MasterSeries What’s New 2006

Top 10
1. General: LCHS and Jumbo Hollow Sections added to section bases.
2. MasterFrame: Finite Element Analysis Module. (Not issued yet!)
3. MasterFrame & Steel Design: Cellular beams added.
4. Steel Design: More compact “List of Checks - Results Summary” with option to print
critical portion only.
5. Master Beam Slim Floor: New program is an optional add on to the composite
program and covers the design of beams with concrete below the top flange. (Slimflor
& Slimdeck)
6. Concrete Beams: Option for 4 layers of bars instead of 4 groups in 2 layers.
7. Concrete General BS8110-1:1997 (Amd 3:2005) implemented.
8. Concrete Pads: Bi-axial pad with uplift now computed using numerical integration.
9. Joints: New Joint for Hollow Section Splices.
10. Masonry: BS 5628:1&2:2005 implemented.
11. MasterRC Scheduler: Edit bar marks, adding, deleting and amending bars.

General
1. LCHS and Jumbo Hollow Sections added to section bases.
2. Steel section tables updated to the 6th Edition.
3. Ability to store the list of active steel sections to a file for different settings e.g.
Current or UK or EU sets etc.
4. Save-As files when you “Save and Continue with the New File” are now added to the
Recent Files List for each program.
5. The Save-As file name now remains constant when changing drive and directory.
6. Concrete Steel Grade altered for BS 8666:2005 in the Customisation. Grades 250;
425; 460; now 250R; 425Y; 460T; 500H; where T or H etc are the detailing prefix
e.g. T16 or H16. Thus in the UK use “460T; 500H” and RSA use “250R; 425Y”.
7. Title Block Manager available to Engineers that have multiple title blocks. Note:
Additional title blocks are supplied by MasterSeries/Dealer for a small charge.

MasterFrame
8. MasterFrame Finite Element Analysis Module. (FEA is not included in current
release of MasterSeries 2006! Available as a Beta version on request.)
9. Integrates into MasterFrame.
10. Eight nodded shell elements.
11. Adaptive meshing.
12. Just define the Boundary.
13. Continuous Supports.
14. Peek Smoothing.
15. Holes in Shells.
16. Irregular patch loads.
17. Wood & Armer.
18.Compound Beams with plates Top & or Bottom.
19.Compound Beams with Channel Top.
20.Compound wind Column with 2 I-sections.
21. Load combination editor made easier using a spreadsheet style grid.
22.Cellular beams added.

23. Re-organised toolbar. Advanced options such as 3DModel Manager, Wind and
MasterCAD can be hidden so as not to intimidate the novice user.

Page 1 of 9 9/5/2006
Note: This list is for information only.
Features may be added, removed, altered or have their issue date delayed. E.&O.E.
 MasterSeries What’s New 2006

24. Number of load groups expanded from D, L, W & N (0-9) to A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I,

J, K, L, W & N (0-9) increasing from 41 to 141 load groups.
25. Simplification of the menu options with new and more logical layout. Option to return
to the old “Classic menu” layout.
26. Simplification of display with certain object groups hidden
behind a single button until required.
27. Loading now displayed with arrow heads.
28. New filtering tools for section sizes. (e.g. Max & Min D,B,T & t)

29. New button to mirror all loads on a member.

30. DXF import now imports multiple layers.
31. DXF import allows you to load MasterFrame directly after import.

3D Model Manager
32. Applying default loading now easer with a detailed Grid rather than the old comma or
semicolon delimited lists.
33. Simplification of the menu options with new and more logical layout. Option to return
to the old “Classic menu” layout.
34.Multiple values of dead and live load can now be applied to the same area
using the A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L load groups.

Steel Design
35.Cellular beams added.
36.More compact “List of Checks - Results
Summary” with option to print critical
portion only.
37. Columns in simple construction can now offset
loads from the X-X and Y-Y axis.
38. Columns in simple construction Loads displayed
graphically.
39. New filtering tools for section sizes. (e.g. Max &
Min D,B,T & t)
40. In Columns in Simple Construction, the forces
diagram is now printed with the calcs.

Composite Beams
41.New Slim Floor Design module. This is an optional add on to the Composite
42.P.C. Hollow Core Slabs.
43. Newer deck profiles added to database.
44. Method to define openings at a spacing.
45. Cellform beams added.
46. New filtering tools for section sizes. (e.g. Max & Min D,B,T & t)

Master Beam Slim Floor

This New program covers design of beams with
concrete below the top flange. This is an optional
add on to the Composite program.
47. “Slimflor” beams.
48.“Slimdeck” beams.
49.Encased beams.
50. ASB Textured flange design.

Page 2 of 9 9/5/2006
Note: This list is for information only.
Features may be added, removed, altered or have their issue date. E&EO
 MasterSeries What’s New 2006

Concrete
51.gm for steel modified back to 1.15 to reflect BS8110-1:1997 (Amd 3:2005)
Table 2.2. Note 2 of table 3.1 also considered.
52. Steel Grade altered for BS 8666:2005. See customisation in the General section.
53. AutoSave of recovery file implemented.
54. New BS 8666:2005 shape codes added.
55. DXF export now placed on more separate layers for better editing.
56. Option to Suppress the save data file question from before Printing or Exporting.
57. Option to Suppress the Match data over column heads question from before Printing.

