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MasterSeries Training Workshop: Introduction to MasterFrame & Integrated Analysis and Design Modules 2025

This training workshop provided an overview of the MasterFrame software, focusing on its integrated analysis and design modules, using "Tutorial 2," a basic goalpost frame, as the central example.

I. MasterSeries Software Overview and Interface

MasterFrame is described as the "heart of the MasterSeries ecosystem," linking to approximately 21 integrated analysis and design modules (e.g., steel, concrete, connections, timber, pile caps, composite). These modules can be accessed within MasterFrame or used Standalone.

The main menu includes sections for:

• Programs: To select specific modules.

• Import Functions: Including BIM import and basic MasterFrame imports.

• Utilities: Used for customization, preferences, setting up user-defined steel sections, or changing loading combinations.

• Resources: Providing access to tutorials, videos, and manuals (including Tutorial 2).

• Remote Support Tool: Used to initiate remote support sessions.

The layout of the software is intentionally structured to guide users through the process of creating, analyzing, and designing a structure by moving from left to right across the top menu:

• Create: Adding members (beams, columns, bracing).

• Modify: Editing geometry (deleting, splitting, moving members).

• Properties: Defining member properties and attributes (e.g., materials, FE surfaces).

• Loading: Applying nodal, line, member, area, or FE surface loading.

• Restraints: Setting support conditions (pinned, fixed, released).

• Analysis: Performing static analysis.

• Design: Jumping into the various integrated design modules.

II. Modeling and Analysis Steps (Tutorial 2: 2D Frame)

The modeling process began by opening MasterFrame, creating a new file, and selecting the snap grid pre-processor.

1. Geometry: Columns (4m high, 8m apart) and a beam were drawn, and Design Groups were created (e.g., "columns," "beam") to group elements intended to be the same size.

2. Properties: The beam was converted to a double hunch section (0.5m hunch length at both ends, with a depth twice the beam depth) using the Properties menu.

3. Loading: The instructor noted that MasterFrame requires users to go into specific menus to apply actions. Loads applied included two UDLs and a point load (all gravity loads) on the beam, and a nodal point load (W1, simulating wind) on node number two. The Frame Loads option was highlighted as a useful tool for checking load application.

4. Load Cases and Combinations: Load cases were generated manually and using the Autogenerate feature, which can create ultimate and service combinations based on codes (like Euro code 6.10) for dead, live, and wind loads.

5. Restraints: Pinned supports were assigned to the base nodes.

6. Analysis and Results: A static analysis was performed (using plain frame). Results, such as the bending moment diagram and axial forces, can be viewed graphically, including envelopes for ultimate or serviceability cases. Reports can be generated and exported to Microsoft Word (or PDF), allowing users to continuously add calculations, graphics, and notes.

III. Integrated Design Modules

Tutorial 2 utilised several integrated design modules:

• Steel Member Design: This module takes load and geometry information from MasterFrame. Users can manage design groups, change design data (like deflection limits), and set lateral restraint settings (e.g., equal spacing, specifying top or bottom flange restraint). The module also offers an Auto size feature to select a passing section based on analysis results.

• Steel Connection Design (Eaves Connection and Base Plate): The user must be explicit in defining the connection type using the joint template library. The module displays calculation status (pass/fail) and shows common issues, such as dimensional errors (e.g., flange preventing bolts from being fitted).

• Concrete Pad Design: This module allows the input of geotechnical information and can perform an auto design of the pad, specifying it as mass or reinforced concrete.

IV. Extrapolation to 3D Structure

The instructor extrapolated the 2D frame into a simple 3D box structure:

1. The existing frame was copied across the Z direction.

2. New elements were added, including concrete ground beams with released ends.

3. Bracing was added, including single-leg parallel and X-bracing (tension only).

4. The Member Property Editor was demonstrated as a tool for multi-selecting ties and modifying properties (e.g., section size, releases) across multiple members simultaneously.

5. FE Surface (Finite Element): A simple ground slab was defined, attached to the ground beams, assigned concrete material, and loaded with an area load.

6. Area Loading (Floor/Roof Panels): This feature allows the definition of level defaults (Superimposed Dead/Live loads) and the creation of one-way or two-way spanning panels.

7. Wind Panel Loading: The software allows setting wind panels for four directions and uses Google Maps integration to verify site location, obstructions, and topography to aid in site data input.

8. Slab Design: The final step showed the capability to perform analysis on shell elements and noted that full concrete slab design requires an upgrade to the basic PowerPad license.

