T01-2 MasterFrame Tutorial - The Basics (Concrete)

MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial
Concrete Design to EC3
Page 0 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

Table of Contents
Table of Contents 1
T1.01 Introduction 3
T1.02 Loading MasterFrame 5
T1.03 The File Selection Menu 5
T1.04 The Frame Generation Menu 7
T1.05 The Top Toolbar and Graphical Display tree structure Error! Bookmark not defined.
T1.06 The Start-up Frame 7
T1.07 Editing the Frame Geometry 13
Removing Nodes 13
Undo & Redo Error! Bookmark not defined.
T1.08 Nodal Supports Error! Bookmark not defined.
T1.09 Loading Cases and Load Groups Error! Bookmark not defined.
Load Case Titles 17
Loading Combinations 19
Supports and Load Groups Error! Bookmark not defined.
T1.10 Adding Section Sizes 21
T1.11 Adding the Loads 25
Applying the Wind Load 28
Member self-weight (Member density) 28
Viewing the Loads and Load Cases 30
T1.12 Horizontal Notional Loading 31
T1.13 Analysing the frame 33
T1.14 Viewing and Printing the Graphical Results 34
The Job Reference Form Error! Bookmark not defined.
Viewing the Text Results 34
T2 MasterKey Concrete Design 34
Setting Your Steel Grades in the MasterSeries. 34
T2.01 Designing the Concrete Beam 36
Basic Data and Defaults 36
T2.02 Modifying the Reinforcement Error! Bookmark not defined.
T2.03 Basic Bar Manipulation 39
T2.04 Further Bar Manipulation 42
T2.05 Changing the Beam Cross Sectional Shape 44
T2.06 Printing the Design Calculations 45
T2.06 Scheduling the Reinforcement 45

Introduction
Welcome to MasterFrame: Plane, Grillage and Space Frame Analysis. This section provides an
introductory tutorial on the use of MasterFrame to generate & design a Concrete Frame. The
tutorial gives you a quick tour of MasterFrame, introducing you to the most important concepts
and features along the way.
We recommend working your way through the matching MasterFrame The Basic to Steel
first. This is because not all functions are covered here but in the steel tutorial.
Scope of tutorial
MasterFrame 50 Yes
MasterFramePro 500/1500... Yes, but does not cover Area loading
PowerPadPlus / 500 Yes, but does not cover Area loading

Building Design Suite Yes, but does not cover Area loading
MasterFrame Dynamic/Seismic No
MasterFrame Finite Elements No
This tutorial does NOT cover the advanced features of MasterFramePro such as Area Loading but
deals with direct loading on members as these are the fundamentals of all versions. All users of
MasterFrame should learn these basics.
MasterFrame is very flexible. It enables you to generate your frames in whatever order you wish to
follow. In general, the basic steps involved in using MasterFrame are as follows:
1. Generate the frame geometry

2. Define member properties, orientation and loading
3. Define supports and nodal loading
4. Define loading cases and combinations
5. Define job references and project title
6. Analyse the frame
7. View results
8. Design the concrete members
9. Refine your frame & re-analyse
10. Print results
As you work through the tutorial references are made to relevant sections in the
main manual using the hand icon .
This Tutorial is written for version 2018 of MasterSeries. Any subsequent versions of the
MasterSeries will have additional features, but the general procedure will be the same. This
Tutorial is NOT compatible with MasterSeries 2017 or earlier versions as they have an entirely
different editor interface.
We strive to make our manuals as accurate and detailed as possible. Should you find any errors,
or areas that need clarification, then, please email your comments or corrections to
help@masterseries.com.
In this tutorial, you will create and analyse a Concrete frame.

Loading MasterFrame
To start this tutorial:
Start the MasterSeries.
Select Frames from the top menu and then

‘MasterFrame: Analysis Design Drafting’ from the
drop-down menu.

The File Selection Menu
The MasterFrame File Selection menu will now be displayed.

This menu enables you to load existing files or create new data files. As each existing file is
selected, a picture of the frame is displayed in the window to assist your selection.
File Selection Menu

Start a new file
Load the selected file or start a
new file if a new name is given
Delete selected file

File Management Options:
Create and remove directories
Erase Selected Files
Copy, Back and Get data files
Compress MasterSeries files for
email
Select the New File button to clear the file name and set the focus to file name input box
Type Tutor01a.
The Get File button has changed to Create New
Select the Create New button.

The Frame Generation Menu
In most cases, you will be able to select a start-up frame and

then tailor it to your specific requirements. In this case, we shall
generate a multi-storey frame, edit the coordinates of the roof
beams and then add the two parapet walls.
The Frame Generation Menu (Frame Wizard) is now displayed as
shown.
TIP! If the frame you are generating does not match one
of the pre-processor frames, choose a frame that is similar
to, but larger than, your frame. It is easier to delete
members than to add them. If in doubt a multi-storey
frame makes a good basic grid.
Select the Multi-Storey button.
Chapter 3 MasterFrame - 3.3.1 Frame Generation Procedures and Templates
This tutorial describes some of the basic techniques used in MasterFrame. Please take a few
minutes to familiarise yourself with the various frame viewing tools; editing and data input
methods and find how you can use the modify geometry area to select members.
The Start-up Frame
The multi-storey frame pre-processor is now displayed.
From the Top Toolbar display the Member Lengths from the
Members group
Place the frame in Front View by selecting the word Front on the
viewing cube
You can click in any text box to set the focus to it; you can also
move from one box to another using the cursor up and cursor
down keys.

TIP! To clear and set the focus to a text box just click on the label, for example, click on “No. of
Spans” to clear and then type the new number of spans.
Click on No. of Spans
Type 6 As we change the input in the pre-processor the graphical display is always updated. This is
because the button is depressed.
Click on Def Span (m)
And input 8. This is the default spacing

We now need to change Spans 2, 3, 4 and 6
Click on the down arrow beside Span 01 and select Span 02

from the drop list.
Change the span in the text box to the right of Span 02 to 5 m.
Change Span 03 to 5 m
TIP! To clear this text box, which has a drop list to the left of it, double click on the input box.
This will highlight all the text in the box. Keyboard input will then replace all the selected
text.
Note: The frame generation wizard for multi-storey frames has many other options that can be
used to tailor your frame. These include the beams Dead and Live loads and options for: Simple
Construction, Alternate Loading, Node Numbering, Column Numbering, Grillage Generation and
Base Fixity (100% for fixed, 0% for pinned or any other value for partial fixity).
We will not use these options but manually apply loads etc. for the practice.
During the editing process, the frame is displayed in grey. This is because the frame has not been
generated yet and you are only looking at the projected frame that will be generated if you select
the button.
TIP! PreviewChanges button displays the projected frame.
Select Apply to generate the frame. The frame now turns from Grey to
black as it has been created.

Close the Multi-Story input by clicking on the X beside the title Multi-Storey.
TIP! If your frame is not in black but a different colour, then turn off the
button that draws each section type in a different colour. It is best to
work with this off as it gives better clarity during editing.
The Top Toolbar
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 descriptions are no longer visible.
We will briefly review the sections of the toolbar we will use in this tutorial.
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 pathname 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 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.
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 gray.
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.

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.
The Loads toolbar
See section on viewing loads.

Editing the Frame Geometry
Removing Nodes
You can now use other options to modify the frame geometry:
From the top toolbar turn off the

Member Lengths
Turn on the Member Numbers
From the Modify Geometry drop

menu, select Delete Member, FE
Surfaces..
pick Members 13 & 33 from the
graphics area.
TIP! If you select the wrong Member then you can de-select it by clicking on it again.
Click on Preview Changes to preview the frame with 2 Members removed (frame turns grey).
Select Apply to carry out the deletion (frame turns black).
Undo & Redo
The Undo button on the top toolbar works “one” step at a time. Redo is accessed from the
drop button below the undo button
Nodal Supports
Turn off all options so you have a simple wire frame with no values.
From the Restraints drop menu, select Nodal Static Supports.

Nodes 1 to 5 are already defined as either Pinned or Fixed Supports depending on your choice at
startup time.

Each support is graphically represented as follows:-
Horizontal roller (δy restraint only)
Pinned support (δx, δy, and δz restraints)
Fixed support (δx, δy, δz, φx, φy and φz restraints)
Other support conditions are graphically represented as a set of 6 restraint boxes that are either
active (red) or inactive (white). These 6 boxes represent the 6 degrees of freedom of the support.
The order of the boxes is the directional restraints δx, δy, and δz followed by the rotational
restraints φx, φy and φz.
For example:
Other support (Top line directional δy, bottom line rotational φx and φz
active)
Tip
To see your restraints, place the frame into an Isometric view and view the restraint cube
For the purpose of this tutorial, we will design the frame assuming the supports to the columns are
fixed. Therefore, amend the bases of the frame to make all the bases fixed supports.
Pick the Fixed option to change them all to Fixed.

Loading Cases and Load Groups
Design Code
We need to make sure we are designing to Euro Code 3 and not BS5950.
From the top menu, select Design > Design

Code > EuroCode
Repeat, choosing UK from the drop list of national
annex’s.
If you are asked “Do you wish to change the Loading Cases in accordance with the
design code change” select Yes
If you are asked which EC0 Eq. 6.10 Set to use choose the
lower option 6.10
Note: even if you are from a different country, choose UK so that all the loads and design
parameters match those in this tutorial.
Load Groups
Each action on the frame is assigned to a load group (e.g., Dead, Live, Wind, Notional etc.).
MasterFrame allows 140 different load groups to be used; the most regularly used being groups
D0 to D9, L0 to L9, W0 to W9 and N0 to N9.
A load group (e.g., D1) is a group of loads that are always applied together with the same load
factor. These loads may be of different types (e.g., UDL, PY, and TY1) and have different values.
However, since they are always applied together with a common load factor, they are in the one
load group.
A typical example of a load group is a wind load (blowing onto the side of a building) that has
different load intensities on each face of the building, but are grouped into one group (e.g., W1).

In most cases, you may only need to use 3 or 4 load groups but sometimes you may wish to use
more. For example, in a frame with a crane beam you can separate the vertical and horizontal
crane loads from the general live load by using groups L1, L2 and L3.
In this tutorial, we will use 4 load groups as follows:

D1- Permanent Actions (Dead Loads)
L1- Variable Actions on Odd Spans (Live Loads).
L2- Variable Actions on Even Spans (Live Loads).
W1- Wind Load due to wind on Side (Variable Actions)
W2 - Wind Load due to wind on Gable (Variable Actions)
Note: As the load groups, we are going to use are D1, L1, L2, W1 & W2 we will continue to call
these Dead, Live and Wind, as they give a more natural mnemonic to remember & associate.
By using 2 live load groups we can pattern the loading combinations for dead and live, (e.g. Max,
Min, Max, Min on alternating spans)
To allow easier checking of our data we will label our load groups.
From the Loads drop menu select Load Group Titles.
Working with load Group 1 in the drop list
Select Dead Load the title is correct. But set the

Ginf/Gsup factor below, to 1 as we will assume no
inaccuracy in the calculated Dead/Permanent Loads.
Select Live Load and change the title to Live Load

on Odd Spans
Set the Eurocode 0 imposed load type below to
Cat B: Office and
Select Wind Load and change the title to Wind

Load on Side

Working with load Group 2 in the drop list
Select Live Load and change the title to Live Load

on Even Spans
Set the Eurocode 0 imposed load type below to
Cat B: Office and
Select Wind Load and change the title to Wind

Load on Gable
Load Case Titles
Select the Loading Cases tab.

In MasterFrame you create and analyse Combinations of Actions. We do not create basic cases
and then add them together post analysis. The reason for this is, if you form plastic hinges, do p-
delta analysis or have tension or compression only members then you cannot use the
“Superposition Principle” to add results from different basic cases together.
By default, there are already two Combinations of Actions and case titles generated.
Load Case 001: Dead plus Live (Ultimate) (Permanent Plus Variable)
Load Case 002: Live Only (Serviceability) (Variable Only)
We wish to re-title and generate more loading cases to obtain the following:
Load Case 001 : Dead plus Live on All Spans (Ultimate)
Load Case 002 : Dead plus Live on Odd Spans (Ultimate)
Load Case 003 : Dead plus Live on Even Spans (Ultimate)

Load Case 004 : Dead plus Live plus Wind on Side (Ultimate)
Load Case 005 : Dead plus Live plus Wind on Gable (Ultimate)
Load Case 006 : Dead plus Live on All Spans (Serviceability)
Load Case 007 : Dead plus Live on Odd Spans (Serviceability)
Load Case 008 : Dead plus Live on Even Spans (Serviceability)
Load Case 009 : Dead plus Live plus Wind on Side (Serviceability)
Load Case 010 : Dead plus Wind on Gable (Serviceability)
Note: The above set of load combinations is not an exhaustive list of all possible load cases but is
enough to give you experience of creating load cases.
Modify the title of Load case 1 to read Dead plus

Live on All Spans (Ultimate) using the buttons
and by typing.
Use the drop list to select Loading Case 2. Now

modify the title of Load case 2 to read Dead plus
Live on Odd Spans (Ultimate) or cheat and
click on quick type button and then use the quick
type buttons to generate the load case title
Click on and set load case 3 to read Dead plus Live on Even Spans (Ultimate)
Click on and set load case 4 to read Dead, plus, Live, plus, Wind, On, Side and
(Ultimate)
Click on and set load case 5 to read Dead, plus, Live, plus, Wind, On, Gable and
(Ultimate)
We will create the five Service loading combinations later.
Save your work so far .

Loading Combinations
Select the Load Combinations tab
In MasterFrame we do not create basic loading cases, analyse them and then create combinations
of the basic loading cases. We create the loading combinations directly as our loading cases. One
of the reasons for this is that MasterFrame can create Plastic Hinges, carry out a P-delta analysis
and analyse both tension or compression only members. These features do not work well on basic
loading cases as they cannot be linearly combined to create these more complex analyses.
Our loading combinations will be as follows:
Select Load Case 001
Highlight the cell corresponding to D - Dead Load and

1 for group D1, then using the Combination
Factor buttons add a load factor of (or you
could just type in the value)
Now highlight the cell for L – Live Load and 1 for

Group L1 and then choose 1.50 for the Load
Factor
Repeat for Group L2.
Notice that there is no definition for the W1 & W2 load groups as these load groups are not active
in this loading case i.e. all W1 & W2 loads will be multiplied by zero.
Select Load Case 002 and set the load group factors to:
1.35xD1 + 1.5xL1 (Max, Min, Max, Min thus L2=0)

Select Load Case 003 and set the load group factors to: 1.0xD1
+ 1.35xD2 + 1.5xL2 (Min, Max, Min, Max thus L1=0)
1.35xD1 + 1.35xD2 + 1.5xL1 + 1.5xL2 + 0.9xW1
1.35xD1 + 1.35xD2 + 1.5xL1 + 1.5xL2 + 0.9xW2
Now that we have the 5 Ultimate limit state loading cases generated we can quickly generate the
5 service cases.
Choose the Loading cases tab and then select the button.
You now have 10 loading cases.
TIP! Loading combinations can be imported from other MasterFrame models, hence
accelerating the speed with which Load combinations can be generated. MasterFrame also
includes tools to automatically generate load cases to EC2

Close the Titles and Load Combinations form using the ‘X’ button on the top right.
Adding Section Sizes
We must now add some preliminary section sizes to the frame.
From the Properties drop menu, select Member Sections Materials.
In the Member Sections Editor, there are 2 sets of 3 options.

1. The first 3 options are the Attributes a member can have.
The section properties, e.g. steel, concrete or timber and

section size.
The member loading applied, e.g. uniform, point, trapezoidal,

tension only, etc.
The member orientation (rotate β) of the member.
2. The second three buttons represent the methods of editing as follows:
Edit Member:- Applies all changes to the currently selected member (highlighted). This is
instantaneous.
Edit Global:- Applies all changes to a group of members (shown in red). This is a global
search and replace function, e.g. change all members that have a 457x152x52UB to a
457x191x67UB. This is instantaneous.
Edit and Paste (Copy To):- This option enables you to edit a template and then apply it to
any member by clicking on that member in the graphics area. No changes are made until you
select a member.
Delete:- This “additional” option enables you to delete all section sizes or β angles on all
members.
TIP! Edit and Paste (Copy to) mode is the best, and most powerful editing mode. In this
mode think of your editing area as your pallet where you can mix and change values with
NO effect on the frame. Your frame is your canvas and only when you paint (apply) with
the mouse do you apply a section/load/β angle to your frame. We will use this method to
speed up the application of loads on this frame. We will initially work in member mode to
demonstrate its operation.
From the Top Toolbar turn on the Member Numbers
Pick M 1 to make it the current member
Select Concrete & Timber from the bottom left of the screen

From the four Text Boxes or Drop
Lists set the
Flange width 1200,

Flange Depth 175,
Web Width 550 and
Overall Depth 750.
This information can be typed or
filled in quickly using the drop down
boxes
Change the method from Member to Copy to mode

Click on M1 to M12 to copy the same section size onto them
For the roof of the structure, the Tee Beam will be inverted. To do this:
Change the dimensions to
Flange width 600,

Flange Depth 175,
Web Width 400 and
Overall Depth 700.
Remember, as we are in Copy to mode, nothing happens until we paste/copy the data onto a
member.
Click on M13 to M17 to copy the new section size onto them.
Change to a Square Section and set the width to 400
From the tool bar drop the Viewing Filters, select Orientation, and then select Vertical
Note: the parent option Orientation must be selected for the child option vertical to
work.
Now window all the columns to apply the section size to them.
Turn off the Vertical Filter
Change the section type to Rectangular Section and change the Depth to 600 and
Width 400
Paste the new section on members M19-21
Select Yes to override
Member Orientation – Beta Angles
We now need to invert the roof beams
Return to member mode
Switch to Beta angles from
Sections
Place the frame in isometric view
by selecting the button
The Red line on each member

represents the top Flange. The
Blue line the Web
Select member M13
At the bottom left of the screen, change Selected Member Current β angle to 180 degrees
Change the method from Member to Copy to mode

Click on M14 to M17 to copy the rotation to them
Return to member mode and turn on the 3D button on the top toolbar to see the inverted
members

Adding the Loads
Keep the Member Orientation editor open.
Select Member Loading and Edit and

Paste mode
From the top Toolbar select the Frame Load
Diagram button to display the Load Diagram

control panel
Set Load Case to All Loading Cases

Set all other values as shown opposite.
Now Minimise or drag the Load Diagram form off

the screen onto another screen.
Select the UDLY button twice
All loads are initially called up as negative Y-Axis loads, acting downward.
The List of Loads to Paste (Add/Delete to Current Loads) box now has two loads in it. Both loads
are D1 UDLY -000.000.
We now need to edit these loads.
Pick the upper of the two loads to set the cursor focus to it
Change the load to D1 UDLY - 004.000 (kN/m) by overtyping -000.000 with -004.000
Pick the second load or move your cursor along to it.
Change the load to L1 UDLY - 005.000 (kN/m) by overtyping the D of D1 with L

and -000.000 with -005.000
As we are in Copy to mode these loads are not applied to any member.
This loading is only to be applied to alternate spans.

