Fundatii Pe Piloti

Tutorial 1(ii)
MasterFrame – The Basics

Steel Modelling
CONTENTS
T1.01 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1

Required Software .............................................................................................................................. 1
Overview & Outcome.......................................................................................................................... 1
Version Information ............................................................................................................................ 1
Contact ................................................................................................................................................ 1
T1.02 LOADING MASTERSERIES ........................................................................................................ 2
T1.03 USING THE FILE SELECTION MENU ......................................................................................... 3
T1.04 THE FRAME GENERATION MENU............................................................................................ 4
T1.05 TOP TOOLBAR STRUCTURE ..................................................................................................... 5
T1.06 THE PRE-PROCESSOR .............................................................................................................. 6
T1.07 EDITING FRAME GEOMETRY ................................................................................................... 7
T1.08 ADDING SECTION SIZES ........................................................................................................... 9
T1.09 LOADING GROUPS................................................................................................................. 11
T1.10 LOAD CASES .......................................................................................................................... 15
T1.11 NODAL SUPPORTS ................................................................................................................. 18
T1.12 ANALYSING THE FRAME ........................................................................................................ 19
T1.13 VIEWING AND PRINTING THE GRAPHICAL RESULTS ............................................................. 20
T1.14 THE JOB REFERENCE FORM................................................................................................... 21
T1.15 MODIFYING THE GENERATED FRAME................................................................................... 23
T1.16 MASTERKEY STEEL SECTIONS DESIGN ................................................................................... 27
T1.17 SWAY EFFECTS ...................................................................................................................... 28
T1.18 MEMBER RELEASES ............................................................................................................... 30
T1.19 MEMBER GROUPS ................................................................................................................. 31
T1.20 RE-ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................... 32
T1.21 RE-ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................... 33
T1.22 SECOND ORDER ANALYSIS .................................................................................................... 37
T1.23 Tutorials, Webinars, & Free Trials ......................................................................................... 39
Tutorials ............................................................................................................................................ 39
Videos & Webinars............................................................................................................................ 39
Free Trials .......................................................................................................................................... 39
i
T1.01 INTRODUCTION
Required Software
This tutorial will require you to have access to MasterFrame, and MasterKey Steel
Design, or PowerPad.
If you do not have access to this software, please contact us for a 30 day free trial to
learn how it can benefit you and your business.
Overview & Outcome

In this tutorial we will aim to create a frame using MasterFrame with the aim of providing
you with a solid understanding of:
 Frame generation
 Editing frame geometry, defining properties, orientation and loading
 Application of nodal supports, load cases, and section sizes
 Applying loading cases and load combinations
 Analysing the frame and viewing the results
Version Information
This tutorial has been written for version 2014.11 of the MasterSeries software suite.
Subsequent versions of the software may have additional features, or changes in layout,
however the general procedure will remain the same.
Contact
We strive to make our tutorials as simple as possible without compromising on the
technical aspects of the analysis and design procedure. Should you discover any errors,
omissions, or are in need of additional clarification, please contact us by emailing your
comments, or corrections to help@masterseries.co.uk
We’re social – follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube to keep up to date!
T1 MasterFrame – The Basics Tutorial - Steel Page 1 of 39

T1.02 LOADING MASTERSERIES
Aim: To start successfully start MasterSeries and access the MasterFrame software.
1. From your desktop select: Start >

Programs > MasterSeries
2. From the top menu select: Frames >

MasterFrame

T1.03 USING THE FILE SELECTION MENU
Aim: To create a new file using the File Selection menu.
After completing the previous task you will be presented with the File Selection menu. This
menu enables you to load existing files or to create new ones. If you want to open an
existing file, selecting the file names will present you with an image of the frame in the
display window, allowing you to quickly find the correct project.
1. Click on the New File button to clear

and set the focus for a new file name
2. Type “Tutorial – MasterFrame Steel”
3. Click on the Create New button

T1.04 THE FRAME GENERATION MENU
Aim: To select the appropriate frame type from the Frame Generation menu.
In most cases you will be able to select a start-up frame from this dialog and then tailor it
to your specific requirements. In this case we will generate a multi-storey frame, edit the
co-ordinates of the roof beams and then add the two parapet walls.
The Frame Generation Menu (Frame

Wizard) is now displayed as shown below.
1. Select the Multi-Bay and Grillages

button
If the frame you are generating does not match one of the pre-processor frame
types, choose a frame that is similar to, but larger than your frame. It is easier to
delete members than it is to add them. If in doubt a multi-story frame will make a good
basic grid.

