MasterFrame Manual 2018

Table of contents

MasterFrame Overview
Overview
Creating a MasterFrame Model
MasterFrame Versions
MasterFrame Integration
MasterFrame Analysis
Advanced Analysis Tools
Exporting to and from MasterFrame
Analysis Results

MasterFrame Concepts
Introduction
Models
Global Coordinate system
Local Coordinates
Orientation
Units
Nodal Supports
Loads
Analysis Model
Non-Linear Elements
P-delta Analysis
Analysis Results
Integrated Design
Finite Element Analysis

Starting a New Frame

Creating a File
Frame Generation Menu
Starter Frame
Project Information
Create a Frame

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 Modify a Frame
Viewing a Frame
Properties of Frame Elements
Loads on a Model
Restraining a Model
Analysing a Model
Results
Design
BIM Exchange
Reports
Help Options

Top Toolbar
Introduction
Actions Toolbar
Views and Filtering Toolbar
Members Toolbar
Nodes and Coordinates Toolbar
Supports and Restraints Toolbar
3D Drawing Toolbar
Loads Toolbar
Gravity Area Loading Toolbar
Wind Loading Toolbar
Grid Lines and Levels Toolbar
Statistics Toolbar
Display Toolbar

Viewing and Navigation

Model Navigation in Ortho and Perspective Views
Navigation Cube and Home Button
Viewing Options
Zoom Filters
Frame Views
Snapshots

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 Member Viewing Groups
End Point Labelling Groups
Filtered Views

Creating a Model
Grid Lines
Creating Members
Adding Members in a Panel
Bracing Members
Columns
Shear Walls
Area Loading
Alternate Load Groups
Line Loads
Patch Loads
Copying Frame Entities
Add a Frame

Modifying Elements
Introduction
Splitting Members
Merging Members
Deleting Members, FE Sufaces and Grid Lines
Move Members, FE Sufaces and Grid Lines
Redefining Straight and Curved Members
Create Curved Member from Facets
Change Co-ordinate Tools
Position Co-ordinates on a Straight, Circle or Arch line

Analytical Model Connectivity

Model Auto Connect
Auto Connect Internal Intersecting Members
Make All Co-ordinates Positive
Analysis Model Consistency Checker

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 Show and Merge Coincident Nodes
Merge Two Analytical Members
Connect Two Members at Intersection
Delete Nodes

Properties
Member Property Editor
Member Sections and Materials
Frame Section Property Statistics
Members Attributes
Member Cross Section Orientation
FE Surface Material Properties
FE Surface Attached Beams
Stiff Deck Semi-Rigid
Member Global Density
Member Concrete Casing Properties
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

Loads
Load Groups – Titles and Code Designation
Load Cases Titles
Load Combinations
Member Loading
Nodal Loading
Notional Horizontal Loads
Density for Self-Weight
Floor and Roof Panel – Area Loading and Construction
Wind Panel Loading
FE Surface Loading
FE Surface Alternate Loading Patterns
LiveLoad Reduction
Dynamic and Seismic Loads
Viewing Loads

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Restraints
Introduction and Overview
Member End Releases
Nodal Supports – Static, Spring and Settlements
FE Surface Edge Supports and Restraints
Plastic Hinges
Partial Member End Fixity

Analysis
Introduction and Overview
Second Order Analysis Options
P-delta Analysis
Elastic Critical Load Factor
Plastic Analysis
Timber Load Duration
Global Analysis Options
FE Surface Meshing
Static Analysis
Dynamic Analysis

Results – Viewing and Printing

Introduction
Output Devices
Data Files
Screen Graphics
Tabular Analysis Results
Printing Tabular Results
Member Stresses
Internal Member Forces
Graphical Analysis Results

Design
Design Codes
Composite Member Groups

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 Steel Member Design Groups
Steel Connections Design Groups
Column Splices
Beam Eccentricities
Design Modules
Manage Design Briefs

BIM Exchange
Revit – Uni-Directional Links
Revit – Bi-Directional Links
Revit – Section Mapping Database
Revit – Direct Mapping Database
Revit – Default Sections
Revit – Database Connection Settings
MasterCAD and DXF Output
IFC Models

Reports
User Interface Overview
Print Settings

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MasterFrame Overview

Overview

MasterFrame is the main frame analysis module. It provides the main interface for creating and
analysing structural models ranging from simple beams, planar multi-element frames and complex-
geometric 3D structures.

Using an entity-based modelling system, MasterFrame allows the creation of models based on line
elements to represent the structural elements of the structure. End releases allow the modelling of
simply supported or continuous structures, or partial fixities may be specified to simulate rotational
springs. Support conditions can be specified, ranging from simply supported to fixed supports, but
also including spring supports for both translational and rotational restraint.

MasterSeries allows the user to quickly and easily apply loading to the model using a range of
loading tools which allow any arrangement of loading to be simulated on the frame entities. The
loadings not only allow for gravity and wind loads, but torsional loading, eccentric loads,
temperature loading and lack of fit loads can all be quickly and easily applied to a model.

Once loads have been specified, loading cases can be created to apply the loads in the required
combinations with the relevant load factors applied. Load combinations can be created to comply
with either the British Standards, Eurocode or South African SABS codes. An auto load case
generator function is provided to allow load cases to be quickly created, but the user still retains
control of the combinations and factors.

Once created, the model can then be analysed to give the Engineer the member forces, nodal
displacement and the support reactions. The analysis results can be displayed in a range of
formats.

Creating a MasterFrame model

The basic steps involved creating a model in MasterFrame are as follows: -

 Generate the frame geometry
 Define the entities representing the frame members
 Define the properties and orientation of the members
 Define the end restraint conditions of the members
 Define the support conditions
 Define the structural loads
 Create the required loading cases and combinations
 Analyse the model
 Review the results

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The sequence of steps is not fixed and so the sequence can be carried out in a different order.
After the analysis is complete, the model can be reviewed and amended as necessary.

MasterFrame Versions

MasterFrame is available in two versions, MasterFrame and MasterFrame Pro. MasterFrame Pro
includes all the features of MasterFrame but provides additional tools for creating area-based
gravity loading and wind loadings, along with tools for grouping members for use in the design
modules. MasterFrame Pro also includes a report generation tool for the creation and printing of
the frame information and analysis results. The report generator also allows for the inclusion of
the design results, where other modules are incorporated with MasterFrame.

The additional utilities included in MasterFrame Pro are: -

 Floor and Roof area loading panels
 Wind loading panels, including BREVe site analysis
 Steel Member design groups
 Steel Connection design groups
 Beam Eccentricities for nominal moments

MasterFrame Integration

The MasterSeries suite of software includes a range of modules which can be used as stand-alone
software. But by integrating the modules with MasterFrame, this significantly increases the power
of both MasterFrame and the various additional modules. The seamless integration of these
modules allows MasterFrame to go from an analysis package to give the engineer full analysis and
design capabilities, all under the one MasterFrame umbrella interface.

The additional modules include: -

 MasterKey Steel design
 MasterKey Concrete
 MasterKey Composite beam design
 MasterKey Connections (both simple and moment connections)
 MasterKey Timber
 MasterFrame Finite Element Analysis
 MasterFrame Dynamic Analysis
 MasterFrame Seismic Analysis
 MasterFrame Revit Integration

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The following diagram indicates the interconnection of the MasterSeries modular system under the
MasterFrame umbrella

Figure 1. MasterFrame Overview

The modular system is available in both MasterFrame and MasterFrame Pro.

MasterFrame Analysis

Both MasterFrame and MasterFrame Pro allow the engineer to analyse a structural model using
static or P-delta second order analysis on any models. Because the software allows the engineer to
use second order analysis, each load case is treated as a separate analysis case by the software.
This means the analysis is carried out for each individual load case and superposition of load cases
is not used in the software, unless specified by the user.

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Advanced Analysis Tools

The addition of MasterFrame Finite Element analysis, MasterFrame Dynamic analysis or

MasterFrame Seismic analysis provides the engineer with advanced analysis capabilities, all
utilising the same MasterFrame model and interface. In the case of the Finite Element Analysis and
the Seismic Module, the analysis results will automatically compile the element forces which are
then used in any subsequent member design. The advanced analysis and design modules use
MasterFrame as the basis method to create and load a model, so allowing users to use the familiar
MasterFrame interface to access the advanced analysis methods. This leads to a reduction in the
learning time for these modules and also avoiding the need to recreate models for different
analyses.

Exporting to and from MasterFrame

After creating, analysing and designing the model, it is possible to export the frame geometry and
section sizes to produce general arrangement drawings, using the MasterCAD module. The
MasterCAD allows for GA drawings to be annotated with member end reactions and moments.
Using MasterFrame with the MasterSeries Revit Link Manager, it is possible to export the full 3D
models into Revit, including the section sizes and orientations. The Link to Revit can be both a
one-way and two-way link, depending on whether you wish to import or import and export to
Revit.

Analysis Results

The results of the analysis of a model are shown in MasterFrame, with the MasterFrame module
acting as the central hub for the collection of the various analyses. Within MasterFrame, generally
loadings and supports are defined relative to the global axes coordinate system, defined and
displayed within the MasterFrame module. End releases and partial end fixities are defined relative
to the member local axes. The axes systems are as follows: -

Global System of Co-ordinates

The system of co-ordinates used in defining the structure as a whole. The Global X-axis is
horizontal and acts positively towards the right. The Global Y-axis is vertical and acts positively
upward. The Global Z-axis is perpendicular to the XY plane and acts positively into the screen.

Local System of Co-ordinates

The system of co-ordinates is used to define the signs of the internal forces and any loads acting
normal to the member. It is sometimes known as the member system of co-ordinates.
The local x-axis is along the member, and acts from node n1 towards node n2.
The local y-axis is obtained by a 90-degree anti-clockwise rotation of the local x-axis.
The local z-axis acts perpendicular to the local XY plane and is found by rotating 90 degrees
clockwise about the local X axis.

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 Plane Frame Grillage
Figure 2. The Relationships Between the Global and the Local Systems of Co-ordinates

Please always use the load diagram to confirm the direction of normal to member loads.
The diagram above illustrates the relationships between the Global and the Local systems of co-
ordinates for plane and grillage frames.

Distance along Members

The distances used in defining load positions, haunch dimension and/or design check requirements
are measured along the slope of the member from node n1.

Floating Point Constants

The use of a Floating Point, i.e. the exponential E format, in the Data File, is very useful in defining
the section properties A I and E; e.g., rather than using 205000000 for the modulus of elasticity of
steel, use 205E6. Similarly, use the E-4 and the E-8 to convert cm2 and cm4 to m2 and m4
respectively. For example, the sectional properties of "457x191 UB 67 kg/m" are 85.4E-4 m2 for
the area of section and 29401E-8 m4 for the second moment of area.

Units
In order to minimise the risk of error, all input to the program must use metre as the unit of
length, kN as the unit of force and Radians as the unit of rotation.
The program however, is designed to give its output in the following units:
 mm for the nodal displacements, in the Global X and Y directions; and degrees for
rotation.
 kN for the Axial and Shear Forces;
 kNm for the Bending and Torsional Moments;
 mm for the Maximum Deflection in the member;
 m for the distances along the member measured from node n1;
 m for the Nodal co-ordinates;

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  cm2 for the Cross-Sectional Area;
 cm4 for the Second Moment of Area and the Torsional constant;
 kN/mm2 for the Modulus of Elasticity;
 kN for Total Loads;
 kN/m for Load Intensities;
 mm for Nodal Settlements in the Global X and Y directions; and
 Degrees for Rotational Nodal Movements.

Nodal Deflections
In plane frames, these include the nodal displacements in the Global X and Y directions, and the
nodal rotation about the Z axis. In grillages, the nodal deflections include the nodal rotation about
the X and Z axes along with the vertical displacement in the Y direction. Please note that for an
East-West member the X rotation is a torsional rotation and the Z rotation is a bending rotation;

Plane Frame Grillage

Figure 3. The Sign Convention for the Nodal Deflections

Member Forces
In addition to the values of the Axial force, the Shear force and the Bending moment at the ends
of each member, the value and position of the maximum Bending moment, and the value and
position of the maximum member deflection are also printed.
In the output, the maximum member deflection is defined as the maximum deflection resulting
from the local curvature of the member, measured in relation to the straight line connecting the
new nodal positions. This value is generally more relevant than the absolute deflection, particularly
in the case of a multi-storey structure. The following diagram illustrates the significance and the
sign convention used in conjunction with the maximum member deflection.

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 The Maximum Member Deflection The Sign Convention (Plane Frames)
(Plane Frames)

In plane and space frames, a positive value for axial force indicates compression, and a negative
value indicates tension. The standard convention is used for the shear force and the bending
moment. However, it should be noted that the latter relates to the orientation of the member, as
shown in the diagram above.
In grillages and space frames, a positive torsional moment indicates an anti-clockwise torsion as
seen when looking down the member from the smaller node number to the larger node number.

Support Reactions
The support reactions are based on the out of balance forces at each joint in the model. The sign
convention for the support reactions is illustrated in the figure below. This shows the positive
directions for the six global degrees of freedom.

Pin-Jointed Analysis
With the Pin-Jointed Frame Analysis, the output is considerably more compact than in the case of
the Rigid Frame Analysis. The nodal deflections in the Global X, Y and Z directions are given using
the same sign convention as with rigid frame, but here only the axial force in each member,
together with the axial stress, the length and the type of member are printed.
As before, a positive value of axial force indicates compression, and a negative value indicates
tension. In all other respects the output is similar to that obtained in the case of a Rigid Frame
Analysis.

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MasterFrame – Concepts

Introduction

The following chapter outlines the basic concepts involved in using MasterFrame to model a
physical structure, including modelling the loading applied to the structure and the support
conditions. It can often be helpful to understand the general concepts behind a MasterFrame
model when creating an analytic model of a real structure as this can assist in creating an
appropriate structural model for the analysis. This can be particularly helpful when dealing with
models involving Finite Element Surfaces.

MasterFrame models

MasterFrame uses an analytical model based on analytical nodes and analytical elements to model
the interconnected 3-dimensional elements that comprise a physical structure. The analytical
model used in MasterFrame forms a mathematical representation of the physical structure, from
which the stiffness matrix, required as part of the analysis of the structure, is compiled.
Analytic Nodes – analytic nodes represent points in space. Nodes are associated with an ordered
triplet which represent the global cartesian coordinates of the point within the model space.
Analytic Member – analytic members are 1-dimensional line elements which are defined
between two points in space, the points being represented by analytical nodes. Analytic members
must be straight line segments.
Analytic nodes and analytical members together form a mathematical model of the whole, or part
of, a physical structural element. These analytical elements represent the shear centre of the real
element. In doubly symmetric structural sections, the shear centre and centroid are coincident and
so for these type of structural section, the analytical member represents the element centroid.
Analytic members are always associated with two analytic nodes. The analytic nodes represent the
end points of the analytic member. Several analytic members may be coincident at an analytic
node, in which case the node represents the end point of several analytic members. Only one node
may occur a point in space.
The physical properties of the physical sections are applied to an analytical member as a set of
mathematical values. These mathematical values are used in the analysis and subsequent design
modules. Regardless of the physical values assigned, the analytical members always remain 1-
dimensional line elements.
Analytical nodes and analytical members can be used to form a MasterSeries physical member,
which is itself a representation of a physical structural element. A MasterSeries physical member
can comprise of one or more analytical members. An example of a physical member in a model
would be a primary floor beam supporting secondary beams. The physical beam would be made
up a several segments or beam portions, each segment being a single analytic member. The
intermediate nodes would be shared among at least two analytic members, allowing for the
connecting secondary members.

15
The MasterFrame physical members are given graphical properties which reflect the physical
properties of the structural element they represent. MasterFrame physical members can be
displayed in the 3D graphics and will have a section shape, orientation and dimensions which are
representative of the real physical member. However, the 3-dimensional nature of the graphical
view is purely graphical, since the underlying model is based on the analytical elements.
MasterFrame physical members can be connected and arranged within the model space to create
a 2 or 3-dimensional model. The positions of the MasterFrame physical members represent the
physical position of the elements of the structure to be modelled. The MasterFrame coordinates of
the nodes representing the connections between elements represent the joints in the structure.
Once a model has been built, it can be viewed in both a wireframe frame and a 3D view. However,
it is important to remember that the underlying analysis model is based on the wireframe model,
which in turn is based on the member shear centres.
The intended functionality of MasterFrame is to minimise the time spent by the user dealing with
analytical nodes and analytical members. In general, when creating or modifying a model within
MasterFrame, the software automates the process of creating the MasterFrame physical members,
with the creation of the analytical elements of the model being done automatically in the
background.

MasterFrame Global Coordinate system

MasterFrame uses a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The x- and z- axes define a
horizontal plane, while the y-axis indicates the vertical direction. The software indicates the axis
orientations with a dynamic axis symbol. The axis indicator is shown below.

Each point in space is uniquely identified by an ordered triplet representing the three coordinates,
each coordinate representing the distance from the origin in the axis direction.

MasterFrame Local Coordinates

In addition to the global coordinate system, MasterFrame also employ a local coordinate system
for each physical member. The system of co-ordinates is used to define the signs of the internal
forces and any loads acting normal to the member. It is sometimes known as the member system
of co-ordinates. The local coordinate system is defined as follow: -

The local x-axis is along the member, and acts from node n1 towards n2.
The local y-axis is obtained by a 90-degree anti-clockwise rotation of the local x-axis.
The local z-axis acts perpendicular to the local XY plane and is found by rotating 90 degrees
clockwise about the local X axis.

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 Plane Frame Grillage

Figure 2. The Relationships Between the Global and the Local Systems of Co-ordinates

Within MasterFrame, a member is defined to start at the lower numbered node at the member
ends. Distance along members is therefore taken from the lower node number, unless noted
otherwise, or the user selects option to defined the position relative to the end of the physical
member rather than the start.
The diagram above illustrates the relationships between the Global and the Local systems of co-
ordinates for plane and grillage frames.

Member Orientation

To allow the analytic and physical members in a model to reflect the orientation of the real
structural elements comprising the structure to be modelled, MasterFrame includes a member
orientation angle, which represents the rotation of the angle about its local x-axis. This is termed
the beta angle. To allow for the definition of this angle, MasterFrame defines a ‘top’ surface of a
structural member cross section. Even sections with a circular cross section, the analytic and
physical members with still have a defined top surface from which an orientation is defined. In
general, for singly or doubly-symmetric steel sections, the defined ‘top’ is associated with the cross
section major axis.
The beta angle is utilised within the software when displaying analysis results and also within the
design modules.
Doubly symmetric sections have a defined top surface. Therefore, while in reality rotating a
physical entity through 180 degrees makes no difference to the structure, the software will analyse
the structure according to the member orientation. Hence, in the steel design, the bending
moment diagram will be reversed from what would be expected, due to the orientation of the
member and direction of load. The resulting structural behaviour will not change since the stiffness
of the structure would be unaltered.
The software graphical view of the model includes beta angle indicators.

17
MasterFrame Units

MasterFrame uses the SI system of units. The default units are metres (m), Newtons (N), Radians
(rad) and Centigrade (ºC). The software does not support Imperial units.
For ease of input, the software uses distance inputs of metres (m), force inputs of kilonewtons
(kN), and rotational inputs in radians.
The SI units for density are kg/m³. This is the input value used with the Finite Element Analysis
module. In MasterFrame, the required density inputs are in kN/m³.
Within MasterFrame and the Finite Element Analysis module, for ease of input the default unit for
Young’s Modulus is kN/mm².
The results within MasterFrame as displayed in the following units: -
 mm for the nodal displacements, in the Global X and Y directions; and degrees for
rotation.
 kN for the Axial and Shear Forces;
 kNm for the Bending and Torsional Moments;
 mm for the Maximum Deflection in the member;
 m for the distances along the member measured from node n1;
 m for the Nodal co-ordinates;
 cm2 for the Cross-Sectional Area;
 cm4 for the Second Moment of Area and the Torsional constant;
 kN/mm2 for the Modulus of Elasticity;
 kN for Total Loads;
 kN/m for Load Intensities;
 mm for Nodal Settlements in the Global X and Y directions; and
 Degrees for Rotational Nodal Movements.

Nodal Supports

Nodal supports represent external restraint conditions defined to act on the analytical nodes within
any model. The nodal supports are an idealised representation of an external restraint on the
displacement and/or rotation of the node. Nodal restraints are used to define the boundary
conditions on the system of equations which are solved in the analysis of the structure.
Nodal supports may prevent lateral displacements or rotations in the global axes directions. Nodal
supports may also be defined to be linear elastic springs, or support displacements.
When nodal supports are defined as springs, the analysis of the structure is no longer linear, and
the software automatically uses an iterative method for the analysis.
Nodal supports are always applied related to the MasterFrame global axes.

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MasterFrame Loads

Within MasterFrame, a wide range of loads can be defined to act on any model, ranging from
loadings defined to act over areas, loads applied to the members of a model and loads applied at
nodes. These loads represent idealisations of the actions on the structure to be modelled.
Within MasterFrame, the MasterFrame physical members are loaded with member applied line and
point loads. Therefore, all area applied loads are decomposed into equivalent distributed line load
or point loads. This is carried out automatically within the software.
Within the analytic model, all loads are then converted into nodal loads for use in the solution of
the equations which form the analysis of the structure. Loads for use in the analytic model are
always converted into loads acting in the global axes. This process is automatically carried out by
the software and is not a user dependent process.
User applied loads are generally applied in the global axes, regardless of the member orientation.
The exceptions are loads applied acting in the major or minor member axes, which are therefore
applied relative to the member local axes. Nodal loads can also be applied at a specified angle to
the horizontal and vertical global planes to avoid the need to resolve loads into the global axes.

MasterFrame Analysis

MasterFrame allows the user to construct a representation of the structure to be analysed by the
use of MasterFrame physical members, area loads including gravity and wind loads, member and
nodal loads and also to model foundation and other restraint to movements of the structure using
nodal supports. The MasterFrame physical model is an idealised representation of the actual
structure.
Under lying the MasterFrame physical model is the analytic model, comprised of analytic nodes
and analytic members. The analytic model is a further idealised abstraction of the structure. The
underlying analytic model is what is used to set up the system of equations which are solved to
form the analysis of the structure.
The section properties of the MasterFrame physical members are converted into member
stiffnesses for the analytic members of the analytic model. The stiffnesses are initially determined
relative to the local member axes. Each analytic member in the model will have its own local
stiffness properties relating to the axial and bending stiffness of the member. All analytic member
stiffnesses can be expressed in matrix form. Each analytic member stiffness matrix is then
transformed into global coordinates. At this stage, the transformed member stiffness matrices are
compiled into a global stiffness matrix which represents the stiffness matrix of the full structure in
the global coordinates.
The system of equations which represent the structure to be analysed can be written, in matrix
form, as: -
F=Kd

Where F and d are column vectors representing the forces and moments acting at the analytic
nodes of the model and the displacements and rotations of the analytic nodes, all in global
coordinates.

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The stiffness matrix K has the following properties: -
1. The stiffness matrix is square. The order of the matrix is equal to the number of degrees of
freedom in the analytical model.

2. The stiffness matrix is symmetric

3. The matrix K is positive-definite

4. The structural matrix K is non-singular.

The first 3 points above relate to properties of the matrix which allow certain operations to be
carried out on the matrix which form part of the process of finding a solution to the system of
equations.
Where a matrix is singular, this means that it has either no solutions, or infinitely many solutions.
In both cases, a single solution does not exist. This would indicate that the structure is unstable.
Hence a singular matrix is indicative of a structural instability in the physical model.
Following manipulation of the set system of equations, where the stiffness matrix K is non-
singular, the system of equations is solved to give the displacements and rotations of each analytic
node in the model. This represents the displacement of the structure relative to the global system
of axes. The global displacements are then converted into local displacements for each analytic
member of the model, from which the end reactions and end moments of the analytic members is
calculated. At this stage, the member loading, in the form of linearly varying loads and point loads
on the analytic members, are used to calculate the bending moment and shear force distribution
on the member. From the bending moments and shear force diagrams, combined with the end
displacements and rotations of the nodes, the deflected shape of the member is calculated.
The above briefly describes the analysis method which is carried out for a 1st order linear elastic
analysis of an analytic model for a single load case. For model which included multiple load cases,
the analysis process is carried out for each load case, with the results of each analysis being
saved. While superposition of load cases can be used for 1st order linearly elastic analysis, this
cannot be used for non-linear analysis and so the software does not use superposition.
To accommodate non-linearity in the analysis, MasterFrame uses an iterative process to solve the
system of equations. In this case, the analysis of the analytic model in any load case is carried out
a number of times, with a modification of the stiffness matrix being carried out after each stage of
the analysis. A convergence criterion is used to determine when the change in the solution is small
enough to consider the solution to be complete, or, alternatively, to determine when the solution is
divergent and no solution is possible. A modification of this process can accommodate a 2nd order
P-delta analysis, which can account for the geometric modification of the structure under loading.

MasterFrame non-linear elements

The use of the following elements in a MasterFrame model will require the modification of the
stiffness matrix discussed above and so will require the use of an iterative solving process to
account for the non-linearity of the model. The non-linearity which arises with the use of these
elements is due to geometric non-linearity, rather than to material non-linearity. Material non-
linearity is not considered in MasterFrame.

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Tension only members
Tension only members resist only tensile axial forces – they have no bending stiffness. In models
with tension only members, an initial analysis is carried out to determine the nature of the axial
force in all members in the model. Where a tension only member is found to have an axial force,
the member axial stiffness in the stiffness matrix is set to zero and the analysis is repeated. The
result of the 2nd run of the analysis determined if any other tension only members need to be
taken as zero in the stiffness matrix. The process is repeated until no further changes to the
stiffness matrix are required. The full process is repeated for all load cases.

Compression only members

Similar to the tension only member, the compression only member will resist only axial forces, with
no bending stiffness. A similar analytic process is required to modify the stiffness matrix after each
iteration within a load case.

Nodal Spring supports

MasterFrame models spring supports using a linear elastic spring model. In this case, the force in
the spring is proportional to the distance, with no limit imposed on the magnitude of the force or
displacement. While the spring element is modelled as a linear elastic element in the analytical
model, the displacement of the spring will require a modification of the stiffness matrix of the
structure and the modified structure may result in a different displacement and so a different force
in the spring. Hence a non-linear analysis is required. The process is similar to that outlined above.

Non-linear P-delta analysis

In cases where the geometric deformation of the structure is considered to be significant, account
of the deformation of the model and the subsequent impact on the stiffness of the analytic model
can be considered by the use is the P-delta analysis.
Within MasterFrame, two types of P-delta analysis are available. Both of these methods use an
iterative approach to modify the model geometry under load and so modify the stiffness matrix of
the analytic model.

Geometric Stiffness
The Geometric Stiffness method is a two-pass iteration method. The first iteration determines the
axial forces in the analytic members. The stiffness matrix is then modified to account for the axial
force, where compressive force lead to a reduction in the bending stiffness of the member and
tensile force produces an increase in the stiffness of the member in bending. The modified
bending stiffness terms are calculated using stability functions, which depend on the axial force in
the member. The second iteration is then carried out using this modified stiffness matrix.
The Geometric Stiffness method accounts for stress stiffening in the analysis and so is a P-δ
method.
The Geometric Stiffness method is applicable where the lateral deflections of the structure, which
are not taken into account in the modification of the stiffness method, are significant. Where
lateral deformations of the structure are considered to be significant, a full non-linear iterative
approach is required.

21
Newton-Raphson method
The Newton-Raphson method is a multi-pass iterative method which accounts for vertical and
lateral deflections in the frame, accounting for both geometric deformation of the structure as a
whole, and also the effect of the structure deformation on the stress in individual analytic
members. As such, the Newton-Raphson method accounts for the P-Δ effects on the overall
structure, while some P-δ effects are considered depending on the arrangement of the nodes
within a MasterFrame physical member.
At each stage of the iteration process, the deformation of the structure is determined from the
analysis and the stiffness matrix is then modified to account for these deformations in the next
iteration. At each stage, the load on the structure can be either the full load of defined on the
structure, or an incremental approach can be used, where the load is increased in a number of
increments, where the number of increments can be defined by the user.
The P-δ effects include the deformation of the individual members, that is, the deformation of the
member along its length. However, the deformation of model is determined at the analytical nodes
within the model. Therefore, to capture the deformation of a member, the member requires
intermediate analytic nodes. Therefore, in a model where the MasterFrame physical members have
no intermediate nodes, the in-member deformations are not accounted for in the analysis and in
this case the analysis is purely a P-Δ analysis. To take account of the P-δ effects on any particular
member, it is necessary to include nodes along the member length. However, it must be noted
that each node adds 6 degrees of freedom the model, so introducing additional nodes will increase
the number of equations to be solved and so increase the size of the stiffness matrix. Introducing
a large number of analytic nodes can lead to an increase in the time to analyse each iteration of
each load case, leading to longer analysis times.
At each iteration of the Newton-Raphson analysis, the convergence of the analysis is measured
against a convergence criterion. This measures the change in the solution for each iteration and
determine whether or not the method will converge to a solution. Where the process does not
converge, this suggests that the structure is unstable and the structure is not tending to an
equilibrium state. Where the solution is not convergent, this will result in a non-convergence error
in the analysis.

MasterFrame Analysis Results

The MasterFrame analysis involves the manipulation of the stiffness matrix associated with the
analytic structure and the subsequent solution of the system of equations represented by the
matrix equation F = K d. From the solution of the system of equations, the deformation of the
structure is determined, from which the end rotations of the members are determined. From this
the end moments of the analytic members are calculated. Finally, from the end moments and the
loading conditions, the resulting bending moments, shear forces, rotations and deflections of the
members are calculated.
The results of the analysis can then be displayed, either in numerical format or in a graphical
former. Results can be viewed on screen or printed or exported.
Results such as bending moment, shear force, axial force or torsion are displayed relative to the
member local axes.

22
In general, deflections are given relative to the global axes. This relates to the deflection of the
nodes in the model.
For members modelling structural elements such as beams, the deflection of the members along
its length is generally an important consideration in the design of the structural element. The in-
span deflection of the member can be shown in the results outputs. However, since there may be
deflections of the nodes at the end of the member, and to account for the orientation of the
member itself, the in-span deflection is calculated as the maximum deflection along the member
relative to the member axes. Thus, the deflection is taken relative to a straight line between the
start and end nodes of the member.

Integrated Design modules

Where integrated design modules are included, the integrated design module will use the member
forces from the MasterFrame analysis, automatically determining the forces on the relevant
MasterFrame physical members.
Since the integrated design module and the MasterFrame analysis are linked, changes to the
properties of the physical members will result in changes to the analytic model, in particular,
changes to the members of a model will change the stiffness matrix of the analytic model.
Therefore, in the integrated design modules, if the properties of the elements in the model are
modified, when going back into MasterFrame, the analysis results will no longer be available and
the software will prompt for the model to be re-analysed.
After re-analysing the model, a new set of member forces and deflections are calculated.
Depending on the extent of the changes made to the model, this may have an impact on the
design of the elements in an integrated design module and it is possible to find that, after a re-
analysis, the required section properties needed to satisfy the member design change.

Finite Element Analysis

Within a MasterFrame model, it is possible, using the MasterFrame FEA module, to include finite
element surfaces within a single MasterFrame model.
The finite element method (FEM) provides a method to model the behaviour or a continuum
structure, such as floor plates or walls elements. The structural element is subdivided into a series
of small elements. In general, these elements may be two or three-dimensional. This subdivided
structure may then be analysed by matrix methods which are an extension of those used in
MasterFrame for analysis regular structural models using 1-dimensional line elements.
Each finite element is a mathematical formulation, consisting of a number of node points joined by
edges. Each finite element is a mathematical idealisation representing a small part of the real
structural element. Loads applied to a finite element are idealised to act at the node points. Finite
elements are assumed to connect at the node points only, so compatibility between elements is
taken to occur at the nodes.
Finite elements are then connected together to form a mesh, where this mesh is the analytic
representation of the structural element to be modelled. From this mesh, the stiffness matrix for
this FE structure can be compiled. By then converting this local stiffness matrix into global

23
coordinates, the transformed matrix can be compiled as part of the analytic stiffness matrix of the
full structure, thereby incorporating the FE surface into the analysis of the full structure.
The analysis of the structure calculates the deformation of the structure at the node points in the
model, which includes the nodes of the finite element mesh. Thus, the analysis is calculating the
deformations and forces at each node in the FE surface. Thus, the forces are displacements of
each finite element is calculated at the node points of the element. However, since the FE surface
is to model a continuum, an estimate of the forces and displacements across an element also
needs to be calculated. This is done by the use of a suitable shape function. A shape function is a
function which describe the distribution of the element stress and strain between the node points.
The shape function needs to be continuous across the element, as does its first derivative and also
needs to ensure compatibility with the results at the element nodes. For ease of calculation,
polynomials are often chosen for shape functions.
Since the FEM is used to model and analyse the behaviour of a continua, the size of the FE mesh
can have a significant impact on the accuracy of the results. Generally, reduction of the mesh
leads to increased accuracy, but the increased number of nodes and degrees of freedom leads to a
significant increase in the size of the stiffness matrix and a subsequent increase in the analysis
time.
Within MasterFrame FE, 8-noded quadrilateral shell elements are employed. These are 2-
dimensional shell elements, with nodes at each corner of the element and additional nodes at the
mid-point of each side. The finite elements used employ Mindlin plate theory which enables the
shear deformations of the elements to be included in the analysis. Mindlin theory assumes that
there is a linear variation of displacement through the thickness of the element, but no change in
the element thickness. This is similar to the assumption that plane sections remain plane in
Bernoulli beam bending.
In MasterFrame, the 2-dimensional finite element surface is used to represent the centreline of the
3-dimensional element to be modelled and analysed. An FE surface therefore is used to model a
structural element of constant thickness, with the FE surface representing the centreline of the
structural element.

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Starting a New Frame
This section gives you an overview of how to start creating a structural model, introducing the
various menus that you will need to add, modify, view and load members/elements and analyse
the model, looking at the results before designing the components in the model.

Creating a MasterFrame file

To start a new MasterFrame file from the front screen of MasterSeries:-

1. Go to the Frames menu

2. Select MasterFrame : Analysis Design and Drafting

This opens up the file selection menu where you can pick a directory for the new file or select an
existing file which you may be working on.

25
To start a new file:-

1. Click on the New File button

2. Type in a filename of your choice
3. Click on the Create New button

Frame Generation Menu

The frame generation menu appears and gives you the option to pick a basic frame as the starter
for creating your own frame.

26
The various starter frames include:-

 Grid lines – set up a series of orthogonal grid lines as a basis for a new frame
 Floor Plate – plan floor layout which can be easily copied up into a 3D frame
 Snap Grid – draw a series of structural elements manually
 Simple Beam – an easily set up single beam
 Continuous Beam – multi-span continuous beam
 Sub-Frame – useful for analysing a part of a structure
 Multi-Storey and Grillage – elevation of a multi-storey frame which can be copied
horizontally into the 3rd dimension, and plane grillages
 Multi-Portal – used to generate single or multi-bay portal frames
 Tower Frame – 3D tower frames and domes
 Roof Truss – 3D roof truss
 Fink Truss, N Lattice and V Lattice trusses – starter trusses

Each of these basic frames can be quickly modified to suit your particular frame layout and copied
upwards or horizontally to create a 3D frame.
We recommend starting with one of these frame pre-processors as this is usually easier than
starting a model from scratch.

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Starter Frame

To progress you can select the Floor Plan.

1. Pick the Floor Plan from the pre-processor options

The number of bays in each direction can be changed to suit your particular structure, the span
lengths altered, a default member section size chosen and member properties added.
Note that the graphic of the frame layout will dynamically change with each alteration of the input
information.

This type of interface will appear for each of the pre-processor frames allowing you to easily
change the parameters before pressing the ‘Apply’ button to accept the details entered.
If you need to add another starter frame into the existing frame you can add it from the Create
menu, Add Frame and select another pre-processor frame type.

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Project Information

In the File menu you can:-

 Create a new file

 Open an existing file
 Open a recent file from a list of recently worked on files
 Save the current file or
 Save As (Copy) - save another copy of the current file with a new name
 Add Job and Project References, information relating to the particular project
 Add Notes for the current Job to keep a record of changes, for example
 Exit MasterFrame or exit MasterSeries completely

Create a Frame

The create menu provides all you need to create a new structural model including setting up grid
lines, adding new columns, beams and bracing members. It also covers floor plate information
including area loading and construction type. Note the word ‘Pro’ after this option. Anywhere you
see the word ‘Pro’ it indicates that the feature is a Pro only feature and requires the Pro add-on to
MasterFrame to access these particular items.

29
The same is also true of the menu items that have FE Surfaces included. These refer to the
MasterFrame Finite Element Analysis add-on module which can be added to MasterFrame for
creating, loading and analysing surfaces such as floor slabs or shear walls as a Finite Element
mesh.

Modify a Frame

The Modify Geometry menu allows you to edit an existing structural model. The options include
splitting members, merging members together, deleting and moving members. There are other
tools available including checking the integrity and connectivity of the model.

30
Viewing a Frame

The Viewing menu allows you to manipulate and create views of your structure. This is especially
useful if you have a large structure which you wish to look at in sub-sections, floor plates or along
individual grid lines or other views which may be beneficial to working with the model.

From the Frame Views item a number of frame views can be generated. Most of these are
generated automatically based on the floor levels and the grid lines set up when creating the initial
model. You can also create and save your own views.

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Properties of Frame Elements

The Properties menu gives you several tools to add properties to members, including section types
(steel, concrete, composite and timber) and relevant section sizes, and additional attributes such
as tension or compression only.

You can select a particular member and deal with its generic properties.
The section size, end releases, construction type and a list of additional attributes can be modified
in this table.

32
Alternatively the section size, orientation, etc can be altered from the individual options in the
main Properties menu.
Other property items that can be specified include those for FE Surfaces, semi-rigid stiff deck
(diaphragm action), global member densities and coefficient of thermal expansion.

Loads on a Model

Member loading and nodal point loads are added from the Loads menu. Area loading on floor
plates can also be added to a frame – this is a Pro feature enabling the floor plate to be loaded
with the loads being automatically distributed on to the floor members.

