The STAAD.Pro LOAD command is one of the most important commands used when creating a structural analysis model. It defines a primary load case and provides the framework in which loads such as dead load, live load, wind load, earthquake load, self-weight, joint load and member load are assigned.
If you are learning STAAD.Pro, understanding the LOAD command is essential because almost every structural model contains multiple load cases.
A typical STAAD.Pro model may contain:
Dead Load
Live Load
Roof Live Load
Wind Load
Earthquake Load
Temperature Load
Crane Load
Equipment Load
Other project-specific loading conditions
Each of these can be organized into separate load cases.
This article explains the STAAD.Pro LOAD command syntax, LOADTYPE, TITLE, primary load cases, practical examples and common mistakes.
Important: A primary load case contains the actual loads applied to the structure. A load combination combines existing load cases and is a different operation. Do not confuse
LOADwithLOAD COMB.
What Is the STAAD.Pro LOAD Command?
The LOAD command is used to start and identify a primary load case in the STAAD.Pro input file.
The basic syntax is:
LOAD load-number LOADTYPE load-type TITLE load-titleFor example:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOADThis creates Load Case 1, identifies it as a dead-load case and gives it the title DEAD LOAD.
Loads belonging to that case are then specified below it.
For example:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1Here:
LOAD 1→ Load Case 1LOADTYPE Dead→ identifies the loading type as DeadTITLE DEAD LOAD→ gives the load case a descriptive nameSELFWEIGHT Y -1→ applies self-weight in the negative global Y direction
The STAAD.Pro command reference organizes loading commands within the broader STAAD command language, while the technical reference explains how these commands are used in analysis models. (SEFindia)
Why Are Load Cases Required in STAAD.Pro?
A structure normally experiences more than one loading condition.
For example, consider a building:
Load Case 1 — Dead Load
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1Load Case 2 — Live Load
LOAD 2 LOADTYPE Live TITLE LIVE LOAD
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 10 UNI GY -5Load Case 3 — Wind Load
LOAD 3 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WIND +X
JOINT LOAD
11 TO 20 FX 10The analysis can then determine the structural response under each individual loading condition.
These primary load cases can subsequently be used in load combinations.
For example:
LOAD COMB 4 DL + LL
1 1.5 2 1.5The exact load factors used in a real project must come from the applicable design code and design situation; they should not simply be copied from an example.
STAAD.Pro LOAD Command Syntax
The commonly used format is:
LOAD n LOADTYPE type TITLE titleWhere:
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
LOAD | Starts a load case |
n | Load case number |
LOADTYPE | Specifies the type/category of load |
type | Dead, Live, Wind, Seismic, etc. |
TITLE | Description of the load case |
title | User-defined description |
For example:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOADor:
LOAD 2 LOADTYPE Live TITLE FLOOR LIVE LOADor:
LOAD 3 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WIND LOAD +XThe title is particularly useful in larger models because it makes the STAAD.Pro input file and output much easier to understand.
What Is a Primary Load Case?
A primary load case is an individual loading condition containing actual loads applied to the structure.
For example:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1This is a primary load case.
Another example:
LOAD 2 LOADTYPE Live TITLE LIVE LOAD
MEMBER LOAD
5 TO 20 UNI GY -4This is another primary load case.
The important concept is:
Primary load cases define the loads. Load combinations combine load cases.
This distinction becomes extremely important when your model contains many combinations.
Example: Simple Building Load Organization
Suppose we have a building with:
Self-weight
Floor dead load
Floor live load
Wind load in +X
Wind load in −X
A logical organization could be:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 20 UNI GY -3
LOAD 2 LOADTYPE Live TITLE LIVE LOAD
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 20 UNI GY -5
LOAD 3 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WIND +X
JOINT LOAD
21 TO 25 FX 15
LOAD 4 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WIND -X
JOINT LOAD
21 TO 25 FX -15This gives four separate primary load cases.
Later, appropriate combinations can be created.
LOADTYPE in STAAD.Pro
LOADTYPE tells STAAD.Pro what category the load case belongs to.
Common examples include:
LOADTYPE Dead
LOADTYPE Live
LOADTYPE Wind
LOADTYPE SeismicA model may therefore look like:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DL
LOAD 2 LOADTYPE Live TITLE LL
LOAD 3 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WL +X
LOAD 4 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WL -X
LOAD 5 LOADTYPE Seismic TITLE EQ +X
LOAD 6 LOADTYPE Seismic TITLE EQ -XThe precise available load types and their behavior can depend on the STAAD.Pro version and analysis/design feature being used, so for a production model you should verify the syntax against the documentation for your installed version.
What Is TITLE in the LOAD Command?
TITLE provides a description for the load case.
For example:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOADThe title is not the numerical load itself. It is a description that helps identify the case.
Compare:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Deadwith:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE SUPERSTRUCTURE DEAD LOADThe second version is much easier to understand in a large model.
