TR.14.1 Parametric Mesh Models

The STAAD.Pro Analytial Modeling workflow can be generate a plate element mesh using the Parametric Models dialog. Openings, density lines, and density points can be included in the mesh generation.

This is the recommended method for generating meshes in STAAD.Pro as it allows you to modify the mesh parameters after creation.

When a STAAD model has portions generated from a parametric mesh model, the parametric input (which is not otherwise part of the STAAD input data) is saved within a specially designated section of the STAAD input file. This gives you the flexibility to save mesh models at any time and make modifications at a later time, such as adding an opening or a density line.

It is important that this data not be modified or removed so as to preserve the parametric model. Any changes to the portions of the model marked between the <! and !> marks may have unintended consequences to the model.

General Format

<! STAAD PRO GENERATED DATA DO NOT MODIFY !!! 
parametric model data
!> END GENERATED DATA BLOCK

Where parametric model data is in following format:

PARAMETRIC MODEL name
TYPE s1
MESH PARAMTERS f1 f2 f3 f4
MESH ORIGIN f5 f6 f7
BOUNDARY f8
 f8 times coordinates of boundary nodes
GENERATED NODES node-list
GENERATED PLATES plate-list

Then the following optional inputs can be included one or more times:

(OPENING CIRCULAR f9 f10 f11 f12 f13)
(OPENING POLYGONAL f14
 f14 times coordinates that define the polygonal opening)
(REGION CIRCULAR f15 f16 f17 f18 f19)
(REGION POLYGONAL f20
 f20 times coordinates that define the polygonal region)
(DENSITY POINT f21
 f21 times coordinates of the density points)
(DENSITY LINE f22 f23 f24 f25 f26 f27 f28 f29)

Then the following closing command:

END

where:

Parameter	Description
s1	a category of surface used for post processing. Identifiers include `UNIDENTIFIED`, `SLAB`, or `WALL`. This is used to identify the object but does not otherwise affect the analysis or mesh produced. Tip: This value is used by design modules such as the Advanced Concrete Workflow (RCDC) to identify the type of surface generated.
f1	Meshing Method, 0 = Basic, 1 = Standard.
f5, f6, f7	Global coordinates for the origin point of the mesh.

Example

2072 1114 1113 1160; 2073 1045 1160 1113;
ELEMENT PROPERTY
810 TO 1779 1821 TO 2073 THICKNESS 1
                This entire section of the input file must not be edited.
                    
<! STAAD PRO GENERATED DATA DO NOT MODIFY!!!
PARAMETRIC MODEL second_floor
MESH PARAM 0 3
MESH ORG 3 5 8
BOUNDARY 10
11 1 93 1 94 1 95 1 83 1 71 1 70 1 69 1 41 1 26 1
OPENING CIRC 72 360 96 43.2666 12
OPENING POLY 5
216 360 67.2 1 270 360 33.6 2 324 360 67.2 2 270 360 100.8 2 216 360 100.8 2
DENSITY POINTS 2
180 360 168 1 360 360 168 1 
DENSITY LINE 0 360 168 100 180 360 168 200
DENSITY LINE 180 360 168 1 360 360 168 1
DENSITY LINE 360 360 168 1 540 360 168 1
DENSITY LINE 180 360 0 1 180 360 168 1
DENSITY LINE 180 360 168 1 180 360 336 1
DENSITY LINE 360 360 0 1 360 360 168 1
DENSITY LINE 360 360 168 1 360 360 336 1
DENSITY LINE 54 360 302.4 1 162 360 201.6 1
DENSITY LINE 216 360 201.6 1 324 360 235.2 1
GENERATED PLATES ALL
END
!> END GENERATED DATA BLOCK

<! STAAD PRO GENERATED DATA DO NOT MODIFY!!!
PARAMETRIC MODEL roof
MESH PARAM 60 3
MESH ORG 2 3 5
BOUNDARY 6
36 1 65 1 66 1 53 1 52 1 51 1
GENERATED PLATES ALL
END
!> END GENERATED DATA BLOCK
                

DEFINE MATERIAL START
ISOTROPIC STEEL