New Software Simplifies Masonry/Steel Design Words: Bronzella Cleveland NovemberDecember 2008 Industry News New Software Simplifies Masonry/Steel Design The International Masonry Institute, the National Concrete Masonry Association, Bentley Systems, and Ryan Biggs Associates have teamed up to develop an innovative structural masonry design software program that the group says offers a “whole building” approach for designers that will shrink design time from weeks to days. The software performs efficient analysis of both loadbearing masonry buildings and the so-called “hybrid” concept of masonry/steel design (steel-framed buildings with reinforced masonry infill). To make designers comfortable using the new software, the groups are sponsoring a national seminar series that covers both hybrid masonry/steel and loadbearing masonry buildings. The seminars will offer professional education credits, and cover theory and design, as well as whole building analysis. For more information, visit www.imiweb.org. MD