Automatic wind loading can be applied to the structural model with wind pressures from various
directions being distributed to the frame’s external members. This again is a Pro feature.
Loading can be applied to the Finite Element surfaces, floor plates, shear wall, etc.
Other options include live load reduction on the floors of a model. Also, application of Dynamic and
Seismic loading - these add-on modules to MasterFrame and MasterFrame Pro.

Restraining a Model

The Restraints menu gives you access to member end releases, allowing the ends to be pinned or
rigidly connected to adjacent members. You can also specify member end external support

33
conditions, as nodal static supports, spring supports and support settlements. Other features relate
to FE surface edge supports, plastic hinges and partial member end fixity.

Analysis of a Model

The Analysis menu allows you to carry out Second Order Analysis, choose between various Global
Analysis options and initiate the Static Analysis of the model. FE Surface meshing details can be
varied before analysis is carried out.
You can also proceed through to the Dynamic Analysis add-on module to evaluate natural
frequencies, floor response factors as well as Seismic Analysis.

Results

Post analysis results can be accessed through the Results menu. If analysis has already been
carried out you can access the results immediately, otherwise the program will automatically bring
up the analysis options.
Results can be viewed graphically or in tabular format and exported to print, PDF or Word
(requires Office Tools add-on module). Member stresses and internal member forces can also be
accessed from this menu.

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Design – Multi-Material

After completing the model, running through the analysis and viewing the results you can now
begin the design process. The required Design Code can be selected.
Member Design Groups can be set up for composite beams, steel beams and connections, allowing
improved control over the design of groups of members and their end connections. Column splice
locations can be specified for multi-floor column heights.
You can then progress into the design of the members for steel, composite construction, steel
connections, concrete beams, columns and pads and timber design all within one multi-material
modelling environment.

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BIM Exchange

Under the BIM Exchange menu you can import and export models between MasterSeries and Revit
Structure. You can also import and export in IFC format and DXF file format. MasterCAD is used to
generate General Arrangement drawings.

Reports

You can print out the full input data relating to your model in text format. Frame graphics can also
be printed out or exported to Word (Office Tools module required). Tabular output of analysis
results are also available to print.
The Report Generator (Pro) provides very detailed report generation options in which you can
select from all the components of output from the model, export or print them and also save the
report layout so it can be reproduced if required again.

Help Options

The Help menu provides access to the MasterSeries Learning Centre which takes you to our Vimeo
channel where numerous learning videos are hosted. Help: Contents gives access to a list of
relevant manuals and tutorials in PDF format which are a valuable source of help and give
explanations of many of the features in MasterSeries.
If a remote support session is required as advised by one of our support Engineers, then this
session can be started from the Start Remote Support Session option.

36
37
The Top Toolbar

Introduction

The top toolbar in MasterFrame gives you access to numerous tools that you will find beneficial
when examining and navigating through your model. This toolbar is dynamic in that it compresses
and expands depending on the size of your computer screen. As it compresses the icons become
smaller and their individual descriptions are no longer visible. A minimum screen width of 960
pixels is required to display the compressed toolbar, although a preferred width of 1280 is
recommended to show the intermediate toolbar and 1768 for the full toolbar. The tools are
grouped into appropriate sub-sections with each sub-section including a set of related options.
We will review these various sections of the toolbar and see how they can benefit our
manipulation of the frame and the data applied to it.
The compressed toolbar shows most of icons but without their basic descriptions;

The full toolbar shows larger icons with their descriptions and, if required, the option to click on an
arrow to expand the options available.

The Actions toolbar

You can save the MasterFrame file you are currently working on. This will save the current version
of the file to the path name shown at the top of the MasterFrame screen.
There is also the option to undo or redo the previous number of actions that were applied to the
frame. The graphics will update each time to show the changes.
The frame display can be refreshed. This is particularly useful if you have updated area loading
or wind loading panels. The frame will be refreshed to display the latest settings.

38
The Views and Filtering toolbar

This set of tools enables you to view the frame in its entirety or in individual segments, eg, floors,
elevations and sections through the frame. You can add your own snapshots and views and select
items or groups of items to display or hide as appropriate.
For full details see the chapter on Viewing, Filtering and Navigation.

The Members toolbar

The member section sizes, beta angles (orientation), lengths, member numbers and reference
stamps can be easily displayed on the members of the frame.

39
The Nodes and Coordinates toolbar

The node numbers and X, Y, Z coordinates can be displayed for all the nodes in the current view
of the frame.

The Supports and Restraints toolbar

You can display the frame nodal static supports, any nodal spring supports that may have been
added to the frame along with column settlements.
Member end releases can also be made visible.
If stiff deck diaphragm action has been applied to the frame, the surfaces that this has been
applied to can be displayed.

The 3D Drawing toolbar

The elements in the frame can be shown graphically in 3D giving a ‘real’ view of the structure. The
frame elements can be coloured by material, for example, steel elements are shown in green,
composite members in yellow, bracing members in blue, timber in brown and concrete in grey.
To further distinguish between section sizes, you can select to colour by section and then show the
section key which will give a legend displaying the section sizes and their related colours used on
the frame.
Show Section Outline adds lines at the edges of the sections to enhance their outline.

40
Concrete pads can be displayed where columns meet static supports. These will have a default size
until the pads have been designed at which point they will display the actual design size for each
pad.
The Draw Short option pulls the structural elements back from the nodes so you can see where an
element starts and finishes and the extent of its continuity.
End Plates can be displayed when the frame elements are shown in 3D. These are shown at the
ends of structural members and are set up in the MasterCAD module.

The Loads toolbar

See section on viewing loads.

The Gravity Area Loading toolbar

If gravity area loading has been applied to the frame (part of the Pro features), then these areas
of loading can be displayed graphically using the Gravity icon with both the Colour by Intensity
and Show Key applied so that the loaded areas are coloured and a description of the load intensity
represented by each colour is displayed in the bottom left of the screen.

41
By clicking on the down arrow beside the Show Key option, you will gain access to a list of items
that can be displayed in the key table. Tick which item you wish to display. If you need to display
more than one item at the same time, tick the Multi Select option first and then the several items
to be included in the key. This is very useful for validating the area loading that has been applied
to the model.

Patch and Line loads that have been added to the area loading can also be displayed along with
their values.

The Wind Loading toolbar

Similar to the Area Loading, if Wind Loading (another Pro feature) has been added to the model,
then these areas of loading can be displayed graphically using the Wind Load icon. The Direction
drop list will allow you to select which wind direction you wish to view the wind intensities for. W
loads are due to wind intensity based on Cpe values, P loads will also include the internal pressure
coefficients and S loads will also include the internal suction coefficients.

42
On the graphical display of the wind you can show the ‘Cp’ values across the model, or
alternatively the actual wind pressures ‘Q’ or wind zones ‘W’ applied.

The Grid Lines and Levels toolbar

In the Lines toolbar you can switch on/off the grid lines that have been previously set up for the
frame. The grid lines can also be set to thicker lines if required. The grid line bubbles colour can
be inverted to make them clearer in some instances. You can also draw grid lines that are outside
the current view if you have a partial frame view displayed. This can be particularly useful when
creating a model and adding new members around the periphery of the current partial view.
The level numbers can also be displayed on the frame members.

The Statistics toolbar

There are 2 statistics icons – the upper one for the frame statistics and the lower one for member
information and loads.

43
The Frame Statistics table gives a considerable amount of information on the quantities of
materials within the frame. Principally the section sizes are listed along with their lengths, weights
and surface areas with the totals at the bottom of the table.
The table entries can be limited to those visible on the screen, rather than the whole frame.
If members are in viewing groups, these groups can be included in the table.
The alignment of members can also be added – horizontal, vertical or inclined.
Each individual element can be listed (All Sections) or sections of the same size totalled (Section
Totals).

You can use the Copy Section/Paste Section buttons to change a particular section to another
section size already contained within the table, in order to rationalise the sections in your frame.
To do this;

1. Pick the member size you want to copy by highlighting its length, weight or surface info, so
the cell changes colour.

44
 2. Press the ‘Copy Section’ button.
3. Highlight the section size you want to change and,
4. Press the ‘Paste Section’ button.

The section size will be altered throughout the frame to the new size.
This table can be exported to Word and Excel (Office Tools module required) or to the printer.

The lower icon gives access to the Member Information and Loads table.

To obtain member information and the loading on a particular member, select the member by;

a. Picking the member from the frame, or

b. Typing in the member stamp reference, or
c. Typing in the member number.

The Display toolbar

You can further enhance the graphical display of your frame from the options in the display
toolbar.
The nodes in the frame can be displayed and their size made larger or smaller to suit.
The lines representing the members can be thickened.

45
If the area or wind loading is displayed on the frame, the intensity of their colours can be varied
using the colour saturation option.
You can also alter the font size for items that are displayed on the frame, eg, member sizes or the
size of the numbers, eg, member numbers.
The settings option opens up a list of items that can be set as on/off for display on the frame.
These include drawing options, node and member labels, wind area loading colours and finite
element display options. Each list can be opened by clicking on the + sign. Tick the box for any
item you want to include on the frame.

This concludes this quick overview of the MasterFrame modelling environment.

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Viewing and Navigation

Basic Model Navigation in Orthogonal View

There are three basic modes of navigating a MasterFrame model in orthogonal view, they are:
 Zooming: using the mouse wheel
 Panning: using the middle mouse button
 Orbiting: using middle mouse button down, and the Shift key

Basic Model Navigation in Perspective View

Perspective view features more advanced navigation modes in order to allow you to “walk” and
“look” around the model.

Walk
 Mouse: use the mouse wheel
 Keys: W to walk forwards, S to walk backwards

Look Orbit
 Mouse: Shift and mouse wheel

Pan Vertically
 Mouse: middle mouse button
 Keys: R to pan upwards, F to pan downwards

Pan Horizontally
 Mouse: middle mouse button
 Keys: A to pan to the left, D to pan to the right

Pan in X Direction
 Keys: G to pan in positive X direction, J to pan in negative X direction

Pan in Z Direction
 Keys: Y to pan in positive Z direction, H to pan in negative Z direction

47
Move Between Levels
 Keys: Page Up to move up a storey, Page Down to move down a storey

The Navigation Cube and Home Button

The navigation cube is used to quickly jump between standard viewing orientations by clicking on
one of its faces or vertices. It can be found at the top right-hand side of the MasterFrame
viewport.

Figure 1 – The navigation cube and home button

The navigation cube allows you to jump to the following standard elevations: front, bottom, left,
right, front and back. You can also mediate between standard elevations by clicking on the
vertices of the cube.
The navigation cube is also accompanied by the home button. Clicking this button will take you
back to the standard full frame view.

Viewing Options

The top bar provides you with access to a host of viewing options, each split into a category.
Typically, you’ll have access to:

 Actions
 Viewing and Filtering
 Members
 Nodes and Coordinates
 Supports and Restraints
 3D Drawing
 Loads
 Grid Lines and Levels
 Stats

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  Display

If you have MasterFrame (Pro), you will also be able to switch on the following categories:

 Gravity Area Load

 Wind Load
 Composite Info

Each category will provide you with viewing options or actions related to it. For example, if you
want to view nodal coordinates in the Y axis, you’ll find it under the Nodes and Coordinates. Or, if
you want to view member references, you’ll find it under Members.

Zoom Filters

The Zoom Filter function allows you to limit which members are visible in your model. Using the
Zoom Filter will allow you to confine visible members to a user-defined space.

Filter the View to a Selected Part of the Model

1. Click the Filter button from the Views and Filtering category in the top bar
2. Draw a box around the portion of the frame you want to view

Reveal All Frame Members While in a Filtered View

1. Click the dropdown button under the Filter button of the Views and Filtering category
2. Click the Reveal Frame button

Revert the Filtered View Back to a Full Frame View

1. Click the Home button found next to the navigation cube

Return to the Last Zoom/Filtered View

1. Click the dropdown button under the Filter button of the Views and Filtering category
2. Click the Last Zoom button

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Frame Views

Frame Views are a series of automatically generated elevations that you can add to and edit. Most
MasterFrame models will have the following generated views:

 Full Frame
 Front Elevation
 Rear Elevation
 East Elevation
 West Elevation
 Floor Plan
 Roof Plan

You can view and select Frame Views through the Frame Views dropdown found in the Views and
Filtering category of the top bar.

Opening the Frame View Dialog

1. Expand the Frame Views dropdown found in the Views and Filtering category of the top bar
2. Click the Edit Frame Views button at the bottom of the dropdown

Add a Frame View

1. Open the Frame View dialog
2. Click the Add button
1. Provide a name using the View name text field
2. Draw a box around the members you wish to include in the Frame View
3. Specify how you would like the view to be displayed
a. You can have an isometric view, or a specific elevation
b. You may also show members in 3D by selecting the 3D Member Profile button
c. The view can be flipped about the vertical axis by selecting the Flip on Vertical
button
4. When you’re done, click the OK button and the Frame View will now be available from the
top bar

Edit a Frame View

1. Open the Frame View dialog

50
 2. Select the Frame View you wish to edit from the dropdown
3. Modify its name, ranges, or display settings
4. Click the OK button to close the dialog

Delete a Frame View

1. Open the Frame View dialog
2. Select the Frame View you wish to delete from the dropdown
3. Click the Delete button
4. Click the OK button to close the dialog

Generate Standard Frame Views

1. Open the Frame View dialog
2. Click the Create button
3. Click the OK button to close the dialog

Snapshots

Snapshots are quite similar to Frame Views in that they are both related to the display of the
model. However, Snapshots are more powerful than Frame Views as they capture all the settings
of the top bar and allow you to recreate a scene. Whereas Frame Views focus on displaying a
range of members within a specified space defined by X, Y, and Z coordinate ranges i.e. there is
no control over which top bar options are selected.

Adding a Snapshot
1. Click the Snapshot button from the Views and Filtering category of the top bar
2. Provide a name for the Snapshot
3. Click OK to add the Snapshot

Navigating Snapshots
1. Click the dropdown button under the Snapshot button from the Views and Filtering
category of the top bar
2. Click the Go To Snapshot button
3. Use the Snapshot dropdown and previous and next buttons to navigate the available
Snapshots

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 4. Click the Close button when navigation is complete

Editing a Snapshot
1. Click the dropdown button under the Snapshot button from the Views and Filtering
category of the top bar
2. Select the Snapshot from the dropdown
3. Update your view and top bar settings
4. Click the Update button to confirm changes

Deleting a Snapshot
1. Click the dropdown button under the Snapshot button from the Views and Filtering
category of the top bar
2. Select the Snapshot from the dropdown
3. Click the Delete button
4. Click Yes to confirm deletion in the pop-up dialog

Generating Snapshots from Existing Frame Views

1. Expand the Frame Views dropdown found in the Views and Filtering category of the top bar
2. Click the Generate Snapshots button

Syncing a Snapshot to a Frame View

1. Click the dropdown button under the Snapshot button from the Views and Filtering
category of the top bar
2. Select the synced Snapshot from the dropdown
3. Check the Sync Snapshot from linked Frame View checkbox
4. Click the Update button

Syncing All Snapshots to Frame Views

1. Click the dropdown button under the Snapshot button from the Views and Filtering
category of the top bar
2. Select the synced Snapshot from the dropdown
3. Click the Sync All button
4. Click Yes in the pop-up dialog to confirm sync all

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Member Viewing Groups

Member Viewing Groups differ from Frame Views in that they allow you to specify which members
are to be included in the group. While Frame Views will display all members within a specified
region.
It’s perhaps easiest to think of Member Viewing Groups as a “layer”. They allow you to quickly
hide or show grouped elements, edit them and modify their properties.

Open the Member Viewing Groups

1. Select the Viewing item from the main tool bar at the top of the screen
2. In the list of dropdown items, click Member Viewing Group

Create a Member Viewing Group

1. Open the Member Viewing Groups
2. Click the Add New Group button
3. Provide a title for the Member Viewing Group in the text field at the top of the pane
4. Click the Add/Remove Items button
5. Select the members you wish in include in the group

Clearing a Member Viewing Group of Members

To clear a single Member Viewing Group of its members:
1. Open the Member Viewing Groups
2. Select the Member Viewing Group from the dropdown at the top of the pane
3. Click the Clear Current Group button
a. To clear all Member View Groups, click the Clear All Groups button

Deleting a Member Viewing Group

To delete a single Member Viewing Group:
1. Open the Member Viewing Groups
2. Select the Member Viewing Group from the dropdown at the top of the pane
3. Click the Delete Current Group button
a. To delete all Member View Groups, click the Delete All Groups button

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End Point Labelling Groups

End Point Labelling Groups allow you to group member end points (nodes). When this option is
used in conjunction with the Filtering functions, you can filter out nebulous node labels. You can
also filter analysis results to include or exclude nodes within a group.

Open the End Point Labelling Groups

1. Select the Viewing item from the main tool bar at the top of the screen
2. In the list of dropdown items, click End Point Labelling Group

Create an End Point Labelling Group

1. Open the End Point Labelling Groups
2. Click the Add New Group button
3. Provide a title for the End Point Labelling Group in the text field at the top of the pane
4. Click the Add/Remove Items button
5. Select the nodes you wish in include in the group

Clearing an End Point Labelling Group

To clear a single End Point Labelling Group of its nodes:
1. Open the End Point Labelling Groups
2. Select the End Point Labelling Group from the dropdown at the top of the pane
3. Click the Clear Current Group button
a. To clear all End Point Labelling Groups, click the Clear All Groups button

Deleting an End Point Labelling Group

To delete a single End Point Labelling Group:
1. Open the End Point Labelling Groups
2. Select the End Point Labelling Group from the dropdown at the top of the pane
3. Click the Delete Current Group button
a. To delete all End Point Labelling Groups, click the Delete All Groups button

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Filtered Views

The view filtering options within MasterFrame will allow you to remove extraneous elements and
focus on a specific area of interest. Using the View Filters, you can hone in on:

 Orientation
 Materials
 Sections
 Member Viewing Groups
 Member Design Groups
 Finite Element Surface Filters
 Finite Element Surface Components Filters
 Nodal Viewing Groups

Each View Filter has a variety of sub options associated with it, allowing you to completely tailor
the view.

Accessing View Filters

To access View Filters:
1. Click the View Filters dropdown button from the Views and Filtering category of the top bar
2. Check the filter option you would like to enable
3. Expand the filter heading to choose specific sub-item you want to filter to
a. For example, to filter to timber elements only, you would check the Materials option
and in its list of sub-items check Timber Members option

55
Creating a Model

Grid Lines

There are three ways to add grid lines to a model. The first is to use MasterFrame’s grid line
wizard, the second is to select the points from which to draw the grids, and the third is to simply
add a new grid line and specify its properties manually.

Notes
 Grid lines that aren’t tied to model elements will be hidden after leaving the editing
environment (this also applies when using the Zoom Filter function)
 To make all grid lines visible at all times, go to ………..

Opening the Grid Line Editor

1. Select the Create item from the main tool bar at the top of the screen
2. In the list of dropdown items, click Add/Edit Grid Lines

Opening the Grid Line Wizard

1. Open the Grid Line Editor
2. Expand the Create Grid Lines area
3. Click the Create button found next to the “Create grid lines using wizard” text

Adding Grid Lines with the Grid Line Wizard

In the grid line wizard, you will access to a variety of options to set out your grid lines as you see
fit. There are three sections to the wizard:

 The initial set up

 The properties of grid lines in the X direction (Set 1)
 The properties of grid lines in the Z direction (Set 2)

Because grid lines may not always correspond to X and Z directions, they are referred to as Set 1
and Set 2.

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Set Up Options
The initial set up section provides you with access to options concerning:
 Creation type: whether you want to replace existing grid lines or add to them
 Grid line type: do you want to create orthogonal, radial or rotated grid lines
 Centre points: the centre points of radial grid lines

Grid Line Set 1 (X) and 2 (Z) Options

You can include or exclude grid line sets 1 and 2 by checking the heading. Each set of grid lines
has access to the following:

 Grid line intervals: whether the grid lines are regularly space or irregularly spaced
 Number grid lines: how many grid lines do you want to create
 Z/X start position: the start position in the corresponding axis in meters
 Start label: the start label of your grid line
o The start label can be numerical, “2”, or lettered, “D”
o Subsequent grid lines will be labelled with incremented labels, for example 3, 4, 5
for numerical labels, or E, F, G for lettered labels
 Interval: the spacing of regular grid lines in meters
 Spacings: the spacing of irregular grid lines in meters
o Irregular spacings are separated by a comma, for example “3, 4.5, 2.3” would
correspond to 3 meters, 4.5 meters, 2.3 meters
 Angle: the angle of the rotated grid lines in meters

Options will automatically be enabled or disabled depend on the grid line type, and the spacing
option (regular or irregular) selected.

Swapping Set 1 (X) and Set 2 (Z) with the Grid Line Wizard
1. Open the Grid Line Wizard
2. Click the Swap button found at the bottom of the dialog
3. Click OK to confirm changes

Adding Grid Lines with the Draw Function

1. Open the Grid Line Editor
2. Expand the Create Grid Lines area
3. Click the Draw button found next to the “Create multiple grid lines by drawing” text

57
 a. The Draw function will remain enabled until you click it again, or press the escape
button
4. Expand the Grid Lines area if it’s not already expanded
5. Select the grid line set you want to add grid lines to using the “Grid line set to edit” radio
buttons
6. Click the points at which you wish to add the grid lines

Adding Grid Lines Manually

1. Open the Grid Line Editor
2. Expand the Grid Lines area
3. Select the grid line set you want to add the grid line to using the “Grid line set to edit”
radio buttons
4. Click the Add New Item button (plus icon) at the top of the list of grid lines
a. You will automatically enter “draw” mode when the button is clicked and the snap
grid will become visible
5. Click anywhere on the screen to add a grid line

Using Tracking Facilities While Adding a Grid Line

You can make use of MasterFrame’s tracking facilities to offset a grid line from a point. When in
draw mode, and with the Object Snaps enabled:

1. Hover over a point, and wait for the red X to appear – this indicates you are tracking from
a point
2. If you move in a direction along the X or Z axis you will show how far the cursor is from
the point
3. You can either click at your chosen distance, or type in a number to offset the grid line by a
specific amount

Grid Line Properties

You can access and edit the properties of a grid line (or multiple grid lines) through the property
grid found in the Grid Lines area. Clicking on a grid line, either through the graphical interface, or
via the list of grid lines in the Grid Line Editor, will allow you to edit the following items.

General
 Grid Line Name: the identifier of the grid line, typically numerical or lettered
 Grid Line Type: choose between orthogonal, between points or radial
 Lock to Nodes: allows you to lock a grid line to member ends

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 o If a grid line is locked to a member end, when that member is moved the grid line
will move with it

Location
If the grid line type is set to orthogonal you will have access to:

 X/Z Coordinate: the grid lines offset from the origin in the specific axis

If the grid line type is set between two points you will have access to:

 Start: the start location of the grid line defined by a point (X, Z) in meters
 End: the end location of the grid line defined by a point (X, Z) in meters

If the grid line type is set to curved, you will need to choose how you want to define the curve
using the Curved Style property. You can define the curve in three ways:

1. Selecting entre position and radius

2. Selecting three points
3. Selecting two points and providing an arc height

Bubble Labels
 Label Ends Style: show the bubble label at the start, end, or both ends
 Start Label Offset: the distance to offset the start label
 End Label Offset: the distance to offset the end label

Selecting Multiple Grid Lines for Editing

1. Open the Grid Line Editor
2. Expand the Grid Lines area
3. Using the Control and Shift keys, you can select multiple grid lines from the list
a. Only common properties will be available for editing through the property grid

Deleting Grid Lines

1. Open the Grid Line Editor
2. Expand the Grid Lines area
3. Select the grid line set you want to carry out a deletion in using the “Grid line set to edit”
radio buttons

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 4. Select your grid lines from the list
a. Use the Control and Shift keys to select multiple grid lines
5. Click the delete button to remove the selected items

Repositioning a Grid Line Graphically

1. Open the Grid Line Editor
2. Either
a. Click on the grid line you wish to edit in the interface, or
b. Click on the grid line name in the list of grid lines
3. Click the Draw button next to the “Graphically place the current grid line” text
4. Click the interface at the desired location to reposition the grid line(s)

Note: The number of clicks required to reposition a grid line will vary depending on the type.

 Orthogonal grid lines will only require on click to reposition them along the X or Z axis
 Grid lines formed between two points will require a start and end point
 Rotated grids will require differing degrees of input depending on the curve style

Renaming Grid Lines

1. Open the Grid Line Editor
2. Expand the Grid Lines area
3. Select the grid line set you want to rename using the “Grid line set to edit” radio buttons
4. Expand the Rename Grid Lines area
5. Set the naming style to either Lettered or Numbered
6. Provide a start value for the grid line set
7. Click the Rename button to apply the changes

Reversing Grid Line Names

1. Open the Grid Line Editor
2. Expand the Grid Lines area
3. Select the grid line set you want to rename using the “Grid line set to edit” radio buttons
4. Expand the Rename Grid Lines area
5. Click the Reverse button

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Creating Members

In MasterFrame a member is defined as a line element with a start and end point. A member is the
most general case of a beam, column or brace type member.

Opening the Define Member Editor

1. Select the Create item from the main tool bar at the top of the screen
2. In the list of dropdown items, click Add Members (General)

Adding a Member
1. Open the Define Member Editor
2. Click the graphical interface to set the member start point
3. Click the graphical interface again to set the member end point

Note: You can set the member’s section type before defining the member’s start and end points.
See Setting the Member Section Through the Define Member Interface.

Adding Members with Polyline Method

1. Open the Define Member Editor
2. Click the Polyline Method button to enable polyline drawing
3. Click the graphical interface to start drawing your polyline
4. When you have finished draw all your members, click the Polyline Method button again to
disable this feature

Setting the Member Section Through the Define Member Editor

1. Open the Define Member Editor
2. Check the Define Section box
3. Select the type of section to create
a. You have a choice of steel sections, concrete tee sections, concrete rectangular
sections, timber sections and any sections already in use
4. For your chosen section type you will be presented with different input options, set these
and continue to draw your member(s)
a. In steel you will have access to the steel section type, steel grade, section size and
beta angle

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 b. Concrete tee and rectangular sections will come through with a default section size
and require no input
c. Timer sections will allow you to specify the grade, number of pieces the member is
composed of, the service class and whether the member is load sharing
d. “In-Use” will provide you with a dropdown list of all the sections already used in the
model

Setting Member Attributes Through the Define Member Editor

1. Open the Define Member Editor

Under the Attributes section of the Define Member Editor you will have access to the following:

 Dummy (De-activate): Dummy members are non-structural members used to frame the
geometric definition of area loading panels
 Bracing Member: The member will be released at ends and experience tension forces only
 Stiff-Deck: The member will be “flexibly rigid” to allow the analysis diaphragm action
 Compression Only: The member experiences compression forces only
 Tension only: The member experiences tension forces only
Note – Members should only be set to either compression or tension only, never both
 Release Ends: Release the member ends in the minor and major axis
Note – the member will not be released torsionally

Creating a Member Group Through the Define Member Editor

1. Open the Define Member Editor
2. Under the Member Group Options area, click the Add New Member Viewing Group, or the
Add new Member Design Group button
3. Provide a name for the group
4. Press the enter key to confirm changes

Setting the Member Groups Through the Define Member Editor

1. Open the Define Member Editor
2. Under the Member Group Options area, use the Member Viewing Group dropdown and the
Member Design Group dropdown to select which groups the member should be added to

Adding a Curved Member

1. Open the Define Member Editor

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 2. Check the Add Curved Member box
3. Set the placement method, you have a choice from:
a. Curve Height: specify the start and end points, and set the radius
b. Curve Centre, Start and End: specify the centre, start and end points
c. Between Three Points: select three points and a curve which passes through all
three points will be drawn
4. Set the axis you want the member to be curved in, major or minor
5. Set the analytical resolution, you have a choice from:
a. Chord Eccentricity % Radius: the resolution is based on a percentage difference
between the analytical curve and the real curve
b. Chord Eccentricity: specify the difference between the real curve and the chords
that make up the analytical curve
c. Chord Length: specify the length of each chord that makes up the analytical curve

Notes
 A curved member is placed perpendicular to the members span. Modifying the beta angle
will allow you to produce curves that don’t lie in the YX, YZ, or ZX planes
 A curved member must contain a least four chords to make up the analytical curve
 Curve info is available to view while drawing the member from the bottom tool bar

Adding Members in a Panel

1. Select the Create item from the main tool bar at the top of the screen
2. In the list of dropdown items, click Add Members in a Panel

The Insert Members in a Panel interface provides you with access to the basic Define Member
Editor, as well as access to two other items: Spacing and Member Direction.

Spacing
Spacing is concerned with the spacing between the members that fill the panel, whether they’re
regularly spaced, or irregularly spaced.

To set the member spacing:

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 1. Expand the Spacing area if needed
2. Choose between regularly spaced members or irregularly spaced

Depending on which option is selected, controls will be enabled and disabled. If you are setting
regularly spaced intervals, you will need to:

1. Set the number of members to be inserted

a. Or, you can fill the panel to its extents with members by checking the “Fill to
extents” box
2. Specify the spacing of the members (in meters)
a. Or, you can set the members to be evenly spaced over the length of the panel by
checking the “Evenly spaced over panel” box1

If you are setting irregularly spaced intervals, you will need to:

1. Define the spacing in meters for each member in the panel

a. For example, “1.5; 2; 3” indicates there are three members, spaced a 1.5, 2 and 3
meters

Member Direction
Member direction is concerned with the alignment of the members within the panel. They can be
rotated, aligned to a specific member, or aligned to the panels boundary members.

To apply a specific angle of rotation:

1. Select the Angle radio button
a. The corresponding Angle textboxes should now be enabled
2. Enter the angle in degrees you want to rotate the members by

To align members to an existing member:

1. Select the Selected member radio button

a. The Single checkbox should be enabled and activated

1
Only “Fill to extents” or “Evenly spaced over panel” may be checked at a time, not both.

64
 2. Click the member with which you want to align your members in the panel

To align members to a boundary member:

1. Check the “Align with nearest panel side” box

2. Choose whether the members will be aligned parallel or perpendicular to the closest side
a. If parallel is selected, you can add the members starting from the opposite end of
the panel by checking the “Measure from opposite side” box

Bracing Members

While adding bracing members can be carried out in a similar fashion to adding members, you can
speed up the process by making use of MasterFrame’s ability to automatically populate multi-level
bracing elements into a frame.

Opening the Multi-Level Bracing Editor

1. Select the Create item from the main tool bar at the top of the screen
2. In the list of dropdown items, click Add Vertical Bracing

Adding Multi-Level Bracing

1. Open the Multi-Level Bracing Editor
2. If desired, set the member section properties
3. Select the type of bracing, you have a choice of:
a. Single leg parallel bracing
b. Single leg reverse bracing
c. Cross bracing
d. Inverted V bracing
e. K bracing
4. Select the start point of the multi-level bracing by clicking on a member end
5. Select the end point of the multi-level bracing by clicking on a member end

Columns

You can create columns using the Define Member Editor, however it’s quicker to make use of the
Add Columns Editor. It provides you will more fine-grained control and allows multiple columns to
be added at once.

65
The Add Columns Editor provides you with access to the Define Members controls, as well as four
items specific to columns: selection mode, beta angle, levels (Y values) and base support.

Selection Mode
Selection Mode provides you with two means of selecting where to add a column: single selection
and multiple selection. In single selection mode, you simply click where to add the column. In
multiple selection mode, you can:

1. Window a number of member ends (nodes) where the columns are to be added, and
2. Specify that columns should be added at the intersection of grid lines

Note that both options can be enabled at the same time.

Column Beta Angle

This area is used to determine in which direction the column should be aligned. What options are
available will depend on which selection mode is enabled. If you are in single selection mode:

 You can choose to align the column major or minor axis to the nearest beam or grid line
 You can choose to align the column with grid lines

If you are in multiple selection mode, you can only align the column with grid lines. Aligning a
column or columns to grid lines will present you with the option to:

 Select which grid line set to use: Set 1 (X) or Set 2 (Z)
 Whether it’s the major or minor axis we’re basing the alignment on, and

Notes
 In both multiple and single selection, you have the ability to flip the beta angle by 180-
degrees
 If both alignment options are unchecked, you can use the member beta angle from the
Define Member options to set the alignment

Column Y Values
The column Y values allows you to specify how the columns are drawn in elevation. You can
either:

66
  Draw the columns above or below a defined height, or
 Draw the columns between levels using either levels or Y values
o In the case of levels, you will need to specify an upper and lower level
o You also have the option to apply an additional offset from the specified level

Base Support
The base support area allows you to set the base fixity of the column. You can apply a fixity of:

 Pinned
 Fixed
 None

You also have the option of adding fixity to the free end of the column only (this is checked by
default).

Opening the Add Columns Editor

1. Select the Create item from the main tool bar at the top of the screen
2. In the list of dropdown items, click Add Columns

Adding a Column
1. Open the Add Column Editor
2. Set the Selection Mode to Single (snap point)
3. Choose how you want to align the column:
a. To the nearest beam or grid line
b. Automatically aligned with the nearest specified grid line set, or
c. A value specified in the beta angle textbox at the top of the panel
4. Set the Y value from which to draw the column, either:
a. Above or below a specified point, or
b. Between an upper and lower level or Y value
5. Choose what type of supports to add:
a. Pinned
b. Fixed, or
c. None

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 6. Click the member end (node) that you want to add the column to

Adding Columns
1. Open the Add Column Editor
2. Set the Selection Mode to Multiple (windowed)
3. Choose how you want to align the column:
a. Automatically aligned with the nearest specified grid line set, or
b. A value specified in the beta angle textbox at the top of the panel
4. Set the Y value from which to draw the column, either:
a. Above or below a specified point, or
b. Between an upper and lower level or Y value
5. Choose what type of supports to add:
a. Pinned
b. Fixed, or
c. None
6. Window the member ends (nodes) that you want to add the columns to

Shear Walls

You can model a shear wall in MasterFrame without using finite element analysis. These shear
walls are used primarily for the purpose of checking the lateral stability of your frame.
This approach introduces a column at the midpoint of your wall, along with two rigid link members
(placed at the top and bottom of the wall) that are used to transfer forces.
Due to the stiffness of the rigid link members relative to the wall, forces present in the rigid link
members will be transferred into the central column. With this, we can then determine the bending
moment and deflections of the wall.

Limitations
 Modelling a long wall as a single shear wall would not be an accurate representation of the
real-world force distribution (and consequently, your bending moments and displacements
would also be incorrect)
o To combat this, you can split the single long wall into a series of smaller shear walls

 If the rigid link member’s visual degree of curvature is large relative to the curvature of the
wall, you may need to revise the stiffness of the rigid link members

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Opening the Shear Wall Editor
1. Select the Create item from the main tool bar at the top of the screen
2. In the list of dropdown items, click Add Shear Wall (frame modelling method)

Adding a Shear Wall

1. Open the Shear Wall editor
2. Enter a Thickness for the wall

Next, define the length of the wall by clicking the graphical interface for:
3. Start wall top node: the node that represents the start point of the wall
4. End wall top node: the node that represents the end point of the wall

Next, define the height of the wall by providing a value for:

5. Lower Level: the value of the lower Y coordinate – this is the wall base
6. Upper Level: the value of the upper Y coordinate – the is the top of the wall
7. Click Apply to confirm your changes

Note: To view the shear wall and rigid link members you must have 3D viewing enabled.

Important Considerations for Shear Walls

Shear Deflection
Shear deflections should be included in your analysis – failure to do so could lead to an unrealistic
increase in the lateral stiffness of the structure. To include shear deflections, from the top menu
bar, go to:

1. Analysis > Global Analysis Options > Include Shear Deflection

Base Fixity
It is recommended that you fix the bases of vertical wall members in order to accurately model the
support conditions – the wall is supported along its length and isn’t free to rotate in-plane (or out-
of-plane).

Open and Closed Sections

This method of assessment is accurate where the shear core forms an open section, such as a “C”
section. However, for a closed shear core section (a box section, for example) the torsional
stiffness will be underestimated.

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Area Loading

Opening the Area Loading Editor

1. Select the Create item from the main tool bar at the top of the screen
2. In the list of dropdown items, click Add Floor/Roof Panels – Area Loading and Construction

Area Loading Panel Groups

This area provides you with the ability to create area loading groups. Each group can be tailored to
include its own:

 Span type
 Span orientation
 Panel edge projection
 Loading
 Construction details

Span Type and Orientation

If you chose to add one-way spanning panels, you will be able to precisely set the span direction
using one of the following items from the “One Way Span Directions” area:

 Span in X direction
 Span in Y direction
 Span parallel to a selected member(a)
 Span perpendicular to a selected member(a)
 Span at an angle to global X axis(b)
 Span shortest distance(c)

(a) These items will enable the “Pick” controls that allow you to graphically select a member
with which you can align the pane parallel or perpendicular to. To pick your member, click
the Pick button and select a member from the graphical area.
(b) Span at an angle to the global X axis will enable the textbox next to the Pick button,
allowing you to specify the angle

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 (c) Span the shortest distance provides you with access to the Parallel to side and Average
angle checkboxes
a. Parallel to side: this aligns the span to the shortest side, regardless of orientation
b. Average angle: this takes the average angle of all the corners in the closed panel
and aligns the span based on it

Panel Edge Projection

You can project the edges of floor area loads beyond their bounding members. You simply need to
provide:

 An extension value for the edge project (in meters)

 Whether the projection extends to the outer edge of the physical member

Loading – Override Level Defaults

The loading area allows you to override the default area loading values. It’s split into dead and live
loads and can be specified for a range of load groups by separating area loading values with a
semi-colon (;).

 For example, you could apply a dead load of 1 kN/m2 for load group D1 and a 1.5
kN/m2 for load group A1 by typing “1;1.5” into the Dead Load Plan textbox

Construction – Override Level Defaults

In this area you can override the default level construction settings. Without setting the Composite
option from the Levels and Loading Defaults editor, you will be limited to applying either the
default level slab settings, or a solid slab with a specified thickness.

