We would like to submit a product improvement idea regarding the steel column base design module in STAAD.Pro.

In current versions, the column base design workflow does not allow users to freely define the location and configuration of stiffener plates. Stiffener positioning is largely governed by predefined software assumptions, which limits the ability to accurately represent actual engineering detailing and fabrication practices.

This limitation often leads to:

• Overly conservative column base designs, driven by restricted stiffener placement rather than true structural demand.

• Inconsistencies between software-generated column base models and issued construction drawings, where the design intent cannot be fully reflected in the STAAD.Pro model.

In large industrial and EPC projects, such discrepancies reduce confidence in the software output and may affect client or third-party acceptance of the design.