STAAD.foundation (SS4) Version 5.3 is released

STAAD.foundation V8i SELECT series 4 (Release 5.3) is now available on SELECT to download. The Version 5.3 release is a part of STAAD integrated release series and it takes STAAD.Pro integration to a completely new level. STAAD.foundation is now installed with STAAD.Pro and can be opened directly from the STAAD.Pro environment.

A new tab called "Foundation Design" is added among the other Mode tabs in STAAD.Pro. Clicking that tab will open a new page. This page is very similar to "STAAD.Pro import" dialog in STAAD.foundation, where you can select supports and load cases/combinations to export. By default program will export all supports.

 Clicking on "Launch STAAD.foundation" button will open STAAD.foundation and foundation design related data will be exported automatically to STAAD.foundation.

The other important aspects of this new integration are:

• 1) Smart change management
• 2) Smart load management
• 3) Unit compatibility

Smart Change Management

The integration takes the advantage of XML technology. A XML interface acts as a link between STAAD.Pro and STAAD.foundation. The new version of STAAD.foundation has an underlying layer which synchronizes current XML data with already saved data in STAAD.foundation's native AFS file format. Whenever STAAD.foundation is launched from STAAD.Pro, this is the first step the program takes to make sure all changes made (if any)  in STAAD.Pro are merged with AFS file format.

With this integration the flow between these two products is now seamless. Change management is completely handled automatically and does not require any manual intervention. The added advantage is to have a formatted text (XML) file format which can be opened in any text editor to verify (although not necessary for normal usage) the correct data transformation from STAAD.Pro to STAAD.foundation.

Smart Load Management

The new integration honors load cases or combinations created in STAAD.foundation. It has the ability to differentiate load cases created in STAAD.Pro and STAAD.foundation. Graphically, in "Load Page" it shows even different icons for users to easily differentiate load cases. There are many ways this new feature could be useful. One possible work flow could be as following:

• 1) Go to "Foundation Design" page
• 2) Select only primary load cases
• 3) Launch STAAD.foundation
• 4) Create load combinations for allowable and ultimate types inside STAAD.foundation
• 5) Design Foundations
• 6) When STAAD.Pro model gets updated, select primary load cases only before launching STAAD.foundation, so no need to check job definitions in STAAD.foundation and no need to worry about load types (allowable or strength).

Unit Compatibility

Depending on the base unit setup in STAAD.Pro, while launching, STAAD.foundation will set its unit system to "English" or "SI". This feature is very useful for seamless flow as user does not need to adjust display unit anymore in STAAD.foundation.

For a detailed list of new enhancements and features please review "What's New" document