The reason I would use plate elements to model bar grating is that it is easier to apply vertical loads(dead & live loads) on plates.Otherwise dead and live loads have to be converted into line loads and applied on the beams supporting these panels.That's much more work to do.
So I would like...
I am modeling a steel structure using Staad.Pro v8i.Some areas of the floors are covered with bar grating instead of steel plates,so I am considering to model these areas as flexible diaphragm.A reference suggests using Floor Load with no plates for these areas.However,Floor Load doesn't work...
