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Expert: - 2/20/2009


Question
Hi
I'm design a four-storey structure with staad. I want to know if it is possible for staad to generate different loading cases automatically i.e. span A loaded with the design load and span B loaded with dead. This is so i can get the worst span and support moments. Doing this kind of loading manually is quite tedious. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Solomon,

I have not used STAAD for a while, but the last version did not have this facility. The only way was to do one load case with only dead load and two other load cases with only live loading (on different alternative spans) and then combining these in the load combinations.

If you are asking this for purposes of foundation design then you do not need to do pattern loading- just assume maximum loading on all spans. Even for global design of a 4-storey frame, there is no need to do pattern loading, as this is only required for localised envelope stresses for the beams and columns.

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Arshad Khan

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I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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