Truss Calculators

Started by Medeek, March 12, 2013, 06:33:08 AM

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major-key

Hey @medeek, I was trying use your truss calculator at medeek .com, but it doesn't seem to work right now. I remember I used it once in 2014 for a quick calculation for a garage. Now, I could use it to do another quick design... but it just complains about having 0 something left. Is this normal? I guess since I only use it once every 3 years... I should know better. :)

My main question is about the difference between a queen with and without a fan. I have seen both. Thanks.

Medeek

#626
Here we go again:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/128644708/medeek-construction-plugin-library

After a dismal turnout for the original truss plugin campaign I never thought I would consider another kickstarter campaign. However, I have recently been contacted by various companies/organizations seeing if I could further develop the plugins so they could use them on a almost daily basis. Based on these conversations I can see there is a real need for this type of modeling and the momentum appears to be picking up.

Another critical piece is my own level of knowledge and skill set with the SketchUp API. After spending the last two years working through the truss plugin I feel that I've finally reached a point on the learning curve where I am able to bring a lot to bear and ultimately push the development to a critical mass.

My limiting factor now is only my time and in order to devote more time to the project I need some backing.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer


Medeek

Quote from: major-key on June 27, 2017, 04:51:36 PM
Hey @medeek, I was trying use your truss calculator at medeek .com, but it doesn't seem to work right now. I remember I used it once in 2014 for a quick calculation for a garage. Now, I could use it to do another quick design... but it just complains about having 0 something left. Is this normal? I guess since I only use it once every 3 years... I should know better. :)

My main question is about the difference between a queen with and without a fan. I have seen both. Thanks.

Send me a detailed email with your question and I will see what I can do. 
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Medeek

I've been looking at some floor truss layouts and it appears that within a given truss set or assembly the chase will line up across multiple spans as I have shown here:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/25d2af3a-a5e6-498f-b2eb-8f4b773927ca/Floor-Truss-Study-3

Generating a new truss component for each separate span is not too difficult, similar to generating a new step down hip truss component every 24".  One thing to note is that a polygon outline will only work for floor trusses if the angles are all orthogonal, at least the bearing walls where the trusses terminate.

I'm a little unclear how to deal with the ladder trusses at the transition between different spans, perhaps someone has a 3D model or pictures giving me some clarity in these areas.

It took me about 15 minutes to create this complex floor truss set using the rectangular floor truss tool (3 separate truss sets) and the trim tool, not terrible but it would be so much better if I could achieve the same result in a matter of seconds with no manual editing.

Cutting holes in the floor and having the hole cutting tool able to regen the proper trusses is also a hot item related to this discussion.  That would make the floor truss feature actually functional as a real world design tool.

Another issue is multiple chases within a truss set.  One central chase seems the most typical but two chases positioned within the central third of the truss span also appears to be quite common.  So far I have not seen more than two chases in a given floor truss span, probably for good reason.  The ability to create two chases rather than just one is now on the "todo" list.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Medeek

Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer


Medeek

On my Kickstarter campaign there was a recent comment regarding the pricing of my plugins.  I have been giving this some thought recently and I thought I might also share my remarks on the board as well:

I agree that there is certainly an argument that I charge too little for these plugins and I have wrestled some with this problem. Others have also privately messaged me or emailed me with similar remarks and recommended that I bump my prices, sometimes tenfold.

The current reasoning behind my low pricing structure can be summarized with the following points:

1.) All of these plugins are currently in a developmental phase. Unfortunately, I have not been able to exert my full time efforts at this development so progress has been slow. I find it hard to charge a "fair amount" for a product that in my mind is still flawed and imperfect. My "todo" list is currently about 60 items and written out covers about 2 pages. To charge a "professional" price requires that one provide a "professional" service or product, I don't feel like I'm there yet.

2.) I have looked at some of the competition such as Pluspec and others who charge considerably more than I do. Again the sophistication of the their product exceeds my own so the price differential is warranted. But more importantly I'm not a huge fan of pricey design software, that is what has led me to SketchUp in the first place. The SketchUp community in general has adopted this mindset (in my opinion) and I don't feel that they would get behind an expensive solution.

3.) I am also trying to keep the plugin within the reach of the casual user (DIY'er), someone who simply wants to model up a single house or garage for their own personal use. In some cases the trial version of the plugin(s) will work for that but I have recently limited it quite strictly so any serious design work will require a registered license.

4.) I have also considered a subscription model, but my own distaste of that licensing mode has kept me from going down that road. Once your purchase a software you should be able to use it indefinitely as it stands. Additional payment should only be required if you are requesting an update or added functionality.

5.) What better way to discourage copy cats and the competition to price it too low as to make it worth their while. No one in their right mind will try to recreate what I have done with trusses when the payback is so little and the effort is so large.

With all of that being said I do think that the sweet spot, which still meets the requirements of the above points, may still be a bit higher than what I am currently charging. I need to find the correct amount to charge so that the above points are carefully balanced with the fact that I need to be able to justify the amount of time and effort I spend in developing these products.

However, with this community in particular I have received a lot of support and guidance, my original offer still stands.  If you would like a license to any of the plugins please feel free to email me and I will be happy to comply.  All that I ask is that you are generous with your feedback so that I can further improve the features and functionality of the plugins.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Medeek

If I ever do build my office I was thinking of doing some sort of cedar siding and then putting my logo or some of my other designs on the exterior:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/1bc480bd-0bc9-4f5a-b6fe-441d73c84183/Medeek-Office-with-Logo

Some of my other designs are here:

http://www.wilkersonart.com
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Medeek

Version 1.9.4 - 07.08.2017
- Added energy/raised heels for triple howe truss (3 variant: wedge, slider and vertical w/ strut).
- Metal plate connectors now enabled for triple howe trusses.



