Staad pro plate modeling
Staad pro plate modeling
(OP)
My question is regarding the modeling of plate elements in a steel moment frame building using staad pro. I have all of my framing members put in and loaded accordingly. My flooring system is one way precast planks. My question is what would be the best way to model the precast panel to get the correct contribution of stiffness???
I did two small comparison models
1) with plate elements connected at each node of interesting beams
2) no plate elements
The two behaved considerably different, and my thought is that the model with the plate element is most accuate.
The second question does the size of these plates matter??? most of them are 10 foot by 10 foot if I only infill these in between my beam, or do they need to be smaller??
Any help is much appreciated, thank you






RE: Staad pro plate modeling
As far as what size plates to use: the typical acceptable limits to the aspect ratio is around 1:4 (the less the better; 1:1 of course being best). Of course (to tie in with what I say above) if they aren’t acting as a diaphragm it’s probably better just to represent them (self-weight and all) as loads.
RE: Staad pro plate modeling
The planks i beleive are cast as 15ft long and 4ft wide so i will be acting as a one way slab.
Thanks for your input.