Apply the loads to M1, M7, M3, M9, M14, M5, M11 and M16 as shown below
Note: The editor will not allow you to input values that are not editable or valid, i.e, you
can't change a number to a letter. You only need to change the values you wish to modify.
In this case only change 00 to 05. Now the loads for the odd spans will need applied.
Remaining in Edit and Paste mode (Copy)

Change the second Load group from L1 with L2 (D1 remains D1, as only the Live load is
patterned in EuroCode)
Copy the loads to the remaining horizontal members (M2,M8,M13,M4, M10, M15, M6,
M12, M17)
Frame Spacing of 4 is required for the whole structure.
Select More Loads from the bottom an then Frame Spacing
Edit the Frame Spacing
from UT Spacing 01.000 to UT Spacing 04.000
Select the two UDLY’s and delete them using the Delete Current Load button below the
editor.
Highlight and select all members to apply the Frame Spacing

Frame spacing multiplies up ALL loads on a member by the spacing and allows for easier
input of area loads
Select Edit Member mode
Two Point Loads will now be added to member 5.
Select M5.
Click on the Point Load button twice, to add the two point loads to the member
Select one of the Point Loads and edit it to be D1 PY -010.000 2.000
Select second of the Point Loads and edit it to be D1 PY -010.000 6.000
TIP! You can use D for D1, L for L1, W for W1, N for N1 or U for UT as these are valid
load groups. Never use M loads as this is for mass loads.

Applying the Wind Load
Select Member 18
Select the UDLY button twice.
Edit the first load to W1 UDLX +001.350

(kN/m)
Edit the second load to W2 UDLX -001.200
(kN/m)
Note: To get X-axis loads we just
choose a Y-axis load and then change
the Y to the required direction.
TIP! If the wind load does not display on the selected members go back to the load
diagram prompt and switch the drop down menu to All Loading Cases. This can be done
by clicking on the loads tab at the bottom of the member loads menu shown above.
Copy these loads on to Members 25 & 32 using Copy To mode
Edit the loads in the List of Loads to Paste: W1 UDLX +000.145 (kN/m) and W2 UDLX
+001.200 (kN/m )
Click on Members 24, 31 and 37 in the frame geometry area to apply the loads to these
members
Member self-weight (Member density)
In MasterSeries 2018 the self-weight of structural members is automatically included as a default

set up.
The loadings due to self-weight can be viewed in the Frame Load Diagram, by turning off all other
loads except the density button .

The values for self weight can be checked by going to Loads>Density for self-weight. To ensure
that the self-weight is included, make sure the Member Density check box is ticked and the
message reads “Member Density for Self-Weight ON”
From the Loads drop-down menu, select

Density for Self Weight
Close Global Data

Viewing the Loads and Load Cases
From the top Toolbar turn off the
Member Numbers
Close and reload the Load Diagram
form.
This refreshes the droplists with the load
groups and cases used.
The two principle drop lists enable you to filter the loads that are drawn.
The first drop list selects the loading case to be displayed. All loads will be factored up by the load
factors for the current case. For example, a Dead plus Live load case will not display wind loads as
their load factor will be zero. If All Loading Cases is selected then all load groups are displayed
and are assumed to have a load factor of 1.0.
The second drop list then selects the load groups that are drawn.
Therefore, in this example the Un-Factored W1 loads are the only loads drawn.
The buttons provide a further set of filters that filter the load directions to
be drawn.

Horizontal Notional Loading
To allow for the effects of geometric imperfections in a frame, Eurocode 2 requires that additional
forces be included in the Ultimate Design cases for members. The code allows for two approaches
to be included in the design of elements; including an additional eccentricity or including an
additional transverse force. In MasterFrame, the additional force approach is used by means of
applying Notional Horizontal Loads.
Notional Horizontal Loads can be automatically applied using the Automatic Generation of
Horizontal Notional Loads function. This will add a notional load to all Ultimate Load cases and
generate a number of additional load cases to ensure all the required NHL load cases are covered.
Alternatively, NHL loading can be added manually to each load cases.
Two new cases need to be added to the load cases and then the Notional Loads added to the
required cases.
From the Loads menu, select Loading Cases
Select Load Case 01:... and select the Copy Button
Now add another Loading Case and paste the copied values from case 01
Edit this new case to read Load Case 011 : Dead plus Live on all span (Ultimate) +
Notional @ 0
Now add another Loading Case and paste the copied values from case 01
Edit this new case to read Load Case 012 : Dead plus Live on all span(Ultimate) +
Notional @ 180
The Notional Horizontal Loading can now be added to the required load cases as follows:-
From the Loads menu, select Horizontal Notional Loads (HNL/EHF)
Select Load Case 011 from the drop down bar
Click in the tick box to activate the Horizontal Notional Loads

