Multidisciplinary Applied Research and Innovation Vol. 3 No.

1 (2022) 218-228
© Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia Publisher’s Office

MARI
Homepage: http://penerbit.uthm.edu.my/periodicals/index.php/mari
e-ISSN : 2773-4773

Structural Design : Comparison between

STAAD Pro and Manual Calculation
Jahaya Kesot*1, Azam Zulkiflee1, Hakim Kadir1, Naseh
Zohan1
1
Centre for Diploma Studies,
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 84600 Panchor, Johor, MALAYSIA

*Corresponding Author Designation

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30880/mari.2022.03.01.027
Received 30 September 2021; Accepted 30 November 2021; Available online 15 February
2022

Abstract : Structural design is an art and science of constructing a systems that are
economical, practical and resilient. In general, this project is an application of
theorectical design knowledge combined with practical skill of utilizing modern
engineering tools. A structural frame is selected as design model. Engineering data
partaining to design process such as type of materials, geometrical arrangement adnd
sizing were feeded into STAAD Pro. Analysis was run according to prevalent code
of practice. The output generated is feed into AUTOCAD to produce working
engineering drawing. To comply with standard engineering practice, output from any
automated design software such as STAAD Pro is counter check with manual
calculation. Outcome of this project prove that both output were within reasonable
engineering expectation. Using software for design process did expedite time and
reduce error, but familiarity with using commands and procedures is necessary.

Keywords: Structural Design, Code of Practice, STAAD Pro.

1. Introduction
This project is a building structural design through modelling, analysis and production of technical
drawings using a specific software suitable for use by Diploma’s level students.
There are many software available for structural engineering design such as Linpro, Skyciv,
SAP200, Esteem, Tekla and STAAD Pro. For this project, STAAD Pro will be used because this
software is readily available as part of UTHM online facility.
1.1 Project Aim:
The general aim of this project is to analyze a multi-storied building design of a residential building
using STAAD Pro and compare the output with manual calculations. The specific expected outcome of
this project are as follow:

*Corresponding author: jahaya@uthm.edu.my

2022 UTHM Publisher. All right reserved.
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Kesot et al., Multidisciplinary Applied Research and Innovation Vol. 3 No. 1 (2022) p. 218-228

1. Skillfully navigate the required commands and parameters during data input process in StaadPro
to produce a design that would comply with acceptable engineers standards, specification and
professional practice.
2. Applying knowledge learned during the course of Diploma study to produce manual calculation as
mean of comparison against StaadPro output.
1.2 General
Historically, preparing a design and documentation for an engineering project would comprise
process of calculation for structural analysis, calculation in design step and drawing production based
on project and the tender they received. The only way they carried out their task was by manual methods
by using a formula and hand calculator. This is on inefficient and time consuming especially for big
scale project or when fast information on modification is needed.
2. Materials and Methods
Most of design concrete in Malaysia was based on British Standard (BS 8110) Code of Practice.
Within the improvement of technology and change of time, Eurocode 2 (EC2) has been introduced to
Malaysia as a new guideline in design concrete structure. There have few differences between BS 8110
and EC2 in design specification where EC2 are less prescriptive than the British Standards, with more
aspects left open to the designer. [1]
2.1 Building material
Dead load and imposed loads: Dead loads and imposed loads may be calculated according to
British Standard Code of Practice (BSCP 3 Chap V Part 1). [2] It should be applied to new buildings
and new structure, structural alterations and addition to existing buildings and existing structures. Dead
loads can be calculated from unit weight given in BS 648 or from the original weights of materials used.
2.2 Type of Materials Used
Reinforced Concrete
Reinforced concrete is concrete in which steel is embedded in such way that the two materials act
together in resisting forces. In the reinforced concrete, the tensile strength of the steel and compressive
stress of the concrete will work together to ensure the member can withstand these stresses over the
considerable spans. For this project, the adopted code of practice is BS 8110. [3]
Steel Section
The Eurocode is a set of structural design standards, was developed by CEN (European Committee
for Standardisation) over last 30 years, to combine all types of structures in steel, concrete, timber,
masonry and also aluminium. In the UK, it was developed by BSI under designations BS EN 1990 to
BS EN 1999. [4] Figure 1 shows sample of nominal values of basic yield strength fyb and ultimate tensile
strength fu.

