CountryPlans Forum

Hi All,new to this...looking for free truss design program

This is one;
http://www.jhu.edu/~virtlab/bridge/truss.htm

 w*  motoburue.  The 'poll' seems to have developed an attraction for new users lately. That's all right.  :)

That program link Don_P posted is nice as a person can play around and see how loads are transfered. The one thing it will not do is advise on what sizes of components are required  or how to fasten them together. That's where the engineer comes in.

There are lots of tables and calculators for rafters, but trusses cross over into new territory. Does the place you are going to build this structure have permit requirements, etc? Trusses require an engineers stamp most likely if that's so.  There are truss plan books still available through some university ag departments. I'll have a look for my link later as time permits; can't find it right now but I know there are a few still around. They are not acceptable under current codes, although there are many buildings still standing that were built to their specs. They are built up using 2x lumber and plywood for gussets, glue and nails.

Here's two I located, not the one I was after, but much the same...  (plans, not a design program)


This one has a variety of widths covered...
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~mwps_dis/mwps_web/tr_plans.html (http://www.public.iastate.edu/~mwps_dis/mwps_web/tr_plans.html)


assorted buildings...
http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/plans/index.htm (http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/plans/index.htm)