T1.05 TOP TOOLBAR STRUCTURE
The top toolbar allows you to manipulate the frame view quickly and access various
viewing tools.

T1.06 THE PRE-PROCESSOR
Aim: To set the initial spans, storeys and overall dimensions of the frame.
1. Set the top four parameters as shown

by the image to the right
2. Select the drop-list which says Span

01. You can use this to adjust each
span in the frame
3. Set both spans 2 and 3 equal to 7

meters
4. Click on the member lengths button

to check that the frame matches the
one below
5. Ensure that Show New Frame is

enabled and click on the Proceed
button at the bottom of the panel
To clear and set the focus of a text box click on the corresponding label. For
example, clicking on “No. of Spans” will clear the default span and set the focus for
the text box.
The frame generator wizard for multi-storey frames and grillages has many other options
that can be used to tailor your frame. We will not use these settings as we are going to
apply them manually for practise.

T1.07 EDITING FRAME GEOMETRY
Aim: To adjust the frames geometry by repositioning nodes and drawing new members.
Note: Before continuing, ensure MasterFrame is using the modern menu system by going
to File and deactivating the “Use MasterFrame Classic Menu” if it is activated.
1. Switch off the Member Lengths, and

enable Node Numbers from the top
tool bar
2. From the main menu bar navigate to:

Geometry > Change Nodal
Coordinates > Shift X, Y and Z
3. With the Nodes to Shift box

highlighted, select node 18 from the
graphics area
4. Enter a value of 2 in the Shift Y box
5. Enable the Show New Frame button

to view the changes
6. Click on the Proceed button
Your frame should now match the one

shown on the right.
Aligning Nodes
1. From the main menu go to Geometry

> Position Nodes > Position on
Straight Line
2. Add nodes 16 and 17 to the Nodes to

Position box by selecting them
3. Ensure that Retain X Co-ordinate is

selected
4. Enable the Show New Frame button

to view the changes
5. Click the Proceed button
6. Click the Reset button to clear the

Nodes to Position box

7. Repeat the above steps for nodes 18,
19 and 20
Your from should now match the one shown

on the right.
Define New Member

> Define New members > Define
New Member (Snap Grid)
2. Click the Settings button at the bottom

of the graphics screen
3. Click the Tracking tab and ensure that

all the options are enabled
4. Click OK
5. Click on node 16
6. Hover over node 18 until a red X

appears over it
7. Now move the cursor above node 16

until it snaps to the orthogonal
intersection between the two nodes
and click
This will create the vertical member 16-21
8. Pick node 20 and then move the

mouse vertically above node 20
9. With the cursor tracking along the

vertical orthogonal track, type 2 and
press enter
The Undo and Redo buttons in the top toolbar work one step at a time. The Undo
button found at the bottom of an editing function is more powerful. It can undo all
operations since editing began. For example, if you shifted several nodes by different
values, clicking the Undo button in the editor would undo all of the nodes in a single at
once.

T1.08 ADDING SECTION SIZES
Aim: To add some preliminary section sizes to the frame.
The section property, for example steel, concrete, or timber, and section size.
The loads applied, for example uniform, point, trapezoidal, tension etc.
The orientation (rotate ) of the member.
Member: Applies all changes to the currently selected member.
Global: Applies all changes to a group of members. This is a global search and
replace function.
This option enables you to edit a template and then apply it to any member by
click on that member in the graphics area.
Enables you to delete the section size from all members
1. From the main menu go to Properties

> Sections > Sections Sizes –
Member, Global and Copy to
2. Select M 1 to make it the current

member
3. Select the Section button from the

Member Section Properties panel
4. Select Steel Sections from the bottom

left of the screen
5. From the three drop lists select UB,

Grade S 275, and 457x152 UB 52
Copy Mode
1. Change the mode from Edit Member

to Copy to mode
2. Window members M2, M3, M4 to paste

the section property to them
3. Window members M5, M6, M7, and

M8 to paste the section to them
4. Remaining in Copy to mode, change

the section in the template to a
406x140 UB 39

5. Window members M9, M10, M11,
M12 to paste the section property
to them
6. Remaining in Copy to mode,

change to section to UC, and
select 152x152 UC 30
7. Apply this section to the outer left

hand columns, M13, M18, M23,
and M28
8. Apply the section to the outer right

hand columns M17, M22, M27,
and M29
9. Apply the section to the inner

columns M14-16, M19-21, and
M24-26
10. Change back to Edit Member

mode
While in Copy to mode any member that has the same section as the section in the
template is shown in red. If you select any member which already has the section
property, then the section property is removed from the member.
Members which have a section property applied are highlighted with a thicker line, while
members which do not have a section property will have a thinner line.