Set the percentage in the “Calculate horizontal Loads equal to the percentage” box to 0.5
From the “..of all factored vertical loads from:” drop down, select Load Case 001
Set the angle value to 0

A Notional Horizontal Load equal to 0.5% of the factored Deal and Live loads form Load Case 001
has now been added to Load Case 011.
Repeat the process for Load Case 012, with the angle set to 180 degrees.
Notional Horizontal Loads do not appear on the Frame Load Diagram but are included
automatically as part of the frame analysis.
Note: The above load cases are indicative only and do not represent the full requirement for NHL
loading in a frame. The Automatic Generation function will apply all the required Notional
Horizontal Loading in accordance with EC2.
Note: Notional Horizontal loading can be

automatically added to all Ultimate Load case
by using the function.
This will create load cases for the specificed

directions with the NHL based on the
Ulitmate and Imposed load case.

Analysing the frame
From the top menu select Analysis and then

Static Analysis
The file will be saved automatically and the Analysis
Type toolbar will now appear.
There are 5 possible types of analysis. Any analysis
types that are not applicable to your frame will be
deactivated. Any analysis types that do not match
your licence will also be deactivated. Your licence limit
for each analysis type is listed below each button.
Note: The analysis summary screen shows the number of load cases created and also
indicates those load cases which have Horizontal Notional loads activated. Individual load
cases can be suspended by selecting the appropriate Suspend tick box.
Warning: In Truss Analysis mode, all loads on members are converted to Nodal Loads and
there is no bending of the members.
To carry out the analysis of the concrete frame:-
Select Plane Frame

Once complete, the analysis type window will disappear.

Viewing and Printing the Graphical Results
From the Results menu select Graphical Analysis Results
We have no members bending about the minor axis so select Major Axis Only on the
right-hand panel
Select Bending Moment and then change the B.M. scale from 50 to 100
From the drop list, at the bottom of the screen, select and view each of the loading cases including
the envelopes
Select Load Case 003: Dead plus Live on even Spans (Ultimate)
While viewing the diagrams the user is free to change the view using any of the top Toolbar
options, including zooming, panning, scales and font sizes.
Select X Close to exit the Graphical Analysis Output menu
Viewing the Text Results

T2 MasterKey Concrete Design
Setting Your Steel Grades in the MasterSeries.
As the MasterSeries suite of Analysis and design software is used worldwide, various grades of
reinforcing steel can be set up by the user. The default settings are 250, 425, 460 & 500 N/mm2
steel grades.

To make your life simpler you can set up the default design code to be used and remove the
grades you don’t want from this list.
From the front screen of the MasterSeries select the Utilities menu
Select MasterSeries Customization
Move to the Design Codes tab

Input your grades and steel designator separated by a “;” e.g. 500A
Note: If you only want ONE grade you Must input it twice e.g. 500B; 500B

Designing the Concrete Beams, Columns & Pads
We shall now enter MasterKey Concrete Sections Design to carry out the integrated design of the
frame.
From the Design drop menu select Concrete Beam, Column Pad Design
(If prompted to Delete Short Bar, click Yes)
The outline method of concrete design described here will help you design and manipulate the
reinforcement in this beam. For more in-depth information on the wider capabilities of the
MasterKey Concrete design module see MasterSeries Manual 11 MasterKey Concrete Design.
Basic Data and Defaults
Before designing the concrete for the first time, the basic information used for this particular
concrete design must be set up. Set up all pages as follows.
In the Steel Data & Beam Design tab, design

items that can be set include the concrete grade,
support width, etc. Change the settings as shown
opposite
TIP! If you are unsure what the input

parameter means simply hover your cursor
over the input box and a more detail
description will appear in a tool tip.
Ensure that EC2:2004 is selected as the required

concrete design code.
Click on the Auto Design tab.
In the Auto Design tab the minimum and

maximum bar diameters and link spacing to be used
can be set. These values will be used for auto-
designing the beam. Change the values to match
below.

Click on the Covers and Aggregates tab.
In the Covers and Aggregates tab the bar covers

and aggregate size are set.
Click on the Beam Curtailment tab.

The Beam Curtailment method to be employed is set
as ‘Detailed’. This will curtail the reinforcement to
the bending moment envelope and then check that
the bars are satisfying the simplified curtailment
rules.
Other methods of curtailment are available – see
manual 11 MasterKey Concrete Design for a fuller
description.
The Beam Detailing can also be controlled in the next area down by ticking the desired options.
To the right are the detailing options for the Beam Links and the End of Beam.
Once we have set the detailing parameters to our satisfaction, we can apply these options.
Click on the OK button to close and apply the chosen defaults.
To carry out an automatic design for the beam:-
Click on the Auto Design All Visible Members in Current Frame button to commence
auto design.

