Applies To
	Product(s):	STAAD.Pro
	Version(s):	All
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	Postprocessing workflow
	Subarea:	N/A
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

What are the sign conventions for forces/moments in beams ?

The sign conventions are as follows:

Axial (FX) : Positive = Along local X axis, Negative = Opposite to local X
axis
Shear-Y (FY) : Positive = Along local Y axis, Negative = Opposite to local Y
axis
Shear-Z (FZ) : Positive = Along local Z axis, Negative = Opposite to local Z
axis

Torsion (MX) : Positive = Vector along local X axis, Negative = Vector opposite to local X
axis
Moment-Y (MY) : Positive = Vector along local Y axis, Negative = Vector opposite to local
Y axis
Moment-Z (MZ) : Positive = Vector along local Z axis, Negative = Vector opposite to local
Z axis

For axial forces,

Positive at the start node indicates compression at the start node.
Positive at the end node indicates tension at the end node.

Negative at the start node indicates tension at the start node.
Negative at the end node indicates compression at the end node.