T1.09 LOADING GROUPS
Aim: To specify the load cases and load groups for the frame.
The loading system in MasterSeries is very simple and flexible:

 Loads are applied to members or groups of members
 Loads are allocated to Load Groups
 Load groups are combined in various ways, with various factors to make up the
Load Cases
 The structure is analysed for each Load Case
In this tutorial we will use 4 load groups. They are:
D1 Dead loads on odd spans D2 Dead loads on even spans

L1 Live loads on odd spans L2 Live loads on even spans
1. From the top toolbar go to Loads >

Load Group Titles
The D1 and L2 load group titles are set

automatically to Dead Load (D1) and Live
Load (L1).
2. First highlight the cell to the right of W

– Wind Direction and select 1 from
the top
3. Click on the Quick Keyboard button,

and click On and Side to change the
title to Wind Load on Side
4. For the W2 load group select 2
5. Using the Quick Keyboard click On

and Gable to change the title to Wind
Load On Gable
6. From the main menu go to Loads >

Member Loading > Member Loading
– Member, Global and Copy to
7. Click the Member Loading button and

enable Copy to mode
8. From the top toolbar select the Frame

Load Diagram button

9. Change the top drop list of Loading
cases to the first item, All Loading
Cases
10. Enable the display values and

distance buttons at the bottom of the
Load Diagram panel
11. Switch on the Draw Arrows button
12. Set the scale of the distributed loads to

100
The direction of the loads will now be

indicated by a thick blue line.
Adding Multiple Loads
1. Click on the Editing button at the

bottom right hand side of the screen
2. Click on the UDLY button twice to add

two load definitions
All loads are initially set to negative Y-axis

loads, acting downward.
3. Pick the upper of the two loads and set

the cursor to focus on it
4. Change the load to D1 UDLY -025.000

(kN/m)
5. Change the second load to L1 UDLY -

028.000 (kN/m), overtyping the D1 and
the -000.000
6. Ensure you are in Copy to mode and

select members M1 – M8 to copy the
loads on to them
7. Edit the loads in the list to D1 UDLY -

012.000 (kN/m) and L1 UDLY -
004.500 (kN/m)
8. Apply this load to members M9 – M12

Applying Individual Isolated Loads
1. Switch back to Edit Member mode

and then select M9
2. Click the PTRY button
A PTRY load is a partial trapezoidal load

with intensities defined at two points along
a member. The two points are specified
distances, measured along the plan (for a Y
load), from end 1.
3. Place the Editor Cursor anywhere on

the new PTRY load
4. Change the load to L1 PTRY -025.000

0.000 3.000 -000.000
The PTRY is composed of a start load (kN),

start distance (m), end distance (m), and
end load (kN).
5. Change to Copy to mode
6. Select the PTRY load from the

template list above the member
loading diagram
7. Change the load to L1 PTRY -000.000

3.000 0.000 -025.000 in the editor
8. Select M12 to copy the modified PTRY

load to M12
9. Change to Edit Member mode and

select M3
10. Click on the PDLY button to add this

type of load to the list of loads on M3
11. Change the load to D1 PDLY -075.000

2.000 5.000 (kN, m, m)
Applying the Wind Load
1. Select M13

2. Click the UDLY button twice to add two
new loads
3. Edit the first load to W1 UDLX

+005.500
4. Edit the second load to W2 UDLX

+004.800
5. Copy these loads on to M18, M23, and

M28 using Copy to mode
6. Remaining in Copy to mode, edit the

loads in the List of Loads to read W1
UDLX +001.800 (kN/m) and W2 UDLX
+004.800 (kN/m)
7. Click on members M17, M22, M27,

and M29
8. Change to Edit Member mode
9. At the top left of the frame graphics

window, click on the Save button and
then the Park button to exit the
member loading editor
Applying Self-Weight (Density)

Density for Self-Weight
The density for self-weight is automatically

calculated using the Young’s Modulus of
the chosen section for you structure.
2. Check Member Density for Self

Wight ON
3. Close the Titles and Load

Combinations screen by clicking the
X on the top right of the panel
In the Member Loading edior you will notice that you can also apply member
attributes, as well as member loading, to members. These attributes include
Tension/Compression only, De-activate, Stiff Deck, No-Axial and Partial Fixity.

