Roof Components - Valley Rafters (alternate)

The valley rafter input

With the dropdown list at the top of the dialog box you can select existing settings. Using the floppy-disk icon you can save the current setting under the same name or under a new name. Via the management icon you can create new settings, also by adopting existing settings, modify existing settings or delete them. See 'Save settings' in the 'General Help' manual.

Identification number: The identification number determines the material of the valley rafter. Using the switch at the end of the field you can branch into the database and select a material.

Width: Width of the valley rafter.

Height: Height of the valley rafter. For the height you can enter a fixed value or have it calculated according to the rafters. If you choose the 'according to rafters' option, the following fields are activated. There you can enter a rounding value and the block heights for both sides.

Rounding for height: If the height of the valley rafter is calculated according to the rafters, you can enter a rounding value here. The calculated height will then be rounded up to the next full value set here. Thus a value of '0.02m' always yields heights (cm): 10, 12, 14, 16, etc.

Block height left: For the 'according to rafters' calculation the program requires the block heights from the left and the right side of the valley rafter.

Block height right: For the 'according to rafters' calculation the program requires the block heights from the left and the right side of the valley rafter.

Base offset: There are different options for the base offset:

None: Even with unequal roof pitches the valley rafter is not offset; it is installed centered on the valley line. The side faces are then of different heights.

Equal cutout depth: The valley rafter is offset so that the cutout depth of the valley rafter and thus the height of the side faces are equal. However, this can cause a block to step back relative to the underside of the valley rafter.

Block flush: The valley rafter is offset so that both blocks are flush with the underside of the valley rafter. The cutout depths and thus the height of the side faces are then different.

Value: The base offset can be freely controlled by entering a value.

Position: Position in which the valley rafter is to be installed. As a rule, this is position 0, in which the rafters also lie.

Lower by: The valley rafter can be lowered by the value entered here.

Configuration of the valley rafter top side: The top side of the valley rafter can be recessed or straight (without recess). Three options are available:

straight: The top side has no recess and the top of the valley rafter lies at the level of the rafter top. One or both upper edges of the valley rafter (depending on roof pitch and base offset) then touch the roof covering.

Recess: The valley rafter is recessed.

straight at valley line: The top side has no recess and the top of the valley rafter lies at the level of the valley line. As a result, the valley rafter lies lower than with the 'straight' option.

Configuration of the valley rafter underside: The valley rafters can be either straight or chamfered on the underside. If the height of the valley rafter is calculated by the program rather than entered as a fixed value, the valley rafter height increases by the chamfer height. This dimension is calculated automatically. If you have the valley rafter height calculated according to the rafters, set the rounding to 0.0 and the base offset to 'Block flush', you obtain a smooth transition between block and chamfer surfaces.

Ignore openings, valley rafter runs through opening: If this option is set to 'Yes', the valley rafter ignores an opening that lies exactly on the ridge line. The valley rafter is then not split. This is useful when the valley rafter should first be fully installed and only separated on site.

The connections of the valley rafters

Rafter nail hole: A rafter nail hole can be created in two ways. It can simply be information at the groove or it can create a separate hole. Normally the rafter nail hole is set at the purlin and all rafters, skew rafters, hip rafters and valley rafters that receive a groove from this purlin will also receive this rafter nail hole. In some cases, however, a single component should receive a different rafter nail hole. Then you can give that component its own setting for this. Both options have different properties:

From purlin: The rafter nail hole is adopted from the purlin that generates the groove in the valley rafter. Depending on the setting at the purlin this can be a rafter nail hole as information at the groove or an independent rafter nail hole.

Rafter nail hole: Below this group you can choose your own detailed setting, which then applies only to this valley rafter and "overrides" the setting at the purlin. If one of these options is chosen, the rafter nail hole is no longer generated as information at the groove, but an independent hole is created that is displayed as such. In addition, the rafter nail can also be generated.

Valley rafter at left eave: For the connection of the valley rafter to an eave you can optionally set the option '1 section' or '2 sections'. Which parameters the chosen operation is executed with can be viewed and also changed via the switch at the right end of the field.

Valley rafter at right eave: Different settings can be made for the right and left side of the valley rafter (as seen from the eave). Depending on the chosen settings, conflict situations may arise that lead to different sections than expected. In such a case you should check the setting for the left and the right side.

Valley rafter at ridge: As soon as a valley rafter ends at a ridge line, it receives the connection set here. With the '1 perpendicular cut' option it is cut parallel to the ridge; with the '2 perpendicular cuts' option it is cut parallel to the ridge on one side and perpendicular to the ridge on the other side. When multiple valley rafters converge at a point, they automatically intersect with each other in the contact area. The valley rafters automatically receive an air gap at the ridge if this is configured under 'File - Settings - Limits, Operations'.

Valley rafter at roof kink: When a valley rafter ends at a roof kink, it receives one of the possible connections provided here. With the '2 perpendicular cuts' option the valley rafter is cut square to both kink lines. With the 'Adapt' option the valley rafter is adapted to the already existing other valley rafter. Therefore it depends on how that connecting valley rafter looks.

Double valley rafter: A second valley rafter can be created beneath the normal valley rafter. Selecting the 'centered' option generates a second valley rafter. This is automatically placed centered beneath the upper valley rafter.

Width: Width of the 2nd valley rafter.

Height: Height of the 2nd valley rafter.

Setback from the building contour: As a rule, the 2nd valley rafter does not end at the eave like the upper one, but ends at the building contour or at a certain distance from it. This distance relative to the building contour can be entered here.

After setting all values and options you can input the purlins by the following buttons:

All valley lines: The configured valley rafter will be created on all valley lines.

Valley lines: The valley rafter will be created on the valley line(s) that were selected graphically.

Length-limited: The length and position of the valley rafter can be specified using two points.