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Figure 1: Nominal values of basic yield strength fyb and ultimate tensile strength fu

2.3 STAAD Pro Software

STAAD Pro is a structural design oriented software with interactive user interface. It can be used
for modelling, designing and analyzing various type structures and structural configurations. Designs
can include building structures incorporating culverts, petrochemical plants, bridges, tunnels, piles and
construction materials such as timber, steel, concrete, aluminium and cold-formed steel. [5]
2.4 Methods
Following are detail steps planned and undertook for the execution of this project:
Step 1: In order to be able to run the program smoothly, the application and functions of the
selected software, including STAAD Pro and Esteem software were learn consecutively.
Step 2: Using the respective tools, a few working examples which were available in the software
manuals were tried out.
Step 3: By evaluating and comparing the result output obtained from the various work examples
using the two selected software and manual measurement, the efficacy of the software was
checked.
Step 4: The columns were constructed using the manual calculation. It calculated the amount of the
reinforcement needed in the columns of the various structural models. The manual calculation
was used to calculate these fixed column sizes because it employed the most traditional
approaches to design.
Step 5: In order to validate the efficiency of the selected program in generating the most economical
and feasible column design with regard to manual calculation, the resulting outputs were
compared. [6]

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2.5 Equations
Following are sample of equations referred for this project:
Wind Load
Design wind pressure, p = Ce × Cq × Q s 𝐄𝐪𝐧. 𝟏

The wind stagnation pressure, Qs is calculated using the following equation.

Q s = 0.00256 × V 2 𝐄𝐪𝐧. 𝟐
Load Combination
Dead Load + Imposed Load + Wind Load 𝐄𝐪𝐧. 𝟑
3. Results and Discussion
Some of the sample analysis and design results have been shown below.
3.1 Results from STAAD Pro
Figure 2 shows the reaction summary output result for all the building’s support.

Figure 2 : Reaction summary

Figure 3 shows the comparison of shear, bending moment and deflection of beam no. 1.

Figure 3 : Shear, bending moment and deflection of beam no. 1

Figure 4 shows summary of stress for plate center.

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Figure 4 : Plate center stress summary

Figure 5 shows the interface for properties selection in STAAD Pro.

Figure 5 : Interface for Properties in STAAD Pro

Figure 6 shows full 3D view of project using STAAD Pro software.

Figure 6 : 3 Dimensional view

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3.2 Results from manual calculation design

This section shows brief output data from manual calculation for selected element for comparison.
Detail calculation steps are presented in APPENDIX.

Slab design
Figure 7 shows a slab for panel 1 of the structure.

Slab thickness : 200 mm

Concrete grade : 25 N/mm2
Steel grade : 460 N/mm2
Weight of concrete : 25 kN/m3

Figure 7 : Slab panel 1

Beam design
Figure 8 shows result of beam no 1 of the structure.

Beam size : 250 mm × 600 mm

Beam length : 4500 mm
Concrete grade : 25 N/mm2
Steel grade : 460 N/mm2
Weight of concrete : 25 kN/m3

Figure 8 : Beam no. 1 section

Column design
Figure 9 shows the detail of column no 1 of the structure.

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Column size : 250 mm × 350 mm

Weight of concrete : 25 kN/m3
Concrete grade : 25 N/mm2
Steel grade : 460 N/mm2

Figure 9 : Column no. 1 section

3.3 Comparison
Table 1 : Results comparison between STAAD Pro and manual design calculation

Parameter STAAD Pro Manual design calculation

Slab thickness 150 mm 200 mm
Beam size 250 mm × 600 mm 250 mm × 600 mm
Column size 250 mm × 350 mm 250 mm × 350 mm
Concrete grade 25 N/mm2 25 N/mm2
Steel grade 460 N/mm2 460 N/mm2
Weight of concrete 25 kN/m3 25 kN/m3

Table 1 summarize various value of design output between STAAD Pro and manual design
calculation while others parameters remain constant.
3.4 Discussion
Figure 10 shows the analysis and design results. It can be concluded that this project had no failures
for the analysis and design. This is because there are 0 Error (s), 0 warning (s) and 0 note (s). So that
means, the residential building is safe to occupy.

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Figure 10 : Analysis and design results

4. Conclusion
Overall, it can be said this project has achieved its objectives that is produce a satisfactory design
of a single-storey building using STAAD Pro software. Comparison with manual calculation also yield
satisfactory deviation. The employment of AutoCAD software to produce final engineering drawing
also enhance the suitability of STAAD Pro.
Acknowledgement
The authors would also like to thank the Centre for Diploma Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn
Malaysia for its support.