With Composite construction enabled you will have access to the settings for:

 Profiled slabs
 Precast solid slabs
 Precast hollow core slabs

Each of these items comes with its own set of options, allowing you to customise the area loading
panel to meet your exact specification.

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Composite – Override Level Defaults
With Composite construction enabled from the Levels and Loading Defaults editor, the composite
construction override will become available. This area provides you with the option to include a
custom composite loading for:

 Partition loads
 Service loads
 Construction loads
 Mesh/deck loads

Adding an Area Loading Panel Group

1. Open the Area Loading Editor

By default, the Area Loading Editor should open on the “Area Loading Panel Groups” tab. If it
doesn’t, select it by clicking its icon.

2. Click the Add New Group button to create the group

3. Provide a title for your new area loading panel group
4. Click the Add/Remove Items button
5. Using the mouse, hover over a closed region of your model in which to add an area load
a. If the region is valid, its boundary members will be highlighted
6. Click the highlighted region to apply an area load to it
7. Choose whether to make the area load a one-way or two-way spanning panel by clicking
the Span Type radio buttons
b. If you make the panel(s) two-way spanning, the “One Way Span Directions” area
will be hidden
8. If required, enter a distance for the panel edge project and select whether it extends to the
outer edge of the bounding members
9. Enter your level loading overrides if required
10. If composite construction is enabled, enter your construction and composite level overrides
as required

All changes will be saved as you enter them.

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Area Loading Edge Projection
A basic edge projection facility is available to you through the Area Loading Panel Groups section.
However, more powerful edge projections can be specified in the Area Loading Edge Projections.
These projections are member based and can be applied in several ways:

1. Auto Side: the software automatically chooses the side on which to apply the projection
a. This will usually be the “free” side of the member (typically a side not enclosed by
the structure or overlapping an existing edge projection)
2. Load Upper: this will apply an edge projection to the “upper” side of a member based on
node numbering
3. Load Lower: this will apply an edge projection to the “lower” side of a member based on
the node number

Notes
 Load upper and lower can be enabled at the same time
 To view the edge projections, enable Gravity loads under the Gravity Area Loads category
 Dummy members will not appear when 3D viewing is switched on – when selecting
members to apply the edge projection to, it’s best to have 3D viewing switched off
 When applying Auto Side, Load Upper, Load Lower edge projections, it may be necessary
to manually refresh the graphics before being able to see your changes
o To do this, go to the Actions category in the menu bar, select the Undo dropdown
and click Refresh

Automatic Member Selection

Automatic selection of members can be achieved using the buttons found below the edge projects
groups panel. Here, you have access to:

 North and West Edge Beams

 South and East Edge Beams
 Inner Beams
 East-West Beams Only

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  North-South Beam Only
 Columns Only
 Auto Select

Using these controls, you can combine items to tailor your selection. Simply check the applicable
items, and click the Auto Select button to apply the edge projection to the members.

Opening the Panel Edge Projection Editor

1. Open the Area Loading Editor

By default, the Area Loading Editor should open on the “Area Loading Panel Groups” tab. The
Panel Edge Projections button is found to the right of it.

2. Click the “Panel Edge Projections” button

Adding an Edge Projection

1. Open the Panel Edge Projections Editor

For more clarity when selecting members, ensure 3D viewing is off, and Gravity Loads are enabled

2. Click the Add New Group button to create the group

3. Provide a title for your new panel edge projection group
4. Click the Add/Remove Items button
5. Determine the projection selection type:
a. Auto Side
b. Load Upper
c. Load Lower
6. Enter a value for the edge projection in meters
7. Using the mouse, select the members from the graphical area to be included in the group
a. If the projection isn’t shown immediately, go to the Actions category in the menu
bar, select the Undo dropdown and click Refresh
b. As an alternative to selecting or windowing members, you can make use of the
Automatic Member Selection facilities to select members

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Applying Edge Projections to All Levels
1. Open the Panel Edge Projections Editor
2. Using the group name dropdown, navigate to the edge projection group you want to copy
a. Alternatively, add a new panel edge projection
3. At the bottom of the editor, click the “Copy Current to All Levels” button

Alternate Load Groups

The alternate load groups area is used to help define patterned loading.

Opening the Alternate Load Groups Editor

1. Open the Area Loading Editor

By default, the Area Loading Editor should open on the “Area Loading Panel Groups” tab. The
Alternate Load Groups button is the second button to the right of it.

2. Click the Alternate Load Groups button

Adding an Alternate Load Group

1. Open the Alternate Load Groups Editor
2. Select the load group number designation that you want to edit by using the dropdown
a. Number designations go from 0 to 9
3. Click the members which you want to include in the Alternate Load group

Notes
 You can rename the load group however it will not change the load combination number
associated with the items in the load group
 Load group numbers are limited to 0 – 9 and correspond to the designated load group
letters.
 For a visual representation of this, from the top menu bar, go to:
o Loads > Load Cases > Load Combinations > Load Factors

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Line Loads

Line loads can be placed over area loading panel will be resolved according to the panels direction
of span and transferred to the panels supporting members.

The corresponding line load diagram depicts what each of the four fields – A, B, C and D –
represent. The red line along the bottom indicates the selected member from which you specify
the line load start and end points.

The fields B and C together represent the start point of the line load, measured from the start of
the selected member, in the XZ plane. Fields A and D represent the end point of the line load,
measured from the start of the selected member, in the XZ plane. Note that A and B start from the
centre line of the selected member.

Notes
 If your line load, or part of it, lies beyond the bounds of the area loading panel, the portion
of load beyond the boundary members will not be taken into account

Opening the Line Load Editor

1. Open the Area Loading Editor

By default, the Area Loading Editor should open on the “Area Loading Panel Groups” tab. The Line
Loads button is the third button to the right of it.

2. Click the Line Loads button

Adding a Line Load

1. Open the Line Loads Editor
2. Click the Add New Group button to create the group
3. Provide a title for your new line load group
4. Click the Add/Remove Items button

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 5. Click on a member from which you want to apply the line load
6. Specify a start point for your line load by providing a value in the B and C textboxes
7. Fields A and D represent a length from the start point of the member to the end point of
the line load – provide a value for both to establish your line load definition
8. Under the Load Intensity area, you have the option to specify up to four different types of
load and their magnitudes
a. You can rotate through the available load group letter denominations
b. Apply a value to each load group denomination using the adjacent textbox and
separating values with a semi-colon (;)
9. With the line load defined, you can click other members onto which this line load definition
will apply

Notes
 The nodal coordinates can be useful when determining your start point and the length and
width to the end point of the line load. To switch them on:
o From the Nodes and Coordinates category in the menu, enable node coordinates in
the X and Z directions
 When applying a load intensity, the specified load will apply to the group number specified
under the alternate load groups area
o For example, if you set the load group letter denomination fields to D, L, A, G, and
you have set the corresponding alternate load group number to “Load Group D3 L3”
(i.e. load group number 3), the load intensity values will apply to D3, L3, A3, G3
only

Patch Loads

Patch loads are applied in a similar fashion to line loads. Patch loads can be placed over an area
loading panel. The resulting forces due to their load will be resolved, according to the direction of
span, to the supporting boundary members.

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The corresponding patch load diagram depicts what each of the four fields – A, B, C and D –
represent. The red line along the bottom indicates the selected member from which you specify
the patch load start and end points.

The fields B and C together represent the start point of the line load, measured from the start of
the selected member, in the XZ plane. Fields A and D represent the end point of the line load,
measured from the start of the selected member, in the XZ plane. Note that A and B start from the
centre line of the selected member.

Notes
 If your patch load, or part of it, lies beyond the bounds of the area loading panel, the
portion of load beyond the boundary members will not be taken into account

Opening the Patch Load Editor

1. Open the Area Loading Editor

By default, the Area Loading Editor should open on the “Area Loading Panel Groups” tab. The
Patch Loads button is the fourth button to the right of it.

2. Click the Patch Loads button

Adding a Patch Load

1. Open the Patch Loads Editor
2. Click the Add New Group button to create the group
3. Provide a title for your new patch load group
4. Click the Add/Remove Items button
5. Click on a member from which you want to apply the patch load
6. Specify a start point for your patch load by providing a value in the B and C textboxes
7. Fields A and D represent a length from the start point of the member to the end point of
the patch load – provide a value for both to establish your patch load definition
8. Under the Load Intensity area, you have the option to specify up to four different types of
load and their magnitudes
a. You can rotate through the available load group letter denominations
b. Apply a value to each load group denomination using the adjacent textbox and
separating values with a semi-colon (;)
9. With the patch load defined, you can click other members onto which this patch load
definition will apply

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Notes
 The nodal coordinates can be useful when determining your start point and the length and
width to the end point of the patch load. To switch them on:
o From the Nodes and Coordinates category in the menu, enable node coordinates in
the X and Z directions
 When applying a load intensity, the specified load will apply to the group number specified
under the alternate load groups area
o For example, if you set the load group letter denomination fields to D, L, A, G, and
you have set the corresponding alternate load group number to “Load Group D3 L3”
(i.e. load group number 3), the load intensity values will apply to D3, L3, A3, G3
only

Copying Frame Entities

The Copying Frame Entities editor allows you to copy members, finite element surfaces and grid
lines. There are three main aspects to the editor:

1. Selection: which entities should be copied

2. Copy: how should the entities be copied – you have a choice of:
a. Shift: a translational copy of the selected entities
b. Rotate: a rotational copy of the selected entities
c. Mirror Copy: a mirrored coy of the selected entities
3. Options: this area will change as you update as you change the type of copying to be
carried out (shift, rotate, or mirror copy)

Selection
By default, the selection will be set to members. However, this can be expanded to include finite
element surfaces and grid lines by checking the appropriate boxes as necessary.
In addition to the above, you also have the opportunity to automatically select all finite element
surfaces and members which fall on a grid line. To do this:

1. Ensure select grid lines is checked

2. Click the Select button found next to the “Auto-Select items on grids/levels” text

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The final feature available to you through the selection area is the Clear button. This will clear the
current selection.

Copy
The copy area is used to determine how you want to copy the selected entities. As stated above,
there are three options: Shift, Rotate and Mirror Copy.
You will have the ability to specify multiple copies of entities when using the Shift and Rotate
modes.
You will also have the ability to create connecting members when copying in any of the three
modes. However, the “Add level mode” facility only applies to Shift copies.

Shift Mode
Shift performs a translational copy of your selected entities. There are three forms of shift copying:

1. XYZ: copy the entities and shift them in the X, Y, and/or Z direction by the specified value
2. Polar: choose a plane of rotation, angle of rotation, and distance to shift the entities
3. Member Axis: shift parallel or perpendicular to a member at a specified distance

Rotate Mode
Rotate allows you to create a copy of your selected entities while also rotating them about a
specified point. You will need to specify:

1. The plane of rotation

2. The angle of rotation, and
3. The centre of rotation (or origin)

Mirror Mode
The Mirror copy allows you to create a mirrored copy of your entities, reflected in the defined
plane. You can choose from the pre-set planes (XY, YZ and XZ), or define a plane by drawing a
mirror edge line

Opening the Copy Frame Entities Editor

1. Select the Create item from the main tool bar at the top of the screen
2. In the list of dropdown items, click Copy Add Members, FE Surfaces, Grid Lines

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Copying Frame Entities
1. Open the Copy Frame Entities Editor
2. If you want to include finite element surfaces, and/or grid lines as part of your selection,
check their corresponding boxes
a. To select all entities that fall on a grid line or level, see Copying All Frame Entities
that Lie on a Grid Line/Level
3. Select the copy mode you want to employ using the Type of Copy radio buttons
4. Apply your chosen settings for the shift, rotate or mirror copy
5. Click Preview Changes to ensure that the results are what you’re expecting
6. Click Apply to confirm your changes

Copying All Frame Entities that Lie on a Grid Line/Level

1. Open the Copy Frame Entities Editor
2. If you want to include finite element surfaces as part of your selection, check its
corresponding box
3. Ensure “Select grid lines” is checked and click the grid line with the entities on it that you
want to copy
4. Click the “Select” button to select all entities on the grid line
5. Continue with copying process from step 3 in Copying Frame Entities

Add a Frame

The Add Frame item in the Create menu dropdown allows you to quickly add common types of
frame to your model. You have access to:
 Continuous Beam
 Sub-Frame
 Multi-Storey and Grillages
 Multi-Bar Portal Frame
 Fink Truss
 Lattice Truss
 Space Roof Truss
 Lattice Tower
 Import a Frame

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Once you select a frame type, you’ll generally be provided with an opportunity to customize its
spans, height, storeys, spacings, and loadings, along with any attributes specific to the frame. For
example, trusses may allow you to automatically release internal members.
The most powerful item in this dropdown is arguably the “Import a Frame” option. It allows you to
open any previous model created with MasterFrame and import it into the current file. All you need
to do is specify a node from which the imported frame should start.

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Modifying Geometry

Introduction

In this chapter we will detail the various tools in place to help you modify the geometry of existing
structure. This primarily deals the geometry of ‘line’ type structural elements, e.g. beams,
columns, bracing members, however, some of the tools can also be used to modify the position of
grid lines and alter the geometry/position of Finite Element Surfaces. For clarity the following
terms are used in this chapter.

 Member – a structural line type element, e.g. beam, column, bracing, raking column.
o Analytical Member - An analytical member is the line between two node points.
Several analytical members may form one physical member.
o Physical Member – A physical member is formed from one or more analytical
members that form a straight line, whose geometry is the start and end point of
the physical member position. For example, in the case of a primary beam
supporting one secondary beam, the primary beam will have two analytical
members due to the connected node of the secondary beam. The physical member
will be formed from the two analytical members. Physical members are used when
applying section property definitions, member loading, geometric changes, and also
for design purposes. Analytical members and physical members are therefore
inextricably linked to each other. Physical members can either by straight or
curved (pure arc), but not cranked.
 Member Ends – the end of a physical member. This is not the same as a node, as a node
is common to all analytical members ends that connect to it.
 Node – A point at which analytical members join. An analytical member always has a node
at either end.
 FE Surface – A structural finite element surface. These surfaces are planar in geometry
and their geometric shapes are defined by selected members to form their outer and inner
boundaries. Hence if you change the geometry of a member which is used to define the
boundary of an FE Surface, then the geometry of the FE Surface boundary is also changed.
 Grid Line – A grid line is non-structural reference line in the horizontal plane (XZ plane) of
the structure, whose geometry and placement can be independent of or attached to the
structural geometry.

Graphical Entity Selection Techniques

While using many of Modify Geometry functions, graphical section of entities such as member, FE
surfaces and grid lines are required. Selection within the frame graphics window can either be
done by
 single select- single left click on entity, or

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  window select - left click, hold down, move to draw window- and release to complete
selection

In both select modes, the items that are about to be selected are highlighted in a preview select
colour as described below. The confirms to you the selection that you are about to make.

To graphically select Members

The preview select colour is beige.
Single select - Single click on/near member to add/remove from selection.
Window select - Window multiple members to add/remove from selection. Members are
selected in window mode when their centre is included in the selection window.
The selected members will be highlighted in red.
To graphically select Member Ends
The preview select colour is cyan.
Single select - Single click near member end to add/remove from selection.
Window select - Window multiple members ends to add/remove from selection. Member
ends are selected in window mode when the member end within a small tolerance (approx.
15 pixels) is included in the selection window.
The selected member end will be highlighted in a red dot a short distance from the end of
the member.
To graphically select Nodes
Single select - Single click on/near node to add/remove from selection.
Window select - Window multiple node to add/remove from selection. A node is point and
is therefore included in the selection if it is inside the window.
The selected node will be highlighted in a red dot.
To graphically select FE Surfaces
The preview select colour is yellow.
Single select - move mouse pointer inside FE surface and close to one of the boundary
edges until the yellow preview select colour is shown. Click to add/remove from selection.
Window select - when any of the edges of an FE surface are included in the window, the Fe
surface is added/removed from the selection.
The selected FE surfaces boundary members will be highlighted in red.
To select Grid Lines
The preview select colour is cyan.
Single select - move mouse pointer close to the grid line until the cyan preview select
colour is shown. Click to add/remove from selection.
Window select - when any of part of the grid line is included in the window selection, the
grid line is added/removed from the selection.

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 The selected grid lines will be highlighted in blue.

By default, the selection operates on an add/remove basis, i.e. if a currently selected item is
already in the selection, then it will be removed from the selection. In any of these selection
modes hold down the
Ctrl key to exclusively add items to the selection (no items will be removed)
Ctrl + Shift keys to exclusively remove items from the selection (no items will be added)

The Modify Geometry Menu

From the top menu bar, the Modify Geometry menu contains a range of functions to allow to
quickly and easily modify the geometry of your structure.
Following any change using these functions, the Undo, Redo buttons in the Actions panel in the
top tool bar can be used to undo or redo the changes made.

Splitting Members

Select Modify Geometry> Split Members. This opens the Split Member editing function at the right
of the screen.
The Split Member function deals with the physical members. Splitting a member will divide the
physical member into two or more new physical members. During this process the member loading
and section properties will be split appropriately also.
The Split Members function has two modes of operation, ‘Split Members(s)’ and ‘Quick Split Single
Member’ which can be selected from the option buttons at the top.
To exit/close the Split Member function, click on the ‘X’ button at the top right of the Split
Members window.

Split Member(s)
In this mode you perform a split operation on one or more selected physical members.
1. Select the members from the frame graphics window.
To reset the current selection of members, click the ‘Clear’ button.
2. Choose the Split Settings
a. Distance – Splits the member once at the distance specified. This distance is
measured form the end 1 of member, which is always the lower node number. In
general, for beam this will be the lower X or Z co-ordinate value and for columns
the lower Y co-ordinate value. Check the ‘Measure from end 2’ box for this distance
to measure from the second end of the member.

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 b. Ratio – Splits the member once at the specified ratio of physical member length.
The ‘Measure from end 2’ option is as per the Distance option above.
c. Segments – Specify the number of equal segments to split the physical member up
into.
d. Explode – Splits the physical member at the analytical node points, hence each
analytical member becomes its own physical member.
3. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
4. To action the changes, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window. This also
automatically clears the current selection.

Quick Split Single Member

In this mode you select the single physical member you wish to split, then pick a point on that
member to split the member once at the selected point.
1. Pick the single member from the graphics window that you wish to split. If you wish to
cancel this selection and begin again, press the Escape (Esc) key.
2. Pick a point on that member. The member is automatically split at this location.
The snap settings will allow you to pick one of a number of different points on the
member. By default, the snap points will have thirds points, half points, and also
any other point measured from the end of the member the cursor is closest to.
Tip! – When you see the dimension, line appear on the member, simply type a
numerical value to overwrite the dimension, and press enter to automatically pick a
snap point at the dimension value specified.

Insert Analytical Node Only

The ‘Insert analytical node only (do no split physical member)’ check box option can be used with
the split member function to preserve the exiting physical member definitions and create additional
analytical nodes and members within the physical member.
This option might be used to create a node point, internal to the physical member, at which to
1. Place nodal loading. Although member loading supports internal point loads without the
need for a node point.
2. Place nodal support/spring/prescribed displacement conditions.
3. Create an additional point at which analytical quantities can be measured, such as nodal
deflection or vibration response factors.

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Merging Members

Select Modify Geometry> Merge Members. This opens the Merge Member editing function at the
right of the screen.
The Merge Member function deals with the physical members. Merging members will merge two or
more physical member together to form a new physical member. During this process the member
loading and section properties will be merged appropriately also. For non-curved members, the
members to be merged together must form a straight line. For curved members, they must have a
common plane, centre and radius. All members to be merged together must be connected.
The Merge Members function has two modes of operation, ‘Merge Members(s)’ and ‘Quick Merge
(point to point)’ which can be selected from the option buttons at the top.
In both these options the ‘Remove Redundant Analytical Nodes’ option applies. During the merge
operation, if a node is not used for any purpose (e.g. nodal load/support or connected members),
then the node will be removed when this option is checked.
To exit/close the Merge Member function, click on the ‘X’ button at the top right of the Merge
Members window.

Merge Members (s)

In this mode you perform a merge operation on one or more selected physical members.
The selected members need not be limited to those you wish to merge into a single physical
member. Multiple physical members can be formed in one merge operation. From the selected
members, the program will collate runs of connected straight members. Depending on the ‘Merge
Settings’ selected, these runs may be further subdivided before merging into physical members.

1. Select the members to merge from the frame graphics window.

To reset the current selection of members, click the ‘Clear’ button.
2. Choose the Merge Settings. As explained above, from the multiple member selected,
member runs will have been collated for potential merging. These runs can be further
subdivided before merge as follows
a. Auto Merge Beams Between Columns – beam runs are split between supporting
columns before being merged into physical members
b. Auto Merge Beams Between Gird Lines – beam runs are split between intersections
with grid lines before being merged into physical members
c. Auto Merge Columns Between Levels – column runs are split between defined levels
before being merged into physical members.
3. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
4. To action the changes, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window. This also
automatically clears the current selection.

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Quick Merge (point to point)
In this mode you select the two node points between which to merge all the members that fall on
the straight line between the two points. Follow the pick prompts at the bottom centre of the
frame graphics window.
1. Pick a node point to define the start of merge line. If you wish to cancel the point picked to
restart, press the Escape (Esc) key.
2. Pick second node point to define the end of the merge line
The members that fall on this line are automatically merged into a single physical member. If the
start/end node points fall internally to any existing physical members that are on the line, these
will be split before new the physical member is merged.

Deleting Members, FE Surfaces and Grid Lines

Select Modify Geometry> Delete Members, FE Surface, Grid Lines. This opens the Delete editing
function at the right of the screen.
In this function, entities are selected from the frame graphics window for deletion.
1. Select entities for deletion
Physical Members are be selected by default. Uncheck the ‘Select whole members’ to allow
selection of just analytical member parts. Hence, if you had a physical member made up of,
say 4, analytical members, you could delete member 3 of the 4. In this case the physical
member would be split into two physical members that are now disconnected due to the
deletion of the analytical member.
Check the ‘Select slabs/wall (FE surfaces)’, to allow the selection of FE surfaces for
deletion.
Check the ‘Select grid lines’, to allow the selection of grid lines for deletion. When a grid
line(s) is selected, you can use the ‘Select’ button to auto-select all members on the
selected grid line(s).
To reset the current selection of members, click the ‘Clear’ button.
2. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
3. To action the deletion, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window. This also
automatically clears the current selection.
To exit/close the Delete Entity function, click on the ‘X’ button at the top right of the Delete Entity
window.

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Move Members, FE Surfaces, Grid Lines

Select Modify Geometry> Move Members, FE Surfaces, Grid Lines. This opens the Move Entities
editing function at the right of the screen.
The Move Entities function can adjust the position of existing physical members, FE Surface and
Grid Line entities. The position of selected entities can be changed by shifting (translational)
and/or rotating.
To exit/close the Move Entity function, click on the ‘X’ button at the top right of the Move Entity
window.
Notes:
During a move operation, the program attempts to preserve the straightness of the physical
straight members. Therefore, as one member is moved, other connected members may also
move, and have a knock-on effect on other connected members. If such a constraint is not
geometrically possible, then a straight physical member that is no longer straight is automatically
split into separate straight physical members.
If you have not selected an FE surface entity, if you change the geometry of a member that is
used to define the boundary of an FE surface, then the geometry of the FE Surface will be also be
changed.

Selection Mode
The type of geometric change depends on the selection mode used. The Move Entities has two
main modes of selection for members; Member Ends and Whole Members

Member Ends
When in ‘Member Ends’ selection mode, the end(s) of a physical member can be selected by single
select or window select. In this mode one end of a member can be moved independently from the
other, so members can be stretched or realigned. When both ends of a member are moved, it is
treated similar to a ‘Whole member’ move selection mode. By selecting member ends and not
common node points to move, this allows much greater flexibility in the type of changes that can
be made. In the example below, the ends of member 50 and 52 are not selected, and therefore
not moved.

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MF_MOD_GEO_001.PNG
Note –Ends of curved members cannot be moved independently from each other. When one end
of a curved member is selected, the program internally selects both ends. Therefore, using the
Move function, curved members cannot be stretched in the same way as a straight member. For
manipulation of this nature of a single curved member, use the Redefine Single Member Geometry
function.

Whole member
When in ‘Whole member’ selection mode, the physical members can be selected by single select or
window select. In this mode the entire member is moved as one. When in this mode, the
additional option is available to select to move FE surfaces.
Check the ‘select Grid Lines’ box to enable selection of grid lines. Note for grid lines, the selection
mode does not affect the move operation, as the whole grid line is always selected and not
individual ends. To modify the geometry of individual ends of grid lines, you can make these
changes in the dedicated Grid Line Editing area.

Move Settings

Move All Connected Ends - The Move entity function can move selected members and FE
surfaces independently from other connected elements. Check this box to move all the non-
selected connected ends and hence retain all connections.
Extend ends to retain connection – Applies to ‘Whole member’ selection mode only. When
moving whole members, and they connect internally to other members, extend the ends of the
moved member such that they retain their connection to the members they are connected
internally to. In the example below member 88 is moved 1m in the Z direction and its left end is
extended to retain its internal connection to the physical member M50-52.

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Disconnected supported members – when a physical member is moved, by default any
members connected internal to it (i.e. member it supports, and not member connected to its ends)
are also moved to retain this connection. The program will attempt to move the connected ends in
a manner that preserves the connected members alignment. If this is not possible the connected
ends will move to a new position on the moved member that is the same ratio as the original
position on the moved member. By unchecking this option, the supported members are
disconnected.

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Shift Settings
Check the ‘Shift’ box to perform a shift (translational) type move operation. The shift
amount/direction can be determined in one of three ways by selecting the appropriate options.
Note – If Shifting and Rotating, the order of operations is important, i.e. shift first, then rotate
about new position, or rotate first about original position, then shift. Click the ‘Swap’ button to
change the order of operations. The top most check box determines the first operation.
XYZ – Enter the shift amount in the global X and/or Y and/or Z directions. Note the sign of the
global axis directions. Using the blue ‘Pick’ button, two points (move from and move to) can be
select using drawing snap points, which in turn determine the global X, Y and Z values
automatically.
Polar – using polar co-ordinates, i.e. an angle and total shift distance in the selected global plane.
The selected global plane icons are XY, YZ, ZX.
Member Axis – Select a member and using the options select if the shift direction is parallel or
perpendicular to the member. When perpendicular to member is chosen, the default is that the
shift direction is in the major axis of the selected member. Check the ‘Shift about minor axis’ box
to in the minor axis of the member. In the ‘Distance to Shift’ box, enter the total shift amount.
Click the ‘Clear’ button to rest the shift amounts.

Rotate Settings
Check the ‘Rotate’ box to perform a rotate type move operation.
Note – If Shifting and Rotating, the order of operations is important, i.e. shift first, then rotate
about new position, or rotate first about original position, then shift. Click the ‘Swap’ button to
change the order of operations. The top most check box determines the first operation.

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The rotate operation is performed in one of three selected principal global planes XY , YZ ,
or XZ . Enter the angle in degrees to rotate by. Specify the origin of rotation on the selected
plane by either manually entering the two co-ordinate values, or pick clicking on the blue ‘Pick
origin’ button and graphically selected an origin using drawing snap points.
The ’Retain Co-ordinates’ check boxes allows one of the two co-ordinates being changed by the
rotation to be retained. For example, take some horizontal floor beams that are in global Z
direction; if rotating them by 15 degrees in the XZ plane, the X and Z co-ordinate will change. If
the retain Z coordinate box is checked, only the X co-ordinate will be changed. In this case
because the beams are in the Z axis, it would be impossible to make the rotation if the retain X
box was checked. Therefore, care must be taken to the retain axis box that is checked, in
consideration of the original geometry of the structure being rotated.
Click the ‘Clear’ button to rest the rotate amounts.

Move Operation
To change the geometry of selected entities by shifting/rotating
1. Choose your selection mode
2. Select entities to move from the frame graphics window
3. Set the Move Settings, including if the move is to shift and/or rotate. If doing both, note
the order of the operations.
4. If shifting set the Shift amount/direction
5. If rotating set the Rotate settings
6. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
7. To action the move, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window. This also
automatically clears the current selection.

Redefine Single Member Geometry

Select Modify Geometry> Redefine Single Member Geometry. This opens the Redefine Single
Member Geometry editing function at the right of the screen.
The Redefine Single Member Geometry function allows you to select an existing physical member,
and reposition this member by effectively redrawing it in a similar fashion to the Create> Add New
Member (General) function. Redefining a member preserves all its; properties, attributes, releases,
loads, group membership of the member, and therefore is more advantageous that deleting a
member and adding a new member to replace it.

The ‘Disconnect intermediate connected members’ check box option operates in a similar fashion
to the ‘Disconnect Supported Member’ in the Move editing function. With this box unchecked any

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members that are connected internally (not at the ends) to the member being redefined will
remain attached to the member and the connected ends will move with the redefined member to
the new position. Uncheck this box to disconnect the internally connected members for the
member being redefined.

Redefining Straight Members

To Redefine the position of a Straight Member
1. Single select to pick the straight member from the frame graphics window. This member
will be highlighted in red. If you wish to cancel this selection and select another member,
press the Escape (Esc) key.
2. Using drawing snap points, pick a point to define the new member start point.
3. Using drawing snap points, pick a point to define the new member end point.
The member redefine is now complete and the ember will be in the new position.
Note that if you intend only to move the one end of the member, you still need to pick the start
and end points, in which case one of these points will be same as the existing start/end point.

Redefining Curved Members

To Redefine the position of a Curved Member
1. Single select to pick the curved member from the frame graphics window. This member will
be highlighted in red. If you wish to cancel this selection and select another member, press
the Escape (Esc) key.
2. The Curve placement method drop list will now be active. From this list select the
placement method and pick graphical placement points as follows to complete the redefine
operation.
a. Curve height Only: - Change the height/plane of the curve only, keeping existing
start and end points. On the frame graphics window two tracking lines will be
available from the centre of the curve base line perpendicular to the base line, one

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 in the plane of the curve and one perpendicular to the plane of the curve. Pick any
point on these tracking lines to define the new curve arc height, direction and
plane. Tip! – You enter a numeric value from the keyboard and press enter key to
specify a particular curve height, overriding the current track line dimension.

b. Start + End + Curve Height: - Reposition curved member using drawing snap
points by picking new curve start, followed by curve end. Following which, the
curve height is defined as above.
c. Curve Centre + Start + End: - Reposition curved member using drawing snap
points by picking a curve centre point, followed by a curve start point and finally
curve end point. To ensure the curve is placed in the correct segment of the circle,
the curve start and end points should be clockwise to each other in the plane of the
curve. If the three points selected are co-linear (form a straight line) no action will
be taken as the plane of the curve cannot be determined. In this case use the ‘Start
+ End + Curve Height’ placement method above.
d. Between Three Points: - Reposition curved member using drawing snap points
by picking a curve start point, followed by a curve end point and finally a point
internal to the curve. If these points are co-linear, no action will be taken.

To exit/close the Redefine Single Member Geometry function, click on the ‘X’ button at the top
right of the functions window.

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Create Curved Member From Facets

Select Modify Geometry> Create Curved Member From Facets. This opens the Create Curved
Member From Facets editing function at the right of the screen.
The Create Curved Member From Facets function allows you select an existing set of straight
physical members that geometrically form a single curve shape. The function then converts these
separate straight members into one curved member definition.
1. Select the straight members that geometrically form a single curve shape. Use the ‘Clear’
button the clear the current selection.
2. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window. This also
automatically clears the current selection. If the selected members do not form a simple
planar arc shape, no action will be taken.

Change Co-ordinate Tools

The ‘Modify Geometry> Change Co-ordinates Tools’ sub menu provides a collection of geometry
editing functions which all operate by changing the co-ordinates of the analytical node points.
When then co-ordinate of a node point is changed, all analytical members which connect to that
node point are also changed in geometry. This in turn will change geometry of the physical
members.
Caution! – care must be taken when using these tools to manipulate geometry, since a change in
nodal ordinates might affect the straightness of a physical member or integrity of a curved
member. Where a physical member is no longer straight, it is automatically split into separate
straight physical members.

Nodal Selection
In all of the Change Co-ordinate Tools function, there is a common method/interface for selecting
node points.
To ensure that you are in nodal selection mode, click on the blue ‘Nodes to [text specific to
function]’ button. The text box below the button will turn cyan to indicate that this is the active
text box for graphical input.

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Node points are then selected graphically in an add/remove single/window select fashion as
described.
The selected node points are drawn/highlighted graphically in red and the node numbers selected
are listed in the text box.
The ‘Reset’ button will clear the current selections.
The ‘Add Group’ button allows a range of consecutively numbered nodes to be selected by
entering the start and end node number, then clicking the ‘Add’ button to perform the selection.
This feature has limited use and is marked to be deprecated in future versions (2018 at time of
writing).

Shift XYZ
Shift XYZ moves analytical node points by translationally shifting.
Use of the Move Entity shift function is highly recommended over the Shift XYZ function. The Move
Entity function operates by moving structural entities and is much more flexible and powerful than
the Shift XYZ function.
This feature is marked to be deprecated in future versions (2018 at time of writing).
The ‘Keep Physical Member Straight’ check box setting on when the ends of a physical member
are shifted and cause the member to be out of straight, the software attempts to adjust the
geometry of other connected nodes and members to preserve the straightness.
The ‘Along Member’ and ‘Distance’ inputs, provide a means by which to automatically enter Shift X,
Y and Z values, calculated on the basis of the selected member direction and distance specified.
The ‘Along Member’ can be specified by manually enter the member number, or by clicking the
‘Along Member’ button, then graphically picking a member. As the distance/member is changed
you will notice the Shift X, Y and Z values change also.

To shift analytical node points

1. Click on the ‘Nodes to Shift’ to ensure you are in the nodal select mode
2. Graphically select the nodes
3. Enter the shift amount in the global X, Y and Z directions, or use the ‘Along member’ and
‘Distance’ inputs to auto complete these inputs, and/or
4. Specify a ‘Move Node’ and ‘To Node’, by either manually enter the node number, or clicking
on the ‘Move Node’ / ‘To Node’ buttons, then graphically selecting the node. Note that
when you graphically select the Move Node, you can immediately graphically select the To
Node as the software will have automatically moved to this input. Using the Mode Node/To
Node inputs, the software calculates the relative shift between the two points and applies
this in additional to any values entered in the Shift X, Y and Z boxes. Hence these nodes
can be any nodes in the model and not limited to those being shifted.
5. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
6. To action the Shift, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

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Rotate XYZ
Rotate XYZ moves analytical node points by rotating about a global axis.
Use of the Move Entity rotate function is highly recommended over the Rotate XYZ function. The
Move Entity function operates by moving structural entities and is much more flexible and powerful
than the Rotate XYZ function.
This feature is marked to be deprecated in future versions (2018 at time of writing).
The two ’Retain…’ check boxes allows one of the two co-ordinates being changed by the rotation
to be retained. For example, take some horizontal floor beams that are in global Z direction; if
rotating them by 15 degrees in the XZ plane, the X and Z co-ordinate will change. If the retain Z
coordinate box is checked, only the X co-ordinate will be changed. In this case because the beams
are in the Z axis, it would be impossible to make the rotation if the retain X box was checked.
Therefore, care must be taken to the retain axis box that is checked, in consideration of the
original geometry of the structure being rotated.
The ‘Rotate Beta Angles’ check box ensures that the beta angle (cross section rotation about
member axis angle) value is also rotated appropriately with the rotation. For example, if rotating a
column (Y direction member) in the XZ plane, the member beta angle will also change when this
option is selected.
To rotate analytical node points
1. Click on the ‘Nodes to Rotate’ to ensure you are in the nodal select mode
2. Graphically select the nodes
3. Select the global plane to rotate in, XY, YZ or XZ
4. Enter an angle of rotation degrees
5. Enter the two co-ordinates on the plane of rotation. For example, the plane of rotation
select is XY, the software will ask for X and Y co-ordinates. The values can be manually
entered, or graphically selected by click on the ‘Centre At…’ button, then graphically pick on
a point to set the first co-ordinate, then picking again on a point (most likely the same
point) to set the second in plane co-ordinate.
6. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
7. To action the Rotate, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

Set XYZ to Common Value

This function sets the X, oy or Z value of the selected nodes to a common co-ordinate value. This
can be useful when you have undesired out of plane inconsistencies in the nodal co-ordinates of a
range of nodes that are intended to be in one of the global planes XY, YX, or XZ.
For example, you may have range of horizontal floor beams on the XZ plane, that you wish to
have a common Y value at 3.5m. Let’s say you observe an unintentional inconsistency, i.e. some

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nodes have Y co-ordinate of 3.499m, while other have a value of 3.502m. Using this function, you
can select the nodes and set their Y co-ordinate to the common 3.5m value.
To set common co-ordinate value to a set of nodes
1. Click on the ‘Nodes to Change’ to ensure you are in the nodal select mode
2. Graphically select the nodes
3. Select the Co-ordinate value to change by choosing one of the ‘Change X Co-ordinate’,
‘Change Y Co-ordinate’ or ‘Change Z Co-ordinate’ options.
4. In the ‘New [X, Y or Z] Value’ input box, enter the new co-ordinate in (m). You can also
click inside the box, then pick in an existing node point to use its co-ordinate value for axis
being changed.
5. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
6. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

Scale - Multiply XYZ

This function multiplies the X and/or Y and/or Z co-ordinate values of the selected nodes using
independent multiplying factor for each co-ordinate, and optionally all originating at a common
node point.
To multiply the co-ordinate values of a set of nodes
1. Click on the ‘Nodes to Change’ to ensure you are in the nodal select mode
2. Graphically select the nodes
3. In the three separate ‘Multiply [XYZ] by’ inputs, enter the co-ordinate multiplying factors. If
no value is entered for a co-ordinate, the factor is taken as 1 and no change is made to
this axis co-ordinate. If you wish to scale all three co-ordinates equally (retain the aspect
ratio), then all three inputs must be specified with the same value.
4. Optionally enter the ‘Origin Node’ node number, either by manually entering or by clicking
‘Origin Node’, then graphically picking in a node point. The origin node point co-ordinates
are then used as the centre point for the scaling. If no origin node is selected the multiply
origin in about the 0,0,0 XYZ co-ordinate.
5. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
6. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

Swap XYZ – Flip 90 Deg on Global Axis

This function swaps two co-odinite values of the selected nodes, using one of three different
swaps; Swap X and Y, Swap Y and Z, or Swap X and Z. This has the effect of rotating the nodes
though 90 degrees.

