Study Guide: Returning to Concrete & Steel
Structural Engineering with STAAD Pro
1. Strengthen Fundamental Concepts
Begin by refreshing core statics, mechanics of materials, and structural analysis. Cover
Newton’s laws, force equilibrium, free-body diagrams, and concepts like bending, shear and
deflection in beams. A modern open-text like Engineering Statics: Open and Interactive (UMN)
covers vectors, forces, and equilibrium in detail . Review material behavior (stress–strain for
concrete, steel) and how loads (dead, live, wind, seismic) are applied. Learn common analysis
methods (trusses, moment distribution, matrix methods). In STAAD Pro, for example, you’ll
analyze “any structure exposed to static, dynamic, wind, earthquake… loads” , so ensure you
understand how these loads are defined.
Key resources: Introductory texts on statics and mechanics (e.g. Hibbeler’s Engineering
Mechanics, Beer & Johnson’s Mechanics of Materials), and structural analysis texts (e.g. R.C.
Hibbeler’s Structural Analysis, or Krishnan Sathia’s Principles of Structural Analysis – Static
and Dynamic Loads ). Bentley Press also lists Sathia’s book and Trevor Jones’s Analysis and
Design of Structures as STAAD-focused guides . Online materials (YouTube statics tutorials,
MIT OpenCourseWare) are useful. The goal is to rebuild your understanding of how forces flow
through structures and how to compute member responses.
2. Reinforced Concrete Design
Next, study reinforced concrete (RC) theory and design. Focus on concrete material properties
and design philosophy (Working Stress vs Limit State). Key topics include flexural design of
beams (finding required rebar for bending), shear design (stirrups, shear reinforcement), one-way
and two-way slab design, column design (axial, combined loads), footing/foundation design, and
detailing (lap splices, cover, ductility). Learn relevant codes (ACI 318 in the US; or Eurocode 2,
IS 456, etc.) which specify strength and service requirements. For instance, STAAD supports
ACI 318 for concrete design and many international codes .
Recommended textbooks include Jack McCormac’s Design of Reinforced Concrete and James
MacGregor’s Reinforced Concrete: Mechanics and Design, which introduce RC concepts
clearly. Indian-authored texts are also popular globally, e.g. Limit State Design of Reinforced
Concrete by P.C. Varghese or Fundamentals of RC Design by M.L. Gambhir. The American
Concrete Institute (ACI) provides the ACI 318 Code (often available as student documents) and
free guides. Online courses help reinforce learning: for example, Coursera’s “Design Basics of
RCC Buildings” covers reading architectural/structural drawings, design parameters (cover,
exposure, load types) and even seismic considerations . By exploring dead, live, wind,
earthquake loads, that course ensures a “comprehensive knowledge” of practical design
conditions .
Study tips: Work through worked examples and problems. Use software (STAAD Pro or even
simpler tools) to model simple RC frames and verify hand-calculated designs. Utilize design
tables (for steel sections, rebar charts) and become comfortable with the U.S. or local code’s
design aids. The concrete material is strong in compression but weak in tension, so practice how
reinforcement placement in concrete members resists bending. The book Reinforced Concrete
Structures by Reddy or Salmon & Johnson’s Reinforced Concrete are good deep dives.
3. Steel Structures Design
In parallel, deepen knowledge of structural steel design. Study steel material behavior (yield,
slenderness, buckling) and limit-state design principles. Key content: designing beams and
girders (elastic bending, lateral-torsional buckling limits), columns and braced frames
(compression, flexural buckling), trusses and frames, and connections (bolted/welded
joints). Learn major codes: AISC 360 (USA), Eurocode 3, IS 800 (India), or relevant national
standards – STAAD includes AISC and Eurocode provisions . For example, AISC Steel
Construction Manual (latest edition) is the authoritative reference for U.S. designs.
Textbooks: Salmon & Johnson’s Steel Structures: Design and Behavior is a classic. Jack
McCormac’s Structural Steel Design provides a US-limit-state approach. Indian texts like N.
