

“STAAD revolutionized the structural design process years ago, and even today, many years and versions later, it is still the most user-friendly solution and preferred by most designers.”
Technical Capabilities
User Interface
- Graphical capabilities. Models can be created quickly and accurately using structural grids, tooltips to highlight data, frame generators, and a structure wizard for standard structural frames
- Visualization. From simple wire frames for speed, accuracy, and ease of use to fully rendered 3D models for clear mass distribution and presentation
- All new advanced IDE style Editor with IntelliSense, Database Integration, and context-sensitive help
- Meshing capabilities. Triangular or quadrilateral meshes created from zones within defined models or imported from DXF files
- Load generators. Seismic UBC, IBC, ASME wind and snow, bridge loading BEAVA
- Customizable interface with VBA tools. Create windows and tables to your own specifications. SQL query builder
- STAAD Building Planner. Special modeling environment for building structures. Operations like defining geometry, making changes in the geometric specifications are matters of only few clicks in this workflow.
Objects
- Beams. Standard linear, curved and physical beams, compression/tension only, with databases of sections from around the world
- Plates. 3- or 4-noded 2D plates and surface objects with holes
- Solid. Solid 3D bricks from 4- to 8-noded
- Supports. Foundation and multilinear springs
- Loads. Full range of loads for static and dynamic analysis that can be defined explicitly or calculated using the wide range of load generators
Intraoperability
- RAM Connection. Joints defined in the model with the forces calculated from the analysis can be passed into the leading connection design application
- Bentley AutoPIPE. Pass the STAAD.Pro structural steel frame into AutoPIPE to correctly account for the pipe support stiffnesses and import the pipe engineers support reactions back into the model for an accurate design in a fraction of the time of traditional methods
- STAAD Foundation Advanced. Import the STAAD support reactions and positions directly to design the structure foundations
- RAM Concept. Floor slabs can be identified and linked to RAM Concept for full RC and PT design and detailing in a state-of-the-art application
- ProStructures and OpenBuildings Designer. Two-way link to support creating models with design and construction documents
- OpenSTAAD is an API from which STAAD data can be extracted directly into custom programs or applications such as Microsoft Word or Excel. You can even use OpenSTAAD to drive the creation of STAAD.Pro models, run the analysis, and view the results with your own interface
- CAD, DXF. Use CAD models as the base wire frame, structural grid, or outline of a complex deck that needs to be meshed
- CIS/2. Exchange data with other steel design packages
Analysis
- Elastic. Traditional first order including iterative one-way analysis
- P-Delta. Both large and small P-Delta including stress-stiffening effects
- Imperfection. Account for imperfections in structural geometry
- Dynamic. Modal analysis including stress-stiffening eigen solution and steady-state options, time history, and response spectrums
- Advanced solver, the staple of STAAD for over 20 years is now up to 1,000 times faster
- Section Wizard. Calculate properties of built-up sections, drawn freehand, parametrically defined, or imported from a CAD drawing
Post Processing
- Interactive graphics. Linked tables and windows to get direct feedback from one item in related windows
- Output file. Simple clear information to verify the analysis
- User report. Create high-quality documents
- Contoured stress plots. Using automatic or user-configured scales, colors, and limits
- Animations. View displacements, stress contours, or mode shapes dynamically
Design and Documentation
- Steel Design: Choose from over 50 regional design codes
- Integrated with the analysis process
- Integrated steel drawing production using Steel Autodrafter
- Chinese steel design module available
- Concrete Design
- Basic Concrete Design: Select from 18 design codes. Quick and integrated with analysis process
Advanced Concrete Design. 12 additional regional design codes. Integrated concrete design, detailing, and drawing production (requires STAAD.Pro Advanced)
- Basic Concrete Design: Select from 18 design codes. Quick and integrated with analysis process
- Timber. Support for design codes such as US, Canada, Eurocode
- Aluminum design (US)
Design codes
Many design code standards are incorporated into STAAD to make sure that the structural design complies with local regulations. Some of these codes include:
- ASCE 7
- IBC
- IS1893
- IS456
- IS13920
- AISC 360
- ACI 318
- AISI
- EN 1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2)
- EN 1993-1-1 (Eurocode 3)
- IS800
- IS801
Expand the sections below to learn more about what features are available in each version of STAAD.


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