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Use of the Move Entity rotate function is highly recommended over the Swap XYZ function. The
Move Entity function operates by moving structural entities and is much more flexible and powerful
than the Swap XYZ function.
This feature is marked to be deprecated in future versions (2018 at time of writing).
You can also invert (multiply by -1) any of the global axis co-ordinate values using the ‘Reverse’
check boxes
To swap the co-ordinate values of a set of nodes
1. Click on the ‘Nodes to Swap’ to ensure you are in the nodal select mode
2. Graphically select the nodes
3. Choose from one of the three the Swap options
4. Optionally choose to invert any or all of the three global axis co-ordinates using the
‘Reverse’ check boxes
5. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
6. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

Redefine Global X axis

This function rotates the selected nodes, such that defined ‘Start Node’ and ‘End Node’ points are
on the global X axis. A further ’Rotation (Deg)’ input then rotates the new co-ordinates about the
global X axis, hence giving complete control over the final placement.
Use of the Move Entity rotate function is highly recommended over the Redefine Global X Axis
function. The Move Entity function operates by moving structural entities and is much more
flexible and powerful than the Redefine Global X Axis function.
This feature is marked to be deprecated in future versions (2018 at time of writing).
To swap the co-ordinate values of a set of nodes
1. Click on the ‘Nodes to Rotate’ to ensure you are in the nodal select mode
2. Graphically select the nodes
3. Click ‘Start Node’ and graphically pick on the desired node. The software will have
automatically moved to the ‘End Node’ input, therefore you should now be able to pick the
end node. These two nodes from the line that will be rotated to the global X axis.
4. Optionally enter the ’Rotation (Deg)’ value to further rotate the selected nodes about the
global X axis. This is done after the rotate start-end vector to X axis in order of operations.
5. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
6. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

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Edit Co-ordinate List
This function provides an editable list of all the node point co-ordinates in the analytical model.
Changing the co-ordinate here has the immediate effect of moving the node to the new co-
ordinate. New node points can also be created and existing nodes can be deleted.
Caution! – Whilst using these functions may be occasionally useful, it is not the most efficient
way to change geometry or add new geometry. Using the Move Entity function geometry can be
changed in much more flexible and powerful way. Using the ‘Create> Add Members (General)’,
new members are added and node points are created as needed automatically.

To change the co-ordinates of a single node point

1. To select node either
a. scroll the list to the desired node point number and click in the row of the node
point, or
b. click on node point in the frame graphics window
The node will be highlighted by a red dot.
2. Edit the X, Y and/or Z co-ordinates by over typing the current X Y Z co-ordinate values in
the row. The node is moved immediately with each individual value change.

To add a node

1. Click on the add button to add a new node to end of node list, or click on the

insert button to insert a new node above the current node (selected row)
2. The node will be added with 0,0,0 co-ordinates. Enter the new XYZ co-ordinate values
for the newly added node.
Nodes added in this way are not connected to any members. If a node is not connected to
a member, it will be automatically deleted prior to analysis or possibly during other editing
operations. After adding a node in this way, the next step should be adding members that
connection to the new nodes. As mentioned, this is not the recommended way to create
new geometry. Using the more powerful functions in the ‘Create’ menu, new members are
added and node points are created as needed automatically.

To delete a node
1. Select the node in the same you would for editing co-ordinates, i.e. select the row or pick
graphically. The node is highlighted in red.

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 2. Click on the Delete button to delete the single node.

To Import a List of Nodal Co-ordinates

The import co-ordinates function imports current data from the clipboard. The data is expected to
be tab-delimited for XYZ columns and have a separate line for each new node. To achieve this,
1. Prepare a list of co-ordinates as three separate columns for X Y and Z in a spreadsheet, like
Excel
2. Highlight the cells in the spreadsheet and copy to clipboard (Ctrl + C)
3. In the MasterSeries Edit Co-Ordinate List, click on the ‘Import’ button. The new co-
ordinates will be added to the model.

To Export a list of Node Co-ordinates

The ‘Export’ button copies the nodal co-ordinate data to the clipboard as tab-delimited Node
Number, X, Y, Z data with a line for each node. This can then the pasted into a spread sheet like
Excel.

To Make all Co-ordinates Positive

Click on the to make all co-ordinates a positive value. This is achieved by shifting all nodes
in each axis by the same value to ensure the minimum X, Y and Z co-ordinates are zero.

Make All Coordinates Positive

This function makes all co-ordinates a positive value. This is achieved by shifting all nodes in each
axis by the same value to ensure the minimum X, Y and Z co-ordinates are zero.
To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

Position Coordinates Menu

The ‘Modify Geometry> Position Coordinates’ sub menu provides a collection of geometry editing
functions which all operate by repositioning the co-ordinates of the analytical node points. When
then co-ordinate of a node point is changed, all analytical members which connect to that node
point are also changed in geometry. This in turn will change geometry of the physical members.
Caution! – care must be taken when using these tools to manipulate geometry, since a change in
nodal ordinates might affect the straightness of a physical member or integrity of a curved
member. Where a physical member is no longer straight, it is automatically split into separate
straight physical members.

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Position on Straight Line
This function enables you to position a selected set of existing nodes on a straight line between a
start node and end node. Various options and methods are available to control the nature in which
the node move to the straight line. Taking the example below, nodes 2 and 3 could move to any
point on the line between nodes 1 and 4 to form a straight line.

The options allow this to be controlled as follows,

Equal Spacing – Node 2 and 4 are moved to form an equal spacing between 1 and 4
Retain X or Y or Z Co-ordinate – Depending on the axis of the intended straight line in relation
to the original node positions, the node may only move in one of the three global axes to reach its
position on the straight line. In the example above nodes 2 and 3 could have the retain X co-
ordinate option to only move the nodes in the Z axis (blue arrows) to the straight line, or they
could have the retain Z co-ordinate to only move in the X axis (green arrows) to the straight line.
In this case the retain Y will have no effect since the line is on XZ plane.
Note that for certain geometries, some of these options may not produce a desirable result, for
example if the straight line is in the X axis and the node to move is offset from the line in Z axis,
then to retain the Z co-ordinate would not permit the node to move to a point on the straight line.
Perpendicular to Line – Nodes 2 and 3 will move in the direction perpendicular (orange arrows)
to the straight line.
Retain adjoining member alignment – If say node 3 had an adjoining member whose
projection intersected with the straight line, then the node would move in the axis of this member
(dark green arrow) to the straight line.
Keep Physical Members Straight – If the node at the end of physical member moves and
affects the alignment of this member, then other intermediate nodes in the physical member may
be automatically adjusted to ensure the physical member remain straight and therefore intact as

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one physical member. Where this is not possible, the physical member will be split up in to
separate straight physical members.
To position nodes on a straight line
1. Click on the ‘Nodes to Change’ to ensure you are in the nodal select mode
2. Graphically select the nodes to move onto the straight line. This can optionally include the
start and end node of the straight line
3. Enter a ‘Start Node’ and ‘End Node’ in the inputs. These can either be manually entered, or
by firstly clicking on the ‘Start Node’/’End Node’ button and graphically picking the node.
Once the start node is graphically selected, the program automatically moves to the ‘End
Node’ input. If no start and node and end node is entered, the program uses the largest
and smallest node numbers of the selected nodes in step 2.
Note, the selected nodes need not be internal to the start/end node straight line. In the
example given nodes 2 and 4 could be moved to the straight line between 1 and 3, or
nodes 1 and 2 could be moved to the straight line between 3 and 4.
4. Review the move settings as described above.
5. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
6. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

Tip - You may find it useful to annotate the node numbers and perhaps nodal co-ordinate values
on the frame graphics during the use of this function. In cases where graphical changes in co-
ordinates may be imperceptible, the annotated co-ordinate value may confirm that the appropriate
change has taken place. This can be done using the ‘Nodes and Coordinates’ panel on the top tool
bar.
Angle/Slope (XY Plane) check box - Alternatively to positioning selected nodes on a straight
line between two nodes, they can be placed at a defined angle or slope ratio. This function only
operates in the XY plane. Using this function
1. Click on the ‘Nodes to Change’ to ensure you are in the nodal select mode
2. Graphically select the nodes to position on the XY plane line.
3. Enter a ‘Start Node’. This can either be manually entered, or by firstly lick on the ‘Start
Node’ button and graphically picking the node. This defines the start point on the XY plane
slope line.
4. Choose the ‘Slope from XZ plane’ option, to then define the slope ration as a ‘1 in’ value.
Eg, if you enter 4, this is an XY slope line of 1 in 4, i.e. a rise in Y of 1m for every X value
of 4m. OR
5. Choose the Angle from XZ (degrees) option, to then define and angle from then horizontal
plane
6. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
7. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

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Position on a Circle
This function enables you to position a selected set of existing nodes on a complete of part circle,
defined by the circle global plane, centre point on that plane, radius, start angle on circle and
finally angle increment between the selected nodes on the circle.
The selected nodes are positioned on the circle in order of the node numbers from smallest to
largest. The original position of the node does not influence its new position on the circle.
To position nodes on a circle
1. Click on the ‘Nodes to Change’ to ensure you are in the nodal select mode
2. Graphically select the nodes to reposition on the circle.
3. Choose the global plane for the circle from the ‘About’, i.e. XY, YZ or XZ.
4. Enter the ‘Start Angle’ in degrees, measured anti-clockwise from the horizontal axis of the
plane chosen.
5. Enter the ‘Increment’ angle in degree, which will the angle spacing between the nodes on
the circle in a +ve angle anticlockwise direction. Enter a -ve angle for a clockwise direction.
6. Enter a ‘Radius’ in meters
7. Enter the pair of ‘Centre’ co-ordinate values on the plane of the circle. These can be
entered manually, or by click on ‘Centre at…’ then picking a node to set the first co-
ordinate, then clicking again on a node (likely the same point) to see the second plane co-
ordinate.
8. The ‘Reverse X, Y and/or Z’ check boxes will invert (multiply by -1) the co-ordinate of the
selected nodes in the select axes.
9. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
10. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

Position on an Arch
This function enables you to position a selected set of existing nodes on an arch, defined by start
and end nodes, an arch height (camber), and a rotation angle for plane of the arch from the
vertical axis.
To position nodes on an arch
1. Click on the ‘Nodes to Change’ to ensure you are in the nodal select mode
2. Graphically select the nodes to reposition on the arch.
3. Enter a ‘Start Node’ and ‘End Node’ in the inputs. These can either be manually entered, or
by firstly clicking on the ‘Start Node’/’End Node’ button and graphically picking the node.
Once the start node is graphically selected, the program automatically moves to the ‘End

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 Node’ input. If no start and node and end node is entered, the program uses the largest
and smallest node numbers of the selected nodes in step 2.
4. Enter a ‘Rotation’ in degrees. This determines the plane of the arch, with a zero or
unspecified value being the vertical plane.
5. Enter a height of the arch in the ‘Camber (m)’ in meters
6. Choose between
a. ‘Equal spacing’ to space the selected nodes evenly over the arch
b. ‘Retain local value’ to shift the nodes to the arch perpendicular to the arch base line
from their original position
7. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
8. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

Analytical Model Connectivity

In this chapter we detail the automated and user driven features available to ensure the integrity
of your analytical model. This concerns the appropriate connectivity of the analytical nodes and
members to represent the model in the intended fashion and hence perform the structural analysis
with the desired behaviour.
In this section the following terms are used.
 Member – a structural line type element, e.g. beam, column, bracing, raking column.
o Analytical Member - An analytical member is the line between two node points.
Several analytical members may form one physical member.
o Physical Member – A physical member is formed from one or more analytical
members that form a straight line, whose geometry is the start and end point of
the physical member position. For example, in the case of a primary beam
supporting one secondary beam, the primary beam will have two analytical
members due to the connected node of the secondary beam. The physical member
will be formed from the two analytical members. Physical members are used when
applying section property definitions, member loading, geometric changes, and also
for design purposes. Analytical members and physical members are therefore
inextricably linked to each other. Physical members can either by straight or
curved (pure arc), but not cranked.
 Node – A point at which analytical members join. An analytical member always has a node
at either end. Two node points cannot occupy the same co-ordinate in space (within a
small tolerance of each other, which is usually 1mm).

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The intended functionality of MasterFrame is to minimise the time spent by the structural engineer
considering the analytical nodes and member. During the Creation [LINK] and Modification [LINK]
of structure, MasterFrame primarily deals with the physical member definitions, through which the
analytical nodes and member are automatically created as needed and related to the physical
members.
All of the tools and settings to ensure a well-connected and consistent analytical model are
available from the Modify Geometry> Check and Modify Analytical Model sub menu.

Model Auto Connect

Select ‘Modify Geometry > Check and Modify Analytical Model > Model Auto Connect and Clean
Up’. This open the ‘Model Auto Connect’ window.

The ‘Model Auto Connect’ deals with situations where the analytical centre lines do intersect and
manages their node point connections.
A ‘Model Auto Connect’ operation will perform the following tasks on the entire model
 Internal Intersect - Check for analytical members that both internally intersect each
other and are thus not connected with a common node point. In accordance with the
Internal Intersecting members settings, the analytical members are split and connected
with a new common node point.

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  End Intersect - Check for analytical member ends, i.e. nodes, that internally intersect an
analytical member and is thus not connected to it. The analytical member will be split at
the node point and the connection will be made.
 Auto Merge - Using the ‘Remove Redundant Analytical Node’ option, nodes are removed
that are internal to physical members and have no other connected member and are not
being used for any other purpose (e.g. Support/load/response factor). As such the two
connected analytical members at the removed node are merged into one analytical
member.
Also, with the ‘Remove Redundant Analytical Node’ turned on, for physical members that
currently internally intersect but should not in accordance with the Internal Intersecting
members settings, the members are automatically disconnected by removing the node at
the intersection and merging the analytical members.
Important – all intersection checks and subsequent connections are performed on the analytical
centre line. It is possible that members may physically collide/connect, but their analytical lines do
not, in which case the ‘Model Auto Connect’ will not make the connection since this would involve
an adjustment of the analytical member/node positions. This is referred to as a Modelling
Inconsistency and can be checked/repaired using the Analysis Model Consistency Checker.

The ‘Model Auto Connect’ operation can be carried out in either

 a fully automated always on manner through the ‘Auto Connect all members’ check
box, or
 on an on-demand basis using the ‘Auto Connect’ button, or ‘Ok’ button to exit the
window.

With ‘Auto Connect all members’ setting turned on, MasterFrame will ensure that as the model is
created and modified the ‘Model Auto Connection operation is automatically carried out. This
setting is ON by default for a new file and is also recommended to remain on.
When this setting is turned off, it is possible that
1. Analytical members may intersect but not have a node point connection. In some cases,
this may be desired (e.g. tension only cross bracing), while in other cases the connection
may be required.
2. A node may lie internally on an analytical member but not connect it. It is extremely rare
for this to be desired.

Click the ‘Cancel’ button to exit the window without doing a ‘Model Auto Connect’ or saving any
setting changed.

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Model Auto Connect Internal Intersecting Member Settings

The behaviour of the ‘Model Auto Connect’ operations internal intersection can be controlled using
the following settings.
Auto Connect Member at Intersection – with setting ON, member internal insertion is
performed.
Do not connect tension-only member at intersection – with this setting ON, members that
have the ‘Tension-Only’ attribute are not automatically intersected with other members.
Do not connect bracing member at intersection – with this setting ON, members that are set
as Bracing Type members [LINK] are not automatically intersected with other members.
Do not connect dummy member at intersection – with this setting ON, members that have
the dummy member ‘De-activate’ attribute are not automatically intersected with other members.
These members are non-structural.
In all of the ‘Do not intersect…’ settings, with the ‘Remove Redundant Analytical Node’ ON,
members are automatically merged that have connected internal nodes to other members.
These global settings can be overridden on a physical member level using the following Member Attributes
[LINK]

 ‘Auto-Connect’ attribute. This has an ON/OFF setting. When the setting is ON, the member
will always be intersected with other internal intersecting member regardless of the global
rules above. With this setting is OFF, the member will not be automatically connected to
other internally intersecting members.
 ‘Auto-Merge’ attribute. This has an ON/OFF setting. This is a member level override for the
global ‘Remove Redundant Analytical Node’ option.
 ‘No-Intersection’ attribute. With this attribute present the physical member will always be
one analytical member. Even if there are End Intersect condition, these will not be
connected to the member.

Automatically Make Co-ordinates Positive Settings

Using these setting MasterFrame can automatically adjust the model co-ordinates in a global sense
to ensure the nodal co-ordinate are all positive values. This happens automatically as you
transition between exiting functions or at analysis time.
 ‘Automatically make all co-ordinates positive’ - this setting is off by default. Applies to
all three X, Y and Z axes.
 ‘Apply to horizontal XY plane only (exclude Y)’ – this option can be useful where you
wish to have control over the Y coordinates of the structure, e.g. negative Y co-
ordinates below group level.

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Analysis Model Consistency Checker

Select ‘Modify Geometry> Check and Modify Analytical Model> Check Analysis Model Connectivity’.
This open the ‘Analysis Model Consistency Checker’ window.
This function is extremely powerful and useful for detecting, and in some cases repairing,
modelling inconsistencies. Modelling inconsistencies refer to cases where the analytical model does
not connect, however the physical members appear to connect through collision detection that is
performed.
The preceding Model Auto Connect section deals with situations where the analytical centre lines
do intersect and manages their node point connections.
Modelling inconsistencies may arise in a number of ways, however inaccurate drawing within
MasterFrame and models imported from an external source (particularly ones where consideration
has not been given to the accuracy required from an analytical model connection point of view)
are two of the most common causes.
Typical modelling inconsistencies are
 The end of physical member falls short of the centre line of end point of another member
where connection is intended.
 Member do intersect on centre lines and connect analytically; however, they produce
multiple node points at very small distances from each other.
 Members overlap physically and are intended to be connected, however their centre lines
do not intersect.

Running the Check

When this function opens it runs a check operation using the current settings. This operation uses
collision detection on the physical member 3D shapes to determine cases where there is collision,
but no direct or indirect (connection between points by other members) analytical connection. The
settings influence this operation as follows.
Clash detection minimum distance (mm) – This input sets a distance limit beyond which
checking the collision of physical members is ignored. For example, if you had 1m deep beam and
another beam passing perpendicularly under it that was 0.4m away (hence would be colliding),
with this value set to 300mm the clash would be ignored and no issue would be reported.
Merge connected nodes tolerance (mm) – Where physical members collide but are only
indirectly connected (by other members), and if the distance between the indirectly connected
points is less that this tolerance value, then the points are listed as a suggested change set. This
can be seen as the desired mi minim distance between node points. It is generally advisable to
avoid having node points that are “very close” together, in particular where they cause short
members. This can lead to ill-conditioning of the stiffness matrix and undesirable modelling
behaviour. The “very short” distance will depend on the model and its section sizes. The default in
the function is 50mm.
Changes made to these settings are saved in the registry of the PC, and hence will persist between
files.

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If you change the settings and/or wish rerun the check, click on the blue ‘Check’ button.

Viewing the Checks Results

The results of the checks are listed as individual change sets in the tree view window. A change
set consists of one or ‘move points’ moving to a new common ‘move to’ position. All change sets
are highlighted graphically, which the move points drawn in a smaller light grey dot and the ‘move
to’ points drawn in larger grey dot.

You can navigate to a change set either by picking on it the frame graphics (tree view will scroll to
the change set item and select it), or by selecting the item in the tree view. You can also move to

the previous/next item in the list using the arrow buttons in the tree view header area.
Using these buttons also zooms the frame graphics to the selected change set. You can zoom the

frame graphics to the selected change set using the button in the tree view header.

The current change set is then highlighted with the ‘move points’ in blue and ‘move to’ point in
red.
The change sets are listed in the tree view in two main categories as follows.

Auto-connected suggested changes

This lists out the change sets that can be automatically resolved by the program.

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Each item/change set can be selected to accept that suggested change using the check box on the

tree node item or using the button in the tree view header area. To reject the suggested
change set and remove it from the list click on the button in the tree view header area. To
select/deselect all suggested changes click use the buttons. A selected change set is
drawn in a pale blue/violet colour.
To action the selected/checked changes, click on the ‘Connect All Selected Elements’ button at the
bottom of the window. This moves the selected change set ‘move points’ to their ‘move to’ point.
When complete the program automatically reruns the check. Items that were previously rejected
may reappear in the list.

Disconnected colliding elements – Manual Review

This lists potential model connectivity issues for information purposes only. No automatic changes
can be made to these items. Issues such as overlapping internally colliding member that are
disconnected are listed in this category. Change sets that conflict with those listed in the Auto -
connect suggested changes category are listed list here.
It is recommended to firstly review/fix the ‘Auto Connect Suggested Changes’ category before
examining the item in this category. If any changes to the modes are required to resolve listed
potential issues, then the functions in the Modify Geometry [LINK] menu should be used.

Show and merge Coincident Nodes

Select ‘Modify Geometry> Check and Modify Analytical Model> Show and merge Coincident
Nodes’.
This function allows you to view analytical nodes that are in close proximity to each other within a
specified tolerance, and also perform a merge operation on the node pairs. This provides more
primitive functionality than the more powerful Analysis Model Consistency Checker.
It is generally advisable to avoid having node points that are “very close” together, in particular
where they cause short members. This can lead to ill-conditioning of the stiffness matrix and cause
undesirable modelling behaviour. The “very short” distance will depend on the model and its
section sizes. A distance of 10mm to 50mm is suggested.
To merge co-incident nodes
1. Ensure the ‘Coincident Nodes’ box in checked
2. Enter the node ‘Tolerance (mm)’ value. This is the minim distance between nodes for
checking purposes. The nodes that are within the tolerance distance from each other are
highlighted in red and are grouped into node pairs.
3. Click on a highlighted node pair to automatically set the ‘Merge Node’ and ‘with Node’. The
node clicked closest to will be the ‘Merge Node’. If you wish to reverse the merge
node/with node, then click on the same node pair again. It is important to note that the
‘Merge Node’ will move to the ‘with Node’ and be merged into one node.

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 4. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
5. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

Merge Two Analytical Members

Select ‘Modify Geometry> Check and Modify Analytical Model> Merge Two Analytical Members’.
This function allows you to merge two connected co-linear (on a straight line) analytical members
into one analytical member. This function will generally only be used to remove a redundant node,
i.e. it is not being used for any purpose. This type of operation can be carried out in more
automated fashion on the entire model using the Model Auto Connect with its auto merge ‘Remove
Redundant Node’ option.
If this function is used to merge two co-linear analytical members and there are other member(s)
connected to the common node point, the two selected members will be merged and thus
disconnected form the other connected member(s). This is generally undesirable. The Model Auto
Connect would undo this action, by splitting the analytical member again at the intersecting node
point.
To merge two co-linear connected analytical members
1. Manually enter the ‘Merge Member’ number or click on the ‘Merge member’ button and pick
the member from the frame graphics window.
2. Manually enter the ‘with Member’ number or click on the ‘with member’ button and pick the
member from the frame graphics window. Note if you graphically picked the ‘Merge
member’, then MasterFrame will have automatically moved onto the ‘with Member’ input
3. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
4. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.
It will be helpful to have the member numbers annotated on the frame graphics to confirm that
the change to the model has taken place. Click on the ‘M#’ button in the members panel of the
top tool bar to display these.

Connect Two Members at Intersection

Select ‘Modify Geometry> Check and Modify Analytical Model> Connect Two Members at
Intersection’.
This function allows you to connect two analytical members at a common intersection point,
hence, both members will be split, forming one new node point and two new analytical members.
This type of operation can be carried out in more automated fashion on the entire model using the
Model Auto Connect with its internal intersect options.

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Important - If this function is used to connect two intersecting analytical members, and they fall
within any of the ‘Do Not Intersect…’ rules of the Model Auto Connect, this action will be undone
either the next time the by the Model Auto Connect operation is run, or with immediate effect if it
is in always on ‘Automatically connect all members’ mode.
To connect two analytical members at a common intersection point
1. Manually enter the ‘Member 1 number or click on the ‘Member 1’ button and pick the
member from the frame graphics window.
2. Manually enter the ‘Member 2’ number or click on the ‘Member 2’ button and pick the
member from the frame graphics window. Note if you graphically picked the ‘Member 1’,
then MasterFrame will have automatically moved onto the ‘Member 2’ input
3. Check the ‘Split Physical’ option to split the physical member definitions at the new node
point.
4. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
5. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.
It will be helpful to have the member numbers and/or node numbers annotated on the frame
graphics to confirm that the change to the model has taken place. Click on the ‘M#’ and/or ‘N#’
buttons in the top tool bar to display these.

Delete Nodes

Select ‘Modify Geometry> Check and Modify Analytical Model> Delete Nodes’.
This function is maintained in MasterFrame for legacy purposes. It is recommended to use the
more powerful Delete Entity [LINK] function.
Deleting analytical nodes will also delete all analytical members connected to the nodes, and in
turn delete physical members or parts thereof.
If you wish to remove a node between two co-linear members without removing members, this
can be done using the Merge Two Analytical Members function, or more generally using the Model
Auto Connect ‘Remove Redundant Node’ option.
To delete of a set of nodes
7. Click on the ‘Nodes to Delete’ to ensure you are in the nodal select mode
8. Graphically select the nodes
9. You can optionally click on the ‘Preview Changes’ check button at the bottom of window, to
enter the preview mode. This shows the changes to made in preview mode.
10. To action the change, click on ‘Apply’ button at the bottom of the window.

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Properties

This section covers viewing and altering the properties of members and other elements. Note that
FE Surface editing is covered elsewhere in the section on Finite Element analysis.

Member Property Editor

From the Properties menu you can select to view the Member Property Editor. This editor lists a
number of properties relating to any particular member selected from the model. For the selected
member the member name, level and grid line location are displayed. The section details can be
edited – section material, size and orientation. The member releases can be changed for each end,
making it rigid or pinned in the major, minor and torsional axes. The coordinates for each end
node of the member are listed but cannot be altered here. Other analysis options that can be
edited include whether the member is a bracing member (not loaded directly by area or wind
loading), is tension or compression only (tie or strut), is released axially (no axial load allowed, eg,
a slotted sliding connection), is a dummy member (ignored in the analysis), has self-weight
ignored and the value of its coefficient of thermal expansion (where temperature loads are being
considered).
You can select several members at a time to change a particular property in all of them in one go.

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Member Sections and Materials

In the Member Sections Materials option, you can specify the member material, eg, steel, concrete
or timber and then choose the section sizes and other related attributes.
Initially all members have no section property applied to them, therefore it is necessary to apply
some section properties before analysing.
The most important point to note is that the Member Section Properties area can be used in three

different modes, i.e. Member , Global and Copy To modes.

Member Mode

Member Mode is the default mode and perhaps the mode that you will use most frequently. In
Member mode you can apply and edit section properties on a member-by-member basis. To do
this,
1. Select the member you want to apply or change the section properties on. You can select
a member by,
a) clicking on it in the main frame geometry area, or
b) if you know the member number you wish to edit then you enter the number in the

box, or

c) by selecting the member number from the drop list

The selected member is highlighted in 3D member profile in the frame geometry window. For

this reason, it is recommended not to turn on the global 3D member profile option from
the top tool bar while working in this area.
2. Select a section type from the section editor area, i.e. Steel Sections, Concrete and Timber
(Rectangular, Square, Tee and Circular Sections), Haunched I & Box Sections or
UserSections. See the Section Property Editing area below
3. Select or define the section you require from the chosen section type

While in member mode all changes made in the section properties editing area are automatically
applied to the selected member. There is no need to do anything further such as assigning these
properties. All changes made affect the current selected member only.

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When you select a member in member mode, the current section properties of that member are
displayed in the section properties editing area. Therefore, member mode can be used to
investigate the current section properties on members.

Global Mode

Global Mode is used only to change existing section definitions and cannot be used to apply
section properties where none are defined.
Global Mode is used to change the section properties on a group of members that have the same
section definition applied. In other words, global mode can be used to change all occurrences of
the same section property at once.
Global Mode groups members together that have the same section properties. Beneath the global
mode icon, the drop list indicates how many different member groups have been created, i.e. how
many different section properties are currently applied in the frame.
To change section properties while in global mode,

1. Click on the icon to switch to Global mode.

2. Select the existing section property, i.e. member group you wish to change. You can to
this by:

a) Selecting a group from the drop list

b) The actual description in the drop list is the section reference text as interpreted by the
program. In this example ‘SEC +6131’ is the steel section refence number in the
section database, ‘GR 43’ is the steel grade, while ‘b 0.000 h 0.000’ refers to concrete
casing dimensions around the steel section. When a group is selected the full section
property information is displayed in the section property editing area
c) Clicking on a member in the frame geometry area will move to the member section
property group associated with that member
All the members in a group are highlighted in red on the screen, i.e. the highlighted
members all have the same section size.
3. Change the current section properties using the Section Properties Editing Area

As in Member Mode the changes are applied automatically, however, to all members in the
currently selected group. Once you are finished in Global Mode it is recommended that you return
to the Member Mode.

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Copy To Mode

This is one of the most powerful editing modes, which is used for copying a section property to a
member or group of members in one operation.
The key concept in Copy To mode is that the Section Properties Editing Area becomes the
template of information to be pasted onto the members you select. In this sense the Copy To
mode differs greatly from the Member and Global modes in that if you change information in the
section properties editing area, you are not changing any existing section properties.
To use the Copy To mode,

1. Click on the icon to switch to Copy To mode

2. Set up the required section information in the section properties editing area (template). As
you edit the section in the template, members that match the modified template are shown
in red. All other members are shown in black
3. Paste this information onto the frame by selecting member(s) in the frame geometry area.
You can select member(s) by,
a) Clicking on individual members
b) Windowing a group of members
When you select members the section in the template is applied to the members in black and
removed from members in red. Hence the Copy To can be used to add and remove section
properties.
Copy To mode can continue to be used by repeating steps 1 and 2.

Important Note: Bear in mind that when you are in Copy To mode that when you select a
member you have changed the section property of that member. It is vitally important to be
aware which editing mode you are in, since haphazardly selecting members while in Copy To mode
could disrupt your model. Remember that in Member and Global modes, changes are made as
you edit. In Copy mode changes are only made when you click or select members in the frame
geometry area.

Tip! When you are finished using Copy To, move back to Member mode. Member mode is safer in
that when you select a member you are not changing the section property.

You can choose to use these editing modes in your own way and in whatever order you prefer.

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Steel Sections

The steel section type provides a comprehensive database of structural steel sections. Select the
required steel section type, section size from that type and steel grade from the three drop lists.
There are a number of options which can be applied to the standard steel sections. There
individual toolbars are activated by clicking on the respective icon.

Section Side Profile: This specifies any specific side profile such as a haunch at each end. See
below for further details on how the haunches are specified.

Double Member: This will specify two of the selected sections to the selected model member.

Concrete Casing: This will create a concrete casing of the steel section. The height, width and
cube strength of the casing should be specified.

Compound Section: This option can specify a variety of items that can be added to the original
section such as top/bottom plates and secondary sections. For a plate, specify a thickness and an
overall width or alternatively a projection beyond the outside of the flange.

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A secondary member can be added to the main section, eg, a channel added to the top flange (for
example, a crane beam) or a UB or UC added into the web of the main member (for example, a
wind portal column fixed perpendicular to a main column).

Cellular Design: The basic dimensions of the cellular section can be specified such as cellular
hole spacing, cellular hole diameter and distance from top of slab to top of opening. Holes that
are close to critical locations can also be filled in automatically.

Do is the diameter of the cell as a ratio of the overall beam depth and S is the cell spacing as a
ratio of the cell diameter up to a maximum of 1.95 Do. Alternatively, both dimensions can be
entered in millimetres.

Section Type: Specify the type of section required for the member. i.e. UB, UC, RHS etc.

Grade: Specify the grade of steel used for each member.

Section Dimensions: This specifies the overall geometry of the chosen section shape.

Haunch Specification: The double haunch option allows you to specify haunch lengths (m) and
haunch depths from either end of the member. End 1 is always the lower node number of the
member. The haunch depths are specified by a H/D ratio, where H is the overall depth of the
member (including the haunch) at the node point and D is the depth of the chosen section size.

The lengths of the haunches are measured along the local member axis, however by checking the
Measure Haunch on Plan box the haunches will be measured along the horizontal X-Z
plane. This will obviously only be of influence in non-horizontal members.

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The mm option allows the overall depth of the haunches to be specified in mm, as opposed
to an H/D ratio.

The Swap Dim button simply swaps the haunch length and depth information for the two
ends.

The single haunch option differs from the double haunch in that you enter the uniform length of
the member from end 1 and end 2. The haunch depth is specified in the same way as for the
double haunch member.

Concrete and Timber

This section type provides options to specify regular shaped sections with a particular E
(elastic modulus) and G (shear modulus) value. Although this option is most commonly
used for modelling concrete and timber sections, it can also be used to model regular
shaped sections of any other material by entering the appropriate E and G value.

To use this section type,

1. Choose one of the regular section types from the buttons at the
bottom of the screen.
2. Choose a material type from the Steel, Concrete, Sawn Timber, Planed Timber and Regular
Timber options. This has the effect of setting the appropriate E and G values in the text
boxes.
When a timber material is selected further parameters are available regarding timber
grade, no. of pieces and service class. Note that only the rectangular, square and circular

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 section shapes are available in timber. A flitched timber beam can also be specified by
giving the number of timber and steel plate members along with the plate grade and size.

3. Select or enter the section dimensions. You can

enter any dimensions you wish in the white coloured text boxes, or you can select a
dimension from the grey coloured drop list. The only difference between the sawn, planed
and regular timber property options is the pre-set section dimensions that are available in
the drop lists.

General Haunched I and Box Sections

This section type allows you to model an I or box shaped single haunched member, which tapers
from one user defined cross section dimension to another. For normal haunched rolled steel
sections it is recommended to use the Steel Sections type as described above. These haunched I
and box sections are used for analysis purposes only and not integrated design.

To use the haunched I and Box Sections,

1. Firstly, enter the two cross section dimensions in the Edit DimSet area.
a) Click on the Edit DimSet button

b) Select whether you want to view the input dimensions in an I or Box section format

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 c) Using the graphic at the bottom left of the screen as a guide, enter one of the cross-
section dimensions in the B, H, b and h text boxes
d) Each cross section you enter needs to be saved to the DimSet library. Each cross
section must have a unique DimSet Number between 1 and 30. Enter a number that is
not current being used. You can use the drop list to view the existing items in the
DimSet library.
e) Click on the Save to Library button. The items in the DimSet library are then available
for use on any other member.

f) Repeat steps c to e for further cross sections

g) Click on Exit Edit

2. Choose the I-Section or Boxed Section option

3. Choose the cross section DimSet for end 1 and end 2
4. Enter the uniform length of the member from end 1 and end 2
5. Enter the Material E (elastic modulus) and G (shear modulus) values

User Sections

This section type is based purely on the user defined basic section properties of area, inertia,
modulus etc. The main principle in successfully using user sections is that they must be saved to a
library. The library can be local to the current file only where that saved section can only be used
in that file. Alternatively, sections can be saved to an open library database in which case the
saved user sections become available in all files.

If you wish to add the user section so that it is available to all files click on the Edit Open Library
User Sections button to open the database.

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To add a user section to a library,
1. Enter the basic section properties in the Area, Ix, Iy, J, E and G text boxes
2. Each section in the either the local or open library must have unique reference number
between 1 and 999. The drop list shows the sections that are currently saved to the local
or open library, depending on which option ‘Local User Sections’ or ‘Open Library User
Sections’ is selected. You can use this list to determine what section reference number is
available for use. Enter an available section number.
3. Enter the name of the section as a descriptor that will appear in the list.
4. Click on ‘Save Data’ icon to save it in the Open Library database. You can add another
section using the green + symbol or delete a section using the red X symbol. Note - any
section added in the ‘Local User Sections’ is automatically saved with the file without the
need to press a ‘save’ button.
5. You can also add the section modulus values Zx and Zy for the major and minor axes or Zx
top and Zy top for an unsymmetrical section. These are used to calculate the member
stresses. Shear areas and the plastic moment capacity can also be added.

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Note that the ‘Open Library Sections Database’ is saved as a separate file ‘UserSec.SDF’ in the
C:\ProgramData\MasterSeries directory of the local machine. This file can be copied across to
other users in the office should you need to share common sections.

To apply a saved user section to a member

1. Select which library you want to use using the ‘Local User Sections’ or ‘Open Library User
Sections’ options.
2. Select the saved user section from the drop list.

Frame Section Property Statistics

The Frame Section Property Statistics enables you to view statistical information on your frame,
including the estimated frame weight. The information should not be used as a cutting list. The
lengths shown are based on the member centrelines in the model.

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The Limit to Visible option only includes members in the current screen view in the statistics
table. Members not on screen are omitted.
The Viewing Groups option adds a column in the table in which the viewing group that a
member belongs to (if any) is displayed.
The Member Align option adds a column in the table in which the member orientations are
displayed – horizontal, vertical or inclined.
The All Sections/Section Totals options allow you to switch between showing the information
on all of the individual beams or as totals for each section size.
If you wanted to optimise your sections used in a frame, you can Copy one section size from the
table and Paste it over another section to replace it. Click into one of the cells (turns blue) for the
section size you want to copy across. Select the ‘Copy Section’ option. Then click into one of the
cells for the section size you want to replace and select the ‘Paste Section’ option.
The Frame Statistics table can be exported to Word or Excel (Office Tools required) or to the
printer for further analysis.

Member Attributes

Often additional attributes need to be applied to various individual members in your frame.
These include attributes such as Tension Only or Compression Only where, for example, a
cross bracing member may be considered as tension only. Therefore, it is ignored in the model
when a compressive force appears in it during analysis.
To access these member attributes, select the option from the Properties menu. The various
attributes appear at the bottom left of the screen. These can be expanded by clicking on the More
Attributes button.

