MasterSeries: Full Workflow Tutorial Multi-Storey Concrete Building Design with Finite Element Surfaces [Workshop Recording]

Posted on April 14th, 2025 in Webinars

Summary

This workshop details the process of designing a multi-storey concrete building using MasterSeries software, guiding users from initial model creation to comprehensive structural analysis and reinforcement design. The session systematically covers building the structural frame, defining elements like columns, beams, and shear walls, and applying various load types, including dead, live, and wind loads, with a focus on alternative pattern loading for accurate slab design. A significant portion is dedicated to Finite Element (FE) surface modelling for slabs and walls, explaining how to define boundaries, openings, and support conditions, followed by an in-depth exploration of reinforcement design within the concrete slab and wall modules, covering basic, peak, strip, and punching shear reinforcement for optimal structural integrity.

Key Topics

• MasterSeries Software
• Building Design
• Slab Reinforcement
• Shear Walls
• Structural Analysis

Description

This describes a workshop that guides users through the comprehensive process of designing a multi-storey concrete building using MasterSeries software. The workshop covers everything from creating the building model from scratch to performing reinforcement design.

The design workflow within MasterSeries involves several key modules and stages:

• Building Model Creation in MasterFrame:

    ◦ The process begins by creating a new file and selecting a "multi-storey" template to save time.

    ◦ Users define the number of spans and stories (e.g., three spans, three stories) and set base fixity.

    ◦ Frames are duplicated in the Z direction (e.g., two copies at 5m intervals) to form the full structure, including connecting members.

    ◦ Specific members, such as ground members and internal elements, are deleted or modified.

    ◦ Ground beams are defined with specific concrete sections (e.g., 450mm wide by 600mm deep) and ends are released.

    ◦ Grid lines are created (e.g., numbered in X-axis, lettered in Z-axis) and levels are automatically detected and renamed (e.g., Ground Floor, First Floor, Second Floor, Roof).

• Finite Element (FE) Surface Creation:

    ◦ FE surfaces are added for slabs (ground floor, roof, first floor, second floor) and shear walls.

    ◦ Users select boundary elements for each surface, and the software confirms a valid FE surface visually.

    ◦ Openings within slabs and shear walls can be defined by adding dummy members to delineate the opening boundaries.

    ◦ Attached beams (e.g., ground beams) can be included in the FE surface definition to allow for their design.

    ◦ Codified materials (e.g., Concrete grade C28/35) are selected, and material thickness is specified (e.g., 250mm for ground floor, 200mm for roof).

    ◦ Various loads are applied to FE surfaces, including dead loads, live loads, and perimeter line loads (e.g., for masonry walls). Options for point loads, line loads, and patch loads are also available.

    ◦ For shear walls, pinned supports are specified at the base.

    ◦ FE surfaces, such as floor slabs, can be copied from one level to another.

• Wind Loading and Load Cases:

    ◦ Wind panels are set up for different elevations and wind loading is activated, with four wind directions (pressure and suction).

    ◦ Site data (e.g., postcode for Queens University Belfast) is entered to determine wind parameters.

    ◦ Load cases are set up using an auto-generate function, which can include complex pattern loading for live loads (e.g., four load sets for outer/inner strips in X and Z directions). Dummy members are used to define load set boundaries.

    ◦ The load case generator ensures appropriate factors and grouping for leading variable load groups.

• FE Meshing and Analysis:

    ◦ Global meshing options are configured, including meshing to column/wall stiff regions and setting an initial mesh size (e.g., 0.5m).

    ◦ The FE mesh is generated, showing stiff regions around columns and shear walls.

    ◦ A static analysis of the frame is performed.

• Reviewing Analysis Results:

    ◦ Graphical analysis results can be viewed for both line elements (e.g., axial forces, bending moments, shear forces, deflected shape) and shell elements (e.g., force/displacement contours, required reinforcement, stresses, maximum error percentages).

    ◦ Maximum error percentage is checked to indicate mesh quality and numerical stability; values above 10% may indicate insufficient mesh refinement.

    ◦ Section line diagrams allow users to extract and plot result values along a defined line (e.g., average strip bending moment).

• Concrete Slab Reinforcement Design:

    ◦ The Concrete Slab Design module allows setting default parameters for automatic slab reinforcement design, including rebar grades, covers, basic rebar sizes (e.g., 10-20mm at 200mm spacing), peak zone auto-sizing, and strip zone orientation.

    ◦ Basic reinforcement is set up for entire FE surfaces, and unity ratios are reviewed graphically to identify areas requiring more steel. Bar sizes are adjusted (e.g., from 10mm to 12mm) to achieve compliance.

    ◦ Peak reinforcement is added for areas with high hogging moments (e.g., at column heads). Multiple peak zones can be automatically created and designed, with options to group similar columns. Note that bar laps for peak zones must be specified by the user beyond the software's design.

    ◦ Strip reinforcement is applied in specific areas, such as above shear walls, by drawing strip lines and auto-designing reinforcement.

    ◦ Punching shear checks can be carried out for all columns within the module, using FE shear forces design method. Different shear bar layouts are available.

• Concrete Wall Design:

    ◦ The Concrete Wall Design module offers default settings for grades, cover, and wall pier rebar (e.g., 16mm at 200mm).

    ◦ The equal strip widths method (e.g., 1m strip width) is a key design methodology.

    ◦ Wall pier zones can be created manually by drawing rectangles or automatically generated for all shear wall surfaces, which also detects and sets up coupler beams for openings.

    ◦ Reinforcement and restraint conditions can be edited, and auto-design functionality is available.

• Output and Additional Functionality:

    ◦ Reports can be generated in Word, and rebar intent drawings can be exported to DXF/DWG (though detailed bending schedules are not produced directly).

    ◦ The software also includes modules for long-term deflection and crack analysis of FE slabs, which is part of the concrete slab and wall design module.

    ◦ MasterSeries modules are available in bundles such as the PowerPad (with FE surfaces up to 200m²), the Concrete Design Bundle (which includes beams, columns, pads, and pile cap design), and the Full Building Design Suite (which includes unlimited master frame members, wind loading, and BIM integration).