This document contains details of the significant changes introduced into STAAD.Pro in this 2026 release. It is recommended that all users read this and are informed of these significant changes. Note that details of all changes are published in the Revision History document that can be found here. RAM | STAAD | ADINA - STAAD.Pro 2026 Revision History - Communities
Seismic Design
The design requirements for earthquake-sensitive structures in India have been updated. While engineers previously relied on Section 12 of IS 800:2007, the requirements are now governed by a newer publication: IS 18168:2023, Earthquake Resistant Design and Detailing of Steel Buildings — Code of Practice.
Designing steel structures in India now requires the framework to be evaluated against both IS 800:2007 and IS 18168:2023. To support this, STAAD.Pro now incorporates systematic capacity-design and seismic performance checks to ensure the predictable inelastic behaviour of steel members during strong ground motion.
To complement these new capabilities, a new set of material definitions has been added. This allows engineers to easily assign the appropriate, code-compliant steel grades to their models.
Composite Column Modelling and Analysis
A growing trend in modern construction is utilizing the strength and fire-resistant properties of concrete in conjunction with structural steel profiles. Beyond the clear structural advantages, composite columns also deliver significant architectural and economic benefits.
What does this mean inside STAAD.Pro? To support this trend, tubular profile definitions have been extended. You can now specify that the core of a hollow profile is filled with a concrete material. The analytical properties of the resulting composite profile are then calculated using the composite sum method, with an alternative equivalent section method also available as an option.
Composite Column Design
This release goes beyond simply calculating the analytical properties of composite columns. By performing a composite analysis in STAAD.Pro, you can now check members for code compliance with IS 11384:2022.
Stay tuned for future releases, which will expand this composite design solution to support encased wide-flange profiles.
Python and OpenSTAAD
To support the growing adoption of Python as a primary scripting tool for engineers, STAAD.Pro 2025 introduced a Python implementation of OpenSTAAD.
For example, you can use a Python script with the openstaadpy package to address requirements that aren't available as default tools in STAAD.Pro—such as dynamically aligning the local Y-axes of columns to a given 3D coordinate.
Just like that, a simple script can significantly expand your program's functionality!
(If you would like a copy of this Python script, leave a comment below.)
There are as many use cases for productivity-boosting scripts as there are engineers, and the power to solve those use cases is now delivered directly to you in a Python package. All the functions that were previously only available as COM objects for VBA are now included as a Python package delivered with the program.
Want to build a solution outside of STAAD.Pro? You can! openstaadpy is a freely available, open-source package accessible on GitHub:
Complementing this solution is a new MCP server that empowers your local AI service with STAAD-specific skills. By downloading and installing the MCP server, you can simply describe your STAAD requirements to your digital assistant, which will then automatically generate the necessary scripts for you, saving you even more time.
Bentley Copilot Updates (TP)
The digital assistant service utilised by STAAD.Pro to provide insights into the capabilities that the application offers and documented in the online help, has been refined to provide an ever-improving service.
Cloud Analysis Updates (TP)
Based on valuable user feedback, we have continued to refine our accelerated cloud analysis method for large, complex problems. Enhancements in this release include:
- Improved handling of cancel instructions.
- Better support for models defined with non-ASCII characters.
Note: While this feature remains a Technical Preview (TP), there is no additional cost to use the service. Once it transitions to a full commercial offering, usage fees may apply. Any changes to its status will be communicated in advance to all participating users.
Chinese User Documentation
A new method for providing user documentation based on the language setting now allows engineers who operate STAAD with the Chinese interface to access the localised help documentation directly from within the application.
Indian Steel Profile Databases
Updated to latest editions of IS 808, Hot Rolled Steel Beam Column Channel and Angle Sections - Dimensions and Properties and IS 4923, Hollow steel sections for structural use.
Additional Modules
RCDC (**)
The Advanced Concrete Design application, RCDC, has been updated to 23.00.09.015 which is principally a bug fix release.
For more details on these and other issues that have been addressed in this build Refer to the RCDC .RAM | STAAD | ADINA - 6. Release Note - Communities
STAAD Foundation Advanced (***)
The concrete foundation application included in the STAAD.Pro installation has been updated to STAAD Foundation Advanced 2026. This release offers the following major change:-
- Implementation of foundation design to Eurocode 2, EN1992 for all the major foundation types including isolated, combined, mat and pile caps. Options include Malaysian and Singaporean, although other countries NA options can be manually specified.
For more details on these and other issues that have been addressed in this build Refer to the STAAD Foundation Advanced RAM | STAAD | ADINA - STAAD Foundation Advanced 2026 (v26.00.00) Release Notes - Communities
* Included with ‘Structural SELECT Entitlements’
** Additional license required, included with ‘STAAD.Pro Advanced’ and ‘Structural Worksuite’
*** Additional license required, included with ‘Structural Worksuite’
**** Additional license for ‘STAAD Nuclear QA & Reporting’ required
Note that if you are already using a release of STAAD.Pro 2023, you should be notified of the new build with the Bentley CONNECTION Client.
Revision History
The Revision History document details the issues that have been addressed and as with all builds is included in the ReadMe file which can be accessed from the Help section of the application and can also be found here.
RAM | STAAD | ADINA - STAAD.Pro 2026 Revision History - Communities