You can set a member as a De-activated or Dummy member. These members are usually used
to define the edges of an area loaded panel, wind loaded panel or an FE surface where no actual
member exists but something is required to show an edge for the panel. These members are
ignored in the frame analysis.
There are also options to Ignore the Self Weight of a member, apply Partial Fixity to the
member ends (see Restraints section) and change the member Name.

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You can choose to have Auto Connect on so that a member that intersects with another member
will automatically connect at the intersection point, eg, cross bracing. Note that this applies to
individual members. For the whole frame this and similar attributes can be globally controlled in
the Modify Geometry menu under the Check and Modify Analytical Model > Model Auto Connect
and Clean Up control box. Equally, the No Intersection option can be applied to individual
members so that they cross each other without being connected and hence share no load.
The No Axial option is useful in some circumstances so that no axial load is transferred through
the member, for example, a sliding joint in the direction of the member or a slotted top joint in a
portal frame gable column where the rafter is not to be supported by the gable posts.
The Stiff Deck is largely not used anymore. Instead you should use the more accurate semi-rigid
stiff deck – see below for further details. It is still included here as it can apply to older files before
the semi-rigid method was introduced.
A Rigid Link attribute is assigned to members which create a rigid link between a floor slab and a
shear wall. This is usually set up automatically when the shear walls are created from the Create
menu. It is a modelling technique used to help transfer the lateral loads from the floor into the
shear wall or core.
The Auto Merge option provides member level control for automatically removing redundant
nodes in a member.

Member Cross Section Orientation ( angle)

The  Angles defines the member orientation and affects the direction of normal to member loads
(N and M loads). The  Angle can be thought of as how the member is orientated about its own
axis. If any member in space is thought to be initially positioned on the X axis, then in order to
position the member in the correct position in space it is firstly rotated horizontally, i.e. the 
angle. Secondly it is rotated vertically, i.e. the  angle to achieve the final position. The  Angle
can be seen to perform the final rotation of the member about the axis running along the member
length.

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With the member in the initial X axis position, a Beta Angle of zero can be thought of orientating
the member to bend vertically about its stronger major axis (xx axis). The sign convention of the
 Angle rotation is best understood by placing your eye looking form the member’s smaller node
number towards the larger node number, then a positive rotation occurs in the anticlockwise
direction.
As with the section properties, initially all members are assumed to have no definite  angle value
applied to them and therefore assume a default value of zero.
In plane frames and grillages, the default  value of zero causes all members to bend about their
major axis only.
In plane frames and grillages, you can only use ß values of 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees.

From the Properties menu you can select the Member Cross Section Orientation ( angle) option.
If you are currently in either the Member Loading or Member Section Properties area you can
shortcut to the Member Orientation by clicking on the button at the top right of the screen.

(Picture of circular domed frame as per old one)

As with the Member Sections and Materials you can switch between Member , Global and

Copy To modes.

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Member Mode
Member Mode is the default mode and perhaps the mode that you will use most frequently.

In Member mode you can apply and edit  angles on a member-by-member basis. To do this,
1. Ensure that the ‘Incremental  value change on member click’ is set to zero

2. Select the member you want to apply or change the  angle on. You can select a member
by,
a. clicking on it in the main frame geometry area, or
b. if you know the member number you wish to edit then you enter the number in the

box, or

c. by selecting the member number from the drop list

The selected member is highlighted in 3D member profile in the frame geometry window. For this
reason, it is recommended not to turn on the global 3D member profile option from the top tool
bar while working in this area.
3. Edit the value in the in the ‘Selected Member Current  angle’ text box to change the 
angle. As you do this the both the selected member in the frame geometry area and the
selected member graphics window will graphically indicate the new member orientation.
All changes made affect the current selected member only.
When you select a member in member mode, the current  angle of that member is displayed in
the ‘Selected Member Current  angle’ text box. The member mode can be used to investigate the
current  angles on members.
While in member mode the ‘Incremental  value change on member click’ option can also be used
to change a member’s  angle. By entering a value in this text box, then clicking on a member,
the member will be rotated by this value. Repeated clicks on the same member will continue to
increment its  angle by the entered amount. Again, all changes are shown graphically as the
changes are made.

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Global Mode
Global mode is used only to change existing  angles and cannot be used to apply  angles where
none are defined.

Global mode is used to change the  angle on a group of members that have the same  angle
applied. In other words, global mode can be used to change all occurrences of the same  angle
at once.
Global mode groups members together that have the same  angle. Beneath the global mode
icon, the drop list indicates how many different member groups have been created, i.e. how many
different  angles are currently applied in the frame.
To change  angles while in global mode,

1. Click on the icon to switch to Global mode.

2. Select the existing  angle, i.e. member group you wish to change. You can to this by,
a. Selecting a group from the drop list

.
b. Clicking on a member in the frame geomtry area will move to the member  angle
group associated with that member.
The members in the group are highlighted in red on the screen, i.e. the highlighted
members all have the same  angle.
3. Change the  angle for the selected group using the

text box at the bottom left of the screen.

As in member mode the changes are applied automatically to all members in the currently selected
group. Once you are finished in Global mode it is recommended that you return to the Member
mode.

Copy To Mode
This is one of the most powerful editing modes, which is used for copying a single  angle to a
member or group of members in one operation.

The key concept in Copy To mode is that the value in the box

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 becomes the  angle to be pasted onto the members you
select. In this sense the Copy To mode differs greatly from the Member and Global modes in that
if you change the ‘ angle to copy…’, you are not changing any existing  angles.

To use the Copy To mode,

1. Click on the icon to switch to Copy To mode.

2. Set up the required  angle in the box. As you edit

the  angle value in the box, members that match the ‘current  value’ entered are shown
in red. All other members are shown in black
3. Paste this information onto the frame by selecting member(s) in the frame geometry area.
You can select member(s) by,
a. Clicking on individual members.
b. Windowing a group of members
When you select members the ‘current  value’ is applied to the members in black and removed
from members in red. Hence the Copy To can be used to add and remove  angles.
Copy To mode can continue to be used by repeating steps1 and 2.
Important Note: Bear in mind that when you are in Copy To mode that when you select a
member you have changed the  angle of that member. It is vitally important to be aware which
editing mode you are in, since haphazardly selecting members while in Copy To mode could
disrupt your model. Remember that in Member and Global modes, changes are made as you
edit. In Copy mode changes are only made when you click or select members in the frame
geometry area.

Tip! When you are finished using Copy To, move back to Member mode. Member mode is safer in
that when you select a member you are not changing anything by doing so.

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FE Surface Material Properties

The material properties of a Finite Element surface can be defined under the Properties menu. For
further details see the manual on Finite Element Analysis.

FE Surface Attached Beams

The beams that are attached to a Finite Element surface can be defined under the Properties
menu. For further details see the manual on Finite Element Analysis.

Stiff Deck Semi-Rigid

Stiff Deck or Diaphragm Action is where you take account of the floor slab to distribute lateral
loading back to the bracing frames or shear cores in pinned frames. This can be applied to
horizontal and sloped surfaces but not vertical surfaces.
This approach actually models the stiffness of your floor realistically based on its Young’s Modulus
and depth. This has the benefit of avoiding potential problems with ill-conditioned stiffness
matrices due to large stiffness terms.
Under the bonnet the semi-rigid stiff-deck option generates a coarse finite element mesh, using
triangular plane stress elements between existing nodes, meaning no extra degrees of freedom
are created, so your model analyses just as quickly but with added accuracy.
Add stiff deck by clicking on members or panels or windowing several panels and add openings by
deselecting members or panels (or not selecting them in the first place).

If you’re using stiff deck on your models there are a few things you should know about how it
works. The stiff deck adds plane stress elements to the existing stiffness matrix in order to
accurately model the diaphragm action of the deck. No out of plane bending stiffness is added.
Here’s a diagram to illustrate this:

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With the above model viewed on plan, here are the deflections under a horizontal load:

Important things to note at this point are…

a. There is no actual deck added to the structure, all the stiff-deck feature does is change
values in the existing stiffness matrix in order to add extra stiffness to the in-plane (X and
Z direction if your stiff-deck is flat) translational degrees of freedom.
b. The moment of inertia and neutral axis of the members and their vertical stiffness is
unaffected. Therefore, vertical deflection of members is unaffected by stiff-deck.
c. The mass of the deck is not taken account of and has to be manually added to the model
using area loading or member loading.

How to apply it to your model

1. Go to: Properties > Stiff deck Semi-Rigid
2. Enter a Stiff-Deck thickness and a value for E. These are used to alter the stiffness matrix
(not to add loads to your model). Give the surface a relevant name.
3. Select Auto Select Main Border Members and also Add/Remove Member/s as per the image
below:

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 4. With these options selected you can now define the stiff deck in one of two ways.
a. The first is to select the border members one by one, adding them to the stiff deck
definition manually.
b. The second approach is to window the members which will make up the stiff deck. Be
careful with this approach to only window the members that will be part of the stiff
deck, as windowing other members will confuse the automatic border identification.
The stiff deck areas will be shown as coloured surfaces on the model. If a surface has a
boundary with members shown in red, but is not shaded then the stiff deck isn’t applied
properly and the boundary should be checked for any members that may have been
omitted. On adding these members, the surface should fill in as coloured.
5. To add further stiff deck areas for other surfaces, you can select the large + symbol to add
a new group. The group members can also be cleared or the whole group or groups
deleted using the other symbols in the same line.

Notes for Analysis

a. Do not apply the stiff deck to surfaces that FE surfaces have been defined on. This can
lead to erroneous results and problems with the FE mesh generator.
b. One of the great things about this semi-rigid stiff-deck approach is that it is fully
compatible with the dynamic analysis engine.
c. Another thing to note is that, because the stiff deck feature doesn’t add stiffness to the
vertical rotational degrees of freedom, the dynamic analysis can return mode shapes where
the beams have lateral displacement caused by free rotation at their ends. These mode
shapes are irrelevant and can simply be ignored.

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Member Global Density

The member global density is selected from the Properties menu. This will bring up the Global
Data panel in the right hand side of the screen. The global density is based on the E value of the
materials in your frame which are defined when you choose a section material. If the E value is
greater or equal to 200, then the material is assumed to be steel at a density of 77 kN/m3.
Similarly, for E between 20 and 200 concrete is assumed and for E below 20 it is assumed to be
timber. These values are editable.
If you don’t want the density to be included automatically untick the Include Member Density box.
The columns are usually included in load group D1 or D0 if pattern loading is being considered.
Members other than columns are in the D1 load group.

Member Concrete Casing Properties

The member concrete casing properties are selected from the Properties menu. Again, this takes
you into the Global Data side panel where the concrete density, strength and E value can be
defined as global values. These will be applied to any steel beam or column members on which
concrete encasement has been defined in the Member Sections area.

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Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

The coefficient of thermal expansion option is selected from the Properties menu. Again, this takes
you into the Global Data side panel where you can input your own coefficient value or apply the
steel/concrete default value. This value is used in conjunction with the load ‘Temperature Change’
found in the Loads > Member Loading menu. See section on applying member loads.

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Loads

This section covers the loading of members within a frame including area loading and wind
loading, both of which are Pro features. It also includes nodal loading and notional horizontal loads
and the setting up of the loading cases and combination factors. FE surface loading and dynamic
and seismic loads are covered elsewhere in the relevant sections of the manuals.

Load Group – Titles and Code Designation

British and European Codes of Practice demand that structures are designed to sustain dead, live,
wind and notional loads under both service and ultimate conditions. These loads are combined
using various load factors to produce a variety of loading cases. It is essential therefore to
differentiate between the various types of loads applied to the frame so that they can easily be
combined to produce any number of loading cases.
In many instances, it is necessary not only to distinguish between dead, live and wind loading but
also between various types in each category. For example, when considering the design of
concrete beams under alternate loading, it will be necessary to differentiate between the dead
load on odd spans (1, 3, 5, .. etc.) and on even spans (2, 4, 6, .. etc.). The same rule applies to
the live loads. In portal frames you may need to distinguish between side wind with internal
suction, side wind with internal pressure, gable wind with internal suction and gable wind with
internal pressure.
MasterSeries enables you to distinguish between the various types of loads using a set of 141 load
groups with unique labels as follows:

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D0 to D9, L0 to L9, W0 to W9, N0 to N9, A0 to A9, B0 to B9, C0 to C9, E0 to E9, F0 to
F9, G0 to G9, H0 to H9, I0 to I9, J0 to J9, K0 to K9 and UT.
The UT is the Unity Load factor for loads and other conditions which apply in all loading cases.
Usually all Nodal Supports are defined with a UT Load Group. A Nodal Support is no different from
any other load in that it will only be active in a loading case if it’s Load Group is active (i.e. not
zero) in the Loading Case. The default Nodal Support Load Group UT is active in all Loading Cases
and means that the support is always present.
Each load group can be given a title to describe the loads under its umbrella. It is important to
understand that a Load Group can have many different shapes and intensities of load in it. The
only requirement is that all loads in a single load group must all be applied to the structure at the
same time and be multiplied by the same Load Factor.
A good example of a Load Group is “Wind blowing on the side of a building”. Each face will have a
different load intensity and some will be X-Axis Loads some will be N-Axis (normal to member)
Loads. Indeed, some of the loads could be partial UDL’s or Triangular Loads but they are all in the
same Load Group (e.g. W1) as they occur simultaneously.

To edit the load group titles, select "Load Group - Titles and Code Designations" from the Loads
Menu. Under the Load Group Titles tab, you can highlight whichever load group title you want to
change and overtype the title. Note that the load group number can be selected from the drop list
of numbers.

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For live or imposed loads to EuroCode EC0 you can choose an imposed load type from the
category drop list, eg, Category B: Office.
A ratio for Ginf over Gsup, lower value of permanent action divided by the upper value of
permanent action, can be entered, if required. This currently defaults to a ratio of 1.0.
To increase efficiency, you can save load group titles in a special library using the Add + button
and then retrieve them from the combo list in any other project. You can delete items no longer
required using the Del X button. To add the load group title to a particular group, highlight the
required group, eg, W2 and then select the appropriate title from the library drop list, eg, Gable
Wind.

Load Cases

From the Loads menu you can select the Load Cases option to access the loading cases and the
associated load combinations where combination load factors can be set up for each individual
load case.
This area allows you to edit, add, delete, copy and paste, import and sort loading case titles.
To increase efficiency, you can save case titles and their load combination in a special library using
the Add + button and then retrieve them from the drop list in any other project. You can delete
items no longer required from this library using the Del X button.

The cluster of buttons from Dead through to (Serviceability) are quick typing buttons that insert
the chosen word into the Load Case Title text box.

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Adding Load Cases
To add a new loading case:

1. Press the Add Load Case button

2. Type in the new title in the Loading Case Title text box. Remember you can use the quick
typing buttons.
3. Define the loading combination. See instructions below on using the Loading Combination
tab.

To create a Serviceability loading case from a current Ultimate loading case:

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 1. Press the Add Service Case to current load case button
This will generate an additional loading case with the same title, however with
(Serviceability) at the end. The load combination is also copied with all load factors for the
new case set to 1.0.

2. Press the Add Service Cases to all load cases button to generate a series of
service cases, one for each ultimate case already present

To save a loading case to the standard loading cases library:

1. Select the case you wish to save
2. Make sure that you have the correct load factors in the load combination

3. Press the Add button

To add new case as a copy of an existing case:

1. Select case you want to copy from the top drop list

2. Press the Copy Case button

3. Press the Add Case button

4. Press the Paste Case button

To import a loading case from the standard loading cases library:

1. Press the Add Case button

2. Select the appropriate case from the library

3. Press the Import selected load case from library below button

There is an Auto-Generation of Load Cases option available which takes much of the manual
labour of creating a series of load cases out of the hands of the user and sets them up quickly for
you – see section below on auto generation of load cases.

Deleting Load Cases

To delete a loading case:

1. Press the Delete Case button

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 This action will open the Delete Loading Cases panel.
2. Highlight the load case or cases (use the Ctrl key to multi select cases) that you wish to
delete and click on the Delete button.
3. Confirm that you want to delete this load case.
There are options to select all cases, or all ultimate or service cases, non-critical load cases
or clear all selected cases.

Suspending Load Cases

Options are provided for suspending loading cases, which means loading cases that have been set
up will not be analysed. The main benefit of this function is to save analysis time by ignoring
certain loading cases that may not be needed just yet. The benefit of suspending loading cases,
rather than deleting them, is obviously that the loading cases do not have to be recreated when
they are needed again. An example of where the suspend options could be useful is if you had a
model with a large number of members and numerous loading cases, and the only item you wish
to investigate at this moment in time is the support reactions from loading case 10. By
suspending all cases but number 10, the analysis will complete in a fraction of the time it would
take for all the cases to analyse.
You can suspend loading cases by either,
1. For an individual case, select the case you want to suspend then check the ‘Suspend this
case’ box

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 2. For a group of cases press the Edit button. A list of all loading cases will appear. Select
the items in the list you wish to suspend. You can use the Select and Clear All buttons to
help you. Finally press the Suspend button in this area.

Combining Load Cases

You can combine load cases to produce new cases. The load case which is current can be a
combination of the results from one or more active load cases which precede it in the list. For
example, 1.25x1 + 1.5x2 is equivalent to (1.25 x Case 001) + (1.5 x Case 002).

Importing Load Cases

Load cases from other MasterSeries frames can be imported into the current frame to save having
to create new cases time and time again. For example, an office may wish to have a standard set
of loadcases which will be applied to all models of a certain type. A file with all these load cases
already set up is opened and the load cases imported from it into the current frame. To do this:

1. Select to Import from MasterSeries File . This takes you into a directory/file
structure.
2. Select the directory your file is located in.
3. Select the file that has the standard set of load cases. The list of load cases and load
groups appears.
4. Highlight the load cases and load groups you wish to import.
5. You can Add them to the current list of load cases in your file or totally Replace the current
set of load cases with the ones from the chosen file.
6. Once you are satisfied with your selection, click on the Apply button to import them.

Auto Generation of Load Cases

To reduce the amount of work required in setting up the numerous load cases applicable to your
model, MasterSeries has an Automatic Load Case Generator. This is used to create or edit all
loadcases.

1. To start the process click on the Create/Edit All Load Cases Edit button .
This opens up the load case generator templates box.

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The buttons in the top right of the load case generator allow you to Add, Delete, Copy, Sort and
Reset the load case templates in the top list. Several typical template titles are already in the list.
To define which load groups are to be included in each template:
1. Highlight the template you want to modify, eg, Dead + Live.
Note - if there is a current template you don’t want to be included in your list of load cases,
then remove the tick from the tick box to the left of that template title and that
combination will be omitted.
2. Tick which Load Groups you want to include in this template, eg, D0 Dead Load, D1 Dead
Load and L1 Live Load. You can also designate if these load groups are to be considered
Favourable or Leading or neither.
Another useful tip is to tick the box to List Used Load Groups Only. This will reduce the
load group list to only those already defined in the file.
3. Under the Options, choose the Load Case Type or types, eg, Ultimate + Service. This will
generate all Ultimate and Service load cases for the load groups ticked in the table above.
4. For EC design select which Ultimate Case Type to use, eg, STR/GEO Set B Eq. 6.10 a+b.
5. Select which Service Case Types to use, eg, Characteristic.

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 6. Horizontal Notional Forces can be added into these load cases by ticking the Add EHNF
box. These can be added in the same directions as the wind directions already specified in
the Wind Loading set up.
7. Carry out the same procedure for each of your load case templates entered at the top of
the Load Case generator screen.
8. Click on the Preview button at the bottom of the templates box to see a list of all the load
cases about to be generated. Examine the cases and then close the preview list. Modify
any templates if required.
9. Select the Add button either to Add to, Update or Replace these load cases in the file.

Note that the load combinations are also generated at the same time as the load case titles.

Notional Horizontal Loading Cases

Horizontal notional loads can also be added to the load cases outside of the Automatic Generation
screen.
1. Select the blue Notional Loads at the bottom of the screen.
In the list of existing load cases you can manually set up to add the NHL:
1. For each load case selected at the top of the screen, tick the Horizontal Notional Loads
box.
2. Enter the Horizontal Loads percentage value, usually 0.5%.
3. Select which load case the factored vertical loads are to be taken from and
4. Which direction these loads are to be applied in relative to the X direction

Alternatively, you can generate the NHLs automatically in the Generate Horizontal Notional Loads
option:
1. Set the series of directions you want the loads to be applied in, eg, 0, 90, 180 and 270
degrees.
2. Click on the Generate button to add the loads and any additional load cases that may be
required.
The analysis process will calculate the HNLs for each load case in turn and then add these loads
into the load case and reanalyse the case. The Elastic Critical Load Factors can subsequently be
checked in the Steel Design module of the MasterSeries.
Important: The application of horizontal notional loads should not be confused with the notional
loads groups N0 to N9. They are not connected in any way. The notional load groups are
standard load groups that are used for loads that may not be Dead, Live or Wind. The horizontal
notional loads are independent from any of the load groups and do not appear in the Load
Combinations area.

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After the frame has been analysed the calculated values of the horizontal notional load can be
viewed in the frame data file. From the main MasterFrame menu select Data> View Data.

Analysis Options
Select the blue Analysis Options at the bottom of the screen.
This gives access to a number of analysis options, most of which are considered in-depth
elsewhere in the manual.
Second order P-Delta analysis can be carried out on individual load cases to examine the
stability of a frame under the loads on that particular load combination – See Analysis chapter.
The Elastic Critical Load Factor can be found using a buckling analysis instead of the horizontal
notional load method for each individual selected load case. Again, the results will appear in the
steel design.
Occasionally, you may wish to carry out a plastic analysis, eg, on a portal frame. For further
details see Potential Plastic Hinges in the Restraints menu.
If a frame has timber sections in it, the timber load duration terms for the various load cases
can be set manually per case, by selecting each load casein turn and then the appropriate load
duration for that case.
Alternatively, there is an Auto Set button where the program will set the load duration term for
you, based on whether the case is a wind case, ultimate case or other type of case.

Load Combinations

If you haven’t used the Auto Generation of Load Cases option above, you can manually define the
load factor for each of the load groups that you wish to include in the particular loading case,
having already set up the load groups and load case titles, in the Loading Cases tab.
When a new file is created, MasterFrame will always generate a number of default loading cases
and associated loading combinations. The MasterFrame standard defaults include Dead plus Live
(Ultimate) and Live Only (Serviceability) cases or 5 Composite Design load cases if any part of your
frame has been set as a composite floor.

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To define a load factor for a load group in the current loading combination:
1. Select the appropriate loading case using the drop down list or spin button. At this stage
the load case has already been added using the Loading Cases tab. See above.
2. Select the load group you wish to define. For example, if you wish to include the D1
loading group, then select the Dead category and load set 1 (as shown).
3. Assign a load factor to the selected load group by typing in a value or clicking on one of
the common load factors displayed. Once a non-zero load factor is given to a load group, it
should appear the main blue coloured load combination cell.
To remove a load group from the load combination:
1. Select the load group you wish to remove by simply clicking on the load group item in the
blue load combination window.
2. Assign a zero value to its load factor. This can also be done by typing in a zero or selecting
it from the common load factors.
All the load factors defined in the current Loading Combinations are multiplied by the Global Factor
(Usually set to 1), which is independent for each loading case. The Global Factor enables you to
investigate structures under incremental loading, for example 90% of the loads (just change the
Global Load Factor to 0.90).
The Wind Options are only applicable when using the integrated MasterKey Wind Analysis program
for the calculation and application of the wind loading – see Wind Loading section of manual.

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These loading combinations of factored load groups are subsequently used in the analysis.

If you need to edit a particular group load factor in several load combinations at once, use the Edit
Load Group > Add/Remove load groups in multiple cases ‘Edit’ button. This will open up a list of
the load case combinations.
1. Highlight the load cases in which you want to change the load factor. You can highlight
multiple cases using the keyboard Ctrl button and click on the cases in question.
2. In the Settings choose whether to add or remove the load factor.
3. Select the Load Group from the drop list.
4. Change the load factor – a zero will omit the load factor from that group.
5. Click on the ‘Apply’ button to implement the changes.

Member Loading

In Member Loading individual members are selected and loads applied to them to act directly on
the chosen members. Other methods of applying loads within MasterFrame include Area Loading
and Wind Loading which apply gravity loads over a floor area or wind loads over a building
envelope. These loads are then automatically distributed by the program on to the frame
members. See the manual sections on Area Loading and Wind Loading below for details on how to
apply these loads to a frame.

To apply member loads, select Member Loading from the Loads menu at the top of the screen. If
you are currently in either the Member Section Properties or Member  angle area you can

shortcut to the Member Properties by clicking on the button at the top right of the screen.
In the bottom left of the screen a set of Add Loads icons will appear. To expand these click on the
‘More Loads’ button.

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The Member Loading area can be used in three different modes, i.e. Member , Global and
Copy To modes, in very similar fashion to the section properties and member orientation
areas.

Member Mode
Member Mode is the default mode and perhaps the mode that you will use most frequently.

In Member mode you can apply and edit loads on a member-by-member basis. To do this,
1. Select the member you want to apply or change the loads on. You can select a member
by,
a. clicking on it in the main frame geometry area, or
b. if you know the member number you wish to edit then you enter the number in the

box, or

c. by selecting the member number from the drop list

The selected member is highlighted in 3D member profile in the frame geometry window. For this
reason it is recommended not to turn on the global 3D member profile option from the top tool bar
while working in this area.
Using the Member Loading application buttons apply the desired load types on the member. The
loads will appear in the list of loads in the loads editing area.
Use the Loads Editing Area to define the magnitude, direction and load group of each load. See
Using the Loads Editing Area below.

While in member mode all changes made in the loads editing area are automatically applied to the
selected member. All changes made affect the current selected member only.
When you select a member in member mode, the current member loads on that member are listed
in the loads editing area. Therefore member mode can be used to investigate the current loads on
members.

Global Mode
Global mode is used to change the member loads on a group of members that have the same
pattern of loads or single load applied. In other words global mode can be used to change all
occurrences of the same single load/load pattern at once.

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Global mode groups member together that have the same single load or load pattern depending
on which option is selected. Beneath the global mode icon the drop list indicates how many
different member groups have been created, i.e. how many different single load/load patterns are
currently applied in the frame.
The difference between the single load and load pattern options is best understood by the
following simple example. The four members shown have member loads applied to them.

While in Global (Load Pattern) mode the program will create a group of the members that have
the same configuration of loads applied. Hence here three groups will be generated comprising of,
Member Load Group 001 – M1
Member Load Group 002 – M2 and M3
Member Load Group 003 – M4
No Loads – in this example there are no members in the group since all members are loaded.

When in Global (Single Load) mode the members that have the same single item of load applied
will be grouped together. Since in this example only two different items of load exist only two
groups have been created.
D1 UDLY –005.00 (kN/m) – M1, M2 & M3
L1 UDLY –007.00 (kN/m) – M2, M3 & M4

To change member loads while in global mode,

1. Click on the icon to switch to Global mode.

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 2. Select to work in either single load or load pattern, depending on how you wish to change
your loads.
3. Select the existing Single Load/ Load Pattern you wish to change from the drop list.
Tip: When in Load Pattern mode a group may be selected by clicking on a member in the frame
geometry area.
The members in the group are highlighted in red on the screen, i.e. the highlighted members all
have the same single load or pattern of loads.
4. Edit the member loads in the loads editing area. Items of load can also be either added or
deleted. See Using the Loads Editing Area below.
As in member mode the changes are applied automatically to all members in the currently selected
group. Once you are finished in Global mode it is recommended that you return to the Member
mode.

Copy To Mode
This is one of the most powerful editing modes, which is used for copying an arrangement of
member load(s) to a member or group of members in one operation.

The key concept in Copy To mode is that the List of Loads in the Loads Editing Area becomes the
template of information to be pasted onto the members you select. In this sense the Copy To
mode differs greatly from the Member and Global modes in that if you change information in the
List of Loads, you are not changing any existing loads on the frame. Copy To can be used can be
used in either Add/Delete or Replace Loads mode.
In Copy To (Add/Delete) mode the loads in the template (list of loads) are applied to selected
members in addition to any existing loads. If the loads that are being copied already exist on a
selected member then the loads are deleted from that member.
In Copy To (Replace Loads) mode the loads that are being copied will replace any existing loads
on the selected members.
To use the Copy To mode,

1. Click on the icon to switch to Copy To mode.

2. Select to work in either Add/Delete or Replace Loads.
3. Set up the loads to be copied in the template. This can be done either by,
a. Selecting an existing pattern of loads (Member Load Template) or existing single load
from the drop list.
b. Using the Loads Editing Area.
As you edit the loads in the template, members that match the modified template are shown in
red. All other members are shown in black

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 4. Paste this information onto the frame by selecting member(s) in the frame geometry area.
You can select member(s) by,
a. Clicking on individual members.
b. Windowing a group of members
In Copy To (Add/Delete) mode, when you select members the loads in the template are applied to
the members in black and removed from members in red. Hence the Copy To can be used to add
and remove member loads.
Copy To mode can continue to be used by repeating steps 3 and 4.
Important Note: Bear in mind that when you are in Copy To mode that when you select a
member you have changed the loads on that member. It is vitally important to be aware which
editing mode you are in, since haphazardly selecting members while in Copy To mode could
disrupt your model. Remember that in Member and Global modes, changes are made as you edit.
In Copy mode changes are only made when you click or select members in the frame geometry
area.

Tip! When you are finished using Copy To, move back to Member mode. Member mode is safer in
that when you select a member you are not changing anything by doing so.

Using The Loads Editing Area

The list of loads in the editing area represents the loads on the selected member when in Member
mode, the loads on a group of members when in Global mode, and the loads to be copied to
members when in Copy To mode.
To add loads to the list click on one of the loads type application buttons. Each of these loads
types is described in further detail below.

The loads added will appear on the list on the right of the screen. The load definition in the list
will contain information about its Load Group, load type, direction, magnitude, and dimensions
(where applicable).

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A typical example of a member point load PY is shown below.
D1 PY -050.000 1.520 (kN, m) where,
D1 Load Group – Dead Load in Load Set 1
P Load Type. Non-editable
Y Load Direction
-050.00 Load Sign and magnitude
1.520 Distance of the point loads from end1 (lower node number) of the member
(kN, m) Indicates the units for the numerical values in the load type. In this case we can
see that the first value is a load in kNs, while the second value is distance in
metres.
Non-editable.

The items in the list of loads can be directly edited from the keyboard. Any editable item can be
changed by clicking on the relevant text to position the red cursor. Text can be directly entered
from the keyboard starting from the location of the red cursor. The position of the red cursor can
be changed using the mouse or using the arrow keys on the keyboard. Note that it is not possible
to enter an invalid character for load group and load direction.

To edit a load that has been added to the list:

1. Firstly, select the load in the list by clicking on any character in the load definition
2. The load group can be changed by either,
a. selecting the load group and load set from the drop lists at the bottom right of the
screen , or
b. Over-typing the load group text, e.g. D1, in the load definition. Click on D to place the
red cursor and then type one of the load group letters, i.e. D, L, W or N. The red
cursor will move to the number, where a number between 0 and 9 can be typed. The
items in the drop list below should change to reflect what has been entered.
3. The load direction can be changed by either,

a. Clicking on one of the load direction buttons at the bottom right of

the screen.

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 b. Typing the load direction directly in the load definition by entering X, Y, W, Z, N or M
from the keyboard. The load direction types are described in more detail below.
4. Change the numerical values of load magnitude or load distances directly in the load
definition from the key board. Note that the position of the decimal point in a value can be

changed. The buttons can also be used to change the sign of the forces in the load
definition.

To delete a load
1. Select the load in the list by clicking on any character in the load definition

2. Press the at the bottom right of the screen

Other options in the loads editing area include:-

For some items in the load list, the order that they appear in the list can influence their effect. The
sort spin button will move the selected load’s position in the list.

By clicking on the horizontal spin button to the right of the text box the currently selected load will
move on the member by the increment in metres specified in the text box. Only member loads
with distance definitions are influenced by this function.

The second spin button will change the load group of all the loads in the list in the order of D, L,
W and N. For example, if we have two loads in the list with load groups D1 and L2, then these
would be changed to L1 and W2.

The third spin button will increase or decrease the load set number of all the loads in the list.
Again taking the example, as above, the load sets could be changes to D2 and L3.

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Graphical Display of Loads in the Editor
The loads in the list are graphically displayed in the Selected Member graphics window at the top
right of the screen.

The graphical display is controlled by the options at the right of the screen.
Draw Current Member will display a load diagram of the total loads on the member, while the
Draw Current Load option will only display the load that is currently selected in the list.

Spin button to graphically move the origin of the load(s) relative to the centre line of the member

Increase (up button) /decrease (down button) the graphical scale of the distributed member loads

Increase (up button) /decrease (down button) the graphical scale of the point member loads

Display numerical value of current member load or total member loads depending on which Draw
Current option is selected. The value displayed is always in kN/m units for the distributed load and
kN for point loads.
If the loads are not visible it may be their graphical scale needs to be increased.

Tip: The thick blue line on one side of the distributed member load diagram can be thought of as
the arrowhead of the load direction, while the side where the value is displayed is the tail of the
arrow. This will help to clarify the load direction.

The frame load diagram can also be displayed which draws all the loads for the current frame view
in the frame geometry area. Press the button in the top tool bar.

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 See section on the Top Toolbar for further description of this utility.

Load Directions
Each member load type can have a number of different load directions. In a load definition the
load direction is indicated by the character at the end of the load type. For example, in the load
definition,
D1 UDLY -050.000 (kN/m)
UDL is the load type and Y is the load direction. The various different load directions are
described below.

Y Load Direction
Global Y axis, where a negative value of load acts downwards. In the case of distributed loads the
load is applied over the horizontal projected length of the member.
X Load Direction
Global X axis, where a positive value of load acts from left to right. In the case of distributed loads
the load is applied over the length of the member projected onto the YZ plane.

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Z Load Direction
Global Z axis, where a positive value of load acts from front to back. In the case of distributed
loads the load is applied over the length of the member projected onto the XY plane.

W Load Direction
Y direction distributed load calculated for true member length and not just the X-Z plane
projection. Useful for applied self-weight UDL in kN/m units. This load direction is only applicable
to the UDL load type

N Load Direction
Load direction normal to the major axis of the member.

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The positive direction of the load depends on the node numbering of the member, and is found by
rotating 90 deg anti-clockwise from direction of member from lower to higher node.

Where n1 is the lower node number.

M Load Direction
Load direction normal to the minor axis of the member.

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Tip: When unsure about the load direction or sign convention it is best to rely on graphical
validation since this will always be correct.

Member Load Types

When one of the member load type buttons are pressed, the associated load type is added to the
list in the loads editing area. The use of the loads editing area is described above. The purpose
and format of each of the load types is described here.

Standard Member Loads

In the following descriptions the load direction indicator in the load definition is underlined, e.g. in
UDLY the Y character defines the load direction. See above for load directions available.

UDLY
Applies a uniformly distributed load W (kN/m) over the full length of the member.

D1 UDLY -000.000 ( kN/m )

W (kN/m)

PY
Applies a point load F in the specified load direction at a distance x measured along the member
axis from the lower node number.

D1 PY –000.000 0.000 ( kN,m )

F(kN) x(m)

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PTRY
Applies a partially distributed triangular load starting at a distance x1 with the intensity W1 going
to the distance x2 with the intensity W2. All distances are measured from the lower node number.

D1 PTRY –000.000 0.000 0.000 –000.000

W1(kN/m) x1(m) x2(m) W2(kN/m)

PDLY
Applies a partially distributed load W based on the total load F between the x1 and x2 dimensions
measured along the member axis from the lower node number.

D1 PDLY –000.000 0.000 0.000 (kN,m,m)

F (kN) x1(m) x2(m)

TY1,2
The total load F is distributed over the full member length in a triangular pattern. The distributed
load varies from the maximum intensity W(kN/m) at one end of the member to zero intensity at
the other end. For TY1 the W occurs at end 1 of the member, and for TY2 W occurs at end 2 of
the member. W = F * 2 /L.

D1 TY1 -000.000 ( kN )
F (kN)

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TYC
The total load F is distributed over the full member length in a triangular pattern. The distributed
load varies from zero at one end to the maximum intensity W(kN/m) at the centre of the member,
then back to zero at the other end . W = F * 2 /L.

D1 TYC -000.000 ( kN )
F (kN)

TRY
The total load F is distributed over the full member length in a trapezoidal pattern. The distributed
load varies from zero at end 1 to the maximum intensity W(kN/m) at the x1 distance, remaining at
that intensity to the x2 distance, then returning to zero at end 2 of the member.

D1 TRY -000.000 0.000 0.000 (kN,m,m)

F (kN) x1(m) x2(m)

PTY1
The total load F is distributed over a partial length of the member in a triangular pattern. The
distributed load varies from the maximum intensity W(kN/m) at a distance of x1(m) along the
member to zero intensity at the x2(m) distance end. All distances are measured from the lower
node number. W = F * 2 /(x2 - x1).

D1 PTY1 -000.000 0.000 0.000 (kN,m,m)

F (kN) x1(m) x2(m)

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PTY2
As per PTY1, however with the zero intensity located at x1 and the maximum intensity W (KN/m)
located at the x2. W = F * 2 /(x2 - x1).

D1 PTY1 -000.000 0.000 0.000 (kN,m,m)

F (kN) x1(m) x2(m)

PMN
Applies a point moment M in the specified load direction at the distance x1 measured long the
member axis from the lower node number.

D1 PMN +000.000 0.000 (kN.m,m)

M (kN.m) x1(m)

EM1,2
Applies the moments M1 and M2 to the local major axis of the member at end 1 and end 2
respectively. Note that no other load directions apply in the load type.

D1 EM1 +000.000 EM2 +000.000 (kN.m)

M1(kN.m) M2(kN.m)

EndM
Applies moments Mz to the major axis and My to the minor axis at the specified end node n (1 or
2) of the member.

D1 EndM 1 +000.000 +000.000 (Mz, My)

n Mz(kN.m) My(kN.m)

Density
Applies a local density to a member. This option should not to be used in conjunction with the
global density option found from the Properties or Loads menus, which automatically applies a
single density to all members in the structure.