T1.10 LOAD CASES
Aim: To add loads to the frame. In this tutorial we will use dead, live, wind and density
loads.
 In MasterSeries the loads are applied to members or groups of members

 These loads are allocated to Load Groups
 These load groups are combined in various ways and with various factors to make
up the Load Cases
 The structure is analysed for each Load Case

Loading Cases > Loading Cases
Titles (Number Of)
By default there are already two loading

cases and case titles generated. We will not
generate three more cases.
2. Click on the Add Case button
3. Click the Quick Keyboard button and

click on the Dead, plus, Live, plus,
Wind, On, Side and (Ultimate)
buttons to generate the load case title
4. Click on the Add Case button and

using the Quick Keyboard provide it
with the title: Dead plus Live plus
Wind On Gable (Ultimate)
5. Click on the Add Case button and

provide it with the name Dead plus
Live (Serviceability)
Sorting Loading Cases
1. Select Load Case 002 and move it to

the bottom of the load case list using
the using the Order buttons
Loading Combinations
1. Select the Loading Combinations tab
Our loading combinations will be as follows, to BS codes:

 Case 1: Dead plus Live (Ultimate) 1.4xD1 + 1.6xL1
 Case 2: Dead plus Live plus Wind on Side (Ultimate) 1.2xD1 + 1.2xL1 + 1.2xW1
 Case 3: Dead plus Live plus Wind on Gable (Ultimate) 1.2xD1 + 1.2xL1 + 1.2xW2
 Case 4: Dead plus Live (Serviceability) 1.0xD1 + 1.0xL1
 Case 5: Live Only (Serviceability) 1.0xL1
2. Select Load Case 002
3. Highlight the cell corresponding to D

and 1 for D1
4. Input a load factor of 1.20
5. Highlight L and 1 for group L1 and

enter a value of 1.2 for the load factor
6. Highlight W and 1 for group W1 and

choose 1.20 for the Load Factor
7. Select Load Case 003 and set the

load group factors to 1.2xD1 + 1.2xL1
+ 1.2xW2
8. Select Load Case 004 and set the

load group factors to 1.0xD1 + 1.0xL1

Combinations box by clicking the X at
the top right corner of the panel
If designing to Eurocodes then your partial load factors will be different. You can
switch between the codes by selecting the appropriate code and MasterFrame will
then convert your load factors.
Supports, Restraints, Special Members and Load Groups
One very powerful feature of MasterFrame is that it treats supports, restraints, and special
members (for example tension/compression only) in the same way as it treats loads. This
means that these model properties are assigned to load groups, which can then be
activated, deactivated, or factored in the various load cases.
When you add these properties to your structure they are automatically assigned to the
Universal Load Group, UT (which is present in every load case and uses a factor of 1).
Most structural properties should be left in the UT load group so that they are accounted
for in every load case.
However, if you wish to change a structural property in different load cases without
creating two separate models (for example, a simple support that you want to take as
fixed in all serviceability load cases), you would simply assign one property to one load

group and the other property to another and uses the relevant factors when defining your
load case.
1. From the main menu go to File > Save
Alternatively you can click the Save File button in the graphics area.
Viewing the Loads and Load Cases
1. From the top toolbar, turn off the

Member Numbers
2. Open the frame load diagram by

clicking on the Frame Load Diagram
button
Two drop lists enable you to filter the loads

that are drawn.
The first selects the loading case to be

displayed. 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 selects the load

groups that are drawn.
3. Experiment with two drop lists, and

the X, Y, Z, N, M and D buttons to filter
the load directions
4. Close the Load Diagram box by

clicking the X at the top of the panel

Member Loading > Member Loads –
Member, Global and Copy to
6. Select the outer left hand columns
7. Click on the Global button to switch to

Global mode
8. From the editor at the bottom of the

screen change the W2 load from
+004.800 to -004.800
9. Click the Park button to stop editing
10. Redisplay the load diagram for W2

loads to confirm that all left hand W2
loads are now applied in the correct
direction

T1.11 NODAL SUPPORTS
Aim: To set the support conditions to pinned.
1. From the main menu go to Restraints

