Ductwork design using STAAD PRO

Hello Brian,

Have you used other structural CAE programs like SAP2000, RISA-3D, GT-STRUDL, LARSA, STRAP or S-Frame?

If you have - STAAD.Pro is doing the same thing but has somewhat different interface and maybe a few extra 'bells and whistles'

If you haven't - you have 'a long way to go'

In general I could tell you that before even starting your input you should clarify for yourself two conceptual aspects of your model:

1. Geometry - what elements of the ductwork should be represented by 'plate' (or 'shell') members and what elements may be (and better be) represented as a 'linear members' (either hot-rolled, cold-formed, or 'user-defined' steel shapes). Every member (either 'plate' or 'linear' should have a complete set of properties: material mechanical properties and shape properties. Also you should allocate supports and restrains and determine what degree(s) of freedom is restrained in each support point. Member-to-member connections could be either hinge or rigid and that is also for you to determine.

2. Loads - the magnitude and direction of the pressure is the main thing; however there may be (quite likely) additional forces imitating the weights of non-modeled components or other conditions (temperature differential for example). Think in advance how you'll organize you load cases and combinations and what critical members may require envelopes of combinations.

If you successfully and accurately input Geometry and Loads and your model won't fail with integrity, connectivity, or stability, don't forget to check load's spreadsheets very carefully (graphic interface is still goofy and unreliable in most CAE programs and it may not show clearly if you put the same load twice by mistake).

The output could be presented numerically (as spreadsheets or internal forces and deflections) or as a colorful 3D diagrams, especially impressive for 'plate' members; the higher the internal forces the wormer (or hotter, if you will) the color.

E-mail me how it'll go.

Good Luck,

Len

Thanx for giving your valuable comments