AutoPIPE and STAAD.Pro Integration

In this exercise importing a simple AutoPIPE model into an existing STAAD.Pro model is attempted.

The target combined model is illustrated below. A point load is applied to the structure in order to observe whether the bigger (piping) will take more load due to it is significantly higher stiffness. The ends of both structure and piping are restrained separately using 'fixed' support.

In order to achieve the above combination, the piping is modelled in AutoPIPE as illustrated below:

Anchor Fixity at the top end of the piping (to the future structure) is achieved by defining 6 piipng nodes with 1mm spacing at the top end of the piping. Each of these nodes are constrained for 1 degree of freedom:

The existing STAAD.Pro structure is illustrated below:

The piping model is hence successfully transferred to STAAD.Pro using PipeLink:

This is where the issue occurs. During the analysis and post-process in STAAD, the piping is not considered as a member, and only the interface loads from the AutoPIPE model are transferred to the relevant nodes in STAAD.Pro, As you can see in the figure below, the point load of 500kN transfers directly through the structural member, as if the piping member does not exist.

Is this an intended exclusion?

Thanks in advance.