> Nodal Restraints > Static Supports
(Rs)
Nodes 1 to 5 are already defined as fixed

supports.
2. Pick the Pinned option to change them

all to pinned
Each support is graphically represented as follows:
Horizontal roller (y restraint only)

Pinned support (x, y, and z restraints)
Fixed support (x, y, z, x, y and z 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 x, y, and z followed
by the rotation restraints x, y, and z. For example:
Top line directional y, and bottom line rotational x and z are active

T1.12 ANALYSING THE FRAME
Aim: To carry out analysis with the appropriate analysis type.
1. From the main toolbar go to Analyse
The file will be saved automatically and the Analyse Type and License tool bar will be
displayed. Any analysis types that are not applicable to your frame will be deactivated.
Any analysis types that do not match your license will also be deactivated. You license
limit for each analysis type is listed below each button.
2. Select Plane Frame from the different

analysis options
In rigid frame analysis the user can pin specific members by using the Member
Release function in the editor. In truss analysis all loads on members are converted
to allow for no bending of the members.

T1.13 VIEWING AND PRINTING THE GRAPHICAL RESULTS
Aim: To familiarise yourself with the options for viewing and printing of the results.
1. From the main menu go to Output >

View/Print Graphical Output
2. Select Major Axis Only from the right

hand panel
3. Select Bending Moment and then

change the B.M. scale to 100
4. From the drop list at the bottom of the

screen, select and view each of the
loading cases
5. Select Load Case 002: Dead Plus

Live Plus Wind On Side (Ultimate)
6. Check the Show Values box
While viewing the diagrams the user is free

to change the view using any of the top
toolbar options, including zoom, pan, scale,
and font size.
7. Select the Member Diagrams button
This displays all the diagrams for the

current loading case of the current
member on a single screen together with
torque and axial load values.
Picking a member in the side frame

diagram re-sets the current member.
Note: All members are drawn horizontally

to maximise the diagrams.

T1.14 THE JOB REFERENCE FORM
Aim: To learn how to use the job references form and print the results.
1. Uncheck the Member Diagrams

button
2. Select Bending Moment for Load

Case 001
3. Check the No Values box from the

RHS panel
4. Select the Printer button
You can select the printer, page size, and

orientation from the Job Reference dialog.
5. Select the Print button on the Job

Reference dialog box to print the
graphics
6. Click the Exit button to leave the

printing dialog
7. Click the Close button to exit the

Graphical Analysis Output menu
Viewing the Text Results
1. From the main toolbar, select Output >

View Tabular Output > Nodal
Deflections
The options in the lower part of the screen

enable you to control the results being
displayed.
The standard method of viewing results is

List per Case. This only displays results
on one loading case at a time. The other

method is to List per Node/Member. This
is useful for comparing results of different
loading cases for the same node, or
member.
2. Experiment with the different options

available for both Nodal Deflections,
Member Forces and Support
Reactions
3. To close the View Output click the

Close button

T1.15 MODIFYING THE GENERATED FRAME
Aim: To learn how to modify the members and nodes of the frame.
1. From the main menu go to click the

Edit button
2. Enable the Node Numbers button
3. Enable the Member Numbers button
Splitting the Beams
1. From the top toolbar go to Geometry >

Define New Nodes > Split Member
(insert a node)
2. Select Member 3
3. Input a distance of 4.5 in the Distance

Input box to split the member into 4.5
and 2.5 meter lengths
4. Click Proceed to carry out the split
5. Click Reset to empty the selection
6. Select Member 5
7. Input 2 in the Distance Input box to

split the member into 2 and 4 meter
lengths
8. Click Proceed to carry out the split
Moving a Node
We could move node 4 by using Shift, or

the Edit Co-ordinates function. Instead, as a
learning exercise, we will use the Change
XYZ function.

> Change Nodal Coordinates >
Change XYZ (Block of Nodes)
2. Select Node 4
3. Select Change X Co-ordinate
4. Click New X Value and select Node 9

(the x coordinate of node 9 is inserted
as the new X value)
5. Enable Show New Frame
6. Click the Proceed button to carry out

the changes
Changing the Definition of a Member

> Define New Members > Redefine
Ends for an Existing Member
2. Select M18
3. Select Node 4
4. Select Node 9
5. Select Park
Inserting a Member and a New Node

> Change Nodal Coordinates >
Change XYZ (Block of Nodes)
2. Enable Snap Grid from the bottom

right of the graphical display
3. Select Node 11

4. Select the grid intersection directly
below Node 11
5. Click the Park button
Correcting Member Directions
It is best if all members run left to right and

all columns run from bottom to top.
Currently, M32 is upside down. We use
automatic renumbering to address this.

