User Interface Overview

Upon opening a .Masonry14 file, the default assemblage is a beam. Figure 2‑1: Overview of tabs‑ provides some of the more important tools and features available in MASS for a beam assemblage. The majority of these features are also common to the wall and shear wall modules.

Toolbars

Table 2‑1: Overview of toolbar provides a list and brief description of the buttons available in the main MASS toolbar.

Table 2‑1: Overview of toolbar

Tabs

Figure 2‑1: Overview of tabs‑ provides a brief overview of some of the main features of the program.

Overview of tabs

Materials: Contains the Materials tab, which allows users to enter in all the properties of the assemblage.

Loads: Allows users to applied loads and moments to the assemblage.

Beam, Loads, Reactions, Moment, Shear,Deflection:llows users to view the assemblage, the loads applied, the reactions, as well as the moment, shear, and deflectionClosedDeviation of an assemblage with respect to its centroid. MASS uses deflection limits to carry out the deflection design of beams and walls. The limit for beam deflection is L/480 (CSA S304.1-04: 11.4.5), or a maximum total deflection input by users; the limit for out-of-plane wall deflection varies from span/180 to span/360 (CSA S304.1-04: 10.14.3), or a maximum total deflection input by users. The program includes the effects of slenderness (deflection due to deflection) for deflection calculations of out-of-plane walls. diagram.

Simplified Results:Provides a summary of the design results at each design step.

Detailed Results: Provides detailed intermediate design calculations.

Load Analysis Results: Provides the internal forces along the assemblage in the form of data tables.

Status bar: Updates users on the progress of the design.

Beam 1: Tab that allows for the design of a beam.

Wall 1: Tab that allows for the design of an out-of-plane wall.

Shear wall 1: Tab that allows for the design of a shear wall.

Windows and Margins

The three main windows in the program are: the input window, the drawing window, and the results window, as shown in Figure 2‑2: Input Window, Drawings Window, and Results Window‑.

Figure 2‑2: Input Window, Drawings Window, and Results Window

Depending on the assemblages, the location of these windows may be rearranged. All window margins within the program are adjustable.

To adjust a window size:

  1. Place the mouse cursor over the margin to be adjusted. The mouse pointer changes from to   (vertical resize) or  (horizontal resize).
  1. Click and drag the margin to the desired location.

The outer most edges of the windows are also adjustable; however, these resize the entire program window.

Continue Reading: Design Steps 

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