All About MASS

MASS analyzes and designs masonry beams, out-of-plane walls, and shear walls in accordance with the Canadian Codes and Standards, primarily CSA S304-14: Design of Masonry Structures

MASS is substantially more than a simple masonry capacity analysis tool; it is a complex design tool! Generating a design is as simple as entering a few dimensions and load values. MASS™ determines the critical load combinations for Moment, Deflection, and Shear design based on loads applied by the designer. The program then quickly cycles through thousands of possible assemblage configurations (block size, block strength, reinforcement size, configuration and spacing) to determine an effective design solution. The user then has the ability to customize this solution with a few quick clicks of the mouse to remove or add unknown parameters to the design routines. In addition, MASS™ comes with a default Masonry Unit Database, which includes common masonry units and their properties.

MASS™ not only provides an easy way to enter information, it turns those inputs into detailed and comprehensive outputs in various formats. There is a simplified format for users that just want a quick solution. MASS™ also provides scaled graphic representations of the designed assemblage for visual inspection, as well as diagrams for the loads, reactions, moment, shear, deflection, and the P-M diagram. Most unique to this program is the detailed report that provides all of the intermediate design data, equations and cross-references with the design and construction CSA Masonry Standards.

This transparency in the software allows designers to see and readily verify their work, and it provides a learning opportunity for those less experienced in masonry design. This software package is ideal for a practising masonry design engineer, as well as students taking undergraduate and graduate level courses in masonry.

Generating a design is as simple as entering a few dimensions and applying a few loads. From there, a single click will start the design engine and in seconds you have results. MASS™ not only provides an easy way to enter information, it turns those inputs into detailed and comprehensive outputs in various formats. There is a simplified format for users that just want a quick solution. MASS™ also provides scaled graphic representations of the designed assemblage for visual inspection. Most unique to this program is the detailed report that provides all of the intermediate design data, equations and cross-references with the design and construction CSA Masonry Standards shown. This allows the user to know how the program determines the design solution and makes it easy and transparent for the user to understand the inner workings of MASS™.

This transparency in the software allows designers to see and readily verify their work, and it provides a learning opportunity for those less experienced in masonry design. The user has the ability to see exactly what equations the program has used in the calculations. This is extremely beneficial to a designer because they can quickly understand how the program reached a current design, building their confidence in the design and in the program in general.

Analysis and design are easily interpreted visually through the use of graphs and drawings. Applied loads, bending moments and shear diagrams are easily accessible. Elevations and cross sections are graphically displayed to scale and readily indicate dimensions, materials and placement of reinforcement. The P-M Interaction diagrams are advanced and dynamic, allowing the user to view key values by selecting any point along the curves to display the axial resistance, moment resistance and associated compression zone width.