Roof Components - Post / Strut

The "post/brace" function allows posts to be entered beneath the purlins. "Normal" and rising purlins are supported, but skewed purlins are not. Each post can be automatically provided with double or single braces. The following settings are available:

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

Post:

Identification number: The ID number determines the material of the post. Use the button at the end of the field to navigate into the database and select a material.

Post width: The width of the post is measured parallel to the purlin.

Post thickness: The thickness of the post is measured perpendicular to the purlin.

Bottom edge absolute: The bottom edge of the post can be defined by an absolute height or by selecting the "OK-threshold" option. The absolute height is measured from the origin of the current coordinate system. With the "OK-threshold" option, the post is automatically connected to the threshold specified below.

Bottom edge relative to bottom of storey: As an alternative to the absolute height, the height of the post bottom edge can be entered relative to the bottom edge of a storey. That storey can be selected in the next field.

Storey: Storey from which the height of the post bottom edge can be defined.

Rotate cross-section: The post can be rotated about its longitudinal axis in 90° increments.

Axis offset to purlin: Because the post can be defined narrower than the purlin, this allows positioning of the post in depth. With the "flush front" option the post is placed flush with the front face of the purlin; with the "flush back" option it is placed flush with the rear edge of the purlin. The "centered" option places the post centered under the purlin. Using "value" the post can be offset from the center by the entered amount.

Connection at bottom: The post can be connected at the bottom to other members, such as sills. The button at the right end of the field shows the parameters with which the selected operation will be executed and also allows changing them.

Connection at top: The post can be connected at the top to the selected purlin with various operations. The button at the right end of the field shows the parameters with which the selected operation will be executed and also allows changing them.

Brace:

Identification number: The ID number determines the material of the braces. Use the button at the end of the field to navigate into the database and select a material.

Brace width: The width of the braces is measured perpendicular to the purlin.

Brace height: The height of the braces is measured parallel to the purlin.

Location of the braces: Double, single or no braces can be created. For double braces select the "double" option. Single braces are created with the "choice" option. After entering the post you can then choose between a left, double or right brace. The program offers the different positions; use the right mouse button to cycle to the next position and the left mouse button to accept the current position. The program always starts with the position used in the last post entry.

Axis offset to post: Because the braces can be defined narrower than the post, this allows positioning of the braces in depth relative to the post. With the "flush front" option the braces are placed flush with the front face of the post; with the "flush back" option they are placed flush with the rear edge of the post. The "centered" option places the braces centered relative to the post. Using "value" the braces can be offset from the center by the entered amount.

Distance from top: The braces can be positioned by a combination of 2 of 3 values. One of these values is the "distance from top". This value is measured from the bottom edge of the purlin to the bottom edge of the braces. If this value should not be entered, delete it. Doing so deactivates this field and activates the previously deactivated field ("slope" or "horizontal projection").

Slope: The braces can be positioned by a combination of 2 of 3 values. One of these values is the "slope". The slope is measured relative to the horizontal. If this value should not be entered, delete it. Doing so deactivates this field and activates the previously deactivated field ("distance from top" or "horizontal projection").

Projection along purlin: The braces can be positioned by a combination of 2 of 3 values. One of these values is the "projection along purlin". This projection is measured from the post to the outermost point of the braces. If this value should not be entered, delete it. Doing so deactivates this field and activates the previously deactivated field ("slope" or "distance from top").

Distance from top for rising purlins: Rising purlins here refers to purlins of member types 332 and 333. This drop-down list allows you to specify whether the distance from top is measured only on one of the two post sides or measured separately on both sides.

Offset: The "distance from top" is measured separately on both sides of the post. This creates a global offset of the start points of both braces.

Lower side: The distance is measured on the side of the post that has the shorter post edge. The global height determined in this way is transferred to the other side of the post for the other brace. As a result both braces start at the same global height.

Higher side: The distance is measured on the side of the post that has the longer post edge. The global height determined in this way is transferred to the other side of the post for the other brace. As a result both braces start at the same global height.

If the same measure is entered for both the "projection parallel to purlin" and the "distance from top", the brace is installed as an angle bisector. This results in identical connection angles at both brace ends, which offers manufacturing advantages.

Connection: The braces can be connected to posts and purlins. The button at the right end of the field shows the parameters with which the selected operation will be executed and also allows changing them.

Sill:

Identification number: The ID number determines the material of the sill. Use the button at the end of the field to navigate into the database and select a material.

Sill width: The width of the sill is measured perpendicular to the purlin (same as the purlin width).

Brace height: The height of the sill is measured parallel to the purlin (same as the purlin height).

Sill length: The length of the sill is specified as a fixed dimension.

Bottom edge absolute: The bottom edge of the sill can be defined by an absolute height. The absolute height is measured from the origin of the current coordinate system.

Bottom edge relative to bottom of storey: As an alternative to the absolute height, the height of the sill bottom edge can be entered relative to the bottom edge of a storey. That storey can be selected in the next field.

Storey: Storey from which the height of the sill bottom edge can be defined.

Axis offset to post: Because the sill can be defined shallower or wider than the post, this allows positioning of the sill in depth relative to the post. With the "flush front" option the sill is placed flush with the front face of the post; with the "flush back" option it is placed flush with the rear edge of the post. The "centered" option places the sill centered relative to the post. Using "value" the sill can be offset from the center by the entered amount.

After entering all values you can place the post. There are two options for this:

Single: With the "Single" function you place a single post. However, this post can be created under multiple purlins at once. To place it, select all purlins that should receive this post. The purlins must all be parallel to the first purlin. After ending the selection of purlins with a right-click, choose the point where the post should be placed. The post is displayed and you can place it on the other side of the point with the right mouse button. Use the left mouse button to accept the position. The post and braces are then immediately created and connected to the purlin.

Divide: The "Divide" function allows you to create an entire series of posts at once by dividing a previously selected segment.

First select all purlins that should receive the posts. The purlins must all be parallel to the first purlin. After ending the selection of purlins with a right-click, determine two points that define the boundaries for the distribution. After the second point the dialog for the division opens, as known from the rafter entry. After leaving the dialog the posts and braces are immediately created and connected to the purlin.