Subramanian’s Design of Steel Structures (based on IS 800) or S.K. Duggal’s Limit State Design
of Steel Structures are thorough. Engage with practice problems: computing section properties,
checking slenderness ratios, and designing beams and columns to code. Recognize special topics
(composite steel-concrete sections, plate girders, trusses) as advanced goals.
Online learning: The AISC website offers design guides and examples. YouTube channels and
blogs (e.g. Eng-Tips forum, structuralengineering subreddit) often discuss tips. Bentley’s
STAAD enables steel design per these codes, and its documentation notes that “STAAD helps
structural engineers perform 3D analysis and design for both steel and concrete structures” –
highlighting that learning steel design goes hand-in-hand with using STAAD.
4. Learning [Link] Software
[Link] is a leading structural analysis and design software (not CAD) for modeling and
checking buildings, bridges, etc. . Plan to learn STAAD in parallel with theory. Start with the
basics: how to define nodes, elements, material properties, and apply loads. Use STAAD’s
built-in tutorials (open STAAD > File → Help → Tutorials) as a guided introduction . Bentley
Systems provides extensive learning materials:
• YouTube – BentleyStructural: Bentley’s official channel has playlists of [Link]
tutorials . For example, “STAAD Pro Tutorial for Beginners” series covers modeling,
loads, and analysis (search “Bentley Structural STAAD” to find official videos).
• Bentley Learn / On-demand Training: The Bentley LEARN server
([Link]) offers structured courses. You can search “STAAD Pro” after
logging in . There are instructor-led webinars and self-paced modules.
• Bentley Press Books: Bentley’s own titles (via Bentley Press) delve into STAAD
use. For instance, Principles of Structural Analysis by Sathia and Analysis and Design of
Structures by Jones are STAAD-focused . There’s also “[Link] CE – Seismic
Analysis Using IS 1893” by Sanjib Das (specific to India code and seismic
design). These books can guide advanced usage of STAAD.
• Online Courses: Consider vendor-neutral or third-party courses. Udemy offers STAAD
courses (e.g. “Bentley [Link] V8i” tutorials and “STAAD Pro: Ultimate Beginner’s
Guide” updated in 2024 ). These include video lectures on modeling buildings, applying
codes, and interpreting results.
As you learn STAAD, apply it to examples: model a simple RC beam or steel frame, assign
supports and loads, run analysis, and check design output. Use STAAD’s code check and design
features (e.g. steel design tables, concrete rebar calculations) once your models run. Incorporate
real code data: for example, practice setting U.S. IBC/ACI codes or IS/Eurocodes in STAAD (it
supports many standards ). Troubleshoot by referring to STAAD’s Help menu and
communities. (Note: Bentley’s Knowledge Base and forums are less searchable publicly, but
many general STAAD questions are discussed on engineering forums and Stack Exchange.)
5. Recommended Texts and Resources
Collect a library of authoritative references:
• Reinforced Concrete: Varghese Limit State Design of Reinforced Concrete, Gambhir
Fundamentals of RC Design, McCormac Design of Reinforced Concrete, MacGregor
Reinforced Concrete: Mechanics and Design. The ACI 318-19 Code (available from the
American Concrete Institute) should be studied for latest provisions.
• Steel: Salmon & Johnson Steel Structures: Behavior and Design, McCormac Structural
Steel Design, Subramanian Design of Steel Structures, and the AISC Steel Construction
Manual (latest ed.) for American practice.
• Structural Analysis: Hibbeler Structural Analysis, Gere & Weaver Matrix Analysis of
Structures, and Schaum’s Outline for worked problems.
• Codes and Standards: Obtain relevant codes (e.g. Eurocode 2 & 3, ACI 318, AISC 360,
Indian Standards IS 456/800 etc.) to study load combinations and design formulas. Many
countries have online access (or free summary versions). STAAD includes these codes
for analysis/design checks .
Bentley also recommends some STAAD-specific titles: Principles of Structural Analysis – Static
and Dynamic Loads (Sathia) and Analysis and Design of Structures – A Practical Guide to
Modeling (Jones) . These can deepen understanding of STAAD’s modeling
philosophy. Supplement with published design handbooks or code commentary as needed.