Good titles
TITLE DEAD LOAD
TITLE FLOOR LIVE LOAD
TITLE ROOF LIVE LOAD
TITLE WIND +X
TITLE WIND -X
TITLE EQ +X
TITLE EQ -XUse consistent naming throughout the model.
LOAD Command with SELFWEIGHT
One of the most common uses of the LOAD command is defining structural self-weight.
Example:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1If global Y is the vertical direction, -1 tells STAAD.Pro to apply self-weight in the negative Y direction.
The magnitude 1 represents 100% of the model's self-weight.
For example:
SELFWEIGHT Y -1means:
100% self-weight acting in negative global Y direction.
You should therefore be careful with the sign convention and global coordinate system of your model.
LOAD Command with MEMBER LOAD
A primary load case can contain member loads.
For example:
LOAD 2 LOADTYPE Live TITLE LIVE LOAD
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 20 UNI GY -5Here:
LOAD 2→ Load Case 2LOADTYPE Live→ live load categoryMEMBER LOAD→ starts member-load definition1 TO 20→ members receiving the loadUNI→ uniformly distributed loadGY→ global Y direction-5→ load intensity
The exact value and units depend on the model's unit system.
LOAD Command with JOINT LOAD
Joint loads can also be placed inside a primary load case.
For example:
LOAD 3 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WIND +X
JOINT LOAD
21 TO 25 FX 10This applies an X-direction force to the specified joints.
Similarly:
LOAD 4 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WIND -X
JOINT LOAD
21 TO 25 FX -10can represent a load acting in the opposite direction.
This approach is useful for manually defined lateral loading.
One LOAD Case Can Contain Multiple Load Commands
A very important concept is that the LOAD command starts a load case, while commands underneath it define the loads belonging to that case.
For example:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 20 UNI GY -3
JOINT LOAD
21 TO 25 FY -10All of these loads belong to Load Case 1.
You do not need to create a separate LOAD command for every individual load.
Instead, group loads that physically belong to the same loading condition.
Multiple Load Types Inside a Primary Load Case
A primary load case can contain different load commands.
For example:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 20 UNI GY -3
JOINT LOAD
21 TO 25 FY -10Conceptually, all three represent components of the same dead-load condition.
This is generally preferable to unnecessarily creating separate load cases for every component.
Example: Complete Basic Load Definition
Here is a simple example for a building model:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 20 UNI GY -3
LOAD 2 LOADTYPE Live TITLE FLOOR LIVE LOAD
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 20 UNI GY -5
LOAD 3 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WIND +X
JOINT LOAD
21 TO 25 FX 15
LOAD 4 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WIND -X
JOINT LOAD
21 TO 25 FX -15This creates four primary load cases:
| Case | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dead | Dead Load |
| 2 | Live | Floor Live Load |
| 3 | Wind | Wind +X |
| 4 | Wind | Wind −X |
The example demonstrates the organization of primary loads. The actual loads and design combinations for a project must be established from the project's loading criteria and applicable code.
LOAD vs LOAD COMB — Important Difference
This is one of the most common points of confusion for beginners.
LOAD
Creates a primary load case:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DL
SELFWEIGHT Y -1LOAD COMB
Creates a combination using previously defined load cases:
LOAD COMB 5 DL + LL
1 1.5 2 1.5So:
LOAD = define an individual loading condition
LOAD COMB = combine existing loading conditions
Do not use LOAD COMB when you are trying to define the actual dead or live load.
LOAD vs REPEAT LOAD
Another important distinction is between LOAD and REPEAT LOAD.
A normal primary load case defines actual loads:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DL
SELFWEIGHT Y -1REPEAT LOAD, on the other hand, is used to create a new load case by repeating previously defined loads, with specified factors.
This becomes particularly important for certain nonlinear analysis situations because a load combination and a repeated load case do not always have the same analytical meaning.
This deserves a separate article in this series, rather than mixing it into a basic LOAD command tutorial.
How to Organize Load Cases in a Real STAAD.Pro Model
For a typical building, I recommend using a logical structure such as:
LOAD 1 → Dead Load
LOAD 2 → Floor Live Load
LOAD 3 → Roof Live Load
LOAD 4 → Wind +X
LOAD 5 → Wind -X
LOAD 6 → Wind +Z
LOAD 7 → Wind -Z
LOAD 8 → Earthquake +X
LOAD 9 → Earthquake -X
LOAD 10 → Earthquake +Z
LOAD 11 → Earthquake -ZThen define the required combinations afterward.
For example, published STAAD.Pro examples commonly organize primary dead/live/wind/seismic cases separately before defining combinations. (SEFindia)
This organization makes the model easier to:
Debug
Review
Modify
Design
Interpret
Audit
Common Mistakes When Using STAAD.Pro LOAD Command
1. Confusing LOAD with LOAD COMB
Incorrect concept:
"I need to apply dead + live load, so I should put both inside one
LOADcase."
