Does anyone know if there is any automation for UK highway loading within staad? I have never used staad for highway loading (only ever buildings, concrete foundations etc.) but can see that there is a facility to set up vehicle definitions / moving loads. Does anyone know if there is any useful guidance published anywhere for using staad to perform bridge assessments or bridge design using the vehicle loading patterns contained within the DMRB? i.e. HA and STGO / SOV vehicles etc. What I'm hoping to do is model a bridge deck using shell elements and applying all of the various vehicle loads / patterns stipulated within the DMRB between notional lanes / curb lines. We currently use LUSAS which has a facility to do this. It works quite well but modelling in LUSAS is a pain! It's a cumbersome tool in my opinion and I was hoping that someone out there had used staad for this task?
Appreciate any guidance, pointing me at any forums, etc.
Thanks in advance, Darren.