Roof Components - Clamps

The "Zange" function allows you to enter purlin clamps with various connections to rafters and purlins. The following options can be entered:

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.

Identification number: The identification number determines the clamp material. Using the button at the end of the field, you can branch into the database and select a material.

Arrangement: With the "Arrangement" option you can specify whether double clamps, only a left clamp, or only a right clamp should be generated.

Always place first and last clamp on the inside: This field is only active if the "Arrangement" field has the option "left" or "right" selected. In this case, the clamp at the first and last rafter is always created on the inner side. If the "Arrangement" field is set to "Double", double clamps are always created. However, if you click into the first and last rafters in the field where clamps are to be generated when using double clamps, those rafters will receive a clamp only on the inner side.

Width: Width of the clamp.

Height: Height of the clamp.

Bottom edge height of clamp: The clamps can be placed by an absolute height for their lower edge. Using the switch at the right end of the field you can switch to the drawing. There you draw a line and the program will display a vertical section through the entire building along that line. With the crosshair you can now select a point where the lower edge of the clamps should be placed. The height resulting from this will then be displayed in the field and can still be modified.

Lateral offset: The clamps can be shifted laterally so that they have a clearance from the rafter or so that they penetrate into the rafter. As soon as you enter a negative value (= penetration into the rafter), the next field becomes active. There you can define the connection to the rafter more precisely.

Connect to rafters in the layer: Rafters can be located in different layers of the roof and rafters can also exist simultaneously in different layers. Therefore the program must know to which rafters it should connect.

Connection clamp -- rafters: The connection between clamp and rafters can be established using the T-connection type.

Intersection clamp -- rafters: If a clamp runs past a rafter (e.g. main roof rafter), i.e. intersects it, and ends at another rafter (e.g. dormer rafter), you can specify a connection for the intersection here. The connection is established via the Connection Intersection.

Connection clamp -- purlin: If a clamp intersects a purlin, you can define a connection using the crossing connection type.

Length of infill: For double clamps you can also have the clamps generate "infill pieces". Here the height of the infill pieces is entered. If an infill length of 0.000 is entered and the number of infill pieces is 1, a continuous infill from lower edge of rafter to lower edge of rafter will be generated.

Height of infill: Height of the infill pieces. If only one infill piece is generated, that infill piece is installed flush with the bottom of the clamps. As soon as multiple infill pieces are generated, they are installed centered in height relative to the clamps.

Number of infill pieces: The infill pieces can be generated either by number or by spacing. Therefore one of the two fields is always disabled and becomes active as soon as the entry in the other field is deleted. If an infill length of 0.000 is entered and the number of infill pieces is 1, a continuous infill from lower edge of rafter to lower edge of rafter will be generated.

Spacing of infill pieces: The infill pieces can be placed at a fixed spacing. The length to be divided for this is measured on the underside of the clamp between the two rafters. Since the spacing is fixed, a remainder occurs at both ends of the clamps.

There are several functions for the placement of the purlins:

2 roof surfaces: With this function you select the two roof planes between which the clamps are to be generated. Then you select the range of rafters that should receive the clamps.

1 roof surface: With this function you select the roof plane for which the clamps are to be generated. Then you also select the range of rafters at which the clamps are to be generated. Finally you select a line at which the clamps should end and a distance to it.

Ridge-valley rafters: With this function you select one or two ridge or valley rafters. If you select two ridge or valley rafters, they must be exactly opposite. Then both will be connected by clamps. If the ridge or valley rafters are not exactly opposite, no clamps will be generated. If you end the selection of ridge/valley rafters after the first ridge or valley rafter, you select a line at which the clamps should end.