Is there a way to have STAAD analyze a member such that the strength decrease from welding is incorporated? Either with a specific weld application or by somehow having the maximum capacity change based on location of the member?
Thank you
There is a parameter called WELD for Aluminum design which may be what you need. The values that can be assigned to this parameter are:
0 - Region is farther than 1.0 inch from a weld
1 - Region is within 1.0 in from a weld
It addresses the requirement in Table 3.4-2 in Section I-A of the 1994 Aluminum specifications where it is mentioned that the value of coefficients Kt and Kc are dependent upon whether or not, the location of the section where design is done is within 1.0 inch of a weld.