Turn on the beam drawings using the Toggle button if they are not already displayed
The beam elevation and section are displayed for each beam by clicking on the beam in the
graphic area, showing the numbers, sizes and positions of the main reinforcement and links. Below
the beam elevation is the bending moment/moment capacity diagram for beam M2. Beams,
columns and pad foundation can be selected by clicking on the required member in the right-hand
panel, which shows the geometry of the frame.
MasterKey Concrete will design and detail the concrete beams in accordance with the basic set up.
In certain cases, this means that after designing the beams, a number of detailing errors can be
present and the engineer needs to review the output and modify as necessary. Often it can be
helpful to setup the basic data allowing as wide a range as possible of bar numbers and/or
diameters, reviewing the reinforcement and then refining the basic data to suit.
In this tutorial, the number of bars has been restricted to 4 and the bar sizes have been selected
to give reinforcement details which pass the required design checks and only M4 and M5 require
review.
Double click on the bending moment diagram to change it to the shear force/capacity
diagram.
Strictly speaking it is not a Bending Moment Diagram but a Bar Force Diagram when
designing to the Euro Code.
Double click on the shear force diagram to return to the bending moment diagram for
the selected beam
Note: the long thin rectangular bar above the bending moment/shear force diagram is
white. This indicates that the beam calculations are passing the design and/or dimensional
checks. If the bar is blue, it indicates some design and dimensional checks are failing.
Basic Bar Manipulation
Select member M1 from the right-hand pane. The reinforcement of the beam is as shown below.
The number of bars and the bars diameter can be changed in two ways, using either the bottom
left pane or by using the left and right mouse buttons. To make changes to a set of bars, select
the bars by clicking on the relevant bar mark.
Select the bottom left hand support bars by clicking on 4-B20-02*
Hover the mouse over the highlighted bar mark and click the right-hand mouse button.
The bottom support bars have been changed to 16mm diameter bars. The screen and indicator
bar remain white and the beam remains passing all design checks.
Left Click – Increase Size, Number, Pitch
Right Click – decrease Size, Number, Pitch
Next, we will change the main bottom bars using the lower panel controls.
Click on 4-B20-04* to select the 04* main bottom reinforcement, so the Label turns red.
Select the Beam Data tab
On the bottom pane, under “Current Bar”, change the diameter to 16.
The diameter of the bottom bars change in the main reinforcement graphic to reflect the change
made. The indicator bar will now have turned blue, indicating beam failures. The highlighted red
areas also indicate where the beam is failing in moment capacity due to insufficient reinforcement.

Clicking on will switch the left hand pane to the output display. A warning is showing under
the Bending Moments section, indicating that the beam reinforcement is inadequate for bending.
Changing the bottom bars back to 20mm diameter bars will update the display and the warnings
will disappear showing the beam now passes the design checks.

In the bottom pane, select the “Links &Nibs” tab to display the shear link reinforcement tab.
The current link reinforcement is set up by the “Nom” design. Change the nominal link design to 2
legs of 8mm diameter links:-
click on the 4 below “Nom” to highlight this Column of data.
Click on the No Legs button twice using the right hand mouse button to change the
number of link legs to 2. (you can also over type the value)
Right click on the Diameter button to change the diameter of the links to 8mm. ( it also
acts on the Nom value as Nom is the column highlighted)
The indicator bar will now have turned light blue, with dark blue strips indicating the areas where
the shear design is inadequate. The shear diagram will also highlight areas of design failure in red.
Select any cell under L_1 column, and change the number of sets of links to 5.
Do the same for R_1.

This introduces 5 sets of links comprising 4 legs of 10mm diameter bars, spaced at 350mm at each
end of the beam. The capacity of the shear design is now adequate, but the indicator bar is still
light blue, indicating a detailing failure.
Click on to shows the design checks.

Scroll down to “Links – Nominal Shear Zone”
A warning is shown against the Asv/sv indicating that in the nominal shear zone there are
insufficient shear links.
Click on to shows the beam reinforcement arrangement panel.
Change No legs in the nominal zone to 4

Check the beam design output to ensure all warnings have been removed.
The beam now passes all design and dimensional checks.

Further Bar Manipulation
TIP! hovering the mouse over a button will display a tooltip giving an indication of its use.
Under the Beam Data tab Select the Multiple Bar Drag icon .
This will let us drag all bars under the pick point, instead of just one “active” bar as we did before.
Click on the top right lap and drag

the bars to the left.
This moves the position of the lap by adjusting the lengths of the all bars meeting at the lap point.
Deselect the Multiple Bar Drag icon .
Select the Auto curtail button . This re-details the beam laps which in this case returns to
the previous arrangement of laps.
Next, select the middle bottom bars by clicking on the 4-B20-04 bar mark.
Hover over the bar diameter and right click to reduce the bar diameter to 16mm.
The graphics will indicate failures with the indicator bar turning light blue, with red indicating a
bending moment capacity failure – this will also be reflected in the bending diagram. We will now
introduce an additional layer of reinforcement to this beam.
Select the auto split button . The bar marks for the bottom bars will have changed to give
two groups.
Highlight 2-B16-04 by clicking on it in the graphic display

