Placas Staad

1.
6 Finite Element Information Page 1 of 18
Technical Reference Manual
1.6 Finite Element Information

STAAD.Pro is equipped with a plate/shell finite element, solid finite element and an entity called the
surface element. The features of each is explained in the following sections.
1.6.1 Plate and Shell Element
1.6.2 Solid Element
1.6.3 Surface Element
Reference Materials
5.11 Joint Coordinates Specification
5.13 Elements and Surfaces
5.13.1 Plate and Shell Element Incidence Specification
5.13.2 Solid Element Incidences Specification
5.14 Plate Element Mesh Generation
5.14.1 Element Mesh Generation
5.21 Element/Surface Property Specification
5.21.1 Element Property Specification
5.24 Element Plane Stress and Ignore Inplane Rotation Specification
5.32.3 Element Load Specifications
5.32.3.1 Element Load Specification - Plates
1.6.1 Plate and Shell Element
The Plate/Shell finite element is based on the hybrid element formulation. The element can be
3-noded (triangular) or 4-noded (quadrilateral). If all the four nodes of a quadrilateral element do not
lie on one plane, it is advisable to model them as triangular elements. The thickness of the element
may be different from one node to another.
file:///C:/Users/raist/AppData/Local/Temp/~hh3435.htm 23/11/2022
1.6 Finite Element Information Page 2 of 18
"Surface structures" such as walls, slabs, plates and shells may be modeled using finite elements. For
convenience in generation of a finer mesh of plate/shell elements within a large area, a MESH
GENERATION facility is available.See "Plate Element Mesh Generation" for details.
You may also use the element for PLANE STRESS action only (i.e., membrane/in-plane stiffness only).
The ELEMENT PLANE STRESS command should be used for this purpose.
Geometry Modeling Considerations
The following geometry related modeling rules should be remembered while using the plate/shell
element.
1. The program automatically generates a fictitious, center node "O" (see the following figure) at
the element center.
Figure 1-14: Fictitious center node (in the case of triangular elements, a fourth node; in the case
of rectangular elements, a fifth node)
2. While assigning nodes to an element in the input data, it is essential that the nodes be specified
either clockwise or counter clockwise (see the following figure). For better efficiency, similar
elements should be numbered sequentially.
Figure 1-15: Examples of correct and incorrect numbering sequences
3. Element aspect ratio should not be excessive. They should be on the order of 1:1, and
preferably less than 4:1.
4. Individual elements should not be distorted. Angles between two adjacent element sides should
not be much larger than 90 and never larger than 180.
Figure 1-16: Some examples of good and bad elements in terms of the angles
a. Opposite sides cross each other
b. Ratio of the lengths of the longest side to the shortest side exceeds eight
c. Ratio of the sides exceeds eight
d. Angle between two adjacent sides exceeds 120 degrees
Load Specification for Plate Elements
Following load specifications are available:
1. Joint loads at element nodes in global directions.
2. Concentrated loads at any user specified point within the element in global or local directions.
3. Uniform pressure on element surface in global or local directions.
4. Partial uniform pressure on user specified portion of element surface in global or local
directions.
5. Linearly varying pressure on element surface in local directions.
6. Temperature load due to uniform increase or decrease of temperature.
7. Temperature load due to difference in temperature between top and bottom surfaces of the
element.
Theoretical Basis
