Truss

Use Truss Wizard to auto-generate a truss structure composed of beam and truss elements (top and bottom chords - Beam Elements, vertical and diagonal members - Truss Elements).

From the Main Menu select Model > Structure Wizard > Truss.

Select Geometry > Structure Wizard > Truss from the Menu tab of the Tree Menu.

Shortcut key: [Ctrl]+[Shift]+Y

      Input dialog box

 Input tab

Type
Select the truss type and diagonal pattern.

Number of Panels
Enter the number of truss panels.

Option
Select either symmetry or asymmetry of the truss.

L
Enter the length of the truss.

H1, H2
Enter the heights (depths) of the truss.

D1, D2
Enter the heights of inclination.

Show Dimensions
Display the dimensions entered in the Wizard Window.

    Edit dialog box

 Edit tab

Insertion
Check in to add vertical members in span and at both ends.

Merge Straight Members
When vertical members are not added, merge the top and bottom chord segments separated by the nodes allocated for the vertical members.

Show Element No.
Option to display the element numbers for the generated truss.

Material
Enter the material property to be used.

Click to add a new material property or modify an existing material property.

Section
Enter the sections to be used for the top chord, bottom chord, diagonals and verticals.
 

Click to add a new section or modify an existing section.

       Insert dialog box

 Insert tab

Insert Point

Enter the coordinates of the insert point where the origin point of the created Truss will be located in the existing model with respect to the GCS (UCS).

Alternatively, click the entry field and click the position of the insert point in the working window to enter the desired coordinates rather than typing in the entry field.

Rotations
Enter the rotational angles, Alpha, Beta and Gamma, that will define the orientation of the Truss in GCS X, Y and Z respectively.

Merge Duplicate Nodes
Select the option whether to merge overlapping nodes between the existing model and the nodes pertaining to the newly created Truss.

 : Set a tolerance for merging nodes.

Intersect Frame Elements

Select the option whether to divide the existing elements at the nodes pertaining to the newly created Truss, which are in contact with the existing elements in the existing model.

 : Set an intersecting tolerance to allow for the division of elements.

Origin Point
Set the origin point of the newly created Truss. This point is displayed in red in the Wizard Window.

Show No.: Display the node numbers making up the created Truss.