MASS User Documentation

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        • Version History and Change Log
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      • General Overview
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    • Beams
      • Introduction
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    • Out-of-Plane Walls
      • Introduction
      • Design Steps
      • A Complete Design
      • Loads Analysis Results
      • Design Strategy
      • P-M Interaction Diagram
    • Shear Walls
      • Introduction
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      • Boundary Elements
      • A Complete Design
      • Load Analysis Results
      • Design Strategy
      • Element Deflection
      • Self-Weight
      • Interaction Diagram
    • Multi-Storey Shear Walls
      • Introduction
      • Design Steps
      • Design Strategy
      • Load Distribution
      • Drift
    • Shearline
      • Introduction
      • Design Steps
      • Load Distribution
      • Pier Generation
      • Design Strategy
  • Contact Us

Brad Crumb

Brad is a Masonry Design Engineer with CMDC. Starting in 2011, his main role with the CMDC has involved developing the masonry design software, MASS, as well as handling the engineering related technical support questions that come in on a regular basis. If you've called or emailed the CMDC office about MASS, chances are you had the pleasure of meeting Brad.
Announcements

Change Notification: Lambda Values for Beam Density and Shear

Deviating from the CSA Standards to better reflect practical design   While the existing implementation for MASS Versions 3.0 and 4.0 is most correct to the strict S304 clause, MASS support has decided to change the implementation to better reflect realistic design scenarios. A type C masonry unit must have Read more…

By Brad Crumb, 1 year1 year ago
Bug Notification

Bug Notification: Drift Values instead of Elastic Deflections used for Inelastic Rotational Demand

The current MASS approach in Version 4.0 means that linear elastic deflections are over-corrected in a way that largely overestimates demand, making ductility verifications far more difficult.   Many shear wall designs require that a ductility verification be performed and satisfied. While the software has a number of systems in Read more…

By Brad Crumb, 1 year ago
Bug Notification

Bug Notification: Seismic reinforcement spacings applied to all shear walls resisting an earthquake load

While most seismic requirements are triggered by the application of an earthquake load, MASS is too stringent on it’s reinforcement spacing requirements in cases of low seismic hazard index.   When bugs are reported in MASS, they are taken very seriously. In the interest of transparency, they are also posted Read more…

By Brad Crumb, 1 year1 year ago
Bug Notification

Notification: Seismic Shear Forces Amplification Change for Elements Above Critical Section

The storey-by-storey design approach currently in MASS can excessively amplify shear forces beyond expected results   In cases where a bug or other issue is found in the MASS software, announcements are posted on the software’s known bugs page, as well as on this page here. It is always encouraged Read more…

By Brad Crumb, 1 year1 year ago
Bug Notification

Bug Notification: Non-Seismic Lateral Companion Loads Amplified for Seismic Effects

Be aware of this for shear wall designs resisting lateral earth pressures   In cases where a bug or other issue is found in the MASS software, announcements are posted on the software’s known bugs page, as well as on this page here. It is always encouraged that suspected bugs Read more…

By Brad Crumb, 1 year1 year ago
Announcements

Version 4.0 Feature Spotlight: Ductility Verification

Moderately Ductile and Ductile shear walls can now be designed within MASS to satisfy the ductility verification (required by CSA S304-14) Any designers struggling with post-disaster strictures or the axial load limitations of conventional construction masonry will be happy to know that MASS Version 4.0 has the ability to perform Read more…

By Brad Crumb, 1 year12 months ago
Announcements

Version 4.0 Feature Spotlight: Simplified National Building Code Seismic Design

Added to the 2015 National Building Code of Canada is a new design pathway that can be used for areas with very low seismic hazard levels. If you are designing shear walls in an area with very low spectral acceleration values (Looking at you Manitoba and Saskatchewan) then we we Read more…

By Brad Crumb, 1 year12 months ago
Bug Notification

Bug Notification: Out-of-Plane Shear Resistance checked only at location of maximum shear

While not always calculated at the critical location of a wall, out-of-plane walls are typically governed by flexure.   In cases where a bug or other issue is found in the MASS software, announcements are posted on the software’s known bugs page, as well as on this page here. While Read more…

By Brad Crumb, 2 years1 year ago
Bug Notification

Known Bugs in MASS

Bugs are found from time to time and in our effort to be trustworthy and transparent, they are posted here as well as appearing on the MASS Welcome Screen   The known bugs page has moved from the MASS website to the MASS section of the CMDC website. Click here Read more…

By Brad Crumb, 2 years1 year ago
News

MASS Version 4.0 is now available – adds multi-storey design and more earthquake design options

Version 4.0 adds to the scope of what MASS is capable of handling   It’s real, and it’s spectacular! We are very excited to announce this new release, available immediately and for free to all current, active license holders. This post originally appeared on the new MASS documentation website. Click Read more…

By Brad Crumb, 2 years12 months ago

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Recent Posts
  • Change Notification: Lambda Values for Beam Density and Shear
  • Bug Notification: Drift Values instead of Elastic Deflections used for Inelastic Rotational Demand
  • Bug Notification: Seismic reinforcement spacings applied to all shear walls resisting an earthquake load
  • Notification: Seismic Shear Forces Amplification Change for Elements Above Critical Section
  • Bug Notification: Non-Seismic Lateral Companion Loads Amplified for Seismic Effects
  • Version 4.0 Feature Spotlight: Ductility Verification
  • Version 4.0 Feature Spotlight: Simplified National Building Code Seismic Design
  • Bug Notification: Out-of-Plane Shear Resistance checked only at location of maximum shear
  • Known Bugs in MASS
  • MASS Version 4.0 is now available – adds multi-storey design and more earthquake design options
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