VBA tools. Create windows and tables to your own specifications. SQL query builder 
• STAAD Building Planner. Special modeling environment for building structures. Operations like defining geometry, making changes in the geometric specifications are matters of only few clicks in this workflow.

Objects 

• Beams. Standard linear, curved and physical beams, compression/tension only, with databases of sections from around the world 
• Plates. 3- or 4-noded 2D plates and surface objects with holes 
• Solid. Solid 3D bricks from 4- to 8-noded 
• Supports. Foundation and multilinear springs 
• Loads. Full range of loads for static and dynamic analysis that can be defined explicitly or calculated using the wide range of load generators 

Analysis 

• Elastic. Traditional first order including iterative one-way analysis 
• P-Delta. Both large and small P-Delta including stress-stiffening effects 
• Imperfection. Account for imperfections in structural geometry 
• Dynamic. Modal analysis including stress-stiffening eigen solution and steady-state options, time history, and response spectrums 
• Advanced solver, the staple of STAAD for over 20 years is now up to 1,000 times faster  
• Section Wizard. Calculate properties of built-up sections, drawn freehand, parametrically defined, or imported from a CAD drawing 

Post Processing 

• Interactive graphics. Linked tables and windows to get direct feedback from one item in related windows 
• Output file. Simple clear information to verify the analysis 
• User report. Create high-quality documents 
• Contoured stress plots. Using automatic or user-configured scales, colors, and limits 
• Animations. View displacements, stress contours, or mode shapes dynamically 

Intraoperability 

• RAM Connection. Joints defined in the model with the forces calculated from the analysis can be passed into the leading connection design application 
• Bentley AutoPIPE. Pass the STAAD.Pro structural steel frame into AutoPIPE to correctly account for the pipe support stiffnesses and import the pipe engineers support reactions back into the model for an accurate design in a fraction of the time of traditional methods 
• STAAD Foundation Advanced. Import the STAAD support reactions and positions directly to design the structure foundations 
• RAM Concept. Floor slabs can be identified and linked to RAM Concept for full RC and PT design and detailing in a state-of-the-art application  
• ProStructures and OpenBuildings Designer. Two-way link to support creating models with design and construction documents  
• OpenSTAAD is an API from which STAAD data can be extracted directly into custom programs or applications such as Microsoft Word or Excel. You can even use OpenSTAAD to drive the creation of STAAD.Pro models, run the analysis, and view the results with your own interface 
• CAD, DXF. Use CAD models as the base wire frame, structural grid, or outline of a complex deck that needs to be meshed 
• CIS/2. Exchange data with other steel design packages 

Design and Documentation  

• Steel Design
  • Choose from over 50 regional design codes
  • Integrated with the analysis process
  • Integrated steel drawing production using Steel Autodrafter
  • Chinese steel design module available
• Concrete Design
  • Basic Concrete Design: Select from 18 design codes. Quick and integrated with analysis process
  • Advanced Concrete Design. 12 additional regional design codes. Integrated concrete design, detailing, and drawing production (requires STAAD.Pro Advanced) 
• Timber. Support for design codes such as US, Canada, Eurocode
• Aluminum design (US)

Design codes  

• Many design code standards are incorporated into STAAD to make sure that the structural design complies with local regulations. Some of these codes include:
  • ASCE 7
  • IBC
  • IS1893
  • IS456
  • IS13920
  • AISC 360
  • ACI 318
  • AISI
  • EN 1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2)
  • EN 1993-1-1 (Eurocode 3)
  • IS800
  • IS801

Processor 
Intel Pentium or AMD processor 2.0 GHz or greater 

Operating System 
Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1 or 7 32 or 64 bit OS 
 
Memory 
1 GB minimum, 2 GB recommended. Additional memory potentially improves performance, particularly when working with larger models. 4 GB or more can help speed up solutions for very large complex models with large numbers of load cases. 
 
Disk Space 
Requirements will vary depending on the modules you are installing. A typical minimum is 500 MB free space.  

Display 
Graphics card and monitor with 1280x1024 resolution, 256 color display (16-bit high color recommended.) A sound card and speakers are needed for the tutorial movies and slide shows.