Almost all Canadian steel sections are available for input. A complete listing of the sections available in the built-in steel section library may be obtained by using the tools of the graphical user interface.

Following is the description of the different types of sections available:

D4.B.4.1 Welded Wide Flanges (WW shapes)

Welded wide flange shapes listed in the CSA steel tables can be designated using the same scheme used by CSA. The following example illustrates the specification of welded wide flange shapes.

100 TO 150 TA ST WW400X444
34 35 TA ST WW900X347

D4.B.4.2 Wide Flanges (W shapes)

Designation of wide flanges in STAAD is the same as that in CSA tables. For example,

10 TO 75 95 TO 105 TA ST W460X106
100 TO 200 TA ST W610X101

D4.B.4.3 S, M, HP shapes

In addition to welded wide flanges and regular wide flanges, other I shaped sections like S, M and HP shapes are also available. The designation scheme is identical to that listed in the CSA tables. While specifying the sections, it should be remembered that the portion after the decimal point should be omitted. Thus, M310X17.6 should be specified as M310X17 and S180X22.8 should be specified as S180X22. Examples illustrating specifications of these shapes are provided below.

10 TO 20 BY 2 TA ST S510X98
45 TO 55 TA ST M150X6
88 90 96 TA ST HP310X79

D4.B.4.4 Channel Sections (C & MC shapes)

C and MC shapes are designated as shown in the following example. As in S, M and HP sections, the portion after the decimal point must be omitted in section designations. Thus, MC250X42.4 should be designated as MC250X42.

55 TO 90 TA ST C250X30
30 TO 45 TA ST MC200X33

D4.B.4.5 Double Channels

Back-to-back double channels, with or without spacing between them, are specified by preceding the section designation by the letter D. For example, a back-to-back double channel section C200X28 without any spacing in between should be specified as:

100 TO 120 TA D C200X28

If a spacing of 2.5 length units is used, the specification should be as follows:

100 TO 120 TA D C200X28 SP 2.5

Note that the specification SP after the section designation is used for providing the spacing. The spacing should always be provided in the current length unit.

D4.B.4.6 Angles

To specify angles, the angle name is preceded by the letter L. Thus, a 200X200 angle with a 25mm thickness is designated as L200X200X25. The following examples illustrate angle specifications.

75 TO 95 TA ST L100X100X8
33 34 35 TA ST L200X100X20

Refer to the following example for details.

10 TO 15 TA RA L55X35X4

D4.B.4.7 Double Angles

To specify double angles, the specification ST should be substituted with LD (for long leg back-to-back) or SD (short leg back-to-back). For equal angles, either SD or LD will serve the purpose. Spacing between angles may be provided by using the word SP followed by the value of spacing (in current length unit) after section designation.

25 35 45 TA LD L150X100X16
80 TO 90 TA SD L125X75X6 SP 2.5

The second example above describes a double angle section consisting of 125X75X6 angles with a spacing of 2.5 length units.

D4.B.4.8 Tees

Tee sections obtained by cutting W sections may be specified by using the T specification instead of ST before the name of the W shape. For example:

100 TO 120 TA T W200X42

will describe a T section cut from a W200X42 section.

D4.B.4.9 Rectangular Hollow Sections

These sections may be specified in two possible ways. Those sections listed in the CSA tables may be specified as follows.

55 TO 75 TA ST TUB80X60X4

In addition, any tube section may be specified by using the DT(for depth), WT(for width), and TH(for thickness) specifications.

For example:

100 TO 200 TA ST TUBE DT 8.0 WT 6.0 TH 0.5

will describe a tube with a depth of 8 in., width of 6 in. and a wall thickness of 0.5 inches. Note that the values of depth, width and thickness must be provided in current length unit.

D4.B.4.10 Circular Hollow Sections

Sections listed in the CSA tables may be provided as follows:

15 TO 25 TA ST PIP33X2.5

In addition to sections listed in the CSA tables, circular hollow sections may be specified by using the OD (outside diameter) and ID (inside diameter) specifications. For example:

70 TO 90 TA ST PIPE OD 10.0 ID 9.0

will describe a pipe with an outside diameter of 10 length units and inside diameter of 9.0 length units. Note that the values of outside and inside diameters must be provided in terms of current length unit.