Using OpenSTAAD for Moving Loads Featured

Since STAAD.Pro is a general-purpose analytical tool, there are many instances in which ideas that are posted may not be given the highest priority. STAAD.Pro's powerful accomplice can step in to the rescue considering the load generator for moving loads. During the early stages of the STAAD, this routine was put in place to help engineers figure out the patterns of forces and displacements that would result from positioning a multi-wheeled vehicle along a predetermined path at specific locations on the structure. This turned out to be a workable answer, and just like the cars, we all moved on. STAAD.Pro and its user group have significantly expanded since then. The large family of engineers who use STAAD.Pro every day will continue to benefit from the many exciting new developments that have already been published and those that are still on the way. What about the engineers who recognize that this moving load capability is a niche facility and would like to see it changed?

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Here, we can make use of OpenSTAAD's capabilities and STAAD.Pro's built-in Macro Editor. The forces to be applied at a given position that starts at a given origin, with a given number of steps, each with a given offset in the three global directions, are all specified here as inputs in a basic dialog:

The macro then executes using OpenSTAAD to determine whether there is a node at each place where a new load case will be created, in which case a node load will be created. In the event that it doesn't, see if it falls on a member; if so, make a concentrated load. This indicates that there is a possibility that the weight will not fall on a structural node or member, in which case a warning is shown. If the point of application is not on a node or member, no logic is present to import the structure. The most significant advantage of this system is that it is open and unrestricted, allowing you to alter the macro to fit your particular situation, such as the logic used to create the loads or the dialog used to enter the input values.

This can be also added as a Macro tool in the STAAD.Pro environment:

Is it outlined that one may add this by giving it a suitable name, such "Moving Load," and then using the import button to find the VBS file on the workstation: