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Truss and beam analysis program

Truss and beam analysis program

Truss and beam analysis program

(OP)
I am starting a business to provide engineering solutions to residential builders, and some smaller commercial property construction companies (mostly wood built structures) in my area.
I'm looking for a truss and beam analysis program for common construction applications routinely found in residential construction--mainly to size and analyze existing members.
I am tired of doing the long hand calcs as I routinely encounter damaged and/or modified members. I've been doing this "on the side" for 2+ years, so I'm really looking for a quicker method to check my assumptions and calculations, and for additional piece of mind.
Any help is GREATLY appreciated as I don't use software applications routinely...in other words,this is for a newbie to structural analysis software, so any helpful hints on the difficulty of getting it up and running would help Greatly as well!!!
Thanks!
Mick

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

For trusses, the truss programs used by the commercial truss manufacturers can't be beat... and you might want to leave this to them.  You can try Risa for truss design, but the commercial dedicated programs give the added edge.

For beams, Trus Joist and others have software available for beam design using their products... these are available from the distributer free, for the most part.

In addition, I use Woodworks.

Dik

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

Woodworks is a great program.

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

If you are investigating manufactured trusses, I think that you should try to obtain one of the at least three programs specifically written for manufactured trusses.  You will not be able to model the joints very accurately, especially the heel joints due to the eccentricity.  Review the Truss Plate Institute literature.

For just simple trusses and known eccentricities, RISA should be able to provide quick results.

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

(OP)
I have looked at the Woodworks and RISA 2d web pages and I am going to give them a try to start with--any additional peripheral software or materials that are necessary to get started with either of these??
Thanks for the replies and suggestions--I'm starting from scratch, and you guys have been a GREAT help!!!
Mick

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

(OP)
In talking to Josh @ RISA, he mentioned that in my situation, Enercalc might be very beneficial---any Enercalc users out there with any opinions or experiences they would like to share??
Mick

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

I use enercalc quite a bit.  My last company, they don't do hand written calcs, all done on enercalc.  The only thing that bothers me about enercalc is they haven't updated it since 2003 and I can't seem to get in touch with anyone.  Website was updated in 2005.

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

(OP)
twinnell-
That alone is EXCELLENT feedback--so far I'll stay with RISA 2D for what I need to do.
Thanks!!!!!
Any one else have any other suggestions for sources--  before I pull the trigger??
Mick

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

Probably ought to leave the truss engineering to the Truss Plate guys.  They have spent years working out the details.

As for other programs check out:

     beamchek.com
     archeng.com

Cheap and easy to use.  Saved me thousands of hours.

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

I use RISA 3D, but I think it is a little lacking in wood design.  Really a great program overall, steel design is great.  I have heard that Visual Analysis does wood better, but I don't have any first had experience with that.

When I worked for a wood truss company they used something called Online or Trustar or something like that.  I counldn't find it when I did a search though.  I think Mitec is another leader in this industry, but you would have to be designing a lot of trusses to make a license worth while.

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

(OP)
Structuralaggie--
Thanks for the input, and that would help to find a more wood truss related prgram. I'm really not wanting to get into truss design, I just want to model trusses in field conditions where they have either been damaged or modified. I realize this is a very small use of the available program power from these programs, but it is what I need.
I would also use the program(s) for analyzing beams, joists, and girder issues for the same reasons given above. So, if I did purchase a design program, I would strictly use it to simulate/mirror field conditions. Steel less than wood, but I would still need that option. Most of the programs I have seen so far are more than adequate to handle the beam/joist issues (regardless of materials) but the truss member analysis is the problem--they can be adapted to get answers but not specifically intended for what I want to use it for.
Yes, I realize I am asking a bit much of the programs out there--but I am really just looking for the best fit for as much of the criteria I would typically encounter --in other words I realize I will not get an all-in-one program for this. But, If I can find 2 that work--I'll go with those.

The leading candidate right now is RISA 2D to do most of the work I need done. I'm still trying to find some manufacturer software that could be adapted--just not finding the names of the software. If anyone could let me know what to search on (I've tried everything I can think of) please pass that along----or the actual names of the programs and their affiliate companies would be a HUGE help.
Thanks again for all your help!!!!
Mick

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

I think RISA 2D would be fine (although I have only use RISA 3D).  It was discussed some above, the main issue in the 2x type trusses is the center lines of the members don't always line up directly because of the way these things are manufactured. I have done some repairs on 2x wood trusses with RISA.  I usually cheat on the analysis and line up the members at the node, and then be conservative with the repair.  Making ficticious members may be more correct, but it takes a lot more time.

Anyway, I use RISA 3D for all trusses and frames.  For individual beams, joists and columns, I made my own spreadsheets based on the NDS and checked them with RISA and examples in the AITC Timber Construcion Manual.  

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

structuralaggie,
Even the leading wood truss programs out there don't always account for the joint eccentricities.  They do at the heel conditions and the pitch break locations, but usually not at web/chord connections.  Fictitious members are used at the heel and pitch break to model the eccentricities and to simulate the partial rigidity of the plated joint.    

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

I know.  We went through PPSA back in school (I think that is what it was called).  Some care should be taken for eccentricities, but I think for the most part 2x wood trusses don't really have that big of loads (especially roof trusses).

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

Actually wood trusses in the Lake Tahoe region see loads in the 200 psf plus range.  This is where the 2x4's connecting a long row of webs have to be braced off somewhere.

Tahoe also gets big winds - say 90 to 100+ mph, depending upon where the building is.  Flying portions of tree trunks also do a lot of damage.

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

I meant with regards to the forces developed within the 2x trusses.  Large steel trusses can easily have member forces that exceed 100 kips.  Not that you want eccentricites in 2x trusses, but you really don't want them in these.

I interviewed for a job at Tahoe, but it didn't work out.  Too bad, its a nice place.

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

Too bad.  One firm in Tahoe City been advertising for SE's for some time.   There is also about 40+ engineering positions available in the county DOT. (El Dorado County)

RE: Truss and beam analysis program

I have used Risa 2D to model roof frames. The eccentricities can be modeled with rigid links to induce moment in addition to the axial loads in the frame. Seems to give comperable results to Mitek software for like systems. The problem at this point is, Risa has not updated their code check to include NDS 2005. Any state adopting IBC2006 will reference NDS2005. Risa staff says they are going to do it, but not sure how soon, and do not have any timeline for the revisions. That usually means it's a long time away!
I can say they have a great tech staff, and are very helpful when you call with a problem.

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