> Renumber Nodes and Members >
Renumber all Nodes and Members
2. Accept the default Advanced option

and click Proceed
Notice the new order of the node and

member numbers.
Creating a Super Member
Since moving the column and creating an

additional one, we now have to new beam
members (4 and 5). These two members
will be one structural member in reality,
acting as a transfer beam. For design

purposes it will be helpful to make these
two members into one super member.
1. From the top toolbar go to Geometry >

Super Members > Define Super
Members
2. Select the Add/Remove Members

button
3. Click on M4 and M5 to add them to the

current analysis super member
definition.
4. Click on the X button in the top right of

the panel to close super members
Add a Static Support to the New Column

> Nodal Restraints > Static Supports
(Rs)
6. Click on Node 9
The base of the new column will be added

to static support group 1 of 1 with a pinned
support condition.
7. Click on the Park button
8. Switch off the Node and Member

numbers
9. From the main menu go to File > Exit

MasterFrame
10. When prompted to save, select Yes
END OF PART 1

T1.16 MASTERKEY STEEL SECTIONS DESIGN
Aim: To open the appropriate file from the file selection menu.
First, we need to open the frame generated

in part one of this tutorial.
11. Go to Frames > MasterFrame:

Analysis Design Drafting
12. Select Tutorial – MasterFrame Steel

from the list
13. Click the Get File button

T1.17 SWAY EFFECTS
Aim: To account for horizontal notional loads.
We will introduce four sway load cases which will be used to determine the sway mode
elastic critical load factor, λcr, of the frame, and show how to carry out a second-order
elastic analysis (P-delta) on the frame.
1. From the main menu, select Edit

Special Loads > Horizontal Notional
Loads
3. Ensure Load Case 001 is selected in

the drop down menu
4. Enable Horizontal Notional Loads
5. Ensure only 0 and 180 are in the

Notional Loads Directions box
6. Click on the Create All button to

generate these cases automatically
7. Now go to the Analysis Options tab

and select Load Case 007 : Sway
Stability @ 180° from the drop down
menu
8. Check the Find Elastic Critical Load

Factor (Buckling Analysis) box
This action will find the Notional Horizontal Loads equal to 0.5% of the vertical factored
dead plus live loads at each floor level (from the first load case). One of the sway loads is
then used to calculate the elastic critical load factor, which is used to determine whether or
not the structure requires second order analysis.
Four additional load cases have been created:

 Load Case 006: Sway Stability @ 0°
 Load Case 007: Sway Stability @ 180°
 Load Case 008: Dead plus Live (Ultimate) + Notional @ 0°
 Load Case 009: Dead plus Live (Ultimate) + Notional @ 180°
9. Select Load Case 007: Sway Stability

@ 180° from the drop list of load cases

The previously found Notional Horizontal Loads, from load case 001, will be added at each
floor level in load cases 006 and 007. The forces can be applied at any angle measured
on plan.
Note that nothing needs to be activated in the Loading Combinations tab, apart from the
1.00 global factor already present.

Combinations box by clicking the X at
the top of the panel

T1.18 MEMBER RELEASES
Aim: The frame currently has continuity at all the joints. We may wish to pin the tops of
the two columns only going to first floor level (members 18 and 19), and the bottom of the
column starting at this level (member 24).
1. Enable the Member Numbers button

> Member Releases > Member End
Releases
3. Ensure the Release Minor Axis and

Release Major Axis boxes are
checked
4. Click on the top of M25 and M32, and

on the bottom of M30 to apply the
releases
No node should have all members joining it pinned, as this would cause nodal
instability. At least one member should connect rigidly to the node.