D1 D 024.000 ( kN/m3 )

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 D (kN/m3)

Rise
Defines the temperature differential on a member for the application of thermal loading. Note that
it is essential that the member has a defined co-efficient of thermal expansion either from the
global definition in the Properties menu or locally from the Loads menu – see below.

D1 DT +000.000 (Degree C)

Co-
Applies a Co-efficient of thermal expansion to the member. This is more of a material property of
the member rather than a load. Thermal loading is not applied to the member until a temperature
differential value is applied through the Rise load type. See above. Like the density a global value
of thermal expansion co-efficient can be applied to all member from the Properties menu, in which
instance this local member definition should not be used. The value of the co-efficient represents
the amount of thermal strain that is produced through a 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature.
D1 Alpha 12.0E-6 (Thermal Expansion)

Short
Applies a shortening of a member along its length. This will result in the strain due to the
shortening of the member being taken up in the rest of the frame. Note that the shortening is
defined in metres.

D1 DL -00.000 (m)

Torq ecc
The torq ecc. has the effect of offsetting the member loads from the shear centre of the member
in both the members local major (ey) and minor axis (ex), hence creating a torque load on the
member. The torque eccentricities specified apply to all member loads that follow after it in the
list of loads applied to that member. Hence the following example shows how a UDL on a member
is made eccentric by 50mm from the minor axis to create a torque force, while the point load
remains applied relative to the shear centre of the member.
D1 PY 050.000 01.550 ( kN, m)
UT Torq ex +0.050 ey +0.000 ( m, m )
D1 UDLY 015.000 ( kN/m )

Frame Spacing
The frame spacing has the effect of multiplying all loads that follow after it in the list of loads by
the specified factor. The frame spacing value is entered in meter units. For example, when using
a frame spacing along with a UDL, the value entered for the UDL can be thought of as the area
(kN/m2) load since it will be multiplied by the spacing value.

UT Spacing 01.000 (Multiply AllLoads)

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Note: MasterFrame will move the position of the Spacing definition to the top of the list of loads
during analysis, therefore ensuring that the multiplication factor is applied to all loads on that
member.

Nodal Loading

Nodal loads can be added from the Loads > Nodal Loading menu.
The general nodal information area:

Nodal Loads can be added to individual nodes or groups of nodes. It is sometimes useful to
change the view to make picking a group of nodes easier.
Each definition consists of:
1. A list of Nodes that the loads are being applied to. Place the cursor in the nodes list text
box. Nodes may be selected by cross windowing a group of nodes, or individually clicking
on nodes in the graphics area.
2. The load definitions in up to six directions, point loads FX, FY and FZ and point moments
MX, MY and MZ.
3. The load group (e.g. D1, L1).

To apply another set of loads you must first select Add button, click Reset to clear the current list
of selected nodes if necessary. Then define the new node list, the load values and the load group.
You may alternate between the nodal loading briefs by either selecting them from the drop down
list or by using the adjacent (Next/Prev.) spin button.

All the nodal loading briefs may be graphically viewed simultaneously by clicking the Show button.
You can set the Load Scale to suit and display the load values using the Show Load Values button.

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Notional Horizontal Loading / Equivalent Horizontal Force

The option to automatically add horizontal notional loading or equivalent horizontal forces to a
series of ultimate loadcases for examining the stability of a frame is accessible from the Loads >
Notional horizontal loads (HNL/EHF) menu.
The Notional Loads allows you to automatically apply a specified percentage of the factored
vertical loads in one loading case and add them as a horizontal notional load to the current or any
subsequent loading case.
This is done through the use of the ‘HNL/EHF’ option, which calculates a specified percentage of
the factored vertical load in the current load case. The notional loads can subsequently be applied
into this current loading case, or any other loading case further down the loading cases list.
The simplest way to generate the correct cases and add the notional loads is to use the automatic
‘Generate’ facility.
1. First enter the load directions (on plane from X axis anticlockwise). Note that these may
have already been included if some wind load directions have already been included
elsewhere.
2. Then click on the ‘Generate’ button. You may notice the number of load cases increase as
some new cases are added. Many other existing cases will have the notional loads option
automatically applied.

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Important: The application of horizontal notional loads should not be confused with the notional
loads groups N0 to N9. They are not connected in any way. The notional load groups are
standard load groups that are used for loads that may not be Dead, Live or Wind. The horizontal
notional loads are independent from any of the load groups and do not appear in the Load
Combinations area.

After the frame has been analysed the calculated values of the horizontal notional load can be
viewed in the frame data file. From the main MasterFrame menu select Report > View/Print
Frame Data.

Density for Self-Weight

From the Loads menu you can access Density for Self-Weight. This will take you to the same
screen as that already described under ‘Member Global Density’ found in the chapter entitled
‘Properties’.

Floor and Roof Panels - Area Loading and Construction (Pro)

See section on Area Loading in the Create menu chapter.

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Wind Panel Loading (Pro)

Introduction
The Wind Panel Loading function when applied to a frame, automatically calculates and applies the
weighted external pressure coefficients “Cpe” to be used with each wind loaded panel for each
wind direction specified.
The value of Cpe is dependent on the wind surface angle to the horizontal, the angle between the
wind direction and the normal to the wind surface and the wind zone depending on the position of
the member within the wind surface and the building as a whole, the typical wind zones from BS
6399 Pt2 are:
A-D and H-K for walls and inclined walls
A-G and X-Y for flat roofs, and
A-J and K-S for monopitch and duopitch roofs.
EC design uses similar lettered zones around a building.

Adjustments are automatically made for corner angles , funnelling effects 0.25b to 1.00b, re-
entrant corners and both narrow and wide recesses.

The program will dynamically change all Cpe values for any changes you make to wind directions
at any time. All angular values and all member zoning locations are dynamically determined by the
program. To ensure maximum flexibility you will however be able to overwrite some or all of these
values.

Once a site has been identified in UK or Ireland from the site data maps or wind pressure site data
has been manually entered for sites outside the British Isles, the program combines the site
dynamic wind pressure with the local Cp values to determine the actual wind pressure on each
panel of the building for each of the specified wind directions. These pressures are distributed on
to the individual members of the frame as local loads prior to analysis of the frame.

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Applying Wind Loading Panels to a Frame

The wind loading is applied to the frame through a series of steps;

a. Specify the wind directions and internal pressure and suction coefficients.
b. Set up the wind loading cases automatically.
c. Select globally wind loaded members on which the wind load reduction will apply.
d. Select the wind site from the UK and Ireland map to obtain local data.
e. Apply the wind panels to the walls and roofs of the building model.
f. Identify ‘bracing’ or non-directly wind loaded members, eg, wall or roof bracing.

Wind Directions

Up to 8 wind directions on the frame can be considered using the load groups W1 to W8. The
direction of the wind is defined based on the angle with the frame’s global X axis. For example W1
to W4 could be used to define four principal wind directions, 0, 90, 180 and 270 degs for a
rectangular shaped building. The angle between the frame Z axis and magnetic North is specified
in the ‘Angle to North’ text box. If the ‘Draw Global Axis’ icon is on, then the global axis symbol at
the bottom right of the screen graphically indicates the North direction in relation to the frame
global axis.

Tip – you can double click on the ‘Ang. With X’ label to automatically introduce the principal axis
values. Similarly, double clicking on the ‘Int Pres Co.’ or ‘Int Suc Co.’ labels will introduce basic
coefficients of 0.2 for internal pressure and 0.3 for internal suction. Note that you don’t need to
place a minus sign in front of the 0.3 since it has been designated as a suction coefficient.

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There are several wind methods available in the design codes. The particular method you wish to
use can be selected in the ‘Method’ box.
There is also an option here to use the ‘User Defined’ method. In selecting this option, a table
opens up to enable you to enter your User Defined Values for the site. These will be used as the
dynamic wind pressures for the various heights of your building. Note that the dynamic wind
pressure ‘q’ is entered in units of Newtons per metre squared (N/m2), not kN/m2 as would often
be the case. This is so the values line up with those used internally within the site data module.
Wind reduction factors can be added for various wind diagonal lengths.

Wind Load Case Generation

Wind loading cases can be automatically generated for all wind directions and local/overall wind
situations (wind diagonals in the BS code). These include dead, live and wind combinations in both
ultimate and service conditions.
To include these combinations click on each of the ‘Add’ buttons in turn. The first 4 ‘Add’ buttons
will create combinations of dead + live + wind and dead + wind in both ultimate and service
conditions for the W1 direction. Clicking on the bottom ‘Add’ button will apply this set of load
combinations to all the other directions specified for W2 to W8. There will also be a full set which
will include the internal pressure coefficient. These will show a ‘P’ load group instead of the ‘W’
load group in all these combinations. Similarly there will be another set including the internal
suction coefficients shown as the ‘S’ load group.

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Wind Load Reduction Members (Wind Diagonals)

In EuroCode wind design, individual members can be specified for local or overall wind effects.
Wind diagonals are only relevant in British Standard design and have a similar function.
This option has the effect of designing the members which are locally loaded by wind (such as
cladding members) for a larger wind pressure than members which are globally loaded by wind,
e.g. vertical bracing members.
By default it is assumed that all frame members are being designed for local wind effects. If there
are members in your frame that you want to be only considered for overall wind, eg, bracing
members, you can place these members in the Wind Load Reduction groups.
Select ‘Wind load reduction on globally wind loaded members’.
On the frame, click on the members on which the wind load reduction will apply.
Note that the overall wind effect factor is the CsCd (user specified per wind direction) multiplied by
the lack of correlation factor (automatically determined). The CsCd factors are set in the wind
directions table. Also ensure that wind loading cases set as ‘Overall Wind Loading’ in the load
combination area are in place.

Selecting the Wind Site Data

You can select the site data from the Wind Site map by clicking on the button in the right
hand panel or from the Loads > Wind Panel Loading (Pro) > Site Data Wind Analysis menu.
Once in the site data you can select the particular site for your building by;
a. Picking the site location from the GB site map
b. Picking the site location from the Irish site map
c. Manually inputting the national grid reference NGR
d. Inputting the site’s Eastings and Northings
You can examine the wind pressure values calculated by scrolling to the bottom of the output
screen. You will see that wind pressure values are determined for the different heights in the
structure, for each wind direction specified and also for each wind diagonal.
Select File> Exit MasterKey Wind Analysis, to take you back into your model. The dynamic wind
pressures for the site will have been automatically applied to your model on exiting the Wind
Analysis.

For a building outside of the Britain Isles click on the ‘Set Default Site’ button in the Site Data tab,
then enter the relevant site data as described in Site Data Wind Analysis – Background section
below.
For additional information on the site data, local obstructions, fetches and topography see Site
Data Wind Analysis – Background section.

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Setting Up Wind Panels

Basics
The Wind Loading facilities in the Loads menu enable the application of an area load in the
direction normal to any planar surface. Similar to area loading, the wind loading is controlled by
wind loading panel groups. Each wind loading panel group defines one planar surface and
contains the following information.
a. All the wind panels in the planar surface
b. Up to 8 different wind load intensities on the surface, using wind load groups W1 to W8,
representing eight different wind directions. Each group applies a uniform load intensity to
its surface.
c. The side of the surface on which the wind loading is applied
d. The load distribution characteristics on the surface, i.e. one way or two way spanning.

The wind zones and coefficients of external pressure are automatically calculated for each wind
direction on each surface. The dynamic wind pressure is then calculated by the MasterKey Wind
Analysis module to arrive at the wind loading on the surface.
When we access the Wind Loading with a file where no previous wind loading has been applied,
an empty wind load group is present. Each wind loading group applies to one planar surface.
Each planar wind loaded surface of the building should have a separate group.

The Basic Rules of Wind Loading;

a. Each wind load group applies a uniform wind load intensity normal to a planar surface
b. A wind load group can only apply to one planar surface
c. All the members that define the panels in a planar surface should be added to the wind
load member group. This is different from the gravity area loading application method
where only the loaded members are added to the group. The wind loading calculations
determine which members of the panels are loaded and which are not according to the
direction of span.
d. Unlike the gravity area loading method, bracing members do not need to be defined in a
special bracing group, rather they are simply not added to the wind loading group and
therefore do not affect the distribution of wind area loading.
e. A member can belong to more than one wind load group.
f. A panel must have three or four straight sides. A straight side of a panel can be made up
of any number of individual elements.

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Wind Loading side panel
All the utilities required to set up wind panels are contained in the right hand panel. We will take a
quick look at their functions.

Switches on the wind loading module

Gives access to the Wind Diagonals input screen

Gives access to the Bracing Members input screen

Gives access to the Wind Directions screen

Takes you to the Wind Site Data area

Allows you to add or remove items

Find panels

Add a new group

Clear current group / clear all groups

Delete current group / delete all groups

Pick panel or members to create wind surface

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 Fast select panel / automatically create all panels

One way or two way spanning panel

Direction of span of panel, horiz, vertical or shortest direction

Rotate the span direction to an angle or align with a member

There are a few tick box options relating to the wind panels;
Wind on both sides (Parapet)/(Canopy) – if a panel is outside the envelope of a building, eg, a
canopy or wall parapet, the program will assess the coefficient of force for that panel, taking
account of wind being applied to both sides of the panel.
Close open sided wind panels – automatically closes open panels.
Swap direction of red normal lines – the red lines perpendicular to a panel indicate the external
face. If required you can swap the direction of the red normal lines so they are in the opposite
direction.
Create panels from all selected members.
Ignore Wind Loads on Dummy Members – dummy members are sometimes used to close panels.
Any wind spanning on to a dummy member is split half and half between its ends and applied as
point loads to the structure. You can choose to ignore the wind on dummy members where
relevant.

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The wind zones, coefficients of pressure and dynamic wind pressures are automatically calculated
within the wind analysis module when the panels are applied to the envelope of the building.
Therefore the Load/Cpe table will remain blank. You can override the automatically calculated
values, if required, by typing in your own values for any of the Cpes, zones, funnelling effects and
angles between surfaces (beta angle).
Note that gravity dead and live loads can also be added to panels within the Load/Cpe table. This
is especially useful, for example, on multi-facetted roofs, saving you having to add area loading
panels to these area and so saving double working.

Update all panels for their interaction

Reset titles for each panel automatically

Draw all wind loading panels

Colour code wind loading per surface/intensity

Copy brief to clipboard

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 Paste brief from clipboard
See below for further information on combining panels and resetting titles.

Adding Wind Panels

Switch to the Add/Remove button and then choose a selection mode. You can either;
1. Pick individual panels off the frame. As you move the cursor over the frame individual
panels will be outlined in cyan. These can be added to the current group. Panels that have
already been placed in a wind panel group will have a dark blue outline to distinguish them
from unpicked panels. Add a new group for a new planar surface.
2. Pick individual members off the frame. All the members around the perimeter of a panel
should be selected. The outline members will show in red. Once the outline has been
closed the panel should highlight in colour. The red lines perpendicular to the members of
the surface indicate the side that the program sees as the outside face of the panel.
Note – in both the above options you can also window around panels/members to include
them.
3. The fast selection of wind panels option not only allows you to pick a panel, but will
automatically add a new group each time a panel is picked speeding up the process.
4. Use the Auto All option to allow the program to attempt to automatically apply wind panels
to the envelope of the whole frame. You must ensure the perimeter of the frame has been
split into rectangular and triangular panels for this function to work well. Dummy members
may need to be added in locations to facilitate this.

Ideally you want the complete external envelope of the building to be closed in by wind panels.
Hence the program, when assessing the wind zones, can distinguish between the interaction of
adjacent panels and so produce the most accurate wind loading around the building for each wind
direction being considered.
Check the application of the wind loading around the building using the Wind Load display buttons
in the top toolbar – see chapter on Getting Started. Show the panels and their pressure values for
each wind direction. Positive values will be external pressures (usually coloured yellow) and
negative values will be external suctions (usually coloured green).

Combining panels
You can combine panels so that 2 or 3 or more panels in an elevation or roof can act together.
However, these panels must all be in the same planar surface.
For example, if a side elevation has a part of the elevation spanning vertically and part spanning
horizontally, these would have to be defined as 2 separate panels. Since they are in the same
elevation you want them to interact to give their true wind zones and relevant Cpes. Thus you
would combine these 2 panels.

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Whilst in one panel, click on the ‘Select Panels to Combine with’ button and then click on the
second panel. Both panels should highlight in colour but only one panel will show the red
perpendicular lines (indicating the outer surface). When the program examines the envelope of the
building these 2 panels will be considered to act as one, even though their span directions are
different.

Update all panels for their interaction

After adding new panels you can have the program update the interaction of all the panels. In
doing this the program will reassess the interaction of the various panels around the building
envelope and will update the zones and Cpe values.

Reset titles
Each panel title can be entered by the user or alternatively you can let the program set its own
titles. Allowing the program to set the titles automatically means that the panel interaction has
been automatically assessed and a relevant title based on its orientation and position within the
structure attributed to each panel. The title will have an ‘@’ symbol in front of it.
After alterations or additions to the panels, the panel titles can be updated by clicking on the
‘Reset Titles’ button.

Bracing Members

You can access the bracing members option from the button in the top right panel or from
the Loads > Wind Panel Loading (Pro) > Bracing Members menu.
These bracing members are members in panels that are not directly loaded with wind loading, eg,
bracing members in a roof or external wall panel.
1. Click on the +/- button to pick members.
2. Select the members that are to be bracing members.

Viewing Wind Loads

Wind Loading panels can be displayed graphically using the Wind Load icon. The Direction drop list
will allow you to select which wind direction you wish to view the wind intensities for. W loads are
due to wind intensity based on Cpe values, P loads will also include the internal pressure
coefficients and S loads will also include the internal suction coefficients.

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On the graphical display of the wind you can show the ‘Cp’ values across the model, or
alternatively the actual wind pressures ‘Q’ or wind zones ‘W’ applied.
Wind loading on members can be displayed using the Frame Loads icon in the top toolbar – see
section on ‘Viewing Loads’ on how to use this function.

Site Data Wind Analysis – Background

The MasterKey Wind Analysis Site Data is based on a third party piece of software that integrates
seamlessly with MasterFrame (Pro). In the Site Data interface there is the main map of the UK or
Ireland alongside a more detailed local map. There are also 2 circular diagrams based on the
chosen site location, one indicating your structure surrounded by 30 degree segments and the
distances to sea, country and town displayed in blue, green and red. The second diagram indicates
the distribution of wind pressure around your structure. Below the main maps, the calculations are
displayed.

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Choosing a Site Location from the Wind Data Map
A location is chosen from the MasterKey Wind Analysis site data map for Great Britain or Ireland,
or if outside these areas a default site can be set up to generate the wind pressures for a
particular location. Pick a site directly off the map or enter the site grid references, if known, to get
exact site information. (Note - grid references can be obtained from various internet sites, for
example, www. multimap.com, based on the site address or post code.) You can also enter the
eastings and northings, if known.

Accurate wind and topographical information is contained within the Wind Map database. This
information is used by the program to obtain the wind pressures on a structure as it varies with
height and orientation. Several wind diagonal lengths can be taken into account. The user can
choose which analysis method to employ.

Site Data interface

The Site Data tab enables you to enter a title reference and select which map type to be the main
graphic. You can choose between the GB site or Irish site maps. The grid references are shown
here and can be manually changed if you know the exact grid references for your particular site.

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The basic wind speed and site altitude are given. The data for a particular site can be saved as an
independent file for future re-loading (Save/Load Site to file). If the site is outside Great Britain or
Ireland, you can set up a file containing a default (overseas) site, using the Set Default Site
button. The site information for an overseas site is manually entered in the following tabs, so that
the wind pressures can be accurately calculated.

The Site Data tab also allows you to specify the orientation of your building relative to the North,
so as to ensure accurate application of the wind loading to the individual faces of the structure.

Obstructions Interface
If there are obstructions in the vicinity of the structure being examined, these can be taken into
account by specifying the height of and distance to the obstructions at intervals of 30 degrees
around the building. These are normally automatically entered from the in-built database, but can
be overridden if desired.
If the orientation of the building is known, the UK Sd factors can be used to reduce the wind
pressures around the building. If the orientation is not known or is outside the UK or Ireland, the
Sd factors should be set equal to 1.

Sea/Country/Town Interface
Fetch distances and category types are automatically included when a site is selected from the
Great Britain/Ireland map. For a site outside Great Britain/Ireland, the values can be entered
manually for each orientation.

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Topography Interface
The local topography can be taken into account resulting in modification of the wind loading. This
can be done using the internal data within the wind map or altered manually.
There is an option to use the site altitude only to evaluate the wind loading ignoring the effects of
local topography.

Report (Output) Interface

On the Report (Output) tab, the user can select which method to employ for the calculation of the
wind loads – Standard, Hybrid, Directional or Designer’s Guide. Having settled on the appropriate
method, the screen and printing output options can be selected. The basic wind speed
automatically selected from the map may be changed if desired, as can the start and length of the
season under consideration. Building floor levels and wind diagonal lengths can be changed from
the defaults if necessary (note – when used in conjunction with MasterFrame (Pro), these values
are automatically taken from the model). Select the risk period from the droplist. Finally the
graphics scale and number of segments can be varied. The wind pressure diagram can be viewed
for each wind diagonal length a, if applicable.

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FE Surface Loading

See manual on MasterFrame Finite Element Analysis.

FE Surface Alternate Loading Patterns

See manual on MasterFrame Finite Element Analysis.

Live Load Reduction

The loading codes recognise that in a multi-storey building, the imposed (live/variable) loading
may not exist on all floors simultaneously. The codes provide a method to reduce the axial loading
on columns with increasing number of floors. In certain columns the axial force may be reduced by
a percentage dependent on the number of floors (with loads qualifying for reduction) carried by
the column under consideration.
MasterFrame enables you to very quickly specify the percentage reductions using either of two
approaches.
1. Apply percentage reductions to the total live load being applied to the column, or
2. Apply percentage reductions to individual live floors loads supported by the column.
The defining of the floor levels uses a simple approach.
The reduced column axial force and pad foundation loading is linked to MasterKey Steel,
Connections and Concrete design modules.

To apply live load reduction;

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 1. Select Loads > Live Load Reduction from the top menu bar.
2. Tick the ‘Apply LLR to column and foundation design’ option
3. Tick the ‘Apply LLR to total load instead of incremental load…’ option to use approach 1
above or omit the tick to use approach 2.
4. Specify the percentage reductions per floor/level, separating the values with semi-colons.
5. Specify the Minimum Level Height. MasterFrame uses this value to define the floors levels
for the reduction percentage. If the local column height is less than the minimum level
height the percentage reduction is not increased and the level number is not incremented.
6. Analyse the frame. When live load reduction is activated the analysis procedure conducts
two sets of analysis, i.e. both with and without live load reduction. This enables the
percentages and minimum level height to be modified post analysis, omitting the need to
reanalyse the frame.

To view the reduced axial load;

1. From the Results menu select the Graphical Analysis Results.
2. Select to display the Geometry / Axial loads.
3. Check the ‘Show Values’ option to display the axial force value on the members in the
frame geometry area. The axial force in the columns that are subject to live load reduction
are shown with the full axial force minus the reduction force, eg, 768 – 146 kN where 146
kN represents the reduction force.

To modify the reduction parameters post analysis;

1. Select the Frame Loads button from the top tool bar.

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 2. In the Load Diagram panel click on the ‘Change live load reduction values’ button.
3. You can alter the reduction parameters. The reduction method can also be changed using
the ‘Base reduction on total load’ tick box (checked for method 1 above).
4. Click Apply changes to activate the new parameters.
5. While viewing the axial force as described above the ‘Show results without live load
reduction’ Remove button can be used to hide the force reduction values and can be
redisplayed using the Restore button.

Dynamic and Seismic Loads

See manual on MasterFrame Dynamic and Seismic Analysis.

Viewing Loads

After applying loads to your frame and setting up load cases, you may wish to verify your loads on
the members of the frame. The loads displayed will include member loads, area loads and wind
loads depending on which load combination you select to display. Select Frame Loads from the top
toolbar.

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You can display the loads by load case from the drop list of available load cases. This will show the
loads from that particular combination of applied loads on the individual frame members.
You can also display particular load groups, eg, dead D1, wind W1, live L2, etc. Set the Load Case
to All Loading Cases at the top of the load case drop list. Then set the Load Group to whichever
group you wish to view to display just this particular group of loads.
In the Load Display Settings, tick the Draw Distributed Loads and/or Draw Point Loads to show
these loads, selecting an appropriate scale for each.

The loads will be displayed in blue. You can move the loads slightly above the members using the
baseline distance to make the diagram clearer. The vertical lines on the load diagram can be
moved closer or further apart using the interval option. The numerical value of the loads are
shown using the 123 kN button. The distance between point loads can be displayed. Setting
arrows on the loads indicates the direction of the loads on to the members. A thin or thick blue
base line can also be shown at the bottom of the loads. These features should help you create a
clear diagram of the loads for checking or printing.

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When displaying wind loading, you can select whether to show the W, P (including internal
pressure) or S (including internal suction) loads and which wind diagonal values you want to
include.
The Display Loads in Direction buttons give you the opportunity to choose which loading directions
you want to look at. You can choose more than one direction to be displayed at a time. The
directions represent the global X, Y and Z directions, followed by normal to the major and minor
axes of the member. The final button lets you switch on/off the member density display.
Whatever diagram you have on the screen can be printed or exported from the Report >
Print/Export Current Frame Graphics menu to printer, PDF or Word. As the whole of the graphics
area is what is printed, try to make your diagrams fill the full extent of the screen. These graphics
displays can also be included in the Report Generator (Pro).

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MasterFrame Restraints

Introduction

The MasterFrame Restraints menu provides tools to allow the modelling of a variety of restraint
conditions within a MasterFrame model. The restraints include conditions applicable to the ends of
members, such as member end releases to give pinned members, or supports applied at node
positions, for example, to model the support from a foundation at the foot of a column. The
MasterFrame restraints also allow for the definition of both linear and rotational spring restraint
conditions at any node within a MasterFrame model.
Also accessible in the Restraints menu are the edge restraint condition applicable to finite element
surfaces. This allows lateral or rotational support conditions to be applied to the edges of any FE
surfaces in the model. These are broadly similar in nature to nodal support conditions, but rather
than acting at specific nodes, they must be applied to the edge of an FE surface.
Also available from the Restraint menu are option which allow for the definition of partial fixity to
be applied to the end of members. This allows the modelling of rotational or torsional restraint as
a percentage of the stiffness of the member.
Also included in the restraint menu is the option to define which members are to be consider to
have a potential plastic hinge at the end of the member.

Menu Overview

The MasterFrame Restraint menu is accessed from the top menu text bar. The graphical restraint
indicators can be activated from the Supports and Restraints area of the icon ribbon.

Figure 1 – Main MasterFrame interface showing Restraint menu expanded

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The Restraint drop down menu is shown below, indicating the layout of the menu. Also indicated
are the available short-cut commands for quickly accessing the menu options.

Member End Releases

On selecting the End Releases, the Release and Copy menu pane is displayed on the right-hand
side of the main graphics window. This menu is shown below.

The menu allows to specify the type of end release. This is done by ticking the relevant checkbox
for the release.
The member end releases allow moment releases to be specified to the ends of a member. The
end releases can be specified to release each of the major, minor or torsional axes of the member,
or any required combination of these three conditions. The end release defines the member to be
free to rotate at its end about the relevant axis. In the case of major and minor axes releases,
these simulate a pinned end member. The torsional release means the member is free to rotate
about the member long axis.

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Where members portions have been Merged (see Modify Geometry menu) to better represent the
physical entity as it will appear in the structure, the Release Physical Ends Only option will only
apply the end release to the ends of the defined ‘physical’ member. This will prevent end releases
being applied to the ends of the individual portions of members which make up the ‘merged’
member.
Selection of the members is done by clicking on the member in the graphics window. With the
Release near End option ticked, the defined end released will be applied to the end nearest the
cursor when the member is selected. The end release indicator will appear on the end of the
member in the graphics window.
A typical view of a structure with end releases applied is shown below.

Figure 2. Typical graphical view of Release and Copy menu

The end release indicators on the member ends graphically show the settings for the end releases.
A typical indicator is displayed below.

Where a release is not active, the box is coloured red. In the above example, both the major and
minor axes have been released while the torsion release has not.

In the case where all three axes have been released, the indicator changes to a small white circle.

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 Figure 3. Part frame view with fully major, minor and torsional end releases to members

The Release and Copy menu also provides options to automatically apply selected end releases to
horizontal members orientated in the East-West (aligned with the global x-axis) and North-South
(aligned with the global z-axis) directions. This applies the selected end releases to those members
displayed in the graphics screen. Thus, when combined with the filtering options available from the
Frame Views of Zoom Filter function, it allows the rapid application of end releases to a selection
of horizontal members. The East-West and North-South options automatically recognise the
‘physical’ members – it is not necessary to select the Release Physical Ends Only option.
When the East-West and/or North-South options have been ticked, an ‘Apply’ icon will appear at
the bottom of the Release and Copy menu pane.

Clicking ‘Apply’ will set the end releases of the displayed East-West and/or North-South beams to
have the selected end release types.

Note: Caution is needed when applying the East-West and North-South end releases, since these
apply to all displayed beams. Where end releases have already been defined and applied to
beams, the East-West and North-South option will overwrite these end releases with the new
selection if the beams are shown in the graphical display.

There are a number of options available to modify or change the end releases on members after
end releases have already been applied. For a small number of members, it is possible to change
the ticked options for torsion, major and minor axis releases and then click on those members
ends which are to be redefined in the graphics window.
To change all end releases of a specific setup to a different arrangement, this can be done by
clicking on the Change Release Type icon in the Release and Copy pane.

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This changes the right-hand pane to the Change All Releases pane, as shown below

In the ‘Change From’ selection, select the setting of the release type that it is required to change.
In the ‘Change To’ selection, set the ends release setup which is to replace the current setting.
Once done, clicking on the Apply icon and the bottom of the screen will automatically change all
instances of the ‘Change From’ setting to the ‘Change To’ type of end release.
The Change All Releases applies to all members currently visible in the main graphics display.
Therefore, the use of the Frame View filters and Zoom Filter allows the selection of a specific set
of members or part of a model for which the end releases types are to be changed. This allows
control over which end releases will be changed by the Change All Releases function.
To return to the Release and Copy menu pan, click on the ‘Edit Releases’ icon.

The ‘Remove All Releases’ allows the quick removal of end releases from the whole or part of a
model. Clicking on the Remove All Releases icon open the Remove All Releases pane.

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From here, click on the ‘Remove All Releases’ icon and select ‘Apply’ to remove all the end
releases. The software will display a pop-up asking the user to confirm the removal of all releases.
Selecting ‘Yes’ will proceed.
The ‘Remove All Releases’ function applies to portion of the frame visible in the graphics window.
By using the Frame Views and viewing filters it is possible to control the members which the end
releases are removed from.
To return to the ‘Release and Copy’ pane, select the ‘Edit Releases’ icon.

In addition to the features discussed above, the ‘Copy Member’ option can be selected which
allows the end releases of a specified member to be taken as a default setting and then applied to
specific members, selected graphically.
Selecting the Copy Member function opens the Release and Copy pane, as shown below.

The ‘Master Member’ is the member which is to be used as the ‘default’ for the end release setup.
The member number can be input into the input box. (See the Members icon section for help in
viewing Member Numbers). Alternatively, by first clicking in the input box, the required member
number can be input by clicking on the member in the graphics window.
To select the members which the releases are to be copied to, first click on the input box below
the ‘Members to Copy TO’ icon, or, alternatively, click on the ‘Members to Copy TO’ icon itself, and
then select the required members in the graphics window.
To copy the end releases, the ‘Release’ checkbox must be ticked.
To apply the changes, click on the ‘Apply’ icon at the bottom of the screen.

The Copy Member function does not select the physical members – selection is by portions or
lengths of members between nodes. To ensure end releases are only applied to the ends of the
‘physical’ members, check the Release Physical Ends Only checkbox.

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Additional features are available in the Copy Member function which allow member loading,
section type and section beat angles to also be copied, either along with or instead of the end
releases. The use of these features is the same as outlined above. It should be noted that, as for
the end releases, this feature works on the individual members between nodes and does not
recognise the physical member set up of a merged member. In addition, this feature will only copy
loads applied to a member through the Member Loading function and does not copy loads applied
to a member applied as either area or wind loading.

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Nodal Supports

Each of the Nodal Static Support, Nodal Spring Support and Nodal Support Settlements functions
open a common interface, where each type of nodal support can be accessed, defined and applied
to the model. For each support type, different types of restraint can be defined to give different
support conditions, to be applied either to different nodes, or, supports can be defined to apply to
particular loadcases. so, it is possible to have different support conditions apply to the same node,
with the support type determined per loadcase.

The typical restraint interface is shown below. The active icon in the window below is the Static
Support icon.

Figure 3. Nodal Support Window

The static supports are all specified in relation to the global axes. Regardless of the orientation of
the members in a model.

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Nodal Static Supports
The Nodal Static supports act on specified nodes and can be defined to give no translational
movement in the global x, y or z-axes. Nodal Static supports can also be defined to provide
rotational restraint about specific global axes.
The Nodal Static supports can be accessed by going to Restraints>Nodal Static Supports from the
top text menu bar. Alternatively, if in the Static Support window, the Static Supports can be
accessed by selecting the Static Support icon.
On entering the Static Support window, the static support indicators are automatically turned on
and displayed for the structure, or part of the structure, currently displayed in the graphics
window.

The bottom pane of the Static Support window gives the following information.

 Sort brief order – reorder the support briefs

 Current brief – indicates the current brief order
 Selected nodes – indicates the nodes which the current nodal support has been applied to
 Select support brief – indicates the current support brief information. Support briefs can be
selected from the drop down
 Load group selector – nodal supports can be assigned to a load group so they are active in
particular load combination. This includes selecting the main load group and also the load
group number.
 Exit – closes the nodal support window and returns to the main MasterFrame window.

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To create a nodal support group: -
1. Ensure the ‘Static Supports’ icon is selected
2. Click on the ‘Add‘ icon
3. Define the restraint conditions
4. Select the required load groups
5. In the graphics window, select the required nodes to have the support condition to be
applied to.

When selecting nodes, the individual nodes can be clicked on individually. Alternatively, multiple
nodes can be selected by left clicking and hold the mouse and windowing the required portion of
the model. Note this will select all the nodes in the window, thus it may be necessary to use the
frame views or zoom filter to display only the required part of the model.

Once the nodes have been selected, the nodal support indicators will appear in the graphics
display.

To delete a nodal support group: -

1. Select the required support groups from the brief selector drop down

2. Click on the ‘Delete’ icon

To display all the support restraints in the graphics window, click the ‘Show’ icon. This will show all
restraint types on all nodes currently displayed. This helps identify any nodes which are intended
to have some form of a nodal restraint but have not yet been included in any restraint briefs.

Nodal Spring Supports

The Nodal Spring Supports act on specified nodes and can be defined to provide an elastic linear
spring restraint at the selected nodes. The directional spring restraints act in the global x, y or z-
axes and are specified in terms of a linear spring stiffness, specified in kN/m. Thus, the force in
the spring is proportional to the linear displacement of the node. Rotational springs can also be
defined at any node, specified in kNm/radian.
The Nodal Spring supports can be accessed by going to Restraints>Nodal Spring Supports from
the top text menu bar. Alternatively, if in the Nodal Support window, the Static Supports can be
accessed by selecting the Static Support icon.
On entering the Static Support window, the static support indicators are automatically turned on
and displayed for the structure, or part of the structure, currently displayed in the graphics
window.

The bottom pane of the Static Support window gives the following information.

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  Sort brief order – reorder the support briefs
 Current brief – indicates the current brief order
 Selected nodes – indicates the nodes which the current nodal support has been applied to
 Select support brief – indicates the current support brief information. Support briefs can be
selected from the drop down
 Load group selector – nodal supports can be assigned to a load group so they are active in
particular load combination. This includes selecting the main load group and also the load
group number.

Exit – closes the nodal restraint window and returns to the main MasterFrame window.

To create a nodal spring restraint group: -

1. Ensure the ‘Spring Supports’ icon is selected
2. Click on the ‘Add‘ icon
3. Input the spring restraint stiffnesses in the required directions
4. Select the required load groups for the Spring Supports
5. In the graphics window, select the required nodes to have the support condition to be
applied to.

When selecting nodes, the individual nodes can be clicked on individually. Alternatively, multiple
nodes can be selected by left clicking and hold the mouse and windowing the required portion of
the model. Note this will select all the nodes in the window, thus it may be necessary to use the
frame views or zoom filter to display only the required part of the model.

Once the nodes have been selected, the nodal support indicators will appear in the graphics
display.

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To delete a nodal support group: -

1. Select the required support groups from the brief selector drop down

2. Click on the ‘Delete’ icon

To display all the support restraints in the graphics window, click the ‘Show’ icon. This will show all
restraint types on all nodes currently displayed. This helps identify any nodes which are intended
to have some form of a nodal restraint but have not yet been included in any restraint briefs.

Nodal Support Settlements

The Nodal Support Settlements act on specified nodes and can be defined to simulate a lateral
displacement in the global x, y and z-axes or a rotation about the global axes. Lateral
displacements are specified in millimetres, while the rotations are specified in radians.
The Nodal Spring supports can be accessed by going to Restraints>Nodal Support Settlement from
the top text menu bar. Alternatively, if in the Nodal Support window, the Support Settlements can
be accessed by selecting the Support Settlement icon.
On entering the Static Support window, the static support indicators are automatically turned on
and displayed for the structure, or part of the structure, currently displayed in the graphics
window.

The bottom pane of the Static Support window gives the following information.

 Sort brief order – reorder the support briefs

 Current brief – indicates the current brief order
 Selected nodes – indicates the nodes which the current nodal support has been applied to

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  Select support brief – indicates the current support brief information. Support briefs can be
selected from the drop down
 Load group selector – nodal supports can be assigned to a load group so they are active in
particular load combination. This includes selecting the main load group and also the load
group number.

Exit – closes the nodal restraint window and returns to the main MasterFrame window.

To create a nodal spring restraint group: -

1. Ensure the ‘Supports Settlements’ icon is selected
2. Click on the ‘Add‘ icon
3. Input the support settlement values in the required directions
4. Select the required load groups for the Supports Settlements
5. In the graphics window, select the required nodes to have the support condition to be
applied to.

