Background: Using the Mastan Software you will design two structures and obtain relevant data through the use of this software. Before you start on the design, you need to understand a few things about the Mastan software:
You need to specify Materials to be used. You need to specify E= Elastic Modulus,
v=Poisson’s ratio, and σy = yield strength. In the SI system, these values have to be specified in the following units:
SI System U.S. System
E= GPA E=ksi
σy = GPA σy = ksi
v=no units v = no units
Other units are:
For length in mm for length in inches
For forces in KN For forces in kips
For A in mm2 for A in square inches
For I in mm4 For I in in4
For S in mm3 For S in in3
The notation used by the textbook differs from the notation used by the software.
Book Notation Software Notation
E= GPA E
σy = GPA Fy
v=no units v
A A
Ixx Izz
Iyy Iyy
S Z
To specify a cross sectional area, you need one of these options.
a) A, Ixx, Iyy
b) A, Ixx, S (from x-x section in book)
c) A, Iyy, S (from y-y section in book)
Option b), c) depend heavily on the desired orientation of the beam. Option a) does not consider this orientation.