5.37.

2 P-Delta Analysis Options Page 1 of 3

5.37.2 P-Delta Analysis Options

Used to perform a second-order analysis, considering either large- or small-delta effects—or both—on the structure.

General Format
The following options are available in STAAD.Pro when performing a P-Delta analysis:

Note: Options 1 and 2 in the present form are effective from STAAD.Pro 2007 Build 06.

1. P-Delta analysis with Small & Large Delta effects or Large Delta effects only. With this option the global forces are adjusted with
every iteration

PDELTA (n) ANALYSIS (CONVERGE (m)) ( { LARGEDELTA | SMALLDELTA } ) (PRINT print-options)

Where:
n = no. of iterations desired (default value of n = 1).
m = the maximum number of iterations used to check convergence, even if convergence has not been achieved. Do not
use CONVERGE when n is specified.
SMALLDELTA is the default
2. P-Delta analysis including stress stiffening effect of the KG matrix. With this option the global stiffness is adjusted with every
iteration

PDELTA KG ANALYSIS (PRINT print-options)

print-options = { LOAD DATA | STATICS CHECK | STATICS LOAD | BOTH | ALL }

See section 5.37.1 for details.

Without one of these P-Delta analysis commands, no P-Delta analysis will be performed.

These ANALYSIS commands can be repeated if multiple analyses are needed at different phases.

A PDELTA ANALYSIS will correctly reflect the secondary effects of a combination of load cases only if they are defined using the
REPEAT LOAD specification (section 5.32.11). Secondary effects will not be evaluated correctly for load combinations.

P-Delta effects are computed for frame members and plate elements only. They are not calculated for solid elements or curved beams.

Notes for Small or Large Delta (Option 1)

a. This command directs the program to perform the analysis that includes:
a. Checking whether all information is provided for the analysis;
b. Forming the joint stiffness matrix
c. Checking the stability of the structure;
d. Solving simultaneous equations, and
e. Computing the member forces and displacements.
f. For P-Delta analysis, forces and displacements are recalculated, taking into consideration the chosen P-Delta effect.
g. If a RESPONSE SPECTRUM, TIME LOAD, or GROUND MOTION is specified within a load case or the MODAL
CALCULATION command is used, a dynamic analysis is performed.
Note: Computing P-Delta effects for dynamic load cases is not recommended since such effects are not considered.

h. In each of the iterations of the PDELTA ANALYSIS, the load vector will be modified to include the secondary effect
generated by the displacements caused by the previous iterations.
b. The default procedure of option 1 is based on “P-small & large Delta” effects.(sometimes referred to as P-δ & P-Δ). Enter the
LargeDelta parameter to only include the “PlargeDelta” effects (P-Δ only). SmallDelta is recommended.
c. This PDELTA (n) ANALYSIS command (option 1) should specify 3 to 30 iterations to properly incorporate the P-Delta effect.
With this many iterations, the PDELTA (n) ANALYSIS SMALLDELTA command results are as good as or better than the
PDELTA KG (option 2) command results for static analysis. The advantage of this PDELTA (n) ANALYSIS command comes

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from not having to re-form and then triangular factorize the stiffness matrix for every iteration within every case. Also this
command allows tension/compression.
d. Be aware that global buckling can occur in P-Delta analysis, resulting in large or infinite or NaN values for displacement. Do not
use the results of such a case. Sometimes the loads from Repeat Load combination cases are too large; sometimes partial
moment releases rather than the full release is needed, sometimes connectivity needs to be corrected. Always check the
maximum displacements for P-Delta analyses.
e. When the CONVERGE command is not specified, the member end forces are evaluated by iterating n times (once, if n is not
specified).
Warning: Do not enter n when CONVERGE is provided.

f. When the CONVERGE command is included, the member end forces are evaluated by performing a convergence check on the
joint displacements. In each step, the displacements are compared with those of the previous iteration in order to check
whether convergence is attained based on the convergence displacement tolerance. In case m is specified, the analysis will stop
after that iteration even if convergence has not been achieved. If convergence is achieved in less than m iterations, the analysis
is terminated.
Note: The convergence option is not recommended.