The STAAD plate finite element is based on hybrid finite element formulations. An incomplete
quadratic stress distribution is assumed. For plane stress action, the assumed stress distribution is as
follows.
Figure 1-17: Assumed stress distribution
The incomplete quadratic assumed stress distribution:
a1 through a10 = constants of stress polynomials
The following quadratic stress distribution is assumed for plate bending action:
Figure 1-18: Quadratic stress distribution assumed for bending
The incomplete quadratic assumed stress distribution:
a1 through a13 = constants of stress polynomials
The distinguishing features of this finite element are:
1. Displacement compatibility between the plane stress component of one element and the plate
bending component of an adjacent element which is at an angle to the first (see the following
figure) is achieved by the elements. This compatibility requirement is usually ignored in most
flat shell/plate elements.
Figure 1-19: Adjacent elements at some angle
2. The out of plane rotational stiffness from the plane stress portion of each element is usefully
incorporated and not treated as a dummy as is usually done in most commonly available
commercial software.
3. Despite the incorporation of the rotational stiffness mentioned previously, the elements satisfy
the patch test absolutely.
4. These elements are available as triangles and quadrilaterals, with corner nodes only, with each
node having six degrees of freedom.
5. These elements are the simplest forms of flat shell/plate elements possible with corner nodes
only and six degrees of freedom per node. Yet solutions to sample problems converge rapidly to
accurate answers even with a large mesh size.
6. These elements may be connected to plane/space frame members with full displacement
compatibility. No additional restraints/releases are required.
7. Out of plane shear strain energy is incorporated in the formulation of the plate bending
component. As a result, the elements respond to Poisson boundary conditions which are
considered to be more accurate than the customary Kirchoff boundary conditions.
8. The plate bending portion can handle thick and thin plates, thus extending the usefulness of the
plate elements into a multiplicity of problems. In addition, the thickness of the plate is taken
into consideration in calculating the out of plane shear.
9. The plane stress triangle behaves almost on par with the well known linear stress triangle. The
triangles of most similar flat shell elements incorporate the constant stress triangle which has
very slow rates of convergence. Thus the triangular shell element is very useful in problems
with double curvature where the quadrilateral element may not be suitable.
10. Stress retrieval at nodes and at any point within the element.
Plate Element Local Coordinate System
The orientation of local coordinates is determined as follows:
1. The vector pointing from I to J is defined to be parallel to the local x- axis.
2. For triangles: the cross-product of vectors IJ and JK defines a vector parallel to the local z-axis,
i.e., z = IJ x JK.
For quads: the cross-product of vectors IJ and JL defines a vector parallel to the local z-axis,
i.e., z = IJ x JL.
3. The cross-product of vectors z and x defines a vector parallel to the local y- axis, i.e., y = z x x.
4. The origin of the axes is at the center (average) of the four joint locations (three joint locations
for a triangle).
Figure 1-20: Element origin
Output of Plate Element Stresses and Moments
For the sign convention of output stress and moments, please see figures below.
ELEMENT stress and moment output is available at the following locations:
A. Center point of the element.

