I have run into this problem several times now and have not found a good solution for it yet. I am modling a large structure in which I need to consider several loaded lanes of traffic traveling accross it. To generate the moving truck loads I am using STAAD's vehicle definition and load generation features. The structure I am analysing is approximately 96 feet long and i need to consider all possible load patterns for 4 lanes. From what I have found there is no way to include load generations within a load combination. To get around this I have taken load generated for each lane and put them into their own envelopes (i.e. all loads that get generated for the moving load in lane one get enveloped). In order to make the necessary AASHTO Load combinations I then have to export all results out of the prgram into Microsoft Excel where i can take the enveloped results and combine them with the results from any of the other static loads that have been applied. This is a very tedious and time consuming process in which there is great potential for human error. Is there any other way that these load generations can be combined with other load cases within the STAAD.pro program so that I do not have to export the data out and do it manually? Also, I am not able to use the STAAD.pro BEVA package for this as it is not approved for use by the DOT we are working for. Any input or suggestions on this would be much appreciated. Thanks.
↧