MASS Software Blog

Keep up to date on what is happening with MASS

CMDC, the authorized and official technical service provider for Masonry Analysis Structural Systems, is available to assist with any questions you may have. This blog is where updates and other helpful support articles will be posted.

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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

November 11, 2020

Building Structure Cost Comparison Study in Atlantic Canada: Multi-Residential Structures

A realistic and fully costed comparison of different structural systems to determine how loadbearing masonry compares to wood frame and cast in palace concrete

 

A new study, conducted by local 3rd

October 5, 2020

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

July 27, 2020

MASS Bug Notification: Maximum Allowable Axial Load Overestimated for some Shear Walls with Fully Grouted Flanges

Understanding the issue, when it can come up, and what can be done to account for it

When software bugs are found, notifications are posted in the Known Bugs page, on the

March 30, 2020

MASS Bug Notification: Software Crashes Unexpectedly

Ever had MASS stop working while working on a design? You aren’t alone!

In any windows architecture application, there is a limit of 10,000 GDI objects. Internally, there a number of

March 30, 2020

MASS Bug Notification: Saved Projects and French Canadian Language Settings

Depending on keyboard or Windows system settings, it is possible to re-open a project file and see different results

Have you ever saved a MASS file you were working on, only

December 24, 2019

MASS Website and Activation Server Outage – Updated

Server migration issues have resulted in a (now restored) temporary outage for all MASS software renewals and license activations

Update for MASS Version 4.0 Release: Online Activation functionality has been restored.

Update

May 14, 2019

Updated Pricing Announced for all MASS Licenses

After five years of consistent renewal pricing, a small change has been applied to all renewal and purchase prices

Starting in 2010, Masonry Analysis, Structural Systems (MASS) has been available as

May 16, 2018

New Masonry Design Course for Engineers Announced in Mississauga

CMDC is proud to announce that the Engineered Masonry Design Course (EMDC) is going to be offered starting on Friday April 13th, 2018. Registration is currently open with only a

March 6, 2018

How to use MASS to help with Pilaster Design

While there is no “pilaster module” within MASS, the walls module can be adapted to assist with their design

Masonry Analysis Structural Systems is a versatile tool that can be used

February 9, 2018

What is the Difference Between Fixed and Cantilever Pier Designations in a Shearline?

When designing a Shearline using MASS, the software relies on you to determine how the wall behaves

The Shearline module in MASS is a useful tool to quickly and easily determine

November 10, 2017

How to model individual storeys of a multi-storey shear wall within MASS

In the absence of a true multi-storey MASS module, there are steps that can be taken to use MASS effectively for these types of designs

The MASS software is a useful

November 3, 2017

What is the Difference Between Height and Total Height when Designing a Shear Wall in MASS?

Understanding the Total Height input when using MASS can add considerable moment capacity to a shear wall design

If you have ever designed a multi-storey shear wall and wondered why the

November 2, 2017

Official Release of MASS Version 3.0 brings current Codes and Standards to a Familiar Software Interface

Version 3.0 takes everything from previous software versions and adapts it to the latest standards

National Masonry Design Programs is proud to announce the official release of Masonry Analysis Structural Systems

September 27, 2017

What is MASS Version 2.2.1? (and why you should install it)

With the release of MASS Version 3.0, the previous edition of MASS has gotten a small adjustment

Back in April of 2016, the release of MASS Version 2.2 marked what was

September 20, 2017

MASS Bug Notification: Critical buckling load overestimated for some reinforced walls under high axial load

Understanding the issue, when it can come up, and what can be done to account for it

When software bugs are found, notifications are posted in the MASS website Known Bugs

September 12, 2017

What is the difference between the length, clear span, bearing length, and design length of a masonry beam in MASS?

When creating a new beam in MASS, it can initially seem confusing to be shown so many different terms regarding lengths and spans. This post breaks down the difference between

September 11, 2017

What is the Difference Between “.masonry” and “.masonry14” Projects?