Concrete Beams
58. Grid Line bubbles added to the elevation at exporting time.
59. Direction of middle bar labels swapped for better clarity at exporting time.
60. Outline of Intermediate columns drawn in super member beams.
61. At exporting time where we need column starter bars, ghost bars are drawn and
referenced to the column.
62.Global Option for 4 layers of bars instead of 4 groups in 2 layers.

63. If the bar Spacer is set to 0 then no spacer is used.

64. Option to Double the height of the cross-section window. &
65. Down-stand beams with a vertical link in the nib now have distribution steel in the
bottom face.
66. Non ULS loading Cases now ignored.
67. Rigid-Link members now ignored.
68. Nibs are designed for distributed loads only. A warning is now placed in the
calculations when a significant point load is detected.

Concrete Columns
69.Option to design to tie force requirements. 3.12.3.7
70. Starter bars detailed for columns that start on a beam.
71. Starter bars detailed for columns that connect with beams
at the top level.
72. Hoop or Helix links in Circular columns.
73. Improved auto design giving 4T20+ 4T16 instead of 4T25.
74. Cross-section now Bigger on screen.
75. Internal Link widths now set according to the number of
bars. Not just at 1/3 or 1/4 points.

Concrete Pads
76.Bi-axial pad with uplift now computed using numerical integration.
77. Options to draw the line of zero pressure for ULS and/or SLS.
78. Hoop or Helix links in Circular columns.
Page 3 of 9 9/5/2006
Note: This list is for information only.
Features may be added, removed, altered or have their issue date. E&EO
 MasterSeries What’s New 2006

79. Punching Shear now based on maximum not average shear stress.
80. Improved display of bar dots on screen & to Printer. They are offset to make them
clearer. DXF and MasterRC still place them accurately.
81. Bar Leader lines now all start at the side of the pad. Thus preventing them from
getting cropped out at printing time.
82. Pads with concrete columns larger than the column allowable aspect ratio are now not
designed.
83. Pads with a concrete column now lock out editing of the column size or plinth height.
These are not required as the column should be the correct size initially.

Pile Cap
84. Steel Grade altered for BS 8666:2005. See customisation in the General section.

Retaining Walls
85. Steel Grade altered for BS 8666:2005. See customisation in the General section
86. BS 5628:1&2:2005 implemented .

Masonry Walls
87. BS 5628:1&2:2005 implemented .

Connections
88.New Joint for Hollow Section Splices.
89. Popup menu for steel grade of plates.
90. Popup menu for weld grade.
91. Popup dialogue for all Option/Flag/Switch
input. E.g. Countersunk bolts.
92.Asymmetrical Plate Girders & built-up
I sections link from MasterFrame .
93. Asymmetrical plate girders edited directly
inside connections.
94.Full depth flexible end-plates now
checks web and weld for the full
depth.
95. Beam to Column cleat. Input for top of
cleat offset.
96. Beam Splice can now have a single web
plate.
97. Eaves Joints can now hand bolts so nut is
on outside. This gives better bolt access
and prevents clashing of the haunch and
bolt during fitting.
98. Weld runs drawn on members in section,
on screen & DXF export.
99. AutoSave of recovery file implemented.

100. Haunched Eaves & Apex joints now

extract the end of haunch moment from the frame analysis.
101. Members that have an associated
joint design now highlighted in the frame graphics.
102. Column splice minor axis moment only designed for direct bearing joints if the
minor axis moment eccentricity lies outside the middle 1/3 or the shear is not
resisted by friction only.
103. In Linked Joints You can now add your own Joint title. This will then remain.

Page 4 of 9 9/5/2006
Note: This list is for information only.
Features may be added, removed, altered or have their issue date. E&EO
 MasterSeries What’s New 2006

104. Beam Splices now handle web plates over 1000 mm deep. This is to accommodate
plate girders.
105. Beam Splices, maximum number of rows of bolts increased from 12 to 25.
106. Graphics printing gives better margins.
107. Full page graphics auto rotates between landscape and portrait.
108. Option to print Full page graphics followed by summary/results.

MasterCAD
2-D GA’s
109. Forces split into 3 different layers.
110. The forces filter now has a 4th value that sets the precision. A value of 0, 1 or 2 sets
the decimal precision. Values 5,10,25,50,100 set the rounding up precision.
111. All basic settings such as page size, border are stored in registry for retrieval with a
new file.
112. Page sizes customisable through file ”c:\msprogwd\DXFpageSizes.dat”.
113. Larger page sizes added such as 2, 4 or 9 A1 pages. This allows you to place more
objects on the drawing ready to split into separate paper space drawing sheets.
114. Auto Locate improved.
115. Changing Drawing scale re scales
and auto locates the objects.
116. In Members in X-section the default
below/far member is labelled
above-right and the optional
Above/near member is labelled
below-left.
117. Warning when Printing Service
Forces and an Ultimate loading
Case has no Service case.
118. Exporting Layering table format
enhanced. See new table file
“\msprogwd\stdlayer.msc”.
119.
120. Exporting Layering table increased to 100 layers.
121. Steel, Concrete & Timber members now have separate layers for Elevation, Section,
Elevation label and Section labels. 3x12=12 layers.
122. New layers added to the Exporting Layering table. See new table file
“\msprogwd\stdlayer.msc”.
123. Support Reactions prefixed R to separate them
from member End-Reactions. (Support-Reactions
are Global Axis whilst Member End-Reactions are
local to the member.)
124. Axis drawn when Support Reactions are displayed
for clarity.
125. Definition of text styles for DXF fonts improved.