Click on the switch current bar button . The graphics now show two layers of
reinforcement
Highlight the bottom bars by clicking on 2-B15-05*BB, then left click on the 2 and change
the number of bars to 4.
Check the beam section in the bottom right pane to check that the 4 No. bars are located on the
bottom of the beam.
Highlight the top bars of this group by clicking on the 2-B16-04* bar mark and then right
click on the B16 to reduce the top bars to 12mm diameter.
Check the beam is passing the design checks, except the Right support bar may need to extend
frurther. Select the bar Lable & lengthen the bar
Changing the Beam Cross Sectional Shape
Even at design stage the section type and cross section dimensions can be altered.
Move to the Beam Data tab.
The flange width, depth and web width and overall depth can be altered to new dimensions. The
moment capacity diagram and design calcs will immediately reflect the change in shape and size of
the cross section.

Printing the Design Calculations
The design calculations and beam elevation and sections detailing the reinforcement can be
printed out.
From the Print drop menu select Print Current Design Output
The calculations, elevation & sections as seen on screen will be printed.
Note: Printing Design & exporting are different.
In Printing Design, every beam, Column & pad will start with Bar Mark 01 as they are only
indicatve.
In Exporting to Printer, DXF or MasterRC, every Bar Mark is unique for that size & shape
but reused when we have a match. A good example would be a Link used in several
Spans.
The Concrete Print Manager dialogue box

appears. By default your current member is
highlighted. If there were more than one
beam in the file, you could select which
member(s) to print.
Under the ‘Print Options’ most boxes are
ticked by default. Again you can choose what
to print or leave out.
Click in the Dim Checks box to add these

lines to the printout.
When you have finished selecting the desired
output options,
Select the Printer button .
Scheduling the Reinforcement

Once the reinforcement has been detailed automatically and manually altered, if desired, the bar
bending schedule can be generated and printed.
From the Print drop menu select Print

Bar Schedule (export).
The Schedule Details box now appears.

From the drop list of codes select
BS8666.
Click on the Schedule button to
generate the bar bending schedule.
The Bar Bending Schedule appears. This is an accurate schedule based on the elevation details.
The schedule can be edited as described in the MasterKey Concrete Design Manual section
11.11, if desired.

Finally click Print Selected Items from the Print menu.
Click Yes to the following prompts

This will open the ‘Job References’ form again. The various text boxes will still be filled in from
before.
Click on the Printer button to print the schedule.
The analysis and design of the concrete frame is now complete and the full frame has been
detailed and scheduled.
End of Tutorial.

T01-2 MasterFrame Tutorial - The Basics (Concrete)

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MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial

Concrete Design to EC3

Page 0 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

Page 1 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

PowerPadPlus / 500 Yes, but does not cover Area loading

MasterFrame Finite Elements No

1. Generate the frame geometry

In this tutorial, you will create and analyse a Concrete frame.

Page 4 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

To start this tutorial:

Start the MasterSeries.

Select Frames from the top menu and then

Page 5 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

The MasterFrame File Selection menu will now be displayed.

File Selection Menu

Delete selected file

The Get File button has changed to Create New

Select the Create New button.

Page 6 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

In most cases, you will be able to select a start-up frame and

Select the Multi-Storey button.

Chapter 3 MasterFrame - 3.3.1 Frame Generation Procedures and Templates

The Start-up Frame

The multi-storey frame pre-processor is now displayed.

Page 7 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

Click on No. of Spans

Click on Def Span (m)

And input 8. This is the default spacing

Click on the down arrow beside Span 01 and select Span 02

Change the span in the text box to the right of Span 02 to 5 m.

TIP! PreviewChanges button displays the projected frame.

Page 8 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

The Top Toolbar

Page 9 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

The Members toolbar

The Nodes and Coordinates toolbar

Page 10 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

The 3D Drawing toolbar

Page 11 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

The Loads toolbar

See section on viewing loads.

Page 12 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

From the top toolbar turn off the

Turn on the Member Numbers

From the Modify Geometry drop

Select Apply to carry out the deletion (frame turns black).

Undo & Redo

From the Restraints drop menu, select Nodal Static Supports.

Page 13 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

Horizontal roller (δy restraint only)

Pinned support (δx, δy, and δz restraints)

Fixed support (δx, δy, δz, φx, φy and φz restraints)

Pick the Fixed option to change them all to Fixed.

Page 14 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

From the top menu, select Design > Design

Page 15 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

In this tutorial, we will use 4 load groups as follows:

From the Loads drop menu select Load Group Titles.

Working with load Group 1 in the drop list

Select Dead Load the title is correct. But set the

Select Live Load and change the title to Live Load

Select Wind Load and change the title to Wind

Page 16 of 48 T1 MasterFrame Getting Started Tutorial Version 2018.06

Select Live Load and change the title to Live Load