Auto or Manual Design

In MasterFrame create a 2D or 3D model. This model can be of mixed materials, for example, a steel framed building on concrete foundations with a timber roof.

Note:- the load term has to be set in the editing end of MasterFrame for each loadcase before the frame is analysed. See the Timber Load Case Duration for details on how to do this either manually or automatically.

Once the frame is analysed, you can go into the timber design module from the MasterFrame Design menu.

In the timber design area the program will initially apply a timber Axial with Moment design brief to each of the timber members in the frame. Each brief will automatically pick up the analysis results from the MasterFrame model and check the members for compliance. In the linked timber design only Axial with Moment design briefs are applied as these cover all the axial, moment, shear and deflection checks required.

If additional briefs are required, they can be applied from the MasterFrame menu at the top of the screen.

Auto Design

Automatic design of the timber members can be carried out if you don't want to design them manually. An individual design of a member is carried out using the Auto Design icon . Alternatively, all the timber members can be designed automatically in one action using the Auto Design ALL icon . If some of the sections have changed size, the frame may need to be re-analysed. This can be done using the Re-analyse icon . To check all the briefs are passing after re-analysis use the Find Next Failure icon . The process will run through the briefs until a failure is detected and highlight the calcs in blue. Once this brief has been fixed, click on the Find Next Failure again to restart the process until all briefs pass.

For details of the functions of the rest of the icons below the graphics screen see the Toolbar Options.

Manual Design

The section size and grade can be manually changed on the Materials and Specifications tab until the section passes.