Although built on the experience of CADS Masonry Wall Panel Designer (MWPD), CADS Wall Panel Designer MAX (WPMAX) is a much more sophisticated program with many more features, options and capabilities introduced in response to users' requests and developments in the technology. The default settings demonstrate this versatility rather than attempt to replicate the old program. This sometimes puzzles users moving from one to the other who are not able to spend enough time studying the Help or User Guide to `get up to speed'.
One of the main differences is the provision of a check on vertical load capacity. No such check is available in MWPD which was intended only for checking lateral load Capacity (as noted in Help>Program description and limitations). The method for calculating vertical load capacity given in BS 5628-1 and its Annex B is based on cracked section analysis and allowance for eccentricity due to slenderness. BS 5628 allows lateral load capacity to be checked by `uncracked section analysis'. These two assumptions are incompatible and lead to non-credible results for vertical load capacity of laterally loaded walls with small or zero vertical loads.
This is often the main reason why an example appears to pass in MWPD and fail in WPMAX. Until the code of practice provides a unified theoretical basis for vertical and lateral load capacity it is necessary to be aware of the above and make appropriate choices in the Analysis options input dialog. If the wall panel is not vertical load bearing and you want to maximise the theoretical lateral load capacity as permitted by the code, de-select the options: Vertical load capacity check and Include eccentricity due to slenderness. You may then select Uncracked section analysis. However, if you are concerned about vertical load capacity select Vertical load capacity check and also Cracked section analysis.
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