I am trying to accurately model a gable roof with a structural metal roof deck that acts as a diaphragm. Ultimately, I'd like to take forces from my STAAD model to design the structural metal roof deck diaphragm. I only want to consider metal roof deck, with no concrete topping.
I plan to model the structural metal roof deck using plate elements made of steel. What is the best way to define the Property for the structural metal roof deck?
Should I assign a very thin (1/8") thickness to the plate elements? Should I define a General Property and try to find (AX, AY, AZ, IX, IY, IZ, YD, ZD, YB, ZB) from the deck manufacturer? Should I create a user-table to define the property?
Please any advice you can offer on how to model the Property for the structural metal roof deck would be greatly appreciated!! I have a sloped roof so I cannot use the master-slave command.
Thank you!