STAAD typically works out the utilization ratios of various members in a structure. Based on the utilization ratio of a particular member, we determine whether the member is optimized or not..
But, is it possible to get a single utilization ration for whole structure?
'STAAD-Structure utilization Ratio’ utility can give answer to this question.
PRINCIPLE OF WORKING
The utilization ratio of the entire structure is determined in three easy steps
List out the Utilization Ratios of all STAAD (physical) members, for an example, refer figure above.
(Maximum of all utilization ratios of STAAD members forming a single physical member is listed)
These utilization ratios multiplied by percentage weights of their respective (physical) members.
(Here the percentage weight of a (physical) member is derived by individual (physical) member weight divided by total weight of all designed members)
The sum of all these weighted utilization ratios can ideally be referred as STAAD-Structure Utilization Ratio.
All this can be achieved with VBA Programming with OpenSTAAD commands.
IMPORTANCE OF STAAD-STRUCTURE UTILIZATION RATIO
The "STAAD-Structure Utilization Ratio" is a vital information that provides a numerical measure for the quantitative as well as qualitative assessment of structural design.
With STAAD-SUR, you can present your client with a concise overview of your design's efficiency through a single numerical value.
Additionally, it helps in evaluating the potential for further optimization, ensuring your structure is designed to achieve the required level of effectiveness and performance.
FEATURES/PRINCIPLE OF PROGRAMMING
This utility intelligently joins the STAAD members together to represent a physical member based on member end conditions
It finds maximum utilization ratio among all STAAD members forming a physical member
It finds the weight of all physical members and calculate the weighted utilization ratios
It sum up all weighted utilization ratios to give a single number (fraction) which defines the STAAD-Structure Utilization Ratio
Utility also facilitate user to check how the grouping of member is done to form a physical member. On can check by simply selecting the row containing a string of STAAD members grouped together and the group of members get highlighted in STAAD geometry view
STAAD-Structure Utilization Ratio and all the relevant information is generated in a separate excel file
If your STAAD contains more than one design parameter blocks with AISC design code, utility finds out the maximum ratio of a member among all defined design parameter blocks
In case of design codes other than AISC, utility gives the results for last defined parameter block. User can run the utility for separate design parameter blocks to get separate sets of result. Add maximum weighted utilization ratios members manually in Excel to get the actual STAAD-SUR
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