To set the convergence displacement tolerance, enter one of the following:

• SET DISPLACEMENT i2 command, where i2 = a target displacement value in current units. The default value is the
maximum span of the structure divided by 120.
• SET PDELTA TOL i9 command, where i9 = a displacement threshold for convergence in current units of length. The
default value is 0.01 inch. If the maximum change in displacement from two consecutive iterations is less than ftol, then
that load case is converged.
Refer to section 5.5 for additional information.

Note: Due to the mechanisms used to include master/slave systems, if the reactions on master nodes are not included in a statics
check then an out of balance report may result. This can be avoided by adding a short stiff member from a master node to the
support.

Example
Following are some examples on use of the command for P-Delta analysis as described in option 1.

PDELTA ANALYSIS
PDELTA 5 ANALYSIS
PDELTA ANALYSIS CONVERGE
PDELTA ANALYSIS CONVERGE 5
PDELTA 20 ANALYSIS SMALLDELTA PRINT STATICS CHECK

STAAD allows multiple P-Delta analyses in the same run (see the General Comments section of 5.37.1 for details).

Notes for Stress Stiffening Matrix (Option 2)

The P-Delta analysis also provides the option of including the stress stiffening effect of the Kg matrix into the member / plate stiffness.

a. A regular STAAD P-Delta Analysis (option 1) performs a first order linear analysis and obtains a set of joint forces from
member/plates based on both large and small P-Delta effects. In contrast, the P-Delta KG Analysis (that is, with the Kg option
selected) includes the effect of the axial stress after the first analysis is used to modify the stiffness of the member/plates. A
second analysis is then performed using the original load vector. Large & small P-Delta effects are always included in this
KG option.
b. This command directs the program to perform the analysis that includes:
a. Solving the static case.
b. Re-forming the global joint stiffness matrix to include the Kg matrix terms which are based on the computed
tensile/compressive axial member forces.
c. Solving simultaneous equations for displacements;
d. If a RESPONSE SPECTRUM, TIME LOAD, or GROUND MOTION is specified within a load case or the MODAL
CALCULATION command is used, a dynamic analysis is performed. The static cases solved for a PDELTA KG analysis
command will be solved first then the dynamic analysis cases.

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Note: The stiffness matrix used in the dynamic analysis will be the K+Kg matrix used in the last iteration for the last static
case. This is a stress stiffened dynamic analysis, sometimes known as a PDELTA Dynamic analysis .
c. A PDELTA KG ANALYSIS will correctly reflect the secondary effects of a combination of load cases only if they are defined
using the REPEAT LOAD specification (section 5.32.11). Secondary effects will not be evaluated correctly for load combinations
since only final results are combined.
d. P-Delta KG effects are computed for frame members and plate elements only. They are not calculated for solid elements. The
results are based on “P-large & small Delta” effects.
e. For static analysis, the other P-Delta command [ PDELTA (n) ANALYSIS (SMALL) ] with 20 or more iterations (option 1) is
preferred.
f. Tension/compression only members are not allowed with this PDELTA KG command. You must use the PDELTA (n)
ANALYSIS (SMALL) command instead.
g. Be aware that global buckling can occur in a PDELTA KG ANALYSIS. This condition is usually detected by STAAD. A message is
issued (in the basic solver negative L-matrix diagonals may be reported) and the results for that case are set to zero. STAAD will
continue with the next load case.
h. Global buckling may not be detected which could result in a solution with large or infinite or NaN values for displacement or
negative L-matrix diagonals or stability errors. Do not use the results of such cases. This condition may require a nonlinear
analysis. Sometimes the loads from Repeat Load combination cases are too large; sometimes partial moment releases rather
than the full release is needed, sometimes connectivity needs to be corrected. Always check the maximum displacements for
P-Delta analyses.

Example
PDELTA KG ANALYSIS PRINT BOTH
PDELTA KG 2 ANALYSIS

Parent topic: 5.37 Analysis Specification

Related concepts
1.18.2.1.1 P-Delta Analysis – Large Delta and Small Delta
1.18.2.1.2 P-Delta Kg Analysis
1.18.2.1.3 P-Delta K+Kg Dynamic Analysis

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