When selecting nodes, the individual nodes can be clicked on individually. Alternatively, multiple
nodes can be selected by left clicking and hold the mouse and windowing the required portion of
the model. Note this will select all the nodes in the window, thus it may be necessary to use the
frame views or zoom filter to display only the required part of the model.

Once the nodes have been selected, the nodal support indicators will appear in the graphics
display.

To delete a nodal support group: -

1. Select the required support groups from the brief selector drop down
2. Click on the ‘Delete’ icon

To display all the support restraints in the graphics window, click the ‘Show’ icon. This will show all
restraint types on all nodes currently displayed. This helps identify any nodes which are intended
to have some form of a nodal restraint but have not yet been included in any restraint briefs.

FE Surface Edge Supports and Restraints

Support or restraint conditions can be specified to apply to the edge of Finite Element surfaces.
These restrains are defined relative to the Global axis system and can apply translational or
rotational restraint. Restraints to an FE surface must be applied to an FE surface edge, but the
edge can be a boundary between two or more FE surfaces.

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For details of the use an application of the FE surface edge restraints, refer to the Finite Element
Chapter of the manual.

Potential Plastic Hinges

The Potential Plastic Hinges option allows members to be defined to allow the formation of a
plastic hinge at one or both ends. This option is used in conjunction with the Analysis Options,
where load cases can be selected to include a plastic analysis.
For details of the use of the Plastic Analysis, refer to the Analysis chapter of the manual.
On selecting the Potential Plastic Hinge option from the Restraint menu, the Plastic Hinge menu
pane opens on the right-hand side of the screen. The main screen is shown below.

Figure 4. Potential Plastic Hinges

To select a member end to be included in a plastic analysis, click on the end of the member in the
main graphics window. A marker will appear on the nearest end of the member.
In the right-hand pane, two icons are provided which take the user to additional menus.
1. Remove All Plastic Hinges – this changes the Plastic Hinge pane to the Remove Plastic
Hinges Pane. Here, click on the ‘Apply’ icon removes all plastic hinges from member ends.
To exit this menu, click on the ‘X’ in the top right-hand corner of he Remove Plastic Hinges
pane or, alternatively, select another item from the top menu.
2. The Analysis Options icon will open the Analysis Options menu. For details of this menu,
see the Analysis chapter of the manual.

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Partial Member End Fixity

The Partial Member End Fixity option allows a partial release to be applied to the ends of a
member or members within a MasterFrame model. The partial fixity is defined as a percentage of
the bending stiffness of the member itself. Partial fixities are defined through the Member Loading
menu and are treated in a similar manner as member loads – the partial fixities are assigned to a
load group and are added into particular load cases by applying a factor to the load combination.
Since partial fixities are applied to members are treated in the software in a similar manner as
member loads, the partial fixities are found in the Member Loading screen. Therefore, the member
loading screen can be accessed by going to Loads>Member Loading or by going to
Restraints>Partial Member End Fixity.
The initial Member Loading screen is shown below.

Figure 5. Member loading, initial screen view

The partial fixities are found in the ‘Add Attributes’ area, which can be expanded by clicking on the
‘More Attributes’ icon. The expanded attributes menu is shown as: -

To add a partial fixity to a member: -

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 1. In the graphics window, move the cursor over the required member
2. Left click the mouse to select the member. The selected member will highlight in red and
be shown in 3D, in the main graphics window. The member will also display in the upper
right-hand pane.
3. Click on the ‘Partial Fixity’ icon.

When done, the partial fixity ‘load’ will now display in the bottom right hand pane. The partial fixity
will be shown as: -

When first applied to a member, the default partial fixity is defined as: -
UT PartFix 00.00 --- --- (Mt My Mz)
These symbols have the following meaning: -
UT – Unity Load factor. This means the partial fixity will apply globally to the model
00.00 - this indicates a zero percent fixity
--- - there is no fixity applied to the Mt, My or Mz axis of the member at the member start node
--- - there is no fixity applied to the Mt, My or Mz axis of the member at the member end node

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The Mt, My and Mz indicators refer to the member torsional, minor and major axes.
To add a partial fixity to a specific axis, a ‘+’ need to be added to in the relevant position in the ‘---
’ indicator, at the relevant end of the member. This can be done by overtyping the + in the
required position. Where a ‘-‘ occurs, then no partial fixity is considered about that axis at the
specified end of the member. This means the member will be ‘fixed’ to the node it connects to.
The partial fixity is specified as a percentage of the member bending stiffness about the various
axes. For example, a value of 00.00 indicates a partial fixity of zero percent, which is equivalent to
a pinned support. A value of 20.00 would give a partial fixity of 20% of the member stiffness
about the specified axis and ends. An input value of 99.99 is taken to be a fully fixed connection.
The first two letters refer to the load group that the partial fixity will be considered to be acting in.
By treating partial fixities as load groups, it is then possible to add the partial fixities to specific
load cases and so have different partial fixities being applied in different load cases. An example of
this would be to have a partial fixity of 0% in Ultimate Load cases, 10% in the Sway cases and
20% partial fixity acting in the Serviceability load cases.
When the Load Group is set to UT, the partial fixity for the member is taken to act in all loadcases.

To add a partial fixity to a specific load case for a member or set of members: -
1. Select a member to have a partial fixity defined at one or both ends.
2. Click on the ‘Partial Fixity’ button to add a partial fixity ‘load’ to the member
3. Specify the Load Group the partial fixity is to be added to
4. Define the partial fixity percentage and directions per end

To include a partial fixity in a specific load case, the load group for the partial fixity needs to be
included in the load combinations with a factor of 1.0 against the select load for the partial fixity.
To navigate to the Load Combinations, go to Loads>Load Cases and select the Load Combinations
tab from the top right-hand side of the Load Case Combinations pane. The load cases can be
navigated from the Load Case drop down. With the correct load case showing, input a value of 1.0
in the required load case input box. Repeat for all required load cases.
For situations where the Partial fixities are to be added to multiple load cases, the ‘Edit Load
Group’ feature can be used. This can be selected by clicking on the ‘Edit’ icon. This will open the
‘Load Case Combinations’ pane in the right-hand side of the screen.

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The load cases to have the partial fixity added can be highlighted in the load case list. At the
bottom of the table, a number of options can be selected to automatically highlight loadcases. To
multi-select loadcases, or add loadcase to those automatically selected, hold the CTRL-key and
then left mouse click on the required loadcase.

To add a load group to the load cases, select the required load group from the ‘Load Group’ drop
down. For partial fixities, where the load factor is to be 1.0, add 1.0 into the Load Factor input
box. To add the partial fixities, ensure the ‘Add’ radio button is selected, then click on the ‘Apply’
icon.
Having clicked on ‘Apply’ and then confirmed the selection, the software will return to the Load
Combinations tab.

Partial Fixities and column bases

The partial fixity function applies a rotational restraint to the end of a member. This gives a degree
of rotational restraint in the specified direction with the degree of restraint being specified as a
percentage of the stiffness of the member itself. Where the degree of restraint to the base of a
column is non-zero, this means that the column will produce an end moment, but this is
dependent upon the nodal support condition. If the base to the column is pinned, the base cannot
resist any moment and so the base of the column will be pinned regardless of the degree of partial
fixity defined. Therefore, for the base of a column, partial fixities will only be effective when the
nodal support to the base of the column is defined as a fixed support.

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Partial Fixities and beam ends
Similar to a column base, the partial fixity for the ends of a beam rely on the structure coincident
to the end of the beam being able to resist bending. Thus, if the beam is defined to have a pinned
end, the partial fixity will not generate any moment since the beam is free to rotate at the node.
Therefore, partial fixities at the ends of beams can only be effective if the appropriate beam axis
has not had an end release condition applied.

Multiple partial fixities

Each partial fixity allows for the specification of a single Load Group and a single partial fixity
percentage. Therefore, to specify partial fixities in different Load Groups, or to apply different
percentage fixities in different load combinations, it will be necessary to apply more than one
partial fixity to a member.
The method outlined above for adding a partial fixity to a member can be repeated as often as
necessary, to add the required number of partial fixities to any member. Therefore, by using
multiple partial fixities on a member, it is possible to have a different percentage of fixity in
different axes, or to have different percentages of fixity about the same axes in different
loadcases.
One particular area where this is useful is in the design of portal frame columns, where it is
common practice to design a column in the ultimate limit state as a pin-ended column, while
treating the serviceability case with a degree of partial fixity to the column. In this case, the
column nodal supports would be defined as fixed and two partial fixities would be added to the
columns. A partial fixity would be defined in one load group and set to have 00.00 fixity, while the
second partial fixity would be added to another load group and defined to have a fixity of 20.00.
By adding these to the appropriate loadcases, the column would be pinned in the ultimate load
cases and partial fixed in the serviceability cases.

Partial fixity load factor

Within MasterFrame, partial fixities are treated by the software in a similar manner to member
loads. To include the partial fixities, it is necessary to define them to act in a load group and then
include the load group in the appropriate load combinations, by including the load factor in the
appropriate load group.
However, the load factor applied to the partial fixity load is only designed to act as an on/off
switch to activate the partial fixity. In this case, if a factor greater than 1.0 is specified, the
percentage fixity is still that as specified for the partial fixity – the percentage of partial fixity is not
multiplied by the load factor.
If a partial fixity is set in the same load group as another member attribute or member load, then
both will be applied in a load case based on the value of the load factor. In this case, the partial
fixity cannot be applied independently of the loads or attributes. In general, it is advisable to
define partial fixities in load groups with no other loads or attributes, to avoid situations where
partial fixities are applied accidentally when trying to include loads, or vice versa.

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MasterFrame Analysis

Introduction

The MasterFrame Analysis menu provides tools to allow the setting up of type of analysis to be
carried out on a MasterFrame model, including accessing options to apply different type of analysis
to different load cases. This includes setting up 2nd order elastic analyses and plastic analyses.
Also accessible are options which relate to the model globally. These options allow for the inclusion
of exclusion of particular properties in the model which may influence the analysis results. As
global options, these apply to all members in a model, regardless of member orientation, section
type, material or loading.
The analysis menu also includes a number of options related to the analysis of a model which
includes finite element surfaces. These analysis options relate to the FE meshing density which has
and influences on the quality of the results of an FE analysis.
The static analysis option allows the user to run the static analysis of a model. The static analysis
runs the analysis for all defend load cases, including any load case which include 2nd order effects
or incorporate a plastic analysis.
Finally, where the Dynamic Module is available, the dynamic analysis is accessed through the
Dynamic Analysis option.

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Menu Overview

The MasterFrame Analysis menu is accessed from the top menu text bar. The menu location is
shown below.

Figure 1. Analysis Menu, top menu bar location.

The analysis menu is shown below.

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Second Order Analysis Options per Load Case

The standard analysis method in MasterFrame is a 1st order linear elastic analysis. Where elements
such as tension only members, no axial force members or spring restraints are included in a model
the software automatically carries out an iterative analysis process to reflect the presence of these
elements or restraints.
The Second order analysis option opens the Analysis Options pane, which opens in the right side
of the window. When the pane opens, the software defaults to load case 001 and none of the
available options are selected. The initial pane is shown below.

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The available options are: -
1. Include P-delta Analysis – this enables a P-Δ analysis to be carried out on specific load
cases, to account for the geometric deformation of a structure

2. Elastic Critical Load Factor – enable the calculation of the elastic critical load factor for
specific load cases

3. Include Plastic Analysis – consider the formation of plastic hinges where members have
been selected to have one or more plastic hinges

4. Timber Load duration – for use in conjunction with models which include timber members,
the load duration sets the relevant K factor in the selected load cases.

At the foot of the pane, links are provided to quickly access other menu items. These include the
Global Data, including material densities, coefficient of thermal expansion and live load reductions,
Load Cases which opens the Loading Case Combinations menu. The Notional Loads navigates to
the horizontal notional load menu.

P-delta Analysis

The P-Delta analysis utilised in MasterFrame is a P-Δ analysis, which modifies the frame geometry
under loading and re-analyses the model in the deflected position. The software carries out an
iterative process, carrying out the analysis a number of times, modifying the frame geometry for
each iteration, until either an equilibrium condition is reached, or, if equilibrium is not reached, a
fame stability warning is given.
Two methods of P-delta analysis are available, the Newton Raphson method or the Geometric
Stiffness method.

1. Geometric Stiffness method

In the Geometric Stiffness the method, the bending stiffness of the elements in any model are
modified to account for the axial force present in the member. Compressive forces will reduce the
bending stiffness, while tensile axial forces will increase the element stiffness. In the case of a
member which is loaded to its Euler buckling compressive load, the bending stiffness will be
reduced to zero.
In the Geometric stiffness method, only two iterations are carried out, the first to calculate the
axial force under a linear static analysis, the second iteration to account for the modified member
stiffnesses in bending.
Since the geometric method only uses two iterations, it is less computationally demanding that the
Newton-Raphson method, so, for larger models, it requires less time to analyse than would be
required for the Newton Raphson method. However, with only two iterations, the method takes
less account of the geometric deformation of the structure under load. Thus, the Geometric
Stiffness method is less suitable for the analysis of structures where the deformation of the
structure is significant. As a result, the Geometric Stiffness is less generally applicable than the
Newton Raphson method.

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2. Newton-Raphson method
The Newton-Raphson non-linear iterative method carries out a series of analyses, modifying the
stiffness matrix of the structure to account for the deformation of the structure from the previous
analysis. At each stage of the analysis, the out-of-balance forces due to the difference in the
external and internal model forces is calculated. The process is continued until the out of balance
in the external and internal forces is within a prescribed tolerance, within a specified number of
iterations.
The process terminates when either (a) The analysis converges to a solution where there out of
balance forces are within tolerance, or, (b) The analysis diverges and a solution is not possible.
The Newton Raphson method uses the lateral translations of the nodes within a model to assess
the deformation of the model geometry in each iteration. This means the internal deformation of
the members themselves is not necessarily assessed as part of the analysis, unless the member
contains intermediate nodes. Intermediate nodes can be added to a member by splitting the
member (see Modify Geometry>Split Member for details). Alternatively, analytic nodes can be
added to a member. Where internal nodes are added to a member, then the deformation of the
member is accounted for, to some degree, within the analysis.
In general, the member deformations are of less significance than the nodal deformations of the
model. In terms of the member design, in the concrete design additional moments are added as
the design stage to account for the internal deformations of the members, while in the steel and
timber design, effective lengths and member buckling as accounted for at the design stage.
The Newton-Raphson method would be the most generally applicable type of P-delta analysis.

Elastic Critical Load Factor

The Elastic Critical Load factor option uses a matrix analysis method to identify the lowest buckling
mode of the structure. This method is based on the geometric stiffness matrix method, which
modifies the standard stiffness matrix to account for the compressive force in an element. Where
an element has a compressive force, the bending stiffness of the member is reduced, whereas a
tensile force will increase the bending stiffness of a member. For a member loaded to its Euler
Critical Buckling load, the Geometric stiffness method will reduce the bending stiffness of the
member to zero.
The Elastic Critical Load factor is the elastic buckling load divided by the axial load on a member.
For each individual load case, the axial load on the member is derived from the analysis of the
particular load case.
With the Elastic Critical Load option active for a load case, the analysis of that load case will find
the load factor at which the analysis no longer has a solution, indicating the structure is no longer
stable. An iterative approach is used to find the load factor at which buckling occurs.
The results of the Elastic Critical Buckling analysis are given the Graphical Analysis Outputs,
accessed by going to Results>Graphical Analysis Results. The Elastic Buckling factor is reported in
the right-hand pane for those load cases where the Elastic Critical Load Factor option was
activated.

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In the Graphical Analysis Output, the Elastic Critical Buckling mode shape can also be shown
graphically for any load case where the analysis option was active.
The Elastic Critical Buckling Load Factor method identifies the largest factor at which the analysis
no longer completes, indicating the system of equations can no longer be solved. This indicates
the structure is no longer stable. However, the instability may occur when a single member
becomes unstable, or it may indicate the overall structural system has become unstable.

Elastic Critical Buckling Load Factor versus alpha-crit analysis

Both the Eurocode and British Standards provided a method to calculate the factor by which the
design load would need to be increased to cause elastic instability in the global frame. In the
Eurocode this is the alpha-crit factor, while in the British Standards this was the lambda-crit factor.
Both the alpha-crit and lambda-crit calculations are based on the sway buckling mode of the
structure, being based on the horizontal deflection under the horizontal design load. The aim of
the alpha-crit and lambda-crit methods is to determine the global instability mode of the structure
based in the initial elastic stiffness and the lateral deflections of the structure.
In a structure where the global instability is dominant and the whole structure buckles first, then
the Elastic Critical Load factor method would be expected to give a similar Elastic Load factor as
the alpha-crit and lambda crit-methods. However, if the buckling of an axially loaded member
dominates the analysis and it is this Elastic Critical factor that the Elastic Critical method identifies,
then the buckling mode identified will not be that of the global structure and therefore it is highly
likely that the Elastic Critical Load factor method will result in a significantly different load factor
than would result from the alpha- or lambda-crit methods.
The Graphical Analysis Output allows the display of the Elastic Critical Buckling Mode shape. The
displays the deformed shape of the structure. To determine if the buckling shape is global, it is
necessary to review the overall mode shape and make an engineering judgement.

Plastic Analysis

The use of the plastic analysis option means that within the analysis, the software will calculate
the positions of any plastic hinges which will be formed in selected members. The plastic moment
of a section will be determined by the selected section, determining the section plastic modulus.
The plastic hinge will only allow a moment up to and not exceeding the plastic moment at the
point of the plastic hinge. In line with plastic theory, the first hinge will occur at the point of
maximum bending moment.
The software uses an iterative approach when using the Plastic analysis. An initial elastic analysis
is carried out to determine the point of maximum moment and a plastic hinge applied. The
analysis is then re-run and the modified bending moments calculated. Further plastic hinges are
determined, if selected and the process repeats until either a solution is found, or sufficient plastic
hinges form such that the structure is no longer stable, in which case an analysis warning will be
given, identifying the node at which the instability occurs.
The Plastic Analysis is specified on a per load case basis.

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The Plastic Analysis includes two options when applying the Plastic Analysis to any load case.
These options are: -
1. Include Incremental loading – the load is applied in increments and the positions any
plastic hinges is determined at each load increment and the positions of any hinges is used
in the next step in the loading. This assists in determining which hinges form in which
order.
2. Find the plastic load factor – this option calculates the moment at the hinge position at
which a hinge would form, compared to the moment at that point in the load case under
consideration and takes a ratio of the two moments to return the plastic hinge formation
moment as a ratio of the moment due to the load case. A ratio less than 1.0 indicates that
the plastic capacity of the member is less than the moment which would occur at that point
in the load case under consideration. Where the Load Factor ratio is greater than 1, then
the plastic capacity is greater than the moment applied in the load case under
consideration.

The plastic load factor is given in the Graphical Analysis Outputs. Refer to the Results chapter for
further details.
To enable the Plastic Analysis to be applied to several load case, rather than having to go load
case by load case, clicking on the Apply icon will open the Apply Plastic Analysis Setting Loading
Cases pane. This pane is shown below.

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To apply the Plastic Load analysis, select the load case in the upper pane. The load case will
highlight blue. To multi-select load case, hold the Ctrl key and then click on each required load
case in the upper right-hand pane. The load cases can be scrolled using the mouse wheel
In the bottom pane, options are providing to allow the quick selection of load cases. The selection
will be shown in the upper pane, with the selected load case highlighted in blue.
Clicking the Apply icon will add all the plastic analysis to the selected load cases.
Clicking Close will close the Apply Plastic Analysis Settings Loading Cases window and go back to
the Analysis Options Window.

Timber Load Duration

For model with timber elements, the timber load duration classes can be set for each load case, in
line with the Load-duration class definition of EC5.

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Global Analysis Options

The Global Analysis Options provides control over features of the analysis of a model which apply
to the model in its entirety. These are distinct from options which apply on a member-by-member
or loadcase-by-loadcase basis.

Do Not Show Out of Balance Loads as Support Reactions

Due to rounding errors in the way computers deal with numbers, the solutions of the equations
defined by the structure stiffness matrix may results in difference in the forces calculated at nodes.
These forces can display as a support reaction when viewing the results. Because these forces are
related to nodal forces, they can occur at nodes which do not have a restraint condition applied.
Out of balance forces can occur particularly where there are very significant differences in
stiffnesses of members connection at a node. In particular, in older model with the old style rigid
stiff deck applied to very short members, this could happen and may indicate potential ill-
conditioning of the stiffness matrix. Other notable areas where this may occur is at the junction of
columns with bracing members, where small differences in the bracing forces between levels can
occur.
The default option in the software is that this option is checked, so that out of balance forces do
not show in the support reaction results.
This option can be useful as a diagnosis tool in models. In general, the out of balances forces
would be expected to be small.

Ignore Torsional Stiffness

The torsional stiffness of all elements in a model will be ignored from the analysis, with the
member torsional stiffness being taken as zero. This option can prevent members having a degree
of bending restraint taken at their ends due to the torsional stiffness of any other members
coincident with the ends of the element.
This option can be useful in grillage structures, where restraint to members due to the torsional of
adjoining members is not wanted to be taken into consideration in the analysis. The ignore
torsional stiffness option can give a simple and quick away to ignore this effect. However, it is
possible that the stability of the structure in terms of the analysis is dependent on the torsional
stiffness of members, with the result that models which will analyse without issue with the
torsional stiffness taken into consideration, return analysis warnings when the torsional stiffness is
ignored.
In general, it is advised that member releases are used to prevent the transfer of bending from
one member into another member in torsion, rather than using the Ignore Torsional Stiffness
option.
This option is, by default, not active in the software and required the user to select it in any
model.

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Include Shear Deflection
In structures with steel or concrete, in general, the deflection resulting from shear is ignored for
the purposes of design. This is not the case for timber elements, where the shear deformation is
significant, with the shear deflection potentially accounting for 5-20% of the deflection of a timber
element. Both the British Standard and Eurocode for timber design require the shear deformation
to be considered as part of the design of timber elements.
Selecting the Shear Deflection option includes the shear deflection as part of the analysis and so
includes the shear deformation of the elements in a model in the deformation of both the structure
and the elements in the structure.
The ratio of Elastic Modulus to Shear Modulus in steel and concrete is approximately 2. In timber,
this ratio is approximately 16. It can be seen, therefore, that the effect of the shear deformation is
considerably less significant in either steel or concrete, in comparison with timber, and so the
inclusion of the shear deformation for steel and concrete elements will generally not be significant.
The default setting for software is that the Include Shear Deformation option is not active.
One exception to this rule is steel cellular beams, where the presence of the web openings means
that the shear deformation of the beam becomes significant. In this instance, where a cellular
steel beams is added to a model, the Include Shear Deformation global setting is activated in the
software.
In the Finite Element Analysis, shear deformation is also significant. However, with the use of
Mindlin-Reissner plate theory, the transverse shear deformation is automatically accounted for in
the analysis. Thus, the shear deformation of the Finite Elements utilized within MasterFrame FE is
not dependent on the Include Shear Deformation.

Use faster Pardiso Solver for all models.

The MasterFrame module and MasterFrame FE modules have two different analytic engines. The
MasterFrame FE module uses a proprietary Intel MLK Pardiso solver. This solver uses shared-
memory, multiprocessing parallelisation to allow multithreading and so enables the software to
solve multiple equations at one time. This is necessary in the solution of the equations arising from
the Finite Element Analysis to allow the analysis to complete in an acceptable time frame.
The use of the Pardiso solver has now been included as an Option in MasterFrame2018. The major
advantage of this is that it can represent a very significant reduction of time to analyse in large
MasterFrame models which do not include Finite Elements. However, the Pardiso solver is
significantly more sensitive to ill-conditioning of the stiffness matrix.
Ill-conditioning can arise in matrices where there are large differences in the magnitude of
adjacent stiffness terms. This can lead to a loss of accuracy, due to the floating-point arithmetic
used computers. The degree of ill-conditioning can be described through the use of a condition
number, with a high number representing ill-conditioning. With a large condition number, the
matrix is very sensitive to small changes in the inputs. Such a matrix is effectively singular. In this
case, the set of equations described by the matrix cannot be solved and the analysis cannot
complete. This will result in analysis instabilities.
The standard MasterFrame analysis engine is less sensitive to ill-conditioning of the stiffness matrix
and frame instabilities. Therefore, it is possible to find a model will not analyse with the Pardiso

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solver but will analyse without issue while using the default solver. In general, this is an issue
which is related to the matrix methods utilised within the solvers, rather than an issue which would
indicate an instability in the structure which the MasterFrame model represents.

Include Warping Stiffness in Curved Members

In a standard stiffness matrix, the member torsional stiffness is based on the Saint Venant
torsional constant GJ/L. While this is satisfactory for Bernoulli beams, this will significantly
underestimate the stiffness of a curved open section. Ticking the ‘Include Warping Stiffness in
Curved Members’ will calculate a modified warping stiffness of the member to account for the
warping stiffness. The analysis then utilizes a non-linear iteration to calculate the deformations of
the curved members.
The ‘Include Warping Stiffness in Curved Members’ option is active by default in the software. The
method only applied to curves members, so for a frame with no curved members, the standard
Saint Venant torsional constant will be used for all members. This is a conservative approach.

FE Surface Meshing

The FE surface meshing option provides options which control the mesh used in the Finite Element
Analysis module. The FE mesh has an impact on the accuracy of the results returned from an FE
analysis.
The meshing options can apply globally to all FE surfaces in any model. Other meshing options
apply to particular FE surfaces, or particular points within specific FE surfaces.
If changes are made to the model geometry, the mesh needs to be regenerated. The Analysis>FE
Surface Meshing>Regenerate FE Mesh allows the mesh to be regenerated at any time.
For details of the FE meshing, refer to the Finite Element Analysis chapter of the manual.

Static Analysis

The Static Analysis option allows the user to select from 5 types of static analysis to be carried out
on a model.

The static analysis employs matrix methods to manipulate the stiffness matrix associated with the
MasterFrame model and then solve the equations, using the specified restraint conditions are the
required boundary conditions. From the solution of the equations, the nodal displacements are
obtained. The next stage is to use the nodal displacements in conjunction with the stiffness
matrices for each individual member to obtain the member end forces and rotations. From the end
forces and rotations, the member loading is then used to calculate the bending moment and shear
force distribution in the members.

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On selecting the Static Analysis, the following window presented, form which the analysis is
selected.

The analysis type can be selected by clicking on the appropriate icon at the bottom of the window.
Depending on the type of structure and also the active MasterFrame licenses, some icons may be
shown ‘greyed out’. This indicates that a particular analysis type is not available.
Below the analysis type icons, any licensed based limitation on the number of elements in the type
of static analysis is indicated.

The type of static analyses are as follows: -

Space Frame
The space frame analysis is the most general type of analysis. This is a 3-dimensional analysis,
allowing for model geometry in the x-, y- and z-axes. Similarly, the allowable load directions are
also in the x-, y- and z-axes directions. The model may incorporate pinned, fully fixed or partial
fixity connections. Models may also include non-linear elements, such as tension or compression
only members and spring supports. The space frame analysis also incorporate model with Finite
Element surfaces in the analysis.

Space Truss
The space truss analysis allows for the analysis of a 3-dimensional structure, with the model
arranged in the x-, y- and z-axes and similarly loaded in the x-, y- and z-axes. However, all joints
in a space truss are assumed to be pinned, regardless of the end restraint condition defined in the
model.
In addition to the above conditions on the model, no member loading is considered in the space
truss analysis. All member loads are resolved to give the equivalent end reactions in the members,
and these end reactions are then taken to be nodal loads. Therefore, the space truss is taken
analytically to behave as a pin jointed truss. As a consequence, all members in a space truss will
only be subjected to axial loading, either compressive or tensile. No bending will occur in the
members.

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Plane Frame
The plane frame analysis is applicable for structures which are 2-dimensional structures in the xz
plane only. Only loading in the x and y directions can be considered – loads in the z direction
cannot be accommodated in the plane frame analysis so even for 2-dimensional models, if the
loads are out-of-plane, the Space Frame analysis will be required.
Furthermore, the loads, even if acting in the x- or y- directions, must act in the plane of the frame
itself. This means that eccentric loads, where the eccentricity would shift the loads out of the plane
of the frame, cannot be analysed in a plane frame analysis. Again, in this case, the analysis would
require the use of the Space Frame option.
The plane frame analysis method allows the use of pinned, fixed or partial fixity connections,
where the rotations are about the global z axis.
The plane frame analysis uses 3 degrees of freedom for each node in the model. All members will
therefore remain in the plane. It is not necessary to add restraints in the z-direction, nor in the
theta-x or theta-y directions.

Plane Truss
The Plane Truss analysis is used for analysing pin jointed truss structures. Similar to the plane
frame, the structure must be planar, being located in the xy plane only, and only be loaded in the
xy plane. Unlike the plane frame, however, all members are assumed to be pinned, so they have
no rotational restraint in the theta-z direction.
The loading of a pin-jointed truss is taken to act on the nodes of a frame. In this case, similar to
the space truss, any member loading is resolved into the nodal reactions and then analysed as a
nodal load. While this is satisfactory for small loads, in cases where the local member stresses are
considered to be significant, the plane truss analysis is not satisfactory and either the plane frame
or space frame analysis needs to be used.
Since all members are taken to be pinned for the purposes of the analysis, any end releases or
partial fixities are ignored in the analysis and are not effective.
Similar to the plane frame analysis, loads must act in the same plane as the structure, and so
eccentric loads cannot be analysed in the plane truss analysis.

Grillage
The grillage analysis is used for the analysis of 2-dimensional structures which lie in the zx plane.
The degrees of freedom considered in the grillage are the x- and z-axis, along with the theta-x and
theta-z axes. Only loading considered in the y-axis. Thus, the only loading considered in the
grillage analysis is out-of-plane, vertical loading.
End releases and partial fixities can be applied to any member in the model, but these only related
to the rotations about the theta-z and theta-x directions. Any releases or partial fixities relating to
the theta-y direction will be ignored for the purposes of the analysis.
The grillage analysis will consider eccentrically applied loads where the eccentricity is an offset in
the global x or z directions. The y-axis offset for eccentric loads will not have an effect since it is
not possible to apply loading in the xz plane.

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Of the analysis types available, the most generally applicable is the Space Frame analysis, which
covers the full range of degrees of freedom. The Space Frame can be used for any of the other
types of structure, but the model needs to be analytically stable in all the degrees of freedom.
Therefore, where a model analyses without issue in another analysis type, it may require the use
of additional restraint conditions when analysis my means of the Space Frame analysis type.
Further, since the Space Frame considers all forms of loadings, if member loads are intended to be
applied only to act at the ends of members, it would be necessary to define them as nodal loads in
the Space Frame analysis.

In the Analysis Type and License window, it is possible to tick the checkbox under the suspend
column. The enable specific load cases to be excluded from an analysis. The list of load cases can
be scrolled using the mouse wheel, or by clicking on and dragging the side scroll bar.

Analysis Results
The results of the analysis can be reviewed in the Results section of the software. The analysis
results can be viewed graphically or tabular form. When viewing the results graphically the results
can be viewed for the frame or part of the frame, or for individual members.
For details of the results menu, refer to the Results chapter of the manual.

Possible Analysis errors

The MasterFrame analysis uses methods from linear algebra to solve the system of static
equations represented by the stiffness matrix of the modelled structure. The set of equations
represented by the structure, loads and restrained is given in matrix notation as f = Kd, where f is
the external forces matrix, d is the displacement matric and K is the structural stiffness matrix.
Both f and d are column vectors.
To solve the system of equations, the stiffness matrix must be singular. If the matrix is not
singular, then the system of equations represented by the stiffness is matrix is not stable. When
this occurs, the software is unable to complete the solution of the system of equations and will
return an analysis error.
Analysis errors can occur for a number of reasons and may be related to the type of analysis being
run on a model. The most common errors related to the degrees of freedom in the model,
representing the end releases in a model. Errors of this type are generally reported as relating to
the θx, θy or θz directions. Other errors can relate to the displacement of nodes and are noted as
dx, dy or dz degrees of freedoms. When these types of error occur, the software will also report
the node at which the analysis error relates. It is possible to get a number of degree of freedom
errors at any one node, and analysis errors can occur at multiple nodes.
When an analysis error occurs at a node or nodes, the nodes will be highlighted in red on the
model. It is also possible to search for nodes using the Zoom to Member/Node function.
A typical cause of errors related to rotational degrees of freedom on members meeting at a node.
When a member is released rotationally from a node by the introduction of an end release, the
end of the beam is free to rotate relative to the node. However, it also means the node can rotate
relative to the beam. In the case that all the members concurrent to the node are release
rotationally in at least one direction, then the node will be free to rotate relative to all the

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members. The consequence of this is that the stiffness term for that rotational direction of the
node will be zero, since there is nothing to resist any rotation. The means that the system of
equations will not be able to be solved and so the software will report an analysis instability at the
node. In general, a node needs to be connected laterally and rotationally to at least one member
joining the node.
Under certain circumstances, the software will report an analysis error but will allow the analysis to
proceed based on a 1% fixity to all connections. The 1% fixity will prevent the type of error
discussed above, since all pinned end members and end releases will be replaced by a partial
fixity. The aim of this option is to allow the analysis to complete such that the deflected diagram of
the structure can be viewed by going to Results>Graphic Analysis Results. The deflection results
will help to identify the part or parts of the model which are giving rise the analysis warning. The
aim of the 1% fixity is purely to work as a diagnostic tool, by allowing the deflected shape of the
model to be viewed. If the option to proceed based on a 1% fixity to all released joints is used,
the software will not allow the user to proceed to the Design tools.
Some analysis errors relate specifically to the use of the non-linear analysis, either due to non-
linear elements in the model, or due to the use of the P-delta analysis. In either case, in order to
run a non-linear analysis, the software utilises an iterative analysis method and calculates a
convergence factor at the end of each iteration. If the iteration factor is increasing, this indicates
that rather than converging to an equilibrium position, the structure is continuing to deflect after
each iteration, and is not going to converge to a solution. When running the analysis, the iteration
factor will display at the bottom of the screen. When a non-convergence error occurs on a P-delta
analysis, it is often necessary to remove the P-delta analysis, rerun the analysis and then review
the deflections of the frame to identify potential areas of large deflections which could be
contributing to the problems with the convergence of the analysis. In cases where the non-
convergence is not due to a P-delta analysis, the issue will be related to the non-linear elements in
the frame. The non-convergence may be related to the deflection of the model under particular
load cases, and it may be necessary to review the section sizes of elements such as bracing
elements.

Dynamic Analysis

In additional to the static analysis, the MasterFrame Dynamic module allows a dynamic analysis to
be carried out as part of the vibration design for floor and stair structures. The Seismic Design
module is also accessed through the Dynamic Analysis.
To access the Dynamic Design features, go to Analysis>Dynamic Analysis.
For information on the dynamic analysis, refer to the Dynamic Chapter of the manual.

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Results - Viewing & Printing

Introduction

Once you have generated and analysed the frame, you can:
 View and print the data;
 Print the frame geometry;
 View and print tabular analysis output;
 View and print shear, bending and deflected shapes diagrams and envelopes for the whole
frames, part of the frame or individual members; and
 Design or validate your frame.

In this chapter, we shall look at all the different output you can obtain.
 Output Devices
 Data Files
 Screen Graphics
 Tabular Analysis Results
 Graphical Analysis Results

Not included this chapter

 Finite Element Results - See MasterFrame Finite Elements chapter
 Dynamic Results – See MasterFrame Dynamic Analysis chapter
 Seismic Results – See MasterFrame Dynamic Analysis chapter

Output Devices

You can output your input and output to:

 Any installed Windows Printer
 The MasterSeries PDF Writer
 Any installed PDF Writer
 Microsoft Word (requires PowerPad or MasterSeries Office Tools)

In the printing of the Data File, we shall review the different Output Devices.

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Data Files

Your MasterFrame input file is in stored in a format that is friendly to computers but is not very
legible. Thus, we have a dedicated option to view & print your data file.
From the menu, you select Report > View/Print Frame Data

A typical Data File is displayed below.

The contents will vary depending on your licenced modules, the options you have used in the
frame and the Display Options and Print Options selected.

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Play around with the different options and your display will automatically update to reflect your
choice. As you select options, the total number of lines to be printed is shown to the right of the
Print Options title.

You can reduce the number of lines/pages using the following settings.

List per Group – Members with the same section will be bundled together. Members with the
same loading will be bundled together.
Don’t Include Properties (A, IX...) just the section size is shown. E.g. 457x153 UB 52 [S355]
Select to Minimize output (2 loads per line)
As well as viewing the Data File we can also print it.

Exporting to Word
Exporting to Word requires PowerPad or MasterSeries Office Tools. If you don't have either of
these, the option will be greyed out.
Click on Export to Word.
1. A dialogue appears saying Starting Word.
2. Click OK.
3. The MasterSeries will load Word, and select the correct template file
4. The Word document will minimise (don't panic)
5. The exporting will start
6. One or more progress screens will appear

7. When the exporting is finished, Word will reappear.

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Printing
We can print to any Windows printer or to a PDF file. These are both activated by clicking on the
Print button. This displays our Printer dialogue.
If you are printing to a PDF writer, you must check the PDF checkbox as highlighted opposite.
This is so the MasterSeries does not close the PDF document.

Only when you have finished all your PDF printing, do you click on the small printer in the status
bar at the very bottom of the screen. This finalises the pdf file and sends it to your PDF writer.

The printer dialogue also allows you input Job & Sheet information together with Page numbers
and who Made the calculations.
You can change the document size and orientation through the Edit button. For PDF files you can
keep switching orientation between pages. This means that one PDF document could have the
Data file in Portrait with Graphics Landscape and the design results Portrait again.

Screen Graphics

In most areas of MasterFrame, you are able to print the current screen graphics. On any screen,
right mouse button click and select Print Graphics from the pop up menu.
This will pop up a virtual page, where you can zoom, Pan & rotate your frame. You still have
access to the top toolbar to Tweak the screen. When happy, click the Printer button to print.
In the main MasterFrame interface you can also select Print Current Frame Graphics from the
Report menu.
If you wish to print to Word then select Export to Word Current Frame Graphics from the
Report menu. Exporting to Word does NOT allow you to Zoom, Pan or otherwise Tweak the view.

