3D Truss Models

medeek

Version 1.5.8 - 05.22.2016

Added metric input for Gambrel Attic truss type.
Added a graphical user interface (GUI) for metric gambrel attic geometry input.

medeek

Gambrel Attic (metric) GUI

I also show the industry standard feet-inches-sixteenths.

medeek

Version 1.5.9 - 05.29.2016

Increased top chord pitch limit from 12/12 to 18/12 for the following Scissor truss types, configurations: (2/2, 4/4).
Heel web logic revised to accommodate steeper pitches for bottom and top chords of scissor trusses.
Increased top chord pitch limit from 12/12 to 18/12 for valley truss sets.

16/12:12/12 Scissor Truss with an 18" raised heel:

Notice that the steep pitch of the bottom chord changes the way the heel web and bottom chord meet at the bearing point. The additional logic listed in the changelog notes deals specifically with this issue.

View model here:

3D Warehouse

3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

medeek

I will probably add the symmetric cathedral truss type next:

View model here:

3D Warehouse

3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

The web configurations will use an "auto" triangulation algorithm similar to the tray truss type.

JQL

This has really got into an impressive level! Congratulations!

juju

@jql said:

This has really got into an impressive level! Congratulations!

indeed, help spread the word to help the man get more sales!

medeek

@jql said:

This has really got into an impressive level! Congratulations!

I've kind of been inching along recently. I've been beset with other concerns/jobs and I haven't had the time to really add some new innovative stuff to the plugin, mostly maintenance and refinements of existing truss types. My todo list has grown from a half page of notes to over 2 1/2 pages and it seems like I add something to it every other day. The dormer feature is something I really want to attack next but I need at least 3 good days of uninterrupted coding time to do it justice.

What have I recently added that has garnered you attention? JQL

Probably no one has noticed but I've started adding in links to the various screenshots within the Changlog. Sometimes a picture goes a long way in explaining some of these updates.

Medeek Design Inc. - Medeek Truss Plugin Changelog

(design.medeek.com)

JQL

@medeek said:

What have I recently added that has garnered you attention? JQL

The latest Gui image.

It seems very complete. I just don't think the image displays metric units does it?

medeek

I need to fix that. It currently is showing the typical ft-in-sixteenths on the preview image and not the metric units.

medeek

Quick fix. The metric GUI now shows both metric and imperial in the preview pane for gambrel attic trusses. I've lumped it into Version 1.6.0 and uploaded the corrected release.

pilou

Does the new RBZ overwrite the previous version
or we must erase the "previous" by hand before loading?

medeek

I usually manually remove the medeek extension and folder from my plugins folder since I don't trust that SketchUp will do a clean install. This guarantees that all files and folders were replaced.

medeek

Version 1.6.0 - 06.08.2016

Corrected a bug with raised heel fink trusses and structural outlookers.
Metric GUI for gambrel attic truss type now shows metric and imperial units in preview pane.
Added energy/raised heels for king post truss (3 variants: wedge, slider and vertical w/ strut).

This update may seem minor but underneath the hood it is a big change. I've rewritten a significant portion of the common truss module so that I can now offer raised heel trusses for all the other common truss types. Be on the lookout for this update in the near future.

Raised heel trusses (wedge, slider, vert) complicate things when combined with structural outlookers. I've had to add some significant logic to deal with all the permutations.

medeek

Various configurations of a 16' King Post Truss:

View model here:

3D Warehouse

3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

With a raised heel note the use of either a wedge, slider or vertical web with strut.

medeek

I was really hoping to make it to Basecamp this year but it does not look like it will happen. Hopefully some of you can vouch for me and put in a good word if you are attending this year. I'm going to try for next year and by then this plugin will be more substantial and a little more polished.

medeek

Version 1.6.1 - 06.11.2016

Added Coffer truss type, configurations: (AUTO).
Metric input enabled for coffer truss type.
Added gable end trusses for coffer truss type.
Structural outlookers (vert. & horz.) enabled under advanced roof options for Coffer truss type.
Building parameter menu (2nd) and advanced options menu for trusses now default to last picked options of the session for that sub-menu item.

Various configurations of a 40' coffer truss shown below:

The web triangulation algorithm automatically determines which configuration is appropriate based on the span between panel points. This simplifies the geometry input menu but does take some control from the user.

View model here:

3D Warehouse

3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

medeek

Modified an existing truss roof to make it a half hip truss set:

View model here:

3D Warehouse

3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

This will be my first venture into more complex truss systems. I figured I would cut my teeth on the half hip (Jerkin Head, Tudor Hip) truss set first before attacking the more complex full hip variants of which there are many.

After sketching this model up and examining the geometry I now have a number of questions:

Are my roof planes correct? Note that I have drawn the apex of the hip roofs at the edge of the last full truss and not at its centerline. Not entirely sure what is common practice in this regard.
I've shown some non-structural outlookers along the rake. What would the outlookers along the half hip portion look like?
If I use structural outlookers how would those be framed in over the hip section?
Does the apex of the half hip typically coincide with the next truss or could it land somewhere between trusses? ie. the half hip length is some multiple of the truss spacing.
Is the hip section usually the same pitch as the rest of the roof? There is really no reason why it has to be.
As the length of the half hip increases the depth of the gable end truss decreases as does the first inboard truss. What is the practical limit for the minimum depth of the first inboard truss?
Does anyone have some shop drawings of this type of truss set that I can study?

medeek

As previously noted the web dialog from the plugin can actually be used external to SketchUp to explore gambrel attic geometry:

Imperial Units:

(design.medeek.com)

Metric Units:

(design.medeek.com)

I might develop this into a web based app which would allow one to generate 2D AutoCAD geometry (.dwg) of the truss profile.

medeek

With non-structural lookouts would you frame them something like this? This question is mostly directed at the contractors and carpenters out in the field who actually have to build these roofs. Typically as an engineer I never worry about these details especially when they are non-structural.

In my opinion they aren't really doing a whole lot, much better to drop the gable truss and then cantilever them from the first in board truss (ie. structural outlookers).

medeek

Hip Truss Algorithm: