@jvleearchitects wrote:
@thomgeal,
You should download the plugin and experiment with it. Although it offers a wealth of structural design material, I have not seen bolt and nut data displayed in this extension. I would not expect this add-on to calculate such connection requirements, but the author may provide definitive information as to whether or not it is (or could be) provided.
@medeek wrote:
The plugin is integrated with the Truss Designer to provide limited information for MPC wood trusses. I am currently working on an option for plywood and OSB wood gusset plates with nails in double shear. At some point I could also look at bolted connections however I have not gotten that far yet.
My "todo" list is a bit overwhelming at the moment. On top of that the plugin is still very rough around the edges, the user experience could definitely be improved in a number of areas. A few things come to mind:
- Interface remembers most recent settings with regards to overhang, pitch etc... This would speed up the creation of redundant roof structures where constantly re-entering the same parameters becomes tedious.
- Ability to set global settings and defaults (ie. default rafter depth is 2x10 size).
- Layer control: Currently everything is placed on layer 0, Have the ability to specify which layers certain items get placed on and make these layer names all user configurable.
- Complete comprehensive user manual.
There are other minor items not listed.
@medeek wrote:
Version 1.2.8 - 02.02.2015
- Added Shed Rafter Roof with Ledger (all advanced options enabled).
- Added ceiling joist option for Shed Rafter Roofs.
- New submenu item and toolbar icon added for secondary (minor) roofs.View model here:
I used this option to create a monitor style roof line but it can also be used for porch roofs, carports etc... I still need to add a standard shed roof with and upper and lower birdsmouth cut.
@medeek wrote:
More "Fun with Roofs".
This roof was generated by first creating a hip roof primitive then deleting all but 3 components which were then copied and rotated into place for the lower roof hip corner. The shed roof /w ledger component was created with one primitive and then copied and rotated into place. Overall a fairly painless process now that I am somewhat familiar with navigating my way around SketchUp. The fascia required a couple of trims.
The pyramid at the top required no manual intervention. Approximately 10-15 minutes of work for a fairly substantial roof.
View model here:
@medeek wrote:
Testing the real world application of the Medeek Truss Plugin. This model combines a double fink truss, raised heel fink truss, monopitch truss and shed roof with ledger. While creating the shed roof special attention to the birdsmouth cut was required to ensure that the fascia height of the rafters and trusses lined up. Also note the use of the raised heel type truss on the upper roof portion. Structural outlookers were specified for all gable overhangs.
5:12 pitch roofs with rafters and trusses 24" o/c. I did not apply a level cut to the rafter overhangs but that would probably be a given. Span of the double fink is 48 feet with 2x6 top and bottom chords.
View models here:
If anyone has some real world applications using the plugin that they are willing to share I would be very interested to see how it is being used and it would also give me some direction for further development and improvements.
@medeek wrote:
I've ran into this structural question before, where you have a stairway next to an exterior wall. My first thought is to call out a balloon framed wall up to the 2nd story top plate(s) but then that makes the rim board and double top plate of the first story discontinuous. What is the preferred solution or how have you seen this done in similar circumstances.
Here is a quick mock up in SketchUp to better explain what the two options are:
You can also view and download the 3D SketchUp model here:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=uf979b67e-2755-4981-9bfc-06d20b64d313
@jvleearchitects wrote:
In my experience, the typical approach for framing around a stairwell that is contiguous to an exterior wall is to use platform (or western) framing where the header and sole plate runs as a continuous element at each floor level (as depicted in your second illustration and as shown in the model on the left).
@medeek wrote:
There are some issues with framing this using the platform method hence the balloon framing option was something I was exploring. However if some care is used in the connection, see detail below the hinge effect can be dealt with.
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This discussion really belongs on a structural engineering board but I posted here to show how SketchUp combined with the plugin is helping me visualize some of these problems better.