Below would be a typical example of a 60' span using a triple howe truss. 



However, in most cases where the design calls for taller walls one would probably go with a steel building or CMU block walls.  This was the case on a building I designed about 10 years ago (Wasatch Building Supply, Utah) that had 20 ft. walls.  Its too bad I don't have an interior photo showing the trusses inside the warehouse roof, its quite a sight to behold.

Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Medeek

Version 1.9.5 - 07.11.2017
- Added energy/raised heels for quad fink truss (3 variant: wedge, slider and vertical w/ strut).
- Metal plate connectors now enabled for quad fink trusses.



This concludes the updates needed for common trusses.  I still have a number of updates for all the other truss types to bring them up to speed.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer


Medeek

Making a slight detour back to the wood gusset plate question and nail spacing:

What I would like to compare is the following:



Same amount of nails in each test specimen. The tighter nail spacing allows for 66.6% the gusset length versus the 2 row configuration.

Any one want to venture a guess which one is stronger and by how much?

I just need to figure out a test rig and then load these two up and see what happens.

For a DF main member and OSB (7/16) I get 173.7 lbs per fastener (double shear) or a total of 1,389.6 lbs for eight 10d fasteners.

I'm wondering how much the connection will stretch at this design load (loaded in pure tension, parallel to grain of main member) and at what load will it fail, then compare the results from both configurations.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer


Medeek

I've updated the user map so that it now shows all users at once without a time lapse effect:

http://design.medeek.com/calculator/sketchup/data/medeektrusspluginusermap.pl

and a new combined map with both the foundation and truss plugin:

http://design.medeek.com/calculator/sketchup/data/medeekpluginsusermap.pl
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Medeek

Fixed a minor bug with the tail bearing truss module.  The user should now be able to input a roof pitch up to 16:12.  This was such a minor fix that I'm not rolling a major revision, just a sub-revision:  1.9.5b.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Medeek

Tonight I was thinking it might be kind of cool to enable an option for hip and ridge (cap) on hip roofs.

After about an hour of coding I generated this:



I've got the hip cap figured out at the eaves but I'm a little unsure how to terminate everything where the hips meet the ridge:

Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer


Don_P

In the field, bring the lee hip caps up then the windward then cover with the ridge cap, always think like a raindrop.

Medeek

I know what your saying as far as lapping things correctly, but that doesn't quite work with a SketchUp model.  I guess the model is more representational than realistic, but I'm trying to convey the overall look and feel of the higher definition hip and ridge.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Don_P

Gotcha, #2 looked closest to correct. If the ridge cap to hip cap line was swung perp to the main ridge it would look more correct.

I was amazed at the number of users on the map when I clicked it the other night, good show!

Medeek

The hip and ridge is now fully implemented for hip roofs as shown.



It can also handle pyramid roofs where there is no ridge cap.

In the global settings I will setup and option to enable this feature and also an option to set the (ridge/hip) cap width and thickness.

Its too late tonight but I will see what I can do tomorrow about rolling out a new version.

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/7aa80c75-5183-4aed-b0fb-ee54aa094fe0/Hip-and-Ridge-Medeek-Office
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Medeek

Quote from: Don_P on July 27, 2017, 06:13:37 AM
Gotcha, #2 looked closest to correct. If the ridge cap to hip cap line was swung perp to the main ridge it would look more correct.

I was amazed at the number of users on the map when I clicked it the other night, good show!

The map is only showing the number of "registered" users.  The actual number of people using the plugin may be quite a bit higher, I'm not really sure.  I didn't think there would be that many people using SketchUp for any sort of serious design work but I guess I was wrong. 

It's too bad I can devote more time to the development, its just plain fun.  I try to put in a couple of hours after work each day if I've got anything left in the tank. 

The next big thing I want to work on is adding the timber truss module with metal plates and bolts.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Medeek

Version 1.9.6 - 07.29.2017
- Added a hip & ridge option for all hip type roofs.

I will now need to setup hip & ridge for all other roof variants (gable, dutch gable etc...)

I'm quite pleased with the way this has come out.  Within the global settings under the "Sheathing" tab you can adjust the width and thickness of the hip/ridge cap. 

This option definitely adds a finished look to the roof. 
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer


Medeek

Added a hip & ridge option for all gable truss roofs (sub. rev. 1.9.6b):



Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Medeek

This afternoon I began to put together the HTML for the timber truss GUI (what I have so far):



I think I've reduced a metal plated (bolts) timber truss down to twenty (20) parameters.

Hopefully the preview panel will help simplify the entry of these parameters and give the user instant feedback on what each one does.  With these sort of trusses the look and feel of the truss is every bit as important as the structural aspect so a preview is very important.

The preview panel will not only show the timbers but also the metal plates and exact position of each bolt.

Once the user submits "go", the timber truss module will draw one (1) timber truss with all of the timbers, metal plates, bolts, nuts and washers.

In the global options the user will be able to specify the bolt standard and the washer standard as well as set the material (color) for the plate and hardware.

As usual the design and programming is a little more involved than I originally anticipated but in the end it should be quite dramatic to be able to create a fully bolted and plated timber truss.

I'm probably going to need a full week to complete this, so given my current schedule and hours it will probably be 2-3 weeks before this is ready to release.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Medeek

Visually, not a lot of progress:



But what you can't see is the algorithm to efficiently position and display the bolts. 

For larger trusses I'm a little worried that the display is too small to show the bolt details, but I'm not sure what else to do about it.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer

Don_P

Can it publish a dimensioned plate by plate detail? 

Medeek

That would certainly be useful if it could.  I can probably use SVG to generate and html detail which can then be printed to a PDF document.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, P.E.
Designer, Programmer and Engineer