T.3 Specifying post-analysis print commands

Two types of element results can be requested:

element stresses at the centroid or any point on the element surface which consist of stresses and moments per unit width, as explained in G.5.1 Plate and Shell Elements and TR.42 Print Specifications .
the element forces at the nodes which consist of the 3 forces and 3 moments at each node of the elements in the global axis system (refer to TR.42 Print Specifications for details).

You will add both types of these results for this tutorial.

You will also need to set the units in which these results are printed to KN and Meter for element stresses and Kg and Meter for element forces.

The STAAD input file commands generated are:

UNIT METER KN
PRINT ELEMENT STRESSES LIST 3
UNIT KG METER
PRINT ELEMENT FORCE LIST 6

These results will be written in the STAAD output file and can be viewed using the procedure explained in " T.3 Viewing the output file ".

Set the length and force units to Meter and Kilonewton respectively.
Refer to T.3 Changing the input units of length for additional information on this procedure.
On the Analysis and Design ribbon tab, select the Post-Analysis Commands tool in the Analysis Data group.

The Post Analysis Print - Whole Structure dialog opens.
On the Post Analysis Print - Whole Structure dialog, click Define Commands.
The Analysis/Print Commands dialog opens.
Select the Element Forces/Stress tab.
Select the Print Element Stresses option.
Click Add and then click Close.
Set the length and force units to Meterand Kilogram respectively.
Repeat steps 3 through 6 except select the Print Element Forces option in step 5.

The dialog with unassigned commands
Associate the print element stresses with element 3:
1. Select the PRINT ELEMENT STRESSES command in the Post Analysis Print - Whole Structure dialog commands list.
2. On the Geometry ribbon tab, select the Plates Cursor tool in the Selection group.
3. In the view window, select element no. 3.
  When you select the plate, the Assignment Method automatically becomes Assign to Selected Plates.
4. Click Assign.
To associate the PRINT ELEMENT FORCE command with element 6, use a similar procedure as step 9 except for selecting element no. 6 in the place of element no. 3.

Tip: Remember to save your work by either click Save on the File ribbon tab , the Save tool, or pressing <CTRL+S>.