With the release of MASS Version 3.0 comes a new design standard as well as a new type of project file.

What’s the difference? How can old projects be opened/converted? Which

September 6, 2017

Masonry Beam Design: How to design beams with what might seem like less than the minimum reinforcement ratio

When a design seems like it might not meet minimum steel, all hope is not lost

While there is no way around satisfying the minimum steel requirements in the CSA S304,

April 10, 2017

Why does MASS use unreinforced analysis for a design with reinforcement?

Adding steel to a wall design does not necessarily mean that the steel is being used. How to avoid adding steel that offers no benefit

The CSA S304-14 divides masonry wall

March 6, 2017

How to use MASS to Design Walls that Span Horizontally

Getting the most out of MASS is easy once you understand how to model your design within the software

The vast majority of masonry walls designed to resist out-of-plane bending are

January 12, 2017

Understanding the χ factor and how it can help with masonry beam design

Beam design can be tricky but understanding the factors at play makes it easy to design beams with masonry

Have you gotten design failure messages along the lines of “there is

November 17, 2016

Bars spaced at 200mm? Consider fully grouting your walls

MASS might be telling you to place a bar in every cell. Maybe you need that much steel… but what if you don’t?

The issue at play here is that by

November 11, 2016

How to start designing in MASS using the new 2014 S304 Standard

Ahead of the official release, you can sign up and start using the current release edition of MASS Version 3.0 today

MASS Version 3.0 introduces a new set of

October 28, 2016

Offline Activation: How to start using MASS without an internet connection

If you have a purchased or renewed license but don’t have access to internet, offline activation is what you will need to start designing with MASS.

As mentioned in our Activation

September 1, 2016

Help! Online Activation is not working

While it should be simple and straightforward, for some reason, MASS just refuses to activate. Follow these steps to get your license activated today.

If you can read this article but

August 31, 2016

The Definitive Activation Guide for MASS

Whether you are activating for the first time or renewing your license, this guide will help you gain access to the full MASS software

In order to be able to activate

August 30, 2016

Why can’t I add stirrups to my masonry beam?

Want to place stirrups but the options are greyed out?

This is one of the most common question we get having to do with masonry beam design so if this is

August 26, 2016

What to do about MASS software crashes

Before you light your computer on fire, try these fixes to get you back up and running

While the majority of our users are using MASS trouble-free, we get calls and

August 25, 2016
This candid photo shows Brad pondering the inner workings of MASS as well as his deeply rooted philosophical struggle with the purpose of life itself.

Clearing up the Confusion around MASS Licenses

Helping you find the answers to your MASS licensing questions quickly and easily!

Each year around this time, hundreds of calls and emails come through our office asking about the MASS

May 25, 2016

MASS License Purchases and Renewals: What’s the difference and which is best for me?

How to get up and running with the MASS software, what difference between license purchases and renewals, and how you can save the most money!

This post is part of a

May 25, 2016

Discounts! You are already renewing MASS but why not save money while doing it?

Everyone with a current MASS license is eligible to receive a discount. Yes, we mean everyone! That is not a typo. Continue reading to learn more about how you can
May 24, 2016

When does my MASS license expire?

How MASS license expiration works, how to check your expiry date, and what to do if your license has expired.

This post is part of a quick FAQ series Luisa and

May 24, 2016

Why do I have to renew MASS every year?

This post is part of a quick FAQ series Luisa and I are putting together to make it easier to find answers to the questions you are looking for. To

May 20, 2016

Why your MASS installer is opening as a text file

If you are reading this then chances are you have downloaded a new version of MASS and have encountered a strange quirk in Firefox. Does this look familiar? Then read

April 28, 2016

Launch of new CMDC website creates a new avenue for MASS technical support

Have you ever been designing with MASS and come across an issue that you needed a quick answer for?

With the launch of the new CMDC website, we are hoping to

March 3, 2016
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