Designing a Wood Truss with Medeek Calculator App

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the development and features of a web-based app designed to calculate forces within wood trusses, particularly focusing on the Fink truss type. Participants explore various aspects of truss design, including moment calculations, tension and compression analysis, and the integration of features like AutoCAD file generation. The conversation encompasses both technical challenges and educational applications of the tool.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the app's capabilities, including support for common truss types and future enhancements like chord and plate sizing.
  • Another participant expresses enthusiasm but notes the app's lack of metric units.
  • A participant discusses challenges with moment calculations, referencing standards and seeking advice on matrix methods for analysis.
  • Another participant shares progress on tension and compression analysis, highlighting difficulties with current standards compared to previous editions.
  • A participant mentions the addition of an AutoCAD file generator for usability in design.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the analysis of box beam trusses, with a request for calculators specific to that type.
  • One participant provides insights on the importance of fasteners and spacing in box beam construction.
  • Another participant reports completing a full lumber analysis for the Fink truss and plans to expand the app to include more truss types.
  • A participant shares success in implementing matrix analysis, noting the accuracy of results compared to other modeling software.
  • Concerns are expressed about the assumptions made regarding joint fixity and its impact on bending moments and loads.
  • One participant critiques the treatment of peak joints and discusses efforts to model them as pinned connections, referencing relevant literature for guidance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the technical challenges of truss analysis and the implications of different modeling approaches. There is no clear consensus on the best methods for handling joint fixity or the adequacy of current standards, indicating ongoing debate and exploration.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention limitations in current standards and the absence of example calculations in newer editions, which may affect their analyses. There is also uncertainty regarding the effects of joint rigidity on bending moments and load distribution.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to engineers, designers, and students involved in structural analysis, particularly those focusing on wood truss design and related computational tools.

  • #31
medeek said:
Another study of hip roof framing where unequal pitches meet at the hip. The birdsmouth cut is 3.5" for all jack and common rafters. The hip rafter is dropped and off center so that it lines up with the roof planes. The hip roof combines a 12:12 pitch with a 6:12 pitch.

truss_su88_800.jpg


View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=uc12480ec-9330-464b-93eb-56bc73878207
Wow, fascinating to see the engineering that goes into a truss system. I'm no engineer or technical person like 98% of the people on this site, however I have spent a lifetime working on construction (everything from installing foundation footings to the ridge cap and most everything in between them) and I want to commend you on your project here. I'm wondering if I'm seeing this correctly and you only received two likes throughout this project ?
While I'm not walking top plate or hooking truss's any longer ( I spend my time caring for my wife who is recovering from a stroke) it was very refreshing to come across so many familiar terms and components of the system, not to mention the engineering aspect.
A friend of mine several years back took a stab at putting together a truss plant and I worked with him at it until local Nevada politics put him out of business. I built many a truss with him but the engineering was all done with Compu-truss so seeing the technical aspect is very interesting to me.
I'm curious as to whether you will be including the Girder truss into the collection you have here. ?
By the way a note from the "guy in the field", if anyone comes up with an H-1 clip that you don't have to bloody your fingers installing It will be incredibly popular.
Thanks again, two bloody thumbs up. :smile:
As an afterthought I probably would have "liked" nearly every post you did here, but I wouldn't want to appear to be spamming the thread.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #32
Version 1.6.3 - 06.19.2016
- Added Gable Dormers to the Minor Roof Sub-Menu (dormer walls only).

For now only the walls of the dormer are created:

truss_su134_800.jpg


View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=e17866e5-2e1d-4fb7-8203-fcb6484e8f08

I am still ironing out the details on how to best model the roof geometry. I will probably offer either a rafter or truss option. Other details such as multiple windows will also come later.

For now please test the metric and imperial wall creation. I will probably need to post a tutorial video on how to use this feature since it involves selecting the main roof plane (top of a rafter or truss) and then two points that define the width/exterior corners of the dormer.
 
  • #33
Hi,

How is life...

Do you still work on your project...
If possible I might be interested to your source code...
Personnal use
Steph
 
  • #34
Yes, I am not actively posting on this forum anymore but you can follow the development at design.medeek.com.
 
  • #35
I just stumbled across this fascinating thread.

Amazing !

I'll try it out...

...

It Gave a design not an error message ! Wow - nicely done!
 

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