Applies To
	Product(s):	STAAD.Pro
	Version(s):	All
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	Modeling Solutions
	Subarea:	Geometry
	Original Author:	Sye Chakraborty, Technical Support Group

 

I tried to move my STAAD.Pro model by 1180 ft in Y direction using the GUI and noted that the coordinates are being modified as shown next

Input BEFORE the move
…
UNIT FEET KIP
JOINT COORDINATES
1 0 0 23; 2 0 0 33; 3 0 0 63; 4 0 0 73; 5 0 0 88; 6 8 0 23; 7 8 0 33; 8 8 0 63;

Input AFTER the move
…
UNIT FEET KIP
JOINT COORDINATES
1 0 1.18e+003 23; 2 0 1.18e+003 33; 3 0 1.18e+003 63; 4 0 1.18e+003 73;

How can I prevent that from happening?

Solution :

Here are the steps you need to follow

1. Close any STAAD model if it is open and from the startup page click on Configuration.
2. Ensure that the Base unit is set to ENGLISH and not METRIC.
3. Go to the Input/Output File Format tab and ensure that the Significant Digits for Joint Coordinate is set to 6. Click on Apply.
4. You may then open the Original file and do the Move operation again and now it should write the coordinates as

UNIT FEET KIP
JOINT COORDINATES
1 0 1180 23; 2 0 1180 33; 3 0 1180 63; 4 0 1180 73;

5. As an alternative to step 4, you may also open the modified file ( coordinates in scientific notation ) and save it once using the GUI ( not the editor). The coordinates should revert back to the format mentioned in point 4.