SLAB AND BEAM MODELLING IN STAAD PRO

Question

Hi, 
 
 I am modelling one model in STAAD pro v8i and have some doubt regarding design of slab 
 Since, slab design is little bit complex in STAAD by creating plate mesh as it divides the beam into "n" number of joints (which makes beam analysis difficult). To overcome this problem, I created two model of same project - 
 First Case 
 In first model, I apply slab load on beam directly by "Floor command" (Grouping feature - One-way / Two Way distribution) without modelling slab. ( Here , my purpose is to design Beam by applying slab load on structure). 
 Second Case 
 In second duplicate model, I model slab by plate meshing and apply same loading (ex self weight of slab as it will be automatically calculated in this case) by "Plate Pressure" feature and analyse the design of slab only. ( Here , my purpose is to design Slab only). 
 My Question is - Is this approach of designing slab and beam is correct ?

Modestas · Answer

In the first case you are not designing the slab at all. Also, the slab stiffness is not is not considered during the analysis. In the 2nd case, the design of slab is performed. 2nd method is more accurate to get the force distribution between the slabs and beams, so I would go with that method.