T1.19 MEMBER GROUPS
Aim: In MasterSeries you can group a number of members together, so that when you
come to design stage these members can be designed for the worst loading cases for the
whole group. Hence, all members of the group will be the same section size. Member
groups can also be put to other uses, for example, as viewing filters.
1. From the main menu go to Viewing >

Member Groups
2. Click in the title box
3. Type in External Columns for the first

group
4. Select the Add/Remove Members

button
5. Now select the outer columns, M15 –

M18, and M26 – M29
6. Add a new group using the Add New

button
7. Click in the title box
8. Give the group the title Internal

Columns
9. Select all the internal columns M19 –

M21, M22 – M24, M30 – M31
10. Add a new group for the remaining two

columns, M25 and M32
11. Add a group called Outer Beams,

members M1, M7, and M10
12. Add a group called Inner Beams,

members M2, M8, and M9
13. Add a group called Shorter Beams,

M3 – M6
14. Finally add a group for the Rafters,

M11 – 14
15. Switch off Member Numbers

T1.20 RE-ANALYSIS
Aim: Having introduced sway load cases and released the ends of some members, we
will re-analyse the frame and briefly examine the bending moment results before carrying
on to design the frame.
1. From the main menu select Analyse
2. Click the Plane Frame analysis button
3. From the main menu go to Output >

View/Print Graphical Output
4. Select Bending Moment and reduce

the B.M. Scale to 200
5. Click on Major Axis Only and Show

Values
We can now see that the two short ground

floor columns have no moments due to their
pinned connections.

T1.21 RE-ANALYSIS
Aim: Having introduced sway load cases and released the ends of some members, we
will re-analyse the frame and briefly examine the bending moment results before carrying
on to design the frame.
1. Close the graphics screen
2. From the main menu go to Design >

Steel Design
You will see that there are initially two

design options on the top menu –
Integrated Design and Automatic Design.
The Integrated Design Menu
1. Select an AutoCheck – Group Check

from the Integrated Design menu
2. Select all the members of the frame

by drawing a box around them
The AutoCheck – Group Check will carry

out a quick local and overall capacity check
on all selected members, assuming their
effective lengths to be the full length of the
member.
3. Select Axially Loaded Members with

Moments from the Integrated Design
menu
4. The Apply-to mode should be

automatically selected, enable it from
the graphics area
5. Apply the brief to M2 by clicking on it
6. Reset the section size to 457x152x52

UB
7. Click on the Auto Size Current

Member button
MasterKey will automatically size the

member for you.

The results of the AutoCheck are colour coded as follows:
 Red members are locally overstressed

 Cyan members require additional lateral restraints
 Black members pass the local and buckling checks
 Grey members are not checked (for example, sections that are not licensed)
Automatic Design
Placing of design briefs – rather than place

design briefs on all members manually we
will place them automatically.
1. Delete the Axially Loaded Members

with Moments brief on M2 by clicking
the Delete current brief title button
2. From the main menu go to Automatic

Design > Add Multi-Storey
Continuous Construction (Current
View)
MasterKey will apply an Axially Loaded

Members with moments check to all the
currently visible members of the frame.
3. Select the binoculars icon from the

top left hand side of the graphics area
4. Click on M4-5
Because M4-5 is a super member,

MasterKey will see them as a single
member, and will design them accordingly.
Next, we’ll design each group of members

in turn, with each group having the same
section size.
5. Select the Automatic Design button
6. Click the Sort by Weight button
7. Select the External Columns from the

All Member Groups drop list

8. Select to Auto size all visible
members using the same section
button
9. Confirm the section type, UC, and steel

grade, S 275, you wish to use by
clicking the OK button
It should be noted that the effective length

of the columns is taken to be 1.0L, where L
is the length of each segment. These
settings can be altered in the Axial with
Moments tab.
10. Repeat this process for the internal

columns, two columns, inner and
outer beams, and shorter beams
Finally, auto design the rafters but consider

them to be restrained by purlins at 1.8
meter centers.
11. Select the Rafters from the members

group drop list
12. In the Axial with Moment tab, change

the effective length from Full Rest to
1.0L
13. In the Lateral Restraints tab, deselect

Auto Restrain at Connected
Members
14. Change the value in Portion 1 to 1.8

meters
If we type a value in the Portion 1 box only

then MasterKey assumes that spacing for
all subsequent portions of the member.
15. Set the member groups back to All

Member Groups in the drop list
16. Click on the Re-analyse button
17. Click the Scan for Failures button

18. When prompted to scan the current
view, select Yes
This will check all the design briefs and

highlight any that fail after re-analysis. Any
failures can be re-sized, re-analysed and
checked again until all members pass.
We could have opted to place simple construction design checks on the frame if it
had been set up as a simple structure rather than a rigid frame. Selecting Add Multi-
Storey Simple Construction from the Automatic Design menu would apply columns
in simple construction and beams and beam portion checks on the appropriate members.