B. All corner nodes of the element.
C. At any user specified point within the element.
Following are the items included in the ELEMENT STRESS output.
Table 1-3: Items included in the Stress Element output

Title Description
SQX, SQY Shear stresses (Force/ unit length/ thickness)
SX, SY Membrane stresses (Force/unit length/ thickness)

SXY Inplane Shear Stress (Force/unit length/ thickness)
MX, MY, Moments per unit width (Force x Length/length)
MXY (For Mx, the unit width is a unit distance parallel to
the local Y axis. For My, the unit width is a unit
distance parallel to the local X axis. Mx and My
Title Description
cause bending, while Mxy causes the element to twist
out-of-plane.)
SMAX, Principal stresses in the plane of the element

SMIN (Force/unit area). The 3rd principal stress is 0.0
TMAX Maximum 2D shear stress in the plane of the element

(Force/unit area)
VONT, 3D Von Mises stress at the top and bottom surfaces,

VONB where:
VM = 0.707[(SMAX - SMIN)2 + SMAX2 + SMIN2]

1/2
TRESCAT, Tresca stress, where TRESCA = MAX[ |(Smax-

TRESCAB Smin)| , |(Smax)| , |(Smin)| ]
Notes
1. All element stress output is in the local coordinate system. The direction and sense of the
element stresses are explained in the following section.
2. To obtain element stresses at a specified point within the element, you must provide the
location (local X, local Y) in the coordinate system for the element. The origin of the local
coordinate system coincides with the center of the element.
3. The 2 nonzero Principal stresses at the surface (SMAX & SMIN), the maximum 2D shear stress
(TMAX), the 2D orientation of the principal plane (ANGLE), the 3D Von Mises stress (VONT
& VONB), and the 3D Tresca stress (TRESCAT & TRESCAB) are also printed for the top and
bottom surfaces of the elements. The top and the bottom surfaces are determined on the basis of
the direction of the local z-axis.
4. The third principal stress is assumed to be zero at the surfaces for use in Von Mises and Tresca
stress calculations. However, the TMAX and ANGLE are based only on the 2D inplane stresses
(SMAX & SMIN) at the surface. The 3D maximum shear stress at the surface is not calculated
but would be equal to the 3D Tresca stress divided by 2.0.
Sign Convention of Plate Element Stresses and Moments
See "Print Specifications " for definitions of the nomenclature used in the following figures.
Figure 1-21: Sign conventions for plate stresses and moments
Figure 1-22: Sign convention for plate bending
Mx is the Bending Moment on the local x face and the local x-face is the face perpendicular to the
local x-axis.
My is the Bending Moment on the local y face and the local y-face is the face perpendicular to the
local y-axis.
Figure 1-23: Stress caused by Mx
Figure 1-24: Stress caused by My
Figure 1-25: Torsion
Figure 1-26: Membrane stress Sx and Sy
Figure 1-27: In-plane shear stresses Sxy and Syx
Figure 1-28: Out-of-plane shear stresses SQX and SQY
Members, plate elements, solid elements and surface elements can all be part of a single STAAD
model. The MEMBER INCIDENCES input must precede the INCIDENCE input for plates, solids or
surfaces. All INCIDENCEs must precede other input such as properties, constants, releases, loads, etc.
The selfweight of the finite elements is converted to joint loads at the connected nodes and is not used
as an element pressure load.
Plate Element Numbering
During the generation of element stiffness matrix, the program verifies whether the element is same as
the previous one or not. If it is same, repetitive calculations are not performed. The sequence in which
the element stiffness matrix is generated is the same as the sequence in which elements are input in
element incidences.
Therefore, to save some computing time, similar elements should be numbered sequentially. The
following figure shows examples of efficient and non-efficient element numbering.
However, you have to decide between adopting a numbering system which reduces the computation
time versus a numbering system which increases the ease of defining the structure geometry.
Figure 1-29: Examples of efficient and inefficient element numbering
Reference Materials
5.22.2 Element Release Specification
1.6.2 Solid Element
Solid elements enable the solution of structural problems involving general three dimensional
stresses. There is a class of problems such as stress distribution in concrete dams, soil and rock strata
where finite element analysis using solid elements provides a powerful tool.
Theoretical Basis
The solid element used in STAAD is of eight-noded, isoparametric type. These elements have three
translational degrees-of-freedom per node.
Figure 1-30: eight-noded, isoparametric solid element
By collapsing various nodes together, an eight noded solid element can be degenerated to the
following forms with four to seven nodes. Joints 1, 2, and 3 must be retained as a triangle.
Figure 1-31: Forms of a collapsed eight-noded solid element
The stiffness matrix of the solid element is evaluated by numerical integration with eight Gauss-
Legendre points. To facilitate the numerical integration, the geometry of the element is expressed by
interpolating functions using natural coordinate system, (r,s,t) of the element with its origin at the
center of gravity. The interpolating functions are shown below:
, ,
where x, y and z are the coordinates of any point in the element and xi, yi, zi, i=1,..,8 are the
coordinates of nodes defined in the global coordinate system. The interpolation functions, hi are
defined in the natural coordinate system, (r,s,t). Each of r,s and t varies between -1 and +1. The
fundamental property of the unknown interpolation functions hi is that their values in natural
coordinate system is unity at node, i, and zero at all other nodes of the element. The element
displacements are also interpreted the same way as the geometry. For completeness, the functions are
given below:
, ,
where u, v and w are displacements at any point in the element and ui,vi, wi, i=1,8 are corresponding
nodal displacements in the coordinate system used to describe the geometry.
Three additional displacement "bubble" functions which have zero displacements at the surfaces are
added in each direction for improved shear performance to form a 33x33 matrix. Static condensation
is used to reduce this matrix to a 24x24 matrix at the corner joints.
Local Coordinate System
The local coordinate system used in solid element is the same as the global system.
Figure 1-32: Local coordinate system for a solid element
Properties and Constants
Unlike members and shell (plate) elements, no properties are required for solid elements. However,
the constants such as modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio are to be specified. Also, density needs
to be provided if selfweight is included in any load case.
Output of Element Stresses
Element stresses may be obtained at the center and at the joints of the solid element. The items that
are printed are :
• Normal Stresses : SXX, SYY and SZZ