@pcmoor wrote:
Normally we supply a wind beam at this point, this can vary in size and strength according to the wind category and spans. Generally use smart frame to calculate this member, can be a number of laminated 90x45 MGP12 on flat or up to Hardwood GL18.
http://www.tilling.com.au/smartframe/Software-SmartFrame-Tilling-House-CAD
@medeek wrote:
Example of a porch roof using the hip roof and shed roof primitives. I'm wondering if it might not be worthwhile to add in a feature to create this type of combination roof automatically. Shed Roof w/ ledger & hip ends.
View updated model here:
@medeek wrote:
I probably should have checked the numbers first. Given the high wind loads in our area (155 mph ult.) a 3-1/2 x 9-1/2 PSL loaded in the weak axis will deflect almost a full inch with a clear span of 10'-10" and a trib. length of 9'. However, a 5-1/4" beam will pass with flying colors, so I've updated my detail to:
The eccentricity is small enough that I think it makes sense to just sandwich them together and make sure they act as one unit. I still like the idea of disallowing any splices in the members in this region of the wall and will keep my notes specifying that.
@medeek wrote:
Started the manual as a MS Word document however that did't work so well for hyperlinks. Starting over with an html manual page:
http://design.medeek.com/support/trusspluginmanual/mainpage.html
Couple of pages up, only about 25 more to go...
@medeek wrote:
Version 1.2.9 - 02.12.2015
- Added Shed Rafter Roof (all advanced options enabled).
- Added ceiling joist option for Shed Rafter Roofs.
- Initial menu now defaults to last picked option of session for that sub-menu item.A typical application might be a clerestory roof with a upper shed roof and lower shed roof with a ledger board:
View model here:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=u0b2dd5bc-605d-467c-a6bb-449bb54e76e6
@medeek wrote:
Version 1.3.0 - 02.14.2016
- Added tail bearing truss type, configurations: (Fink).
- Metric input enabled for tail bearing truss type.
- Advanced options enabled for tail bearing truss type.View model here:
I have shown 3 configurations of the same roof to display the differences with non-structural vs. structural outlookers (horz. & vert.). I am not exactly sure how to treat the gable end truss for this truss type since I have never dealt with this type of truss before. Any sample outputs showing the gable end truss with a dropped top chord for a tail bearing truss would be very helpful.
Theoretically, one could forego the gable end trusses altogether and just balloon frame up to the roof diaphragm but I would like to provide the option for gable end trusses if it is a typical method used in real construction of this type of roof.
@medeek wrote:
I am currently investigating the best method to construct the gable end wall and truss with a tail bearing truss. Show below are 3 different possible configurations:
1.) Structural Outlookers (Vertical)
2.) Non-Structural Outlookers (Horizontal)
3.) Structural Outlookers (Horizontal)This is just one possible method of framing the gable end wall into the gable truss with a 2x4 outlooker. Option 3 shown above is somewhat of a question, not sure how that heel joint would come together.
View the model here to analyze the different configurations:
@medeek wrote:
Alternatively one could balloon frame the wall at the gable ends and attach a ledger for the ceiling:
View model here:
In my opinion a partially sloping wall gets complicated to frame. From an engineering standpoint the balloon framed wall is also the strongest option.
@Shep wrote:
Or even something like this if a consistent top plate height is desirable.
Shep
@medeek wrote:
Yes, I've also considered running the gable end truss down to meet the top plate of the common trusses however this method is typically discouraged for scissor type trusses per the recommendation of the BCSI-B3 Summary Sheet:
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Full document is here:
http://support.sbcindustry.com/images/publication_images/b3.pdf
A raked gable end wall or balloon framed wall is preferred otherwise a hinge is created and it hard to brace laterally for out of plane loads (wind) to the gable end wall.
One could argue that a tail bearing truss is not a scissor truss but I would say it is very similar especially as the height of the bottom chord from the top plate increases.
@medeek wrote:
Version 1.3.1 - 02.15.2016
- Added Triple Fink and Quad Fink common truss types.
- Structural outlookers (vert. & horz.) enabled under advanced roof options for Common (Triple & Quad Fink) truss types.
Triple Fink @ 70' w/ 2x6 chords
Quad Fink @ 80' w/ 2x6 chordsView model here:
