In recent times, I have been designing a large number of buried underground structures. (I figured many Engineers may have similar experiences on this too).
For buried structures, a few of the applied loads are a function of a single variable i.e. depth below ground. I was wondering if it is possible to introduce a custom (or user defined) Load function that is driven by an equation i.e F(x ) such that "x" is a variable such as depth.
Note: This feature could also have options for multi-variate load function i.e Applied load L = F(x, y) . That function will be up to the engineer/user to carefully create and define in STAAD Pro .
Hence, all the applied load values that will be entered into relevant Load cases/ load items can all be changed automatically when the dependent variable(s) "x" is changed by the user. For example, this feature will help to automate the repetitive tasks of needing to input "fixed load values" in each of the load cases for every change in depth "x".
I think this feature would help speed up the process of updating lots of " fixed load values" real quickly when multiple depths are to be analyzed for a variety of structures. The STAAD file can be saved and the variable "x" updated. New load values will be auto-updated based on "x" for all relevant Load cases with the function.
In addition, this equation F(x) driven by "x" load values can be suitable for other applications such as quick revision of hydrostatic/ earth pressures at various depths
Thank you
Thank you for posting this idea. This seems like the basis of a more generic feature, that of being able to define parametric data and functions as part of the STAAD data set. In other words
1) Allow variables to be defined and used as symbols for values, e.g. defining the four nodes of a basic frame :-
STAAD SPACE
H = 10
W = 20
JOINT CORDINATES
1 0 0 0
2 W 0 0
3 0 H 0
4 W H 0
...
2) Separately, this could be expanded to provide equations in place of values e.g. defining two bays of the same width:-
STAAD SPACE
H = 10
W = 20
JOINT CORDINATES
1 0 0 0
2 W 0 0
3 0 H 0
4 W H 0
5 2*W 0 0
6 2*W H 0
...
What needs to be thought though is how this data format would be handled in the GUI? When does the equation or variable get rendered into actual values? However, in general this is an idea that will be added to the backlog.