MSASect2 is a cross-platform software developed for comprehensive analysis of arbitrary cross-sections with nonsymmetric shapes. This includes examining their cross-sectional properties, yield strengths, global and local buckling capacities,stress analysis, heat transfer analysis, etc. The software hosts the advanced numerical algorithms, derived from the research team led by Dr. Siwei Liu from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. MSASect2 is developed to address design challenges associated with complex and irregular cross-sections, which are increasingly popular in modern structures due to their superior structural efficiency. The software is free for both research and educational use.
Please download the latest version: 
Windowes: *.zip | 
MacOS - Apple Silicon Chips: *.dmg
If you find the software helpful for your research or have thoughts on collaborative research, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Developed by:
- Siwei Liu - Assistant Professor, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. si-wei.liu@polyu.edu.hk.
- Ronald D. Ziemian - Professor, Bucknell University. ziemian@bucknell.edu.
Development team led by:
- Liang Chen - Postdoctoral Fellow, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Development Team:
- Wenlong Gao: Programming (Section properties, Yield surface, Moment Curvature, Member Buckling, Section Buckling), Debugging, Methodology.
- Haoyi Zhang: Programming (Program structure, Visualization, Mesh, Section properties, Member Buckling, Stress analysis), Debugging, Methodology.
- Guanhua Li: Programming (Functionally graded sections, Template, Member Buckling, Heat transfer), Debugging, Methodology.
- Weihang Ouyang: Programming (Program structure, Member Buckling), Testing, Methodology.
- Haien Xue: Programming (Stress analysis).
- Zizhang Gu: Programming (Template, Heat transfer).
- Anrui Liang; Programming (Section buckling).
- A. H. A. Abdelrahman: Validation of Functionally graded sections.
| Windows: |
1. Download "Windows-MSASect2-(version number).zip" 2. Unzip and Run "MSASect2.exe" |
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| MacOS-ARM: |
1. Download "MacOS-ARM-MSASect2-(version number).dmg" 2. Open DMG file and copy "MSASect2" to Application |
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Visit the GitHub Releases to download the latest version or any previous release.
When you open the software after installation, you may see the message:
"It is damaged and cannot be opened. You should move it to the Bin."
- Open System Preferences.
- Select Security and Privacy.
- Go to the General tab.
- Choose Anywhere under the "Allow apps downloaded from" section.
- Copy the following command, but don't press enter yet (Note the space at the end.):
sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine
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Open Finder and navigate to the Applications directory. Find the software icon.
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Drag the software icon into the Terminal window. This will append the path to the command you pasted. It should look something like:
sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/MSASect2.app
- Press Enter in the Terminal window.
- You will be prompted for your system password. Enter it and press Enter again.
- Cross-section Properties:
- Coordinate Method (CM): Specifically designed for thin-walled sections modeled via centerlines.
- Finite Element Method (FEM): Suitable for general cross-sections modeled by outlines.
- Geometric and sectorial properties, elastic and plastic modulus, Wagner coefficients, etc.
- Section Buckling Analysis:
- Finite Strip Method (FSM): Efficient computational method for thin-walled sections (import and export to CUFSM5 supported).
- Inelastic Finite Strip Method: Material nonlinearity is supported in the buckling analysis of members with arbitrary sections using FSM.
- Shell Finite Element Method (SFEM): Advanced computational method for the sections modeled via centerlines.
- Elastic eigen-buckling analysis to evaluate the local, distortional and global buckling behaviors.
- Member Buckling Analysis:
- Twisting Effects: As the requirements in American Steel Design Specification (ANSI/AISC 360-22),the buckling behaviors of members with nonsymmetric or monosymmetric sections should be studied for the twisting effects.
- Analytical Solutions: Flexural buckling, lateral torsional buckling, axial-torsional buckling.
- Eigen-buckling Analysis: Buckling analysis using advanced line finite-element, derived based on the nonsymmetric cross-section assumption, for general buckling conditions.
- Semi-Rigid Connections: Semi-rigid connections in any DOFs can be considered.
- Yield-surface Analysis:
- Quasi-Newton Divergence-Free Algorithms: Robust numerical algorithms for generation of yield surfaces.
- Fiber Section Solution: Stress integration method using fibers is adopted with less computational efficiency but versatile.
- Gaussian Line-Segment Solution: New stress integration method using gaussian line segments for centerline models and very efficient computationally.
- Initial yield surface, failure surface, strength interaction surfaces at a specific strain status.
