Composite Design Tutorial Examples 2026

This webinar, provides a detailed walkthrough of composite steel-concrete design workflows within the MasterSeries structural engineering software suite (0:00-1:40). The presentation emphasizes the efficiency of composite construction, where steel resists tension and concrete resists compression, joined by shear studs to improve bending resistance and stiffness (2:25-3:32).

The presentation covers two primary design workflows:

Standalone Composite Beam Designer (3:42 - 43:45)

This module is best for rapid sizing and feasibility studies of individual beams. Patrick McGinley demonstrates several practical scenarios:

• • Cellular beams with circular web openings and metal decking (12:49-30:49).
  • Pre-cast hollow core slabs integrated with composite beams (31:14-38:07).
  • Slim floor arrangements utilizing asymmetric beams or UC sections with bottom plates (38:15-43:45).

Integrated Building Design Suite (43:45 - 1:05:55)

Andras demonstrates designing composite beams within a full 3D structural model. Key features include:

• • Global analysis integration: Beams are designed using forces derived from global frame analysis, allowing for an iterative process that accounts for changes in member stiffness as composite action develops (5:51-6:35).
  • Automated workflows: Tools for auto-designing entire floors, creating design groups, and performing model-wide optimization (6:38-7:05, 1:02:11-1:05:24).
  • Validation: The software visually identifies valid composite members in yellow, ensuring they meet structural criteria like simple support releases before design (51:45-53:40).

The session concludes with an introduction to the new MasterSeries Knowledge Base (1:05:55), which centralizes updated manuals, video tutorials, and new 'guidance notes' to assist engineers with daily software queries (1:07:13-1:11:17).