Appendix
1. Slab Design
Bending (short span) :
Msx = αsx n lx2 = (0.084)(15.3)(3.9)2 = 19.55 kNm
Exposure XC2, minimum cover = 35 mm
Assume bar size = 10 mm
d = 200 – 35 – 10/2 = 160 mm
K = Msx / bd2fck = 19.55 × 106 / 1000(160)2(25) = 0.031

z/d = 0.5 [1+√1-3.53K ]= 0.5 [1+√1-3.53(0.031) ] = 0.97 (Use z = 0.95d)

z = 0.95(160) = 152 mm

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Asx = Msx / 0.87 fyk z = 19.55 × 106 / 0.87(460)(152) = 321 mm2/m

Provide H10 at 200 mm centre, As = 393 mm2/m
Bending (long span) :
Msy = αsy n ly2 = (0.059)(15.3)(3.9)2 = 13.73 kNm
d = 200 - 35 - 10 - 5 = 150 mm
K = Msy / bd2fck = 13.73 × 106 / 1000(150)2(25) = 0.024

z/d = 0.5 [1+√1-3.53K ]= 0.5 [1+√1-3.53(0.024) ] = 0.98 (Use z = 0.95d)

z = 0.95(150) = 143 mm
Asy = Msy / 0.87 fyk z = 13.73 × 106 / 0.87(460)(143) = 240 mm2/m
Provide H10 at 300 mm centre, As = 262 mm2/m
2. Beam design
Maximum design moment at mid span = wL2/8 = 39.80(4.5)2/8
= 100.74 kNm
Assume; Link = 10 mm, Bar = 20mm
d = h - cover - link - diameter – bar size/2
= 600 - 25 - 10 - 20/2 = 555 mm

M 100.74 × 106
K= =
bd2 fck (250)(555)2 (25)

= 0.052 < 0.167 OK

d 555
z= [1+ √1-3.53K] ≤ 0.95d = [1+ √1-3.53(0.052)] ≤ 0.95(555)
2 2
= 528 mm > 527 mm (Use = 527 mm)
Tension steel require, As =

Md 100.74 × 106
=
0.87fyk z 0.87(460)(527)

= 478 mm2 628 mm2, 2 Nr, 20 mm diameter

Minimum reinforcement:
C25 minimum of reinforcement :
0.14% × bh = (0.14)(250)(600) / 100 = 210 mm2
628 mm2 > 210 mm2 OK
Maximum reinforcement provide :
628
×100 % = 0.42 % < 4 %
(250)(600)

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Minimum spacing between bar :

 Max bar size = 20 mm

 20 mm, aggregate size

 Maximum aggregate size + 5 = 20 (assume) + 5 = 25 mm

Check bar spacing :
250 - 25(cover) - 25(cover) - 10(link) - 10(link) - 20(diameter) - 20(diameter) = 140 mm > 25 mm
OK
Maximum spacing between bars :
435(gk + 0.87qk) / 1.35gk + 1.5qk
gk = 19.48 × 4.5 = 87.66 kN
qk = 9 × 4.5 = 40.5 kN
Steel stress = 435 [87.66 + 0.8(40.5)] / 1.35(87.66) + 1.5(40.5)
= 292 N/mm2
Maximum spacing = 150 mm > 140 mm Accept; OK
3. Column design
The clear height is 3000 – 600 = 2400 mm
lo = 0.75 X clear height = 0.75 × 2400 = 1800 mm
lo / b = 1800 / 600 = 14.25
Limiting lo /b = 6.19√(bhfck/NEd)
= 6.19√((250 × 350 × 25)/(1100 × 103 )
= 8.73
14.25 > 8.73, the column is slender
N/bhfck= 1100 × 103 / (250 × 350 × 25) = 0.5
As = 0.17 X10-3 × 250 × 350 × 25 = 372 mm2
0.12N/fyk= 0.12 × 1100 × 103 / 460 = 287 mm2
or 0.002 bh = 0.002 × 250 × 350 = 175 mm2
Provide Nr 4, H12 bars,
As,prov= 452 mm2

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References
[1] H. Kamarudin, A. Hashim, M. Mahmood, N. Ariff, and W. Ismail, “The Implementation Of
The Malaysian Standard Code Of Practice On Access For Disabled Persons By Local
Authority,” 2021.
[2] Strata Act 757 Malaysia. 2021. By-Laws For Regulation Of Subdivided Building Or Land -
Strata Act 757 Malaysia. [online] Available at: <http://act.jmbmalaysia.org/laws-regulation-
subdivided-building-land/>[Accessed 6 January 2021].
[3] Encyclopedia Britannica. 2021. Reinforced Concrete | Definition, Properties, Advantages, &
Facts. [online] Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/technology/reinforced-concrete>
[Accessed 7 January 2021
[4] www.steelconstruction.info. 2021. Steel Section Sizes. [online] Available at:
<https://www.steelconstruction.info/Steel_section_sizes> [Accessed 2 January 2021].
[5] https://www.bentley.com/en/products/brands/staad
[6] STAAD.Pro Trainer’s Manual

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