Applies To
	Product(s):	STAAD Foundation Advanced
	Version(s):	ALL
	Environment:	ALL
	Area:	Mat Foundation
	Subarea:	N/A
	Original Author:	Phil Riegel, Bentley Technical Support Group

 

If I build a mat foundation in STAAD.pro using plate elements, can I directly import those plates into STAAD Foundation Advanced?

 

Yes, plates can be directly imported from STAAD.pro using the following procedure:

1.  Build the foundation in STAAD.pro by adding a mesh of plates to model the mat.  Make sure to include the soil spring supports, plate thickness, material properties, loads, etc.—everything required to run the analysis.

2.  Please note - when it comes to the load combinations it is very important that you make sure both the Service and Ultimate combinations are defined. 

3.  Run the analysis.

4.  When the analysis is complete, close out of the STAAD.pro model.

5.  Launch STAAD Foundation Advanced.

6.  Click on "Import STAAD.Pro" under the Home tab at the top of the screen:

7.  Select the .std file corresponding to your STAAD.pro model.

8.  Click Open.

9.  In the window that appears, make sure the Service and Ultimate load combinations are all checked so they get included (also, remember to set their load case types to "Service" and "Ultimate").

10.  Change the Import Type from “Import Supported Nodes” to “Import Plates".

11.  A dialog box will pop up with a warning message that outlines the limitations to using this method.  Basically, when using the “Import Plates” method the program retrieves all analysis data from the STAAD.pro model, and as a result changes to analysis data cannot be done from within SFA (for example, meshing of plates).  Similarly, no analysis can be performed. 

12.  Click OK to proceed.

13.  Make sure the remaining parameters are set (vertical axis system, Y Level, units, design code, etc.):

14.  Click "Import"

15.  At this point the mat will appear in SFA.  Go to "Save As" to save the model, entering the file name and desired folder. 

16.  Next a boundary must be defined (this is required for the design to work).  It is recommended you change the view so you are looking at the mat from a top-down perspective.  A boundary can be defined several ways—for example by clicking the “Add Polygonal Boundary” icon under Tools as shown below: 

You can then click around the corners of the mat foundation.  When you have gone around the entire perimeter and click on the node you began with, a dialog box will appear where you can enter a name:

17.  Click OK.

18.  Go to Mat Foundation Job -> Mesh Generation -> Meshing Setup on the left-hand side of the screen:  

You will see the “Meshing Setup” dialog box appear to the right.  The boundary should have automatically turned red at this point (i.e. be selected), and the Region Identifier already identified with the name entered previously:

19.  Click the “Add” button to finalize.  The name given to the boundary will appear under Meshing Setup as shown below:

20.  Once this step is complete, you can proceed with the design procedure just as you normally would for a mat foundation (i.e., do the moment envelope generation, go through the “slab designer” step in which parameters such as rebar size, clear cover, etc. are specified, and set up the reinforcement zoning.)  Please note, the moment envelope generation requires a boundary be defined and have a name—this is why steps 16 to 19 are outlined above are so important.