Used to parametrically generate single beam trusses or rectangular or triangular box trusses.

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Concepts

Trusses can be created by specifying start and end points followed by the vertical direction of the truss or by selecting substation frames (Trestle, Vertical Frame, A-Frame, or Single Frame). When using the frame selection method, both selected frames must be perpendicular or parallel to each other, and their centers should be inline.

Trusses can be created between two different frame types with different heights, as long as the taller frame has a horizontal brace at the same elevation as the top of the lower frame.

Trusses can consist of entirely tubular/hollow sections, or tubular/hollow chords with equal angle bracing.

• The utility can create three types of trusses:
  • Single Beam
  • Triangular
  • Rectangular
• Trusses are subdivided into zones and controls associated to zones vary by the selected truss type. Therefore, not all parameters are available for each truss type.
• Trusses have a middle zone and optional end zones. Zones are subdivided into panels.
• The main zones are typically straight but can be sloped.
• End zones can be symmetric or asymmetric (different lengths and number of panels), or optionally, with tapered bottom chords or sloping top chords.
• The total main zone panel count can be even or odd, equally or unequally spaced, and symmetrically divided on the center of the main zone.
• The total end zone panel count can be even or odd, equally or unequally spaced.
• Angle braces can be single angles or two separate angles back to back by enabling the check box next to the Shape Type drop-down list.
  Note: This option is not available with pipes or hollow shapes.
• Bracing members are controlled by the face and pattern. Supported bracing patterns are of the Warren, Pratt, and Howe types.
• The list of available patterns changes based on the panel number/length bay counts.
• Bracing plate thickness values must be provided and should be greater than zero whenever angle bracing connections are expected. This value is used by the truss builder to correctly position bracing shapes and for eventually receiving brace connections. The plate thickness is also automatically detected by single, double and triple brace connections to create a suitable connection plate.
• Right click on any shape type or shape size provides you with a mechanism for applying the selection to the face, zone or to the complete truss.

Dialog Controls

Setting	Description
OK	Closes the dialog and save your changes.
Cancel	Closes the dialog without saving changes.
Help	Opens online help.
Template	Saves and retrieve (Using Templates) settings to be used on other projects.
Clone	Shifts focus to the geometry, allowing cloning the current structural object (stair, frame, truss, etc.) properties to match one or more objects selected in the view.
Apply	Updates the current model object with any changes made in the dialog settings.
Show /Hide Preview	Opens or closes, respectively, a flyout panel to display an illustration based on the tool.