• Shear Stresses : SXY, SYZ and SZX
• Principal stresses : S1, S2 and S3
• Von Mises stresses: SIGE = 0.707[(S1 - S2)2 + (S2 - S3)2 + (S3 - S1)2]1/2
Direction cosines : six direction cosines are printed, following the expression DC, corresponding to
the first two principal stress directions.
Reference Materials
5.32.3.2 Element Load Specification - Solids
1.6.3 Surface Element
For any panel type of structural component, modeling requires breaking it down into a series of plate
elements for analysis purposes. This is what is known in stress analysis parlance as meshing. When
you choose to model the panel component using plate elements, you are then taking on the
responsibility of meshing. Thus, what the program sees is a series of elements. It is your responsibility
to ensure that meshing is done properly. Examples of these are available in example problems 9, 10,
23, 27, etc. (Refer to the Examples manual) where individual plate elements are specified.
By using the Surface type of entity, the burden of meshing is shifted from you to the program to some
degree. The entire wall or slab is hence represented by just a few "Surface" entities, instead of
hundreds of elements. When the program goes through the analysis phase, it will then automatically
subdivide the surface into elements. Therefore, you do not have to instruct the program in what
manner to carry out the meshing.
The attributes associated with the surface element, and the sections of this manual where the
information may be obtained, are listed below:
Related
Attributes
Sections
Surfaces Incidences 5.13.3
Openings in surface 5.13.3
Local Coordinates system for surfaces 1.6.3
Specifying sections for stress/force output 5.13.3
Property for surfaces 5.21.2
Material constants 5.26.3
Surface loading 5.32.3.4
Stress/Force output printing 5.42
Shear Wall Design 3.8.2, 5.55
Local Coordinate system for surfaces
The origin and orientation of the local coordinate system of a surface element depends on the order in
which the boundary nodal points are listed and position of the surface element in relation to the global
coordinate system.
Let X, Y, and Z represent the local and GX, GY, and GZ the global axis vectors, respectively. The
following principles apply.
a. Origin of X-Y-Z is located at the first node specified.
b. Direction of Z may be established by the right hand corkscrew rule, where the thumb indicates
the positive Z direction, and the fingers point along the circumference of the element from the
first to the last node listed.
c. X is a vector product of GY and Z (X = GY x Z). If GY and Z are parallel, X is taken as a

vector parallel to GX.
d. Finally, Y is a vector product of Z and X (Y = Z x X).
The diagram below shows directions and sign convention of local axes and forces.
Figure 1-33: Local axis & sign convention of surface forces
Reference Materials
5.13.3 Surface Entities Specification
5.21.2 Surface Property Specification
5.26.3 Surface Constants Specification
5.43 Stress/Force output printing for Surface Entities
5.55 Shear Wall Design

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1.

6 Finite Element Information Page 1 of 18

Technical Reference Manual

1.6 Finite Element Information

1.6.1 Plate and Shell Element

1.6.2 Solid Element

1.6.3 Surface Element

5.11 Joint Coordinates Specification

5.13 Elements and Surfaces

5.13.1 Plate and Shell Element Incidence Specification

5.13.2 Solid Element Incidences Specification

5.14 Plate Element Mesh Generation

5.14.1 Element Mesh Generation

5.21 Element/Surface Property Specification

5.21.1 Element Property Specification

5.24 Element Plane Stress and Ignore Inplane Rotation Specification

5.32.3 Element Load Specifications

5.32.3.1 Element Load Specification - Plates

Technical Reference Manual

1.6.1 Plate and Shell Element

Geometry Modeling Considerations

Figure 1-15: Examples of correct and incorrect numbering sequences

Load Specification for Plate Elements

Following load specifications are available:

1. Joint loads at element nodes in global directions.

3. Uniform pressure on element surface in global or local directions.

5. Linearly varying pressure on element surface in local directions.

6. Temperature load due to uniform increase or decrease of temperature.

Figure 1-17: Assumed stress distribution

The incomplete quadratic assumed stress distribution:

a1 through a10 = constants of stress polynomials

Figure 1-18: Quadratic stress distribution assumed for bending

The incomplete quadratic assumed stress distribution:

a1 through a13 = constants of stress polynomials

The distinguishing features of this finite element are:

Figure 1-19: Adjacent elements at some angle

Plate Element Local Coordinate System

The orientation of local coordinates is determined as follows:

1. The vector pointing from I to J is defined to be parallel to the local x- axis.

Figure 1-20: Element origin

Output of Plate Element Stresses and Moments

ELEMENT stress and moment output is available at the following locations:

A. Center point of the element.

Following are the items included in the ELEMENT STRESS output.

Table 1-3: Items included in the Stress Element output

SX, SY Membrane stresses (Force/unit length/ thickness)

SMAX, Principal stresses in the plane of the element

TMAX Maximum 2D shear stress in the plane of the element

VONT, 3D Von Mises stress at the top and bottom surfaces,

VM = 0.707[(SMAX - SMIN)2 + SMAX2 + SMIN2]

TRESCAT, Tresca stress, where TRESCA = MAX[ |(Smax-

Sign Convention of Plate Element Stresses and Moments

Figure 1-21: Sign conventions for plate stresses and moments

Figure 1-22: Sign convention for plate bending

Figure 1-23: Stress caused by Mx

Figure 1-24: Stress caused by My

Figure 1-25: Torsion

Figure 1-26: Membrane stress Sx and Sy

Figure 1-27: In-plane shear stresses Sxy and Syx