Dormer Intermediate Posts

The "intermediate post" function allows you to enter posts between the two corner posts. These intermediate posts can optionally be created only above the parapet rail, only below the parapet rail, or on both sides. There is an option to distribute the posts automatically or to place each one manually.

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.

General

First, select the material and the dimensions of the posts. If they should not be created, enter the cross-section as 0.000. Then set the connection for the lower and the upper post end.

The next setting allows you to shift the intermediate posts in depth. The options are "flush front", "flush back", "centered" and "value". With the "value" option, the primary post can be shifted from the centered position toward the window rail. A positive value shifts the primary post backward and a negative value shifts it forward.

With the last two general settings you determine where the top and bottom ends of the intermediate posts should be connected. If the intermediate posts extend from floor timber to the upper window rail, thereby crossing the parapet rail, the parapet rail setting decides whether the parapet rail is split or the intermediate posts are split.

Distribution

The simplest and fastest method to enter the intermediate purlins is distribution. This method also allows automatic recalculation of the posts when changing the dormer dimensions. The input parameters for distribution are the same as those already known from normal rafter distribution in the roof, beam distribution in the ceiling, or post distribution in the wall.

Using the "start distance" and the "end distance" you can place the first and last post at a fixed distance from the corner posts. The remaining posts are distributed between them. Distribution can be performed using a fixed bay size, a free bay size, or by the number of members. With a fixed bay size, posts are created exactly at the entered spacing. Any resulting remainder is inserted either in the first field (start), in the last field (end), or evenly in both fields (distribute). With the free bay size, posts are created at equal spacing so that the spacing between posts is at most the entered value. When entering the number of posts, equal spacings between the posts are also generated automatically.

Free input

With free input you can place intermediate posts manually. You enter each post either by a distance to the previous post (relative) or by a distance to the left corner post (absolute). The other value is calculated and displayed by the program.

With this input method, the intermediate posts are also generated with the values entered here when the dormer is modified. Therefore, the input for the intermediate posts must be corrected if necessary.