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
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 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
RE: Truss and beam analysis program
For just simple trusses and known eccentricities, RISA should be able to provide quick results.
RE: Truss and beam analysis program
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
Mick
RE: Truss and beam analysis program
RE: Truss and beam analysis program
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
http://
Alpine is a leader in wood trusses.
Simon
RE: Truss and beam analysis program
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
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
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
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
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
RE: Truss and beam analysis program
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 interviewed for a job at Tahoe, but it didn't work out. Too bad, its a nice place.
RE: Truss and beam analysis program
RE: Truss and beam analysis program
I can say they have a great tech staff, and are very helpful when you call with a problem.