MasterKey: Moment & Simple Connections
The UK's two leading software programs for the design of Structural Steel Moment & Simple Connections. Design Connections in Portal and Multi-Storey frames to Eurocode 3 and BS 5950 with ease
Operate as fully Standalone modules, and also integrate with our Building Design Suite, PowerPad and MasterPort analysis and design suites.
MasterKey Moment & Simple Connections are the UK's two leading software programs for the design of structural steel connections. The powerful editing facilities and the optional automatic design, enable the software to design and draft multi-story and portal frame connections with maximum speed, economy, and accuracy.
MasterSeries' connection design software is fully interactive. It's user-friendly graphical input enables rapid optimisation of the structural connection design under the full control of the Engineer. Quickly review existing steel connections and automatically or interactively design new connections.

MasterKey Moment & Simple Connections function fully as standalone or integrated software packages. In standalone mode, joints are designed based on user entered geometry and forces. Running in integrated mode, these values are seamlessly transferred from the analysis model giving you maximum speed, economy, and accuracy as well as the flexibility of design
- Save Design time
- Save Fabrication time
- Save money
Licencing: MasterSeries Modules are available to purchase as a traditional Perpetual Licence or rent as a low-cost Subscription Licence.
All licences are single concurrent user licences with multiple registered users allowing maximum use of each licence.
"MasterSeries is the best, and easiest to use Connection Design software on the market"
Ian Gutteridge, SDS Steel Design Services Ltd
MasterKey Moment Connections is Software for the design of moment connections in both Portal Frames and Multi-Storey Frames. MasterKey Moment Connections operates in both standalone mode or integrated with MasterFrame or MasterPort.
Connection Types
- Eaves type 'beam-to-column flange' connections (bolted or welded)
- Stiffened and un-stiffened column base plates
- Apex type 'beam-to-beam' connections
- Hollow section splice connections
- Column splice connections
- Beam splice connections
- Column over/under beam (bolted or welded)

MasterKey Simple Connections is Software for the design of simple, pinned, connections in both Multi-Storey Frames and Portal Frames. MasterKey Simple Connections operates in both standalone mode or integrated with MasterFrame or MasterPort.
Connection Types
Shear Connections
- Beam to column Flexible end-plate connections
- Beam to beam Flexible end-plate connections
- Beam to Column Angle Cleat connections
- Beam to Beam Angle Cleat connections
- Beam to column Fin-plate connections
- Beam to beam Fin-plate connections


Bracing Connections
- Vertical Bracing to Column connections
- Vertical Bracing to Beam connections
- Vertical Bracing to Column Base-Plate connections
- Horizontal Bracing to Beam connections

Base Plates
- Slab Base-Plate (concentric axial loaded bases)
MasterKey Moment & Simple Connections software includes design to both Eurocode and British Standard, allowing you to switch between codes as required.
Eurocode
- BS EN1993-1-8:2005 Eurocode 3: Part 1-8: Design of Joints
- UK National Annex to Eurocode 3 Part 1-8 (You can easly add your own national annex data)
- SCI P398 Joints in steel construction: Moment-Resisting Joints to Eurocode 3
- SCI P358 Joints in steel construction: Simple Joints to Eurocode
British Standard
- BS 5950-1: 2000
- SCI P207/95 Joints in steel construction: Moment Connections
- SCI P212 Joints in steel construction: Simple Connections
The Following Newer Joint Types Only design to EuroCode 3
- Vertical Bracing to Column connections
- Vertical Bracing to Beam connections
- Vertical Bracing to Column Base-Plate connections
- Horizontal Bracing to Beam connections
MasterKey Moment & Simple Connections contain inbuilt libraries of
- You can create your own section libraries and share them
- Generate and re-size one-off I-sections at design time
- European sections
- British sections
- American sections
- South African sections
- Chinese sections
MasterKey Moment & Simple Connections output to PDF, any Windows printer, as well as DXF drawings of all the details. Users of PowerPad, Building Design Suite or Office Tools, can also export results directly to Microsoft Word.
- Joint Configurations: View PDF
- Sample output to EuroCode 3: View PDF
- Sample output to BS5950: View PDF
- DXF/DWG sample output: Download ZIP
- Section types for each joint: View PDF
MasterKey: Moment & Simple Connections is available to purchase as a traditional Perpetual Licence or you can rent as a low-cost Subscription Licence
Subscription licences are from as low as £40 GBP + VAT equivalent per month, when purchased on an annual basis
All licences are networked single concurrent user licences with multiple registered users sharing access, allowing maximum use of each licence.
No locking of licences to a PC, or complex licence transfer processes.
Available as a standalone module with full design functionality
Available as a Building Design Suite Design Add-on
Force limited version included in PowerPad
Integrates with MasterFrame, MasterPort, PowerPad and Building Design Suite
Design of members in steel structures analysed using MasterFrame, or MasterPort. Design to Eurocode, British Standard and South African codes
The ultimate 3D building design solution for all multi-material building projects.
The essential structural analysis and design suite for small building projects.
Advanced analysis and design of elastic-plastic 3D portal frames and ancillary steel work. Design to Eurocode, British Standard, and SABS.