STAAD.Pro uses a set of base units, called current units, for all input and output. The Current Units can be changed at any time to simplify entering input or interpreting results.
The current input units are set using the Set Current Input Units dialog.
Tip: There are several some instances in the program where the Current Units cannot be changed, such as when an input dialog is open. In this case, you can use the
<F2> key to input different units.
STAAD.Pro also includes an extensive unit conversion utility.
Display Units
STAAD.Pro can use a different set of units for displaying values in the active view window. These are controlled through several tabs on the Options dialog.
Base Unit System
There are two base unit systems in the program which control the units (i.e., length, force, temperature, etc.) in which, values, specifically results and other information presented in the tables and reports, are displayed in. The base unit system also dictates what type of default values the program will use when attributes such as Modulus of Elasticity, Density, etc., are assigned based on material types - Steel, Concrete, Aluminum - selected from the program's library (Please refer to
Technical Reference of STAAD Commands for details). These two unit systems are:
- English (Foot, Pound, etc.) and
- Metric (KN, Meter, etc.)
Tip: If you recall, one of the choices made at the time of installing
STAAD.Pro is this base unit system setting. That choice will serve as the default until you specifically change it.
Selecting Different Input Units in Dialogs
While you may typically wish to work in one unit system - or even with a specific unit of force or length, it is not uncommon to use a different unit for input. STAAD.Pro allows for the input of a value in any unit in most dialog boxes. This avoids the need to manually change the unit before and after adding a command or to convert a unit to something less commonly used. A unit is entered in the most convenient format and then converted to the current units for you. This is especially useful when adding or editing loads, where the current input units cannot be changed.