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Tabular Analysis Results

MasterFrame has powerful reporting tools for viewing & printing the numerical results. These are
the Member Forces, Member & Nodal Deflections and Support Reactions.
From Results menu select Tabular Analysis Results.
Note: If required, the Analyse dialogue will be displayed for you to Analyse the frame.

Below the results table are four option panels to allow you to select the results to display.

Viewing
Here you select the Results Table you wish to view.

Support Reactions also gives you the total reactions in each direction for the whole frame. This
is a good check on your applied loads.

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Member Forces gives you the Axial, Shear, Bending & Torsion at each end of the member,
together with the Maximum in-span Moment and Deflection. Theses in-span values are at the
maximum point and not (necessarily) the mid-point.

Note: Member Deflection is the in-span deflection, relative to the displaced nodes. This means a
tenth floor beam member deflection is approximately the same as the first floor beam, if they have
the same span, section & loading. The member below has an in-span deflection of only 6.52 mm
(14.42 – (8.22+7.59)/2 = 6.52 mm).

This is the value you would use to check the beam against L/360 deflection limits.

The List Per panel allows you to list per Loading Case (the norm) or list per Node/Member

The Node/Member option is great for viewing all the loading cases per node or member.

Filtering
This panel allows you to select the loading case to view. If you are using List per Node/Member,
then here you can select all the cases you wish to see.

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The defaults are:-
Nodal deflections – Service Cases
Support Reactions – Service Cases
Member Forces – Ultimate Cases

Printing Tabular Results

To print the tabular results, enter the viewing of Tabular Results area as described in the previous
section. Then select the Print Tabular Output option from the menu.

Printing of output is best handled in the following sequence

1. Select the Nodal Deflections Tab (1)

2. In the Nodal Selection Panel (5) select the nodes you want to print
a. Use the All or None buttons or if you set up Nodal groups then use the drop list.
b. To select a selected set of nodes, press the None button and then graphically pick
your nodes
3. In the Case Selection Panel select the cases to Print the nodal deflections for. To use
Selected Cases option you need to hold down the Ctrl key to select multiple cases.

4. Now select the Member Forces Tab (2)

5. In the Member Selection Panel (5) select the members you want printed
6. Again, In the Case Selection Panel select the cases to Print the Member Forces for.

7. Now select the Support Reactions Tab (3)

8. In the Support Selection Panel (5) select the nodes you want printed
9. Again, In the Case Selection Panel select the cases to Print the Support reactions for.

Now choose your output device.

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Member Stresses

Member stresses is of limited use as it only examines the “direct stresses”.

It finds the maximum
 Mx Major Axis Moment along the member
 My Minor Axis Moment along the member
 F Axial Load along the member.
It Ignores
 Vx Shear
 Vy Shear
 Tz Torsion
Then using the Area, Zx & Zy properties of each member it returns the maximum & minimum
stresses in the member fmax & fmin.
The fact that Mx, My & F may not occur at the same time is ignored.

or

Filtering at the bottom is similar to the view & print Tabular output.
The Display Options panel allows you to select whether to display the Area, Zx & Zy or basic
stresses fa, fx, fy as shown in the 2 tables above.
Note: these stresses take no account of Axial & Lateral Torsional buckling.

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Internal Member Forces

Internal member forces allow you to view the Axial, Shear and Bending Forces on a member at
different distances along the member.
Note: Torsion is ignored.

The above member is set for forces at 3 intervals (4 values). However, MasterFrame also gives
values each side of each external load. Thus, we have values at 2.1 m and 2.101 m.
Filtering at the bottom is similar to the view & print Tabular output.

Graphical Analysis Results

MasterFrame has powerful reporting tools for viewing & printing the graphical results.
Noter: In this chapter, we are concerned with MasterFrame and MasterFrame Pro Line Elements.
For Finite Element Shell Elements, please refer to the finite element chapter.

The screen is split into 4 different settings areas.

 Graphic Type

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  Axis & Values
 Scale and Shading &
 Loading case

For each Graphic Type, the Axis, Values and Scales change as follows

Geometry/Axial
Show Values displays the Axial Force in each member in kN. For sloping members, you get 2
values. One for each end.

End values are written away from the end of the member to avoid clashing with other members
and values.

Shear Force
Show Values displays the Shear Force at each end of the member in kN.
The diagram is drawn as a scale in m. So, a 75 kN shear would be drawn 1.5 m high at a scale of
50 kN per metre.
Intervals sets the number of intervals the diagram is drawn at and is measured in meters.
MasterFrame will also add extra interval points at distinct changes in loading.

Torsion
Show Values displays the Torsion at each end of the member in kNm.
Scale is X kNm per metre.

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Bending Moment
Show Values displays the Bending Moment at each end of the member in kNm. Where there
is an in-span peak moment this value is also given, but it’s value is written at the centre of the
span, irrespective of its location.

Deflected Shape
Displays the deflected shape with the deflections magnified.
No values can be displayed.

Deflected + Geom
This is much more flexible than the Deflected Shape option.
There are 2 types of deflection values.
1. Nodal deflection
2. In-Span deflection

Nodal deflection is easy to understand. It is the global deflection of the node. The nodal deflection
increases on the middle column as you move up, floor by floor. This is due to the columns
compressing.

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The highlighted in-span deflections do not change much as they are a measure of the curvature of
the beam. On the fourth floor, the beam is not worried that the two columns have compressed 19
mm, only that the beam gives 14.7 mm of in span deflection. This is the value you use for your
span/360 deflection check.

Cantilevers.
In cantilevers we need to know, not the in-span deflection, but the differential deflection between
the 2 ends. Thus, the option to show differential deflections.
Tip. If you set Magnification to 1 or 2 and see large displacements then you might have a problem.

Member diagrams
The Member Diagrams button allows you to view all the forces on a single member.

The third span, fourth floor beam gives you the values above.
Note the deflection is now the global deflection 33.08 mm = 14.7 + (19.62+18.27)/2 = 33.65 mm
approximately. The discrepancy is because the maximum in-span is not at the mid-point.

Printing Graphical results.

This is very similar to Tabular Results except you can change scales, zoom & pan in the preview.

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Design Menu

The Design menu gives access to several items relating to the design of the members within a
MasterFrame model. These include which design codes to use, creating member design groups so
that several members can all be designed to one set of criteria, column splice locations and beam
eccentricities, design briefs management and access to the material design modules.

Design Codes

The particular design code you wish to use can be selected from the Design Codes list. These
currently include British Standard, EuroCode and South African codes. By selecting a particular
code, the load combinations will be set up using this code’s load factors and combinations. Other
criteria specific to the chosen code will be available in the analysis and design modules. You can
switch between design codes whilst in the MasterFrame model to see what effect the different
codes will have on your frame.
If you are using the EuroCode, you can also switch between National Annexes. There is a default
NA and a UK NA built into the MasterSeries. You can add new or alter existing National Annexes in
the Customisation area of MasterSeries.

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Design Groups (Pro)

The Design Groups enables you to set up groups of members that will have the same design
parameters. Therefore, they can be designed using the same data or section size common to all
members in the group.
The groups screens all use common tools;

Allows you to add or remove items

Find panels

Add a new group

Clear current group / clear all groups

Delete current group / delete all groups

Composite Beam to Slab Construction Type Member Groups (Pro)

In the Levels and Global Data table the floor levels and the construction type for each level can be
set. In the instances where this has been set to composite construction, it may be that not all the
beams on that particular level are going to be composite construction. Therefore, groups of beams
that are to be of different construction than their level default can be placed in a group and the
type of construction changed to suit.

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Steel Member Design Groups (Pro)

Design groups can be used to:

a) Define a common set of design parameters for a group of members
b) Specify that a group of members must be designed to have the same section size
Although not essential, design groups are recommended since they allow a more controllable and
rational design to be achieved, particularly when allowing the steel or composite design programs
to perform an automatic design.
To define a steel or composite design group:
1. Go to Design > Steel Member Design Groups
2. Enter a group name in the drop list, for example, Edge Beams
3. From the design group type dropdown list, select the appropriate design brief type
4. Enter the common design parameters, i.e. effective lengths, deflection criteria, maximum
depth, minimum depth, restraint portion spacing, etc
5. Check the “Change data for Whole Group” to employ the design parameters entered for all
members in this group
6. Check “Change Section for Whole Group” if you wish all members in this group to have
exactly the same size
7. Select the members to be included in this group

The design brief types include;

a) Axial with Moments – ideal for beams and columns with moments, shear and axial loads
applied. The effective length ratio can be defined, nominal moments switched on,
deflection limits, min and max depth parameters and portion lengths between lateral
restraints, etc applied. These will be used in the design of this particular group of
members.
b) Axial with Moments + Appendix G (Annex BB in EC) – as above but also including the
Appendix G check for torsional stability of the unrestrained compression flange.
c) Columns in Simple Construction – useful for columns that have no bending within their
length except nominal moments.
d) Strut and Tie – useful for diagonal bracing, etc where only axial tension or compression
forces are being considered.
e) Composite Beam – applied to members which are to be compositely designed. Deflection
limits and min and max depth parameters can be set and are particularly useful in
automatic design of composite beams.

The deflection limit value entered is generally the span over the value that’s used for live load only
service deflections, eg, L/360. More intelligently, when a value between 1 and 20 is entered, a
deflection limit pattern is used.

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Deflection limit patterns are defined inside the Steel and Composite Beam Design programs from
the MasterFrame menu. Deflection limit patterns allow different “span over” values to be used for
different combinations of serviceability cases.
In addition to this absolute millimetre deflection limits can also be set in this area. For example,
entering “360; 10” in row two under the Live column means that for deflection limit pattern
number 2, live load only deflections will be checked against span/360 and also against an absolute
deflection of 10.0 mm.

Steel Connections Design Groups (Pro)

Similar to the design group sets above, you can create groups of connections where each group
will be designed to use the exact same connection layout for all joints in that group. Thus,
connection fabrication costs can be kept to a minimum. The forces and moments from all the

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ultimate load cases for all the members within the group will be examined together and the
optimum solution produced that suits all the criteria.
To define a connections design group:
1. Go to Design > Steel Connections Design Groups
2. Enter a group name in the drop list, for example, Eaves Joints along Grid Line A
3. From the connection type drop down list, select the appropriate connection type
4. Select the members to be included in this group
5. Add new groups as required
Note that all selected member ends in a group must have the same geometry and section sizes.
You can also reduce the number of duplicate loadcase force sets by setting difference values.
Connection types include;
a) Moment : Beam to Column including eaves type
b) Moment : Beam to Beam including apex type
c) Moment : Base Plate
d) Moment : Beam, Column or Hollow Splices
e) Simple : Beam to Column Flexible End Plate, Fin Plate or Cleat
f) Simple : Beam to Beam Flexible End Plate, Fin Plate or Cleat

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Column Splices

This area allows you to consider column splice locations by specifying which columns on a column
run will be the same section size. This is achieved by defining Drafting Super Members.
A drafting super member allows independent design checks to be added to the individual
members. However, the section size of all the parts of the drafting super members are made the
same in the MasterKey Steel Design program.
Also, during any automatic design, the most critical member of the drafting super member is
selected and will determine the section size for all other parts of the drafting super member.
When the Column Splices option is selected from the menu, the program automatically turns on
the vertical member filter and places the structure in front elevation. At this point the column lifts
in the structure that are to be the section can be windowed. This produces the individual drafting
super members, from each of the straight runs of members included in the selection.

Beam Eccentricities (Pro)

MasterFrame uses an analytical model based on the centreline of members, so normally the
centreline of a beam would line up with the centreline of a column. Therefore, no eccentricities are
automatically considered. It should be noted however, that in steel design there is an option to
consider nominal moments in the Axial with Moments design check and in the columns in Simple
Construction check. Hence it is not necessary to set all the beams as having offsets, just those that
have an offset outside the normal 100mm off the flange or web of the columns.
If a beam is offset from the centreline of the column to which it is attached then you can select
that beam and specify the offset both in the direction of the beam and laterally perpendicular to
the beam. The beam can be aligned laterally to the centreline of the column or to the edge of the
flange. An additional offset dimension can be added.
The other end (End 2) of the beam can be offset to different dimensions if required otherwise it is
assumed both ends are offset by the same amount.

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Design Modules

Once a frame has been analysed you can design the frame members according to their material.
The program will carry the moments, shears and axial forces and deflections from the analysis
seamlessly into the design modules so you can accurately design the building. If you select a
design module and the frame hasn’t yet been analysed or needs to be reanalysed after a change
has been made in the model, you will be prompted to analyse it after which it will carry on through
into the design module. Each set of materials can be designed in turn from the same model.
Design modules include steel member design, composite deck steel beam member design, steel
connection design, concrete beam, column and pad design and timber member design.
If members are sized or resized in the design modules, the frame should subsequently be
reanalysed and the members checked that they are still satisfactory.

Manage Design Briefs

You can delete all design briefs for each material used if you need to clear them. With the steel
design briefs, you can also sort the order of the briefs. In the ‘sort’ list, select a brief and drag into
the new position in the list. The list should be saved after making alterations.

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BIM

Revit – Uni-Directional Links

Exporting a Uni-Directional File from MasterSeries

1. With your MasterSeries file open, from the top tool bar go to: BIM Exchange > Revit
Exchange > MasterSeries Revit Link Manager
2. Click on “Uni-Directional Exchange” from the top tabs
3. Click “Export to Stand Alone Exchange File”
4. In the dialog that opens, click the Browse button and navigate to your desired folder
5. Provide a name for the file, and click the Save button
6. Click the Export MSR button

Importing a Uni-Directional File to Revit

1. Open Revit and create a new project
2. Save the file
3. Select the Add-ins item from the ribbon bar
4. Click on the MasterSeries Revit Link Manager icon
5. In the manager, select “Uni-Directional Exchange” from the top tabs
6. Click “Create New Model from Stand Alone Exchange File”
7. Browse to the location of your uni-directional file (with file extension MSR), select it and
click open

Exporting a Uni-Directional File from Revit

1. From within your Revit project, select the Add-ins item from the ribbon bar
2. Follow steps 3 – 8 in Exporting a Uni-Directional File from MasterSeries

Importing a Uni-Directional File to MasterSeries

1. Start MasterSeries
2. From the start-up screen, click the Frames item from the top menu bar
3. In the list of dropdown items go to Import a File, and click “Import from MasterSeries Revit
Link Manager”
4. Follow steps 4 – 7 in Importing a Uni-Directional File to Revit

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Revit – Bi-Directional Links

Exporting a Bi-Directional File from MasterSeries

1. With your MasterSeries file open, from the top tool bar go to: BIM Exchange > Revit
Exchange > MasterSeries Revit Link Manager
2. Click on “Bi-Directional Exchange” from the top tabs
3. Click the Create New Link button
4. In the dialog that opens, click the Browse button and navigate to your desired folder
5. Provide a name for the file, and click the Save button
6. Click Submit Changes to Link
7. Select Yes or No when prompted if you’d like to export the analysis results

Importing a Bi-Directional File to Revit

1. Open Revit and create a new project
2. Save the file
3. Select the Add-ins item from the ribbon bar
4. Click on the MasterSeries Revit Link Manager icon
5. In the manager, select “Bi-Directional Exchange” from the top tabs
6. Click the Connect to Exiting Link button
7. Browse to the location of the bi-directional link file (with file extension MRLnK), select it
and click open
8. Click the Create New Model from Link button

Submitting Changes to a Bi-Directional Link

1. Open the Revit Link Manager in either MasterSeries or Revit
2. Under the Bi-Direction Exchange tab, click the Submit Changes to Link button

Updating a Model from a Bi-Directional Link

1. Open the Revit Link Manager in either MasterSeries or Revit
2. Under the Bi-Direction Exchange tab, click the Update Model from Link button
a. At this point you can review the changes and determine which changes you want to
import
3. When you’re happy with the changes, click OK to update the model

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Notes on Bi-Directional Links
It can be very easy to break the bi-directional line. For example, if you rename a file and attempt
to re-link it with an existing model, this won’t work as the MRLnK file has no version history
associated with the new file, and as such has no idea which members map to which.

To ensure mapping between models in Revit and MasterSeries remains consistent, we recommend
you submit changes to the link frequently. This will reduce the risk of the models diverging from
one another.

Revit – Section Mapping Database

Interoperability between MasterSeries and Revit sections is handled through a database that maps
the sections based on:

 Whether they’re a column or framing element

 Material type – namely steel, concrete or timber
 The section type, for example UB, UC, IPN, IPE etc
 The section form, for example I-Sections, CHS, RHS, ASB etc

The MasterSeries Revit Link Manager ships with two databases for handling section mapping:

 User Sections Database – used for storing details of custom Revit Families
 MasterSeries Sections Database – used for storing details of Revit’s default Families

The User Sections Database can be added to and edited. However, the MasterSeries Sections
Database is read-only and cannot be edited.

Opening the Revit Link Manager

1. With your Revit project open, select the Add-ins item from the ribbon bar
2. Click on the MasterSeries Revit Link Manager icon

Opening the Revit Section Mapping Database

1. Open the Revit Link Manager
2. At the bottom of the dialog, click the Open Database button

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Switching Between User and MasterSeries Databases
To switch between the User Sections Database and the MasterSeries Sections Database:

1. Open the Revit Section Mapping Database

2. From the top of the window, use the dropdown to switch between the available databases
a. Note that to enable editing of the User Sections tab you will need to have selected
the User Sections Database from the drop down

Adding Support for Custom Revit Families

If you wish to export/import custom Revit Families, you’ll need to add a record for each family in
the Revit Section Mapping Database. To do this:

1. Open the Revit Section Mapping Database

2. Ensure that the database is set to “User Sections Database” using the dropdown from the
top of the window
3. Select the tab that corresponds to the material of your custom Revit Family
4. Select the tab which corresponds to the section form
5. Click the Add button in the top tool bar
6. Enter the Revit Family Name, Path and corresponding parameter values
7. Click the Save button

Specifying a Custom Revit Family Library Location

If you’re not using the default library location from Revit to store your custom family files, you’ll
need to specify it. To do this:

1. Open the Revit Section Mapping Database

2. Ensure that the database is set to “User Sections Database” using the dropdown from the
top of the window
3. At the bottom of the window, click the Browse button
4. Navigate to and select the folder where your custom Revit Family files are stored
5. Click OK

Referencing a Custom Revit Family Library Location in the Database

If you’ve specified a non-default location for custom Revit Family files, you can reference them in
database section records:

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 1. Open the Revit Section Mapping Database
2. Ensure that the database is set to “User Sections Database” using the dropdown from the
top of the window
3. In the database record that refers to a custom Revit Family, set the Path value to “[UDP]”
a. [UDP] is a short code for User Defined Path
4. Click the Save button

Revit – Direct Mapping Database

In addition to the User Sections Database and the MasterSeries Sections Database, there is
another called the User Section Direct Mapping Database.

This database is used to map custom user sections defined in MasterSeries with Revit Families.
Because these sections don’t have parameters such as a height and width, the only way to map
them with a Revit Family is to explicitly state which family the section belongs to.

Viewing the User Section Direct Mapping Records

1. Open the MasterSeries Revit Link Manager
2. Click the User Sections tab that follows the three main material tabs

Adding a Record to the User Section Direct Mapping Database

1. Open User Section Direct Mapping area
2. Ensure that the database is set to “User Sections Database” using the dropdown from the
top of the window
3. Click the Add button in the top tool bar
4. Enter the section number associated with the user section in MasterSeries
a. This is the “No” column in the open library of user sections in MasterSeries
5. Enter the MasterSeries Section Name
a. This is the “Name” column in the open library of user sections in MasterSeries
6. Click the Open Folder button next to the Path textbox, in the dialog the opens
7. Navigate to the Revit Family file location, select it and click Open
8. The Revit Family Name textbox should automatically be populated after setting the path
a. If it isn’t, type the Family Name into the textbox
9. Click the Open Folder button next to the Revit Family Symbol textbox
10. Select the section size from the list of available family symbols

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 11. Click the Save button

Revit – Default Sections

When carrying out a uni-directional or bi-directional link, your structural elements may match any
number of section types. The link attempts to match sections based on a number of factors, and if
a Revit Family meets those criteria, it will apply that family to the structural element. However, this
may not be your first choice of sections. To avoid the application of unwanted sections, you can
set up default sections.

When determining which section is applied, MasterSeries Revit Link Manager evaluates sections in
the following order of precedence:

1. Custom Revit Families in the User Sections Database marked as default sections
2. Custom Revit Families in the User Sections Database
3. Revit Families in the MasterSeries Sections Database marked as default sections
4. Revit Families in the MasterSeries Sections Database

Default sections are associated with a year version of Revit. This allows you to have several default
sections with the same material, section form, element type, and section. When selecting a year
version of Revit for a default section, you’re telling the software that “this default section is
available for use in Revit 2017 onwards”. Hence, if a default section is marked as being available
from 2018 onwards and you’re using Revit 2016 the default section will not be applied.

MasterSeries Revit Link Manager ships with a series of sections set as defaults, however you can
add and remove default sections as you see fit.

Opening the Section Defaults

1. Open the Revit Section Mapping Database
2. From the top of the window, click the Edit Default Sections

Adding a Default Section

1. Open the Section Defaults area
2. Filter the list of available sections using the dropdowns along the top of the dialog
a. You can filter according to material, section form, element type (framing or column)
and section type
3. With your filtering selections made, check the section in the list that you want to set as a
default

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 4. In the dialog that opens, select the year from which this Revit Family was available from
5. Click the OK button

Your changes will have been saved automatically.

Removing a Default Section

1. Open the Section Defaults area
2. Filter the list of available sections using the dropdowns along the top of the dialog
a. You can filter according to material, section form, element type (framing or column)
and section type
3. With your filtering selections made, uncheck the default section in the list

Your changes will have been saved automatically.

Revit – Database Connection Settings

You can modify where your MasterSeries Revit Link Manager databases are hosted. By default,
they’ll be hosted locally on your computer, however you can host them in a shared location that’s
accessible to a network.

Hosting the databases in a shared location will ensure changes are ubiquitous across your
organization (provided that each users MasterSeries Revit Link Manager points to the shared
location).

Database Names and Location

There are four databases that ship with the MasterSeries Revit Link Manager. Upon installation,
the databases will be located in C:\ProgramData\MasterSeries\RevitAddin and are named as
follows:

 Default Sections Database.mdf

 MasterSeries Section Mapping Database.mdf
 User Section Mapping Database.mdf
 User Section Direct Mapping Database.mdf

Note: The Program Data directory is hidden by default. You may have to change your computer
settings to unhide it. Alternatively, you can type in the directory location at the top of a Windows
Explorer window.

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Attaching a Database
When attaching the distributed databases to your own SQL Server instance, you’ll need to name
the appropriately for the software to connect to them. The database file name’s and their attached
database names have been listed below.

Database File Name Attached Database Name

Default Sections Database DefaultRevit

MasterSeries Section Mapping Database MsRevit

User Section Mapping Database UserRevit

User Section Direct Mapping Database DirectRevit

Hosting the Databases in a Shared Location

1. Open the MasterSeries Revit Link Manager
2. Click the Database Connection Settings button from the bottom of the window
3. Select Shared SQL Server Database
4. Enter the SQL Server Instance into the textbox that appears
a. By default, integrated security will be used
5. If you are not using integrated security, uncheck the Use Integrated Security box
6. Enter a user ID and the password required to access the SQL Server instance
7. Click Save

MasterCAD and DXF Output

MasterCAD is primarily used to set up and export 2D and 3D models to 3rd party systems. The
export/import features of MasterCAD focus on geometry, section sizes, and orientation. Using
MasterCAD you can export models to the following software:

 AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

 MasterSteel
 MultiSteel
 StruCAD
 XSteel
 3D+

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Opening MasterCAD
1. With your MasterSeries file open, from the top tool bar go to: BIM Exchange > MasterCAD:
GA Drawings and Solid CAD Model

Exporting a 2D Drawing to DXF

1. With MasterCAD open, from the top tool bar to go: Export 2D > GA Drawing as DXF File

You will be presented with a dialog that allows you the set up the export’s output. It contains two
tabs: Page Setup and Page Layout. See each section for the individual steps involved in their set
up.

Editing the 2D Drawing Page Setup

1. Select the view(s) you want to display in the DXF output by clicking the list of Selected
Views from the right-hand-side of the dialog
a. You can make use of the “All”, “Selected” and “Current” radio buttons at the bottom
of the Selected Views area to quickly filter your selection
2. Fill out the details for your Title block
a. You can enter a client name, architect, job details, drawing details and a drawing
number (none of these required are required items for exporting purposes)
3. Under the Text Styles & Settings area, use the Style dropdown to apply your chosen
settings for Title, Labels and Dimensions

For each item you will have access to:

 Font
 Height: the height of the text item in mm and its ratio to the width
 Colour by Layer: the text item will match the layer colour
 Omit Default Grades: leave out the grade in a section size that has a default grade applied
 Omit Spacing from Labels: leave out the spacing between members
 Text Case: choose between sentence case, upper and lower case

4. Under the Global Drafting area, apply a line style for stick lines and cross-sections
a. These settings can be saved by clicking the Save button below the Global Drafting
area
b. To reload saved settings, simply click the Load Settings button
5. At the bottom of the dialog, click the Browse button
6. Navigate to the directory you want to save the DXF output to
7. Provide a name for the file and click open

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Editing the 2D Drawing Page Layout
The Page Layout screen is an interactive dialog that allows you to modify and position drawing
elements prior to their output. The Page Layout will provide you with an indication of the size and
location of each drawing component. There will be one drawing component for each view that has
been selected in the Page Setup.

1. Set the page size from the bottom left-hand dropdown

a. You can output both single pages and drawings that run over a series of pages
2. Set the scale for the drawings using the Dwg Scale dropdown
3. Apply a Title Block
a. The No File setting means no title block will be drawn
4. Apply a Layering Table
5. Enter the page margins for the left, top, right and bottom in mm
6. Click and drag each drawing component into position

Auto Scaling and Locating All Drawing Components

As a starting point to laying out your DXF output, you can make use of the Auto Scale and Auto
Locate buttons found at the top right-hand-side of the Page Layout screen. After this you can
customize the scale and location of drawing components if required.

Individual Drawing Component Options

You can apply a number of settings to each drawing component in the Page Layout using the
right-hand-side options.

1. Click on the drawing component you want to edit

2. Under the Active Object heading, set the scale and line style from the dropdowns
3. Select the items you wish to be displayed in the output of the drawing component, you
have a choice of:
a. Visible: hide/show the component
b. Grid Lines: hide/show grid lines in the component
c. Centre Lines: hide/show centre lines in the component
d. Sections: hide/show members that are sections in the component
i. You can filter this to near (above) and/or far (below) members
ii. When in plan use the Far setting except when at ground level – in this case
you should be using near (above)
e. Dimensions: hide/show dimensions in the component
4. Under the Labels tab, set the selected output for Member Labels

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 5. Under the Forces tab, select the selected output for forces present in the drawing
component
a. There are four items required for displaying forces: type of force, limit state,
members to print forces on and value filters
b. The maximum moment, shear force, and axial load will be displayed on the ends of
a member
c. The limit state will be set to Ultimate Limit State by default
d. Member types include beams, columns, inclined and at supports
e. Filtering force values can be applied by separating items with a “;”, for example
“5;75;25;10” corresponds to a moment of 5kNm or greater, shear of 75kN or
greater, axial of 25kN or greater, and all forces being rounded up to the nearest
10kN
6. Click the Export button to export the DXF file

Global Options
Three additional items are available from the bottom right-hand-side of the Page Layout. They are:
 Border: choose whether to draw the page border or not
 Landscape: set the page to landscape or portrait
 Load AutoCAD: automatically load the file in AutoCAD after exporting

What to Do If Your Export Text is Too Big

If your text is too big it’s an indication that your drawing or drawing component scale is too large.
For example, if you have a member that is 5000 mm long and is drawn at a scale of 1:250 scale
with 2.5 mm high text, then the text will be 250 x 2.5 = 625 mm high. We suggest that you limit
your scales to between 1:20 and 1:150 for best results.

Exporting a 3D Model
MasterCAD can be used to export 3D models to a variety of 3rd party applications. There are two
main systems, which it exports to:

 3D DXF: exports DXF surfaces that can be imported to AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, along
with any other application that allows importing of DXF format
 3D Script: exports the 3D model as a script file
o This can be read by AutoCAD only (i.e. not AutoCAD LT) as it creates extruded and
truncated solid objects

Exporting a 3D DXF Model to AutoCAD

1. With MasterCAD open, from the top tool bar to go: Export 3D > DXF File (Surfaces)

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 2. Select the profile type you want to export
a. Full Profile: full thickness sections – an I-section would have 12 surfaces
b. Outline: zero thickness sections – an I-section would have 3 surfaces
c. Wireframe: draws each member as a single line
3. If you want to automatically load AutoCAD after exporting, check the Start AutoCAD box
4. If you want each line to be coloured according to its layer information, check the Colour by
Layer box
5. Click the Browse button and navigate to the directory where you want to save the file
6. Enter a name for the DXF file
7. Click Open
8. Apply a Layering table from the dropdown
9. Click Export

Exporting a 3D Script Model to AutoCAD

1. With MasterCAD open, from the top tool bar to go: Export 3D > DXF File (Surfaces)
2. If you want to automatically load AutoCAD after exporting, check the Start AutoCAD box
3. If you want to delete the automatically generated guidelines for extruded solids, check the
Delete Guide box
4. If you want to shade the model using gouraud and edge shading, check the Shade
Members box
5. Click the Browse button and navigate to the directory where you want to save the file
6. Enter a name for the script file
7. Click Open
8. Apply a Layering table from the dropdown
9. Click Export

IFC

IFC has many different types for representing shapes. For interacting with MasterSeries, only a
selection of these types is required. They are:

 IfcBuildingStorey: used to define levels in MasterSeries

 IfcBeam: used to define beam elements in MasterSeries

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  IfcColumn: used to define column elements in MasterSeries
 IfcMember: used to define a general member in MasterSeries

IfcBeam, IfcColumn and IfcMember are all one-dimensional line elements which must be
represented as an IfcExtrudedAreaSolid. An IfcExtrudedAreaSolid is defined as a line that runs
between two points, and has a profile extruded over its length to create the 3D representation.

The following table outlines compatible profile definitions used with MasterSeries and an example
section type based on the profile.

IfcProfileDef Name Example Section Type

IfcRectangleProfileDef Solid rectangular bar
IfcIShapeProfileDef UBs, UCs
IfcUShapeProfileDef Channels
IfcLShapeProfileDef Angles
IfcTShapeProfileDef T-Sections
IfcCircleHollowProfileDef CHSs
IfcCircleProfileDef Solid circular bar
IfcRectangleHollowProfileDef RHSs

MasterSeries also makes use of two, two-dimensional elements. They are:

 IfcSlab, and
 IfcWall
Both of these types are represented as finite element surfaces when imported to MasterFrame.

Limitations
It’s possible to have an IFC model that looks correct when viewed through an IFC viewer but won’t
import correctly to MasterFrame. This is usually due to how the IFC model has been created –
there are many ways to create three-dimensional shapes and representations of structural
elements in IFC, however not all of them contain the data required to create a real structural
element.

The most common breach of this is when an IFC model uses an IfcFacetedBrep to represent
structural elements. An element made with an IfcFacetedBrep is simply composed from a series of
surfaces i.e. it has no profile definition. This makes it impossible for MasterFrame to determine
what type of section the element is.

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If possible, when creating the IFC file you should opt to form elements using the
IfcExtrudedAreaSolid class, which is composed of an IfcProfileDef and an IfcDirection (a section
profile which is extruded along a length defined by two points in space).

MasterFrame adheres to IFC 2x3 Coordination View, version 2.0. This is a specification that aims to
handle the coordination between architectural, mechanical and structural representations. For
more information, visit the Building Smart website.

Importing an IFC Model

1. From the MasterSeries start-up screen, go to Frame > Import from File > Import from IFC
2x3
2. Using the MasterFrame Import File dialog, navigate to your IFC file, and click Open
3. At this point you will be presented with the IFC 2x3 File Import dialog, which has a variety
of options that allow you to tailor your import:

 Import Slabs as Finite Element Surfaces: If you want slabs defined in IFC model to be
imported as FE surfaces, check this box
 Import Walls as Finite Element Surfaces: If you want walls defined in the IFC model
to be imported as FE surfaces, check this box
 Retain Y Coordinates: This will use the IFC models vertical offset and apply it to the
model created in MasterSeries (as opposed to zeroing the level)
 Additional Y Coordinate Offset: If you want to modify the vertical offset by a specific
amount, you can do so by providing a value (mm)
 Ignore Plates with an Aspect Ratio Less Than: To avoid importing items that may be
inaccurately represented by one of the four compatible MasterSeries IFC types, you can
apply an aspect ratio to filter out bogus elements
o For example, an IFC model could have a steel end plate that was modelled using
the IFC column type, but we don’t want to import the end plate as a column, and
therefore specify a minimum aspect ratio
 IfcDiscreteAccessory: accessories included or added to elements will be included in the
import process
 Auto Connect Geometry: IFC models are based purely on physical elements, where each
element is typically drawn short of another – there is no consideration for the structural
analytical model
o To combat this, you can attempt to automatically connect the elements by checking
this box and specifying an end extension
o MasterFrame will make use of clash detection between elements to help determine
a suitable structural model
o To check the structural validity of your model prior to auto-connection, you can
import it with this setting unchecked

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  End Cropping: the distance to extend the physical elements by for the purposes of clash
detection and automatically connecting geometry

4. After setting your import options, select the type of MasterSeries file to create on import
using the File Type Created dropdown
a. You have a choice of MasterFrame, MasterPort and FlatSlab
5. Click the Browse button and navigate to the directory in which you want to save your file
6. Provide a name for the MasterSeries file and click Open
7. Click the Extract button to being the import process
8. If you want to view the model immediately, once the extraction of the file is complete, click
the Load File button to view the imported file

Exporting an IFC Model

1. With your MasterFrame model open, from the top menu bar go to BIM Exchange > IFC 2x3
Export
2. In the dialog that opens, click the Browse button and navigate to the direction in which you
want to save the file
3. Provide a name for the IFC file and click Open
4. Click the Export IFC button

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The Report Generator

User Interface Overview

1. Templates
This section includes a list of predefined templates that are specific to the particular
program from which you accessed the Report Generator. Click on an item in the list and it
will populate the Report Contents pane with applicable report items.

2. Report Contents
The Report Contents contains a list of output items. These items can be dragged across to
the Report Layout area to be included in the final report.

3. Item Manipulation
Report items can be manipulated in the following ways:

 Add Add an item from the Report Contents pane to the Report Layout
 Remove Remove an item from the Report Layout
 Up Move the selected item order upwards in the Report Layout
 Down Move the selected item order downwards in the Report Layout

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 Alternatively, you can make use of the click and drag functionality.

4. Report Layout
The Report Layout box will allow you to order individual elements of the report. You can
also include or exclude items by checking/unchecking its corresponding checkbox. This can
be useful if you want to quickly generate variations of a report without deleting items.

5. Title and Description

Clicking on an item will display its title and description. If you provide a custom title and/or
description for the Report Layout items, then they will also be displayed here.

6. Options, Saving Layouts and Printer Set Up

Options
Most report items come with an associated set of options. This can be related to aspects
such as which loadcases or members to print. To set these features, simply click the
Options button and fill out the dialog box that opens.

Save
If you want to save a specific Report Layout, click this button. Once saved, you’ll be able to
access it from the Saved Templates area. Upon saving a layout as a template, any items
specific to the file will be removed, for example, loadcases, members, nodes etc.

Print Settings
You can edit the print output options from this area. Simply click the button and the print
overlay will be display. Note that you are required to set the print output the first time you
attempt to print. Subsequent printing will make use of the same settings unless you choose
to review them.

7. Printing
The first time you attempt to print your report, you will be required to set the print output
(the “Set Up”). Once this is done, the button text will change to “Generate” indicating that
click it will result in the generation and printing of the report.

8. Saved Templates
This area will display all of your saved Report Layouts. Simply click the Load button for it to
populate the Report Layout area. Report items will have retained their specific
settings/options (excluding file specific items like loadcases), not just the order of their
output.

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Print Settings

1. General Settings
Set the printer, page size and page orientation of the output. Note that you have the ability
to print to PDF using MasterSeries’ built-in PDF writer.

2. Output Type
Set whether to print to PDF, Word or to a physical printer.

3. MasterSeries PDF Options

If you have selected to print to PDF using MasterSeries’ built-in PDF writer, you will have
access to these addition options. You can have the software:

 Ask for the file name on every export to PDF

 Overwrite the existing default file name (taken from the MasterFrame file name)
 Increment the file name – PDF exports will end with a “_X.pdf” where X is a number

Note: By default, PDF exports will be saved in the same directory as your MasterFrame file.

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 4. Default Settings
You can save the current print settings as the default settings by checking this box and
clicked Save when you’re done.

Selecting Several Report Items

To select multiple items from the Report Contents box, you can:

 Hold Ctrl to select individual items

 Hold Shift to select all items between a range

Notes:
 When dragging multiple items to the Report Layout pane, you will need to click and drag
from the primary item (the item highlighted in blue)
 The multi-selection functionality is limited to the Report Contents pane – you cannot use it
with the Report Layout pane

Using Click and Drag

Report items can be manipulated in the follow ways:

 Dragging from Report Contents to Report Layout will add the item to the Report Layout
box for printing
 Dragging from Report Layout to Report Contents will remove the item form the Report
Layout
 Drag items vertically within the Report Layout box to reorder them – this will be reflected
in the printed report

Notes on Container Items

Container items are used only to group other report items – they have no output themselves. To
add printable report items to a Container, simply click and drag an item to the Container and it will
appear as a sub-item of the Container.

Notes:
 You can manipulate sub-items of a Container using either the click and drag functionality
described above, or using the Add, Remove, Up and Down buttons
 All sub-items can be included or excluded from the pint output by checking/unchecking the
Container item
 Containers cannot have another Contains as a sub-item

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