Export to STAAD.Pro

Used to export your Structural analytical data to the STAAD.Pro analysis program. The data will be presented in a format that the analysis program can use.

Accessed from:

Backstage: File > Export > Structural > STAAD Export

Design Parameters Information

Design parameters are values assigned to structural members. The specific parameters are dependent on which design code or standard is chosen. When a design code is chosen, the associated parameters are initialized with default values. These are then applied to Structural members by selecting members individually or as a selection set.

The Structural discipline relies on the OpenSTAAD API as a means of reading and writing STAAD.Pro *.std files. OpenSTAAD provides the files that define both the available design codes and the associated design parameters.

The available codes that the OpenSTAAD API supports are found in the settings file codes.ini. This file is located in the OpenSTAAD folder:

\\OpenBuildings CONNECT Edition\Designer\Assemblies\OpenStaad\Data

While it is possible to read this file directly, any access of values within it should be done solely through the OpenSTAAD API.

References within codes.ini point to supporting *.ini files where available design parameters and their default values are defined.

For instance, the AISC ASD code references the parameters file SteelAisc.ini. The parameters files referenced list the parameters that apply to their corresponding design codes along with their default values.

The entries in SteelAisc.ini correspond to the listed Design Parameters:

*.ini File Entry	Design Options tab Design Parameter
Param01=Fyld CommandNo01=9100 Units01=Stress Dialog01=EditFloat Description01=Yield strength of steel: Default01=36 MDefault01=248212.8	Yield Strength of Steel
Param04=Ly CommandNo04=9130 Units04=Length Dialog04=EditFloat Description04=Length in local Y axis for slenderness value KL/r: Note04=Default is selected beam's length. Default04=0 MDefault04=0	Slenderness Length Ly

Design Options tab

Setting

Description

Design Options

Use Design Code — When on, select the available design codes from the drop list. When off, design codes are not used.
Specify Design Code — When on, all options on the Design Options dialog tab are enabled.

Design Parameters

Slenderness Length Ly:
Eff. Length Factor Ky:
Yield Strength of Steel:
Beam Value:
Interaction Ratio:
Joint # DJ1:
Permissible Deflection:

Slenderness Length Lz:
Eff. Length Factor Kz:
Unsupported Length:
Member Profile:
Minimum Depth:
Joint # DJ2:

Apply

Assigns active design parameter values to structural members. Design parameters are assigned individually or to a selection set. Only Structural members are eligible for design parameter assignments.

Remove

Removes or clears existing design parameters from a structural member. Design parameters are removed individually or from a selection set.

Match

Applies existing design parameters from a structural member to another member. Design parameters are matched individually or to a selection set.

Export Options tab

Setting	Description
Export Options	Use DGN File + STAAD.Pro Extension - When on, the exported file is automatically named using the DGN file name and the .std file extension. When off, you can browse for your .std file name and location. STAAD.Pro File Name - Displays the exported *.std file name. When enabled, user defined files can be selected by clicking the browse button [...]. Model Type - Selects either the Analytical or Physical structural model for export. Analytical exports the analytical model, and operates on the analytical members in the active DGN only. Physical exports the physical model, and operates on all physical members, including those without analytical member associations. Selecting Physical as the model to export enables the Export Objects in Reference option. Export Objects in Reference - When on, physical members in reference attachments are also exported. This option is only enabled if the physical model is exported. Note: If referenced analytical members are detected, they are scanned and the information passed through the translator. Member Offsets - When on, member offsets or cutbacks are exported.
Roundtripping Options	Contains revision tracking controls to specify OpenBuildings Station Designer's actions after you export structural data from OpenBuildings Station Designer to STAAD.Pro. Use Design History — When on, Design History is used to track revisions. When off, Design History is not used.
Section Mapping	Contains controls used to activate and specify Section Mapping between OpenBuildings Station Designer and STAAD.Pro. Use Mapping File — When on, a section mapping file is used to map the section definitions to corresponding definitions in STAAD.Pro. The mapping file resolves known differences between how sections are defined in OpenBuildings Station Designer and STAAD.Pro. When off, sections are translated without any Section Mapping. The sections must be resolved in the destination analysis programs if mismatches or incomplete definitions exist. Section Mapping File – Displays the path and file name for the section mapping file to be used. [...] (browse) – You can browse for a section mapping file by clicking [...] next to the Section Mapping File path. This opens the Select Mapping Files dialog to a location where several default section mapping files are provided for external analysis programs supported by OpenBuildings Station Designer. Or you select your own mapping files.
Export	Exports the data to a file that can be used by STAAD.Pro.
Close	Closes Export to STAAD.Pro without exporting.

Key-in: mdl load Bentley.Building.Structural.staadTools.dll Export