Section Mapping
Due to differences in section naming conventions, mapping tables may be required to associate section names used in OpenBuildings Station Designer with those used by STAAD.Pro.
Mapping tables are delivered in mapping files which are installed in the active configuration Data directory:
The data folder contains mapping files delivered specifically for each applicable analytical translator, using part of the translator's name in the file name.
The mapping files are text files containing OpenBuildings Station Designer section names and STAAD.Pro section names and data arranged into columns. The following illustrates the section file format:
The first column contains the section names as they appear in OpenBuildings Station Designer. The second column contains the STAAD.Pro equivalent section name. The third column contains STAAD.Pro's type specification.
Spaces between the columns are reserved for longer names. The first column, reserved for the OpenBuildings Station Designer section name is thirty characters wide. Then there is a space before the STAAD.Pro section name begins. Twenty characters are reserved for the STAAD.Pro section name.
The next column is used by STAAD.Pro to identify the type of member associated with the section. These type specifications are represented with the abbreviations tabulated below:
| Type Specification Code | Description |
| ST | Single section from standard tables |
| RA | Single angle with reverse Y-Z axes |
| D | Double channel |
| LD | Long leg, back to back, double angle |
| SD | Short leg, back to back, double angle |
| T | Tee section cut from I shaped beams |
| CM | Composite section, available with I shaped beams |
| TC | Beams with a top cover plate |
| BC | Beams with a bottom cover plate |
| TB | Beams with a top and bottom cover plates |