Not necessarily.
If dead and live loads are separate design actions, they should normally be represented as separate primary load cases and subsequently combined according to the applicable design requirements.
2. Creating Too Many Unnecessary Load Cases
For example:
LOAD 1
SELFWEIGHT Y -1
LOAD 2
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 10 UNI GY -3
LOAD 3
JOINT LOAD
20 FY -10If all three loads are components of the same dead-load condition, separating them unnecessarily can make the model harder to manage.
A more logical organization may be:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 10 UNI GY -3
JOINT LOAD
20 FY -103. Forgetting Load Direction
Always check the global coordinate system.
For example:
SELFWEIGHT Y -1assumes the negative Y direction is downward.
Similarly:
FX 10and
FX -10represent opposite directions.
Never blindly copy load signs from another STAAD.Pro model.
4. Using the Wrong Units
If your model is in:
UNIT KN METEthe load values must be interpreted accordingly.
For example:
UNI GY -5does not have a universal numerical meaning independent of the model's units.
Always check:
UNIT ...before entering numerical loads.
5. Poor Load Case Naming
Compare:
LOAD 7 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE LOAD 7with:
LOAD 7 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WIND +ZThe second is much easier to understand.
For larger models, good naming becomes extremely valuable.
Best Practice for STAAD.Pro LOAD Cases
For professional models, follow these principles:
1. Define each major physical loading condition separately
For example:
DL
LL
WL +X
WL -X
WL +Z
WL -Z
EQ +X
EQ -X
EQ +Z
EQ -Z2. Use meaningful titles
TITLE DEAD LOAD
TITLE FLOOR LIVE LOAD
TITLE WIND +X
TITLE WIND -X3. Keep actual loads inside primary cases
Do not mix the concepts of primary loads and combinations.
4. Verify directions
Especially for:
Wind
Earthquake
Self-weight
Temperature
Equipment loads
5. Check units
Load magnitude without its unit is meaningless.
6. Keep combinations separate
This makes your input file much easier to inspect and modify.
Practical Example — Small STAAD.Pro Building
Suppose a simple building has:
Structural self-weight
3 kN/m² floor dead load
5 kN/m² floor live load
Wind in +X
Wind in −X
A simplified command organization could look like this:
UNIT KN METE
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 20 UNI GY -3
LOAD 2 LOADTYPE Live TITLE FLOOR LIVE LOAD
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 20 UNI GY -5
LOAD 3 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WIND +X
JOINT LOAD
21 TO 25 FX 15
LOAD 4 LOADTYPE Wind TITLE WIND -X
JOINT LOAD
21 TO 25 FX -15The important thing to understand here is not the arbitrary example load values, but the organization:
LOAD
↓
LOADTYPE
↓
TITLE
↓
Actual loads
↓
Next LOAD caseThat is the fundamental structure you need to understand before moving to more advanced STAAD.Pro loading commands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LOAD command in STAAD.Pro?
The LOAD command starts a primary load case in STAAD.Pro and identifies the loading condition under which subsequent load definitions are applied.
What is the syntax of LOAD in STAAD.Pro?
A commonly used format is:
LOAD n LOADTYPE type TITLE descriptionFor example:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOADWhat is LOADTYPE in STAAD.Pro?
LOADTYPE identifies the category of a load case, such as Dead, Live, Wind or Seismic.
What is the difference between LOAD and LOAD COMB?
LOAD defines a primary load case containing actual loads. LOAD COMB combines existing load cases using specified factors.
Can one LOAD case contain multiple loads?
Yes. A primary load case can contain multiple load definitions belonging to the same loading condition.
Is self-weight a LOAD case?
Self-weight is a load definition. It is commonly placed inside a primary dead-load case:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1Can dead load and live load be placed in the same LOAD case?
Technically, multiple load commands can exist within a load case, but from a structural load organization and design-combination perspective, dead and live loads are normally kept as separate primary cases when they need to participate independently in combinations.
Conclusion
The STAAD.Pro LOAD command is the foundation of load organization in a STAAD.Pro model.
The basic pattern is:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOADfollowed by the actual loads belonging to that case.
For example:
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Dead TITLE DEAD LOAD
SELFWEIGHT Y -1
LOAD 2 LOADTYPE Live TITLE LIVE LOAD
MEMBER LOAD
1 TO 20 UNI GY -5The most important concepts to remember are:
LOAD → creates a primary load case
LOADTYPE → identifies the load category
TITLE → describes the load case
SELFWEIGHT / MEMBER LOAD / JOINT LOAD / etc. → define the actual loads
LOAD COMB → combines previously defined load cases
Once you understand this structure, commands such as MEMBER LOAD, JOINT LOAD, FLOOR LOAD, REPEAT LOAD, LOAD LIST and LOAD COMB become much easier to understand.
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