Modelling of component

Question

Hello, 
 Please see the image attached. Can I model such structure in STAAD Pro ? 
 In this image the green member is a plate of varying dimension. Top and bottom plates are welded to this member. There are L sections which are welded to the green plate vertically and horizontally. Please suggest the method the model this component. 
 
 Any help and guidance will be highly appreciated.

Modestas · Accepted Answer

You can model it as a beam or as a plate. I think that modeling of plates would be a more exact approach. 
 If you are modeling L section as a beam, then you need to connect it with web (green plate in your sketch) at every node of the mesh. In other words, that green plate has to be meshed and L section should be connecting to that plate at every mesh node along the length of the L section (L section will be divided into many parts). You may also want to apply the beam offset and Beta angle to that L section. 
 
 If you are using plates to model L section, you need to make sure that mesh of the green plate would have connectivity through the common nodes with mesh of that angle section modeled of plates.

Modestas · Answer

You may model all these components in STAAD.Pro by using Plate elements.