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 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.
| Platform | Download | File Size |
|---|---|---|
 Windows |
MSASect2-v2.4.0-Windows.zip | 290 MB |
 macOS (Apple Silicon) |
MSASect2-v2.4.0-MacOS-ARM.dmg | 301 MB |
| macOS (Intel) |
MSASect2-v2.4.0-MacOS-x86.dmg | 348 MB |
Visit the GitHub Releases page to download previous versions or view release notes.
If you find the software helpful for your research or have thoughts on collaborative research, we would be delighted to hear from you.
 Windows: |
1. Download "MSASect2-(version number)-Windows.zip" 2. Unzip and Run "MSASect2.exe" |
 MacOS - ARM: |
1. Download "MSASect2-(version number)-MacOS-ARM.dmg" 2. Open DMG file and copy "MSASect2" to Application |
| MacOS - x86: |
1. Download "MSASect2-(version number)-MacOS-x86.dmg" 2. Open DMG file and copy "MSASect2" to Application |
- 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.
- Support for isotropic and anisotropic material properties analysis.
- Section Buckling Analysis:
- Shell Finite Strip Method: Efficient computational method for thin-walled sections (import and export to CUFSM5 supported).
- Solid Finite Strip Method: Advanced computational method that extends the classic Finite Strip Method by enabling the analysis of arbitrary three-dimensional geometries, eliminating the reliance on thin-wall assumptions or centerline modeling.
- 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.
- Modal Participation: Quantifies the contribution of different structural modes (like global, distortional, and local) to a component's overall deformation.
- 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.
- Refined cross-section analysis: This method uses Nonhomogeneous planar triangular elements to obtain cross-sectional properties with thermal gradients and is computationally efficient.
- Steady-state and transient analysis for heat transfer considering different boundary conditions, e.g., temperature, heat flux, convection, and emissivity.
- Fireproof coatings and localized fires 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.
Click to expand/collapse references 📚
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