T1.22 SECOND ORDER ANALYSIS
Aim: To check the elastic critical load factor for the sway stability case created earlier.
1. From the main menu go to Integrated

Design > Elastic Critical Load Factor
An elastic critical load factor check is added

to the design brief drop list. The calculation
output will be highlighted in blue if second
order analysis is required.
2. From the main menu go to Edit-View >
Edit Frame
3. If prompted to save, click Yes
4. From the main menu go to Options >

Analysis Options > P-delta Analysis
5. Select Load Case 001: Dead plus

Live (Ultimate) from the drop down list
6. Activate the P-Delta Analysis tick box

and select the GS (Geometric
Stiffness)
7. Close the Title and Load

Combinations screen
8. Analyse the frame again
If during P-Delta Analysis the frame is

unstable, a message will be displayed
stating that the frame is too flexible. If the
frame is stable no message will be
displayed.
9. From the main menu go to Design >

Steel Design
10. Select the Elastic Critical Load

Factor design brief from the design
brief list
This confirms that a second order analysis

has been carried out successfully in the
sway stability load case.

END OF TUTORIAL

T1.23 Tutorials, Webinars, & Free Trials
Tutorials
If you have purchased any of our products, you will be able to access additional training
materials through the Manuals & Documentation section of our website after logging in.
Alternatively, you can view more tutorials through the main menu bar on the start-up
screen of the MasterSeries software. Simply go to Help > Help Contents > Tutorials.
Videos & Webinars

There are a large number of videos and webinars available online. Some of the webinars
are available to the public through our YouTube page. For existing users of the
MasterSeries software, you will be able to access additional materials after logging in on
our website, and navigating to the Training Videos section.
Free Trials
To try any of our software packages simply contact us with the details of which software
you’re interested in, and we’ll set you up a free 30 day trial.

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Tutorial 1(ii)

MasterFrame – The Basics

T1.01 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1

Overview & Outcome

 Editing frame geometry, defining properties, orientation and loading

 Application of nodal supports, load cases, and section sizes

 Applying loading cases and load combinations

 Analysing the frame and viewing the results

T1 MasterFrame – The Basics Tutorial - Steel Page 1 of 39

1. From your desktop select: Start >

2. From the top menu select: Frames >

T1 MasterFrame – The Basics Tutorial - Steel Page 2 of 39

1. Click on the New File button to clear

2. Type “Tutorial – MasterFrame Steel”

3. Click on the Create New button

T1 MasterFrame – The Basics Tutorial - Steel Page 3 of 39

The Frame Generation Menu (Frame

1. Select the Multi-Bay and Grillages

T1 MasterFrame – The Basics Tutorial - Steel Page 4 of 39

T1 MasterFrame – The Basics Tutorial - Steel Page 5 of 39

1. Set the top four parameters as shown

2. Select the drop-list which says Span

3. Set both spans 2 and 3 equal to 7

4. Click on the member lengths button

5. Ensure that Show New Frame is

T1 MasterFrame – The Basics Tutorial - Steel Page 6 of 39

1. Switch off the Member Lengths, and

2. From the main menu bar navigate to:

3. With the Nodes to Shift box

4. Enter a value of 2 in the Shift Y box

5. Enable the Show New Frame button

6. Click on the Proceed button

Your frame should now match the one

1. From the main menu go to Geometry

2. Add nodes 16 and 17 to the Nodes to

3. Ensure that Retain X Co-ordinate is

4. Enable the Show New Frame button

5. Click the Proceed button

6. Click the Reset button to clear the

T1 MasterFrame – The Basics Tutorial - Steel Page 7 of 39

Your from should now match the one shown

Define New Member

1. From the main menu go to Geometry

2. Click the Settings button at the bottom

3. Click the Tracking tab and ensure that

6. Hover over node 18 until a red X

7. Now move the cursor above node 16

This will create the vertical member 16-21

8. Pick node 20 and then move the

9. With the cursor tracking along the

T1 MasterFrame – The Basics Tutorial - Steel Page 8 of 39

1. From the main menu go to Properties

2. Select M 1 to make it the current

3. Select the Section button from the

4. Select Steel Sections from the bottom

5. From the three drop lists select UB,

1. Change the mode from Edit Member

2. Window members M2, M3, M4 to paste

3. Window members M5, M6, M7, and

4. Remaining in Copy to mode, change

T1 MasterFrame – The Basics Tutorial - Steel Page 9 of 39

6. Remaining in Copy to mode,

7. Apply this section to the outer left