Dear Sirs,
When creating the primary load cases in STAAD, we are allowed to specify load case type as DL, LL, LL (reducable), LL (roof), WL, etc. If I understand correctly, this is used for the load combination generation. Is there any other effect for this load type definition? For example, some codes allow increase in permissible stresses for load combinations involving lateral loads, but I dont think STAAD automatically considers it even if load type is defined.
Thanks in advance
Arunkumar
The loading Type defined at the time of creation of the primary loading helps the program to identify the type while creating auto load combination as per the rule set of the codes selected by the user. Permissible stresses are not increased on the basis of this loading type.
Thank you sir. Is there any other effect of specifying the load type?
Thanks again.
I think if you will use the auto load combination based on your design code, specifying the load type is very important.
However, if you do not specify the load type (type: None), that load will not be included in the auto load combination.
As per my experience, for simple analysis WITHOUT DESIGN of simple analytical models, there is no difference when you specify the load type and use the auto load combination compared with not specifying the load type while giving the CORRECT load combinations manually. I think a good practice is to specify the load type because maybe it will be used in some commands like live load reduction for floor loads, etc.. plus we do not really know how the staad handles the command internally.
Please refer to the following section of Technical Reference Manual:
5.32.4.3 Floor Load Specification
5.32.4.2 One-way Load Specification
you can find the details of Live load reduction.