Timestamped Table of Workshop Activities

Time Range	Activity/Topic	Source Reference
0:05 – 0:48	Workshop Introduction	MasterFrame Integrated Design and Analysis Modules Workshop focusing on Tutorial 2.
0:48 – 1:27	Tutorial 2 Goalpost Frame Overview	Goals: get familiar with MasterFrame, design exposure, and analysis viewing. Plan to extrapolate to a simple 3D box structure.
1:27 – 2:01	Master Series Interface Overview	Overview of the main menu, programs (modules), and import functions (including BIM).
2:01 – 2:40	Utility and Preferences	Customization options (user-defined steel sections, changing loading combinations).
2:40 – 3:50	Resources, Support, and Licenses	Accessing Tutorial 2 and other manuals/videos. Remote support tool and administrative license options.
3:50 – 5:54	Master Series Ecosystem & Integrated Modules	MasterFrame is the "heart," integrating with about 21 analysis and design modules (e.g., steel, concrete, connections). Tutorial 2 covers steel, concrete pad foundations, columns, beams, and connections.
5:54 – 6:39	Creating a New MasterFrame File	Clicking on the MasterFrame module and creating a new file named "Master frame work show".
6:39 – 7:33	Frame Generation Pre-Processor	Introduction to grid lines, floor plans, and snap grid (recommended, especially for users familiar with CAD).
7:33 – 10:48	Software Layout and Menu Flow	Brought into isometric view to Define members. Discussion of the menu system flow: Create, Modify, Properties, Loading, Restraints, Analysis, Results, Design, BIM exchange, and Report generator.
10:48 – 13:02	Adding Columns and Design Groups	Using 'Add members General' to define two steel columns (UB S355, 254 UB 146). Introduced Design Groups for columns. Columns modeled as 4m high.
13:02 – 16:05	Adding the Beam Member	Viewing the columns in 3D. Adding the beam between the top nodes; defining a "beam" design group and retaining rigid connections (not pinned ends).
16:05 – 18:28	Applying Hunch Section	Navigating to Properties > Member Section Material. Applying a double hunch section to the beam (0.5m hunch length at both ends, depth of 2x the beam depth).
18:28 – 20:29	Loading Philosophy	Explanation that MasterFrame requires intentional navigation to specific menus (like Loads menu) instead of editing properties only in the main model space.
20:29 – 22:57	Applying Member Loading	Adding two UDLs and one point load. Defining values based on tutorial: D1 UDL (12.5), L1 UDL (-7.5), and D1 point load (-12.5 at 2.5m).
22:57 – 25:25	Applying Nodal Loading (Wind)	Introduced the Frame Loads tool for visually checking applied loads. Added a nodal load (12.5 in the X Direction) at node 2 for wind load group W1.
25:25 – 28:50	Q&A: Geometry Modification	Demonstration of changing the geometry (moving the second column by -0.7m in the X direction) using the Modify Move Members option.
28:50 – 31:44	Manual Load Case Creation	Reviewing default load cases. Manually adding a load case ("dead plus live ultimate") and defining combination factors (e.g., 1.35 and 1.5).
31:44 – 35:26	Auto-Generating Load Cases	Using the 'Autogenerate or Update Cases' feature to create ultimate and service load cases based on Euro code 6.10, including D+L and D+L+W combinations.
35:26 – 36:49	Defining Restraints (Supports)	Confirmed self-weight is in load group D1. Used the Restraints menu to define pinned nodal static supports at the base of the columns.
36:49 – 37:51	Analysis Execution	Running Static Analysis; selecting Plain Frame for 2D analysis.
37:51 – 41:29	Graphical Analysis Results and Reporting	Reviewing envelopes for ultimate cases (bending moment, axial forces, deflected shape). Demonstrated generating reports by exporting graphics (diagrams) and tables (support reactions) to Microsoft Word.
41:29 – 43:40	Managing Design Groups	Setting design group parameters within the Design menu, ensuring section sizes are the same for all members in the "columns" and "beam" groups.
43:40 – 47:49	Steel Member Design	Checking steel design calculations (failure shown by blue screen/red text). Applied lateral restraint settings (e.g., 1.4m spacing, top flange restraint). Used Auto Design to find passing section sizes.
47:49 – 51:17	Steel Connection Design	Entered the Steel Connection module. Demonstrated checking a beam-to-column Eaves connection and a Base Plate connection, highlighting dimensional failures and the auto design option.
51:17 – 52:20	Concrete Pad Design	Setting up geotechnical data and using auto design to size concrete pad foundations (specifying mass or reinforced concrete).
52:20 – 57:41	Extrapolating to 3D Structure	Copying the 2D frame 5m in the Z direction. Added concrete ground beams (600 deep, 400 wide). Added vertical bracing (single leg and X-bracing) and set them as compression/tension-only. Used the Member Property Editor to multi-select and change tie element properties.
57:41 – 59:27	Finite Element (FE) Surface	Created a simple FE surface (round slab). Defined supports as "attached beams" and set thickness (250 thick codified concrete) and applied area loading (5 kN/m² live load).
59:27 – 1:01:03	Advice on Timber Members	Advice against generating many small timber elements on the roof due to complexity and potential exceeding member limits (e.g., PowerPad limit of 200/500 members).
1:01:03 – 1:02:22	3D Area Loading	Setting up Floor and Roof Panels for area loading, defining superimposed dead and live loads per level.
1:02:22 – 1:04:49	Wind Panel Loading & Google Maps	Demonstrated the wind panel loading feature. Utilized Google Maps integration (in 2024 version) for precise site data based on post codes (e.g., B 36 Del). Used 'auto all' to generate wind panels automatically.
1:04:49 – 1:07:08	Final Analysis and Module Integration	Running analysis (with automatic surface meshing) and viewing results including Shell elements. Brief introduction to the Concrete Slab Design module (upgrade to basic Power Pad license). Highlighted the main purpose: showing module integration with MasterFrame.
1:07:08 – 1:08:08	Workshop Conclusion	Thanking attendees and providing follow-up information (next session February 13th) and emphasizing available resources (tutorials, manuals, video guides).