3-D Models
126. StruCAD SNF import added.
127. Import functions now allows you to load
MasterFrame directly after import.
128. Exporting as 3D-DXF Surfaces or 3D Script file
now uses different layers for steel, concrete and
timber members and for end plates.

Page 5 of 9 9/5/2006
Note: This list is for information only.
Features may be added, removed, altered or have their issue date. E&EO
 MasterSeries What’s New 2006

MasterRC Scheduler
129. Edit bar marks, adding, deleting
and amending bars.##
130. Compress Schedule function grouping
identical elements together (e.g. pads)
Import previously stored details.##
131. Bar Shapes can now be viewed and
plotted.
132. BS 8666:2005 shape codes added.
##
(Note: these functions are NOT
available if you are scheduling from
inside MasterRC!)

MasterRC
(Due for release Spring 2006)
133. BS 8666:2005 Labels added. T is now H, A, B or C.
134. BS 8666:2005 shape Codes added.
135. Bar Shapes can now be printed.
136. Update style of all labels.
137. Lines with a Z-Axis displacement now accepted. (Note: the AutoCAD Express tools
command “Flatten” will set all entity Z values to zero)
138. Cross Section Generator.
139. More layers introduced so that the bar layers now have matching label, view
check and tag layers.
140. A physical copy of the front view of each bar mark is now placed on a hidden
layer. This prevents accidental purging

Page 6 of 9 9/5/2006
Note: This list is for information only.
Features may be added, removed, altered or have their issue date. E&EO
 MasterSeries What’s New 2006

Technical Note on Openings in Cellular Beams

The user must define the opening diameter Do and the c/c Spacing S.

Do can be either in mm or as a ratio of the overall depth of the section (if less than 1.95)
S can be either in mm or as a ratio of Do (1.2 to 1.94)

Optionally the user can define the top distance in mm (Top of top flange to top of opening)

For “Built-Up” sections the program will not alter the depth:

For “Rolled Sections” the program will automatically calculate the new depth ensuring that:

1. The opening diameter is not excessive.

2. The tee stem above the opening, “dt”, is not less than the greater of:

0.1 the increased value of distance between flanges, 0.1 Do and 25 mm

3. The tee-stem below the opening, “db”, is not less than the greater of:

a. When the top distance is specified by the user

0.67 dt, 0.1 Do and 25 mm

b. Otherwise

1 dt, 0.1 Do and 25 mm

A cellular beam is assumed only if S >= 1.05 Do And S < 1.95 Do.

By default the openings are placed symmetrically allowing for a minimum clear distance to
support equal to half the overall depth of the section.

Page 7 of 9 9/5/2006
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Features may be added, removed, altered or have their issue date. E&EO
 MasterSeries What’s New 2006

Note:

The green colour indicates opening for

which full output is provided as it
contains the most critical values.

The above minimum distance can be changed by entering values in the Fill @ m; m input box
as follows:

1. A positive distance which less that 0.5 (D+Do);

Note:
Changing the minimum distance

or
2. The maximum distance to the outer edge of the last opening entered as a negative
value.

Note:
For a beam span of 8 m the minimum
clear distance is 1 m
8 – abs(-7) = 1 m

In 2 above the minimum clear distance is calculated as:

Page 8 of 9 9/5/2006
Note: This list is for information only.
Features may be added, removed, altered or have their issue date. E&EO
 MasterSeries What’s New 2006

Beam span – Absolute (Specified Distance)

You can also dictate the exact value of the clear distance between the left hand support and
the first opening by entering a negative value (less than half the beam span).

Note:
The clear distance between the left hand
support and the first opening is 0.5 m. The
default minimum distance applies on the
right hand support.

This can be used in conjunction with the negative distance in 2 above to control the minimum
clear distance between the last opening and the right hand support.

Note:
Control the minimum clear distance
between the last opening and the right
hand support. For a beam span of 8.45 m
the minimum clear distance is
8.45 – abs(-8.2) = .25 m

You can block openings in other locations by entering positions in the Fill @ m; m input box.
All values must be separated by “;”.

Note:

Blocking openings in other locations

Design Reference:
Design of Composite and Non-Composite Cellular Beams – SCI-P-100 - ISBN 1 870004 51 5
Page 9 of 9 9/5/2006
Note: This list is for information only.
Features may be added, removed, altered or have their issue date. E&EO