v2.5.0 - Stable Version (Windows and MacOS - ARM)

Release Notes for MSASect2 V2.5.0

This is the fifth stable version of MSASect2, released on 21 April 2026.

• Cross-section Properties:
  • Finite Element Method (FEM):
    • Added calculation of Torsional plastic section modulus, nominal torsional strength, and torsional shape factor.
• Section Buckling Analysis:
  • Shell Finite Strip Method:
    • Added elastic buckling evaluation for cross-sections with anisotropic material properties (e.g., WAAM).
    • Added elastic buckling evaluation for cross-sections with tapered thickness.
    • Enhanced modal decomposition and participation analysis for cross-sections with tapered thickness.
• General Improvements:
  • Fixed several potential bugs and addressed user-reported issues.

v2.4.0 - Stable Version (Windows and MacOS - ARM & x86)

This is the fourth stable version of MSASect2, featuring major developments for Windows and MacOS (ARM & x86), released on 5 November 2025.

• GUI:
  • Buckling mode shape viewer:
    • Upgraded buckling mode shape viewer powered by the webviewer engine.
  • File import:
    • DXF import support added to streamline complex cross-section modeling.
• Platform optimization:
  • Optimized GUI performance on MacOS (ARM & x86) platforms.
• Finite Strip Method:
  • Analysis methods:
    • Constrained and unconstrained Finite Strip Method are supported.
• Mode decomposition:
  • Analysis methods:
    • Force-based mode decomposition method is implemented.
• Element types:
  • Solid Strip Element:
    • Solid Strip Element is now available.
• Material modeling:
  • Material properties:
    • Support for anisotropic material properties analysis in WAAM and FRP materials.

Fixings

• Several bugs have been fixed.
• Several typos have been corrected.

v1.1.0-Stable Release (Windows)

This is the third stable version (v1.1.0) of MSASect2 for the Windows platform, released on 21 May 2024.

Adding

• Modelling
  • Templates
    • Several new cold-formed section templates are added.
  • Analysis settings
    • The spring and DOF settings in centerline model are added.
• Member buckling
  • Analysis settings
    • Introduced options for applying semi-rigid end connections to member ends.
  • Results
    • The visualization of buckling mode shape is now available.
• Stress analysis
  • This new function enables the cross-sectional stress analysis under complex force combinations.
• Heat transfer
  • This new function conducts heat analysis involving multiple heat sources. It enables obtaining cross-sectional temperature contour and calculating sectional properties under heat.

Fixings

• Several bugs have been fixed.
• Several typos have been corrected.

v1.0.11-Stable Release (Windows)/ Beta Release(MacOS -ARM)

This is the second stable version (v1.0.11) of MSASect2 for the Windows platform and a beta version for the MacOS ARIMplatform, released on 01 Feb 2024.
Changes

Section Properties

Calculations:

• Introduced the modelling of compound channel sections in template module and the section properties are also obtained now based on fully composite assumptions using centreline model.
• Modelling of cross-sections with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) material using the Outline model is now supported.
• Section properties for cross-sections with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) material are now obtainable.
• Introduced the modelling of Bamboo section in template module and the section properties are also obtained now by CST or NPT element.

Section Buckling

Calculations:

• In centreline model, the degree of freedom (DOF) setting is supported when section buckling analysis is performed.
• Finite strip analysis for built-up steel sections is supported by adding the spring stiffness to model the connections, like screws or bolts, between two individual cross-sections.

Others

• "View" tab is added to the main window, and the visualization is more flexible.
• Some functions are updated.

Fixings

• Several bugs have been fixed.
• Some typos have been corrected.

v1.0.10 - Stable Release (Windows) / Beta Release (MacOS - ARM)

This is the first stable version (v1.0.10) of MSASect2 for the Windows platform and a beta version for the MacOS ARM platform, released on 30 Nov 2023.

Addings

• Template

  • Included an arbitrary section function allowing for the import from .XLXS and .DXF file.

Fixings

• Several bugs have been fixed.

• The LEM has been revised.

v1.0.9 - Beta Testing

The is a beta testing version (v1.0.9) of MSASect2, released on 24 Oct 2023.

Addings

• Section Properties
  • Calculations
    • Modelling of functionally graded materials using the Outline model and Centreline model (along the thickness direction) is now supported.
    • Section properties for cross-sections with FGM are now able to be obtained.
• Yield Surface
  • Calculations
    • Yield surface generation for cross-sections with multiplane materials is now supported.
    • Yield surface generation for cross-sections with FGM is now supported.
  • Others
    • Several functions are updated.
• Section buckling
  • Analysis settings
    • Introduced options for generating Signature and Buckling curves.
    • Included a manual input field for longitudinal terms (m) in the Signature curve, allowing for user-defined values.
    • Enhanced Buckling curve feature to automatically determine longitudinal terms (m) for each length or accept user-defined values.

Changings

Fixings

• Several bugs have been fixed.
• Several typos have been corrected.

v1.0.8 - Beta Testing

The is a beta testing version (v1.0.8) of MSASect2, released on 16 Aug 2023.

Addings

Changings

• Section buckling
  • Analysis settings
    • The default value of "Minimum Length" for shell element method is now rounded to a proper integer.
    • The manual input of length list is now more user-friendly.
  • Mesh progress (shell element method)
    • Mesh progress pop-up window will be automatically closed on finishing when directly clicking "Run" button.
  • Results
    • The "xmin" value under buckling curve result window is now synchronized with the "Minimum Length" option in analysis settings.
    • A stand-alone label showing results on the cursor positon is add to the buckling curve window to enhance visualization.
    • The section position in 2D plot window can be now selected with manual inputs.
    • 2D plot window is now showing synchronize member length with the 3D plots.
    • Mode switching function in 2D plot window can be now achieved with a pull-down menu.
    • 2D plots can now automatically refreshed for all applied changes.

Fixings

• Section buckling
  • Analysis settings
    • Fixed the bug that the symbols of bending moments are shown uncorrectly.
    • Fixed the bug that manual inputs in length list may be overwritten upon accidental clicking on the options.
  • Show stress (finite strip method)
    • Fixed the bug that section stress distributions under geometric / principal axis modes are shown reversely.
    • Fixed the bug that the min/max stress labels will be placed in the same position if only axial load is applied.
  • Mesh progress (shell element method)
    • Fixed the bug that all section buckling windows will be closed when aborting the mesh progress.
  • Analysis progress (finite strip method)
    • Fixed the bug that the member legths utilized in the previous analysis will also appear in the following analysis.
  • Results
    • Fixed the bug that the label showing results on the cursor positon may somtimes disappear.

v1.0.7 - Beta Testing

The is a beta testing version (v1.0.7) of MSASect2, released on 08 Aug 2023.