- Stress Analysis:
- Stress Analysis over the Cross-section: A stress analysis determines the stresses in a section resulting from various forces and moments. These include axial force, shear force, bending moment, torque, and bi-moment.
- The algorithms consider different warping restraints. These include free-free, fixed-fixed, and fixed-free conditions at both ends of the support.
- Various types of stress contours can be generated for output including normal stress, shear stress, von Mises stress, and major and minor principal stresses.
- Heat Transfer Analysis:
- Finite Element Method (FEM): Robust numerical algorithms for general cross-sections modeled by outlines.
- Gaussian heat transfer analysis: This method uses Gaussian planar triangular elements for outline models and is computationally efficient.
- Steady-state and transient analysis for heat transfer considering different boundary conditions, e.g., temperature, heat flux, convection, and emissivity.
- Fire retardant coatings are considered in the analysis.
- Moment Curvature Analysis:
- Divergence-Free Algorithms: Stable numerical procedure.
- Under Applied Axial Load: Automatically find the netural axis.
- Moment Curvature, moment vs. strain, moment vs. stress, tangent slops, sceant slopts and m vs. tau.
- Multiplatform application
- Support arbitrary geometry modeled by either centerlines or outlines
- Support dxf, excel, text files
- Opengl module for visualization
- Import and export to CUFSM5
- Export to MASTAN2
If you use MSASect2 for academic research, please cite the software using the following:
APA Format: 📋
Liu, S. W., & Ziemian, R. D. (2023). MSASect2 - Matrix Structural Analysis Software for Arbitrary Cross-sections. Retrieved from http://www.msasect.com
MLA Format: 📋
Liu, Si-Wei, and Ziemian, Ronald D. "MSASect2 - Matrix Structural Analysis Software for Arbitrary Cross-sections." 2023. Web. http://www.msasect.com
Your contributions are greatly appreciated! If you have any questions or suggestions that could further enhance the software, please don't hesitate to open a github issue. Your input will help make the software even better.
We welcome contributions from the community to help improve and enhance MSASect2. Whether it's code improvements, bug fixes, or new features, your contributions are valuable. If you are interested in research collaborations related to the software's capabilities, please contact Dr. Siwei Liu at Email: si-wei.liu@polyu.edu.hk.
Considerable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this software. However, the user assumes full responsibility for its use, and the developers or distributors will not be liable for any damage caused by the use or misuse of this software. The user should have a thorough understanding of the software's modeling, analysis, and design algorithms, and should compensate for any aspects that are not addressed.
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Liu, S.W., Liu, Y.P. & Chan, S.L.: "Advanced analysis of hybrid steel and concrete frames: part 1: cross-section analysis technique and second-order analysis", Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 2012. 70, 326-336. DOI
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Chen, L., Liu, S.W. & Chan, S.L.: "Divergence-free algorithms for moment-thrust-curvature analysis of arbitrary sections", Steel and Composite Structures, An International Journal, 2017, 25 (5), 557-569 DOI
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Liu, S.W., Ziemian, R.D., Chen, L., and Chan S.L.: "Bifurcation and large-deflection analyses of thin-walled beam-columns with non-symmetric open-sections", Thin-Walled Structures, 2018. 132: p. 287-301, DOI
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Liu, S.W., Gao, W.L., & Ziemian, R.D.: "Improved line-element formulations for the stability analysis of arbitrarily- shaped open-section beam-columns", Thin-Walled Structures, 2019. 144, 106290, DOI
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Gao, W.L., Abdelrahman, A.H.A., Liu, S.W., & Ziemian, R.D.: "Second-order dynamic time-history analysis of beam-columns with nonsymmetrical thin-walled steel sections", Thin-Walled Structures, 2021. 160(3), 107367, DOI
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Liu, S.W., Pekoz, T., Gao, W.L., Ziemian, R.D., & Crews, J: "Frame analysis and design of industrial rack structures with perforated cold-formed steel columns", Thin-Walled Structures, 2021. 163, 107755, DOI
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Chen, L., Gao, W.L., Liu, S.W., Ziemian, R.D., & Chan, S.L.: "Geometric and material nonlinear analysis of steel members with nonsymmetric sections", Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 2022. 198, 107537, DOI
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Chen, L., Zhang, H. Y., Liu, S. W., & Ziemian, R. D.: "Efficient line-element method for the second-order analysis of steel members with nonsymmetric thick-Walled cross sections", Journal of Structural Engineering, 2024. 150(2), 04023226. DOI