6. Structured Study Plan
Create a timeline or “curriculum” with milestones. For example:
• Weeks 1–3: Review statics, free-body diagrams, simple equilibrium (open textbook or
lectures). Start mechanics of materials (stress, strain, bending). Use problem sets.
• Weeks 4–6: Introduction to structural analysis – analyze determinate structures (beams,
trusses), learn matrix analysis basics. Begin using STAAD: model simple beams and
trusses, apply loads .
• Weeks 7–10: Study RC design: beam flexure/shear, column design. Solve design
problems by hand. In STAAD, model a multi-span RC beam/frame, compare internal
moments with manual results. Take the “Design Basics of RCC Buildings” Coursera
course to reinforce concepts (3-week, ~10hr total).
• Weeks 11–14: Study slab design (one/two-way), footings, detailing. Learn reinforcement
layout. In STAAD, practice modeling slab systems (membrane elements or equivalent
beams). Try sample projects or the Coursera ETABS course content for guidance .
• Weeks 15–18: Study steel design: beams (bending/buckling), columns
(SLENDERNESS), connections basics. Solve design exercises. In STAAD, model a steel
frame and use design modules (AISC or relevant code) to size members.
• Weeks 19–22: Advanced topics: dynamic loads (earthquake, wind), load combinations,
stability. Learn story drift, response-spectrum basics. STAAD: run modal analysis, time-
history or response spectrum analysis.
• Ongoing: Take STAAD-specific training (YouTube tutorials, Bentley LEARN modules,
or Udemy courses ). Test your skills by modeling real or past projects.
Adapt pacing to your background and time. Regularly solve practice problems and compare with
software results. Form study groups or find mentors (e.g., through the Cambodian Society of
Civil Engineers (CSCE)) to discuss questions; the CSCE is a professional NGO aimed at
“improving and increasing the standard of construction in civil engineering” . They may share
seminars or workshops. Also consider online forums (StackExchange, Eng-Tips) for specific
doubts.
7. Training Programs & Workshops
Local/In-person options (Cambodia): The Knowledge Academy offers a [Link] course
in Phnom Penh, with modules on FEM, loads, slabs, etc. . Such courses (often 1–3 days) provide
hands-on practice and Q&A with instructors. Check if Cambodian universities or CSCE run
short courses or local branches of Bentley training.
Online courses:
• Coursera: Apart from the RC courses above , browse Coursera’s catalog for structural
courses (e.g. geotechnical, advanced dynamics).
• edX: Look for engineering courses (PurdueX’s Pretensioned Structures is one example
for prestressed concrete).
• Udemy/LinkedIn Learning: STAAD and structural design courses (search for “STAAD
Pro” or “structural design”). Many are in English and self-paced.
• Bentley / Bentley Institute: Bentley often offers virtual “QuickStart” classes or webinars
on STAAD and other tools. Monitor their Bentley Support & Training pages.
When choosing a course, check reviews and relevance (V8i vs CONNECT Edition STAAD).
Free courses or trial access can be good; paid certifications (like Multisoft’s STAAD Pro course)
are an option if you want credentials, but self-study can be equally effective.
Continuous Learning: Join online communities (e.g. Bentley’s Bentley Structural forum,
LinkedIn groups) and follow YouTube channels (Bentley, academic channels) for tips and
project examples. Practical experience is key: try redesigning a simple existing building in
STAAD, or volunteer to check designs for a local project.
Summary: This self-study path progresses from basic mechanics and analysis to specialized RC
and steel design, integrating [Link] practice at each stage. Use authoritative textbooks and
codes (ACI, AISC, Eurocodes) for theory, and blend in modern learning tools (online courses,
official STAAD tutorials) for software skills. Networking with professionals (e.g. CSCE) and
taking local workshops (Phnom Penh courses) will provide guidance and real-world context.
With persistence and a structured approach, you can rebuild and advance your structural
engineering expertise.
Sources: Authoritative guides and courses were referenced to outline this plan .
