Version 0.9.9q - 11.10.2024
Version 0.9.9r - 11.10.2024
Two releases in one day, I’m running out of letters.
Tutorial 18 - Moving Walls with Floors (9:17 min.)
Last night I was giving some serious thought to the subject of floor trusses. My initial thought was to move them to the Floor plugin or at least create a floor truss module within this new plugin. But after further consideration it seems like I would just be duplicating a lot of work with no serious gain in functionality. What led me to this conclusion is that floor trusses are generally used in a rectangular layout not a polygon. In fact, I’ve never even seen a floor layout with floor trusses in anything other than a rectangular format.
What I do need to do is spend some quality time updating the existing floor truss module in the Truss plugin. I’ve already identified a number of issues and deficiencies. That is the plan for now with floor trusses.
Version 0.9.1 was when I enabled the global offset for joists however it appears that this offset is not being applied to blocking, metal bracing or insulation. I will need to work on this:
First look at a TRIFORCE Open Joist floor:
There has been some call for this product line so I am working on the algorithms so that it can be configured properly. It is a bit more complicated due to the directional nature of its trimming panel (only one end can be trimmed).
Version 0.9.9s - 11.13.2024
I will probably add in the 14" and 16" Open Joists in a few days, or as requested.
FYI, I carefully studied the manufacturer’s literature, and the models provided by the plugin (even though slightly simplified to decrease the poly count) should be quite dimensionally accurate and compare very closely to the real product. In other words you should be able to plan your ductwork, electrical and plumbing around these models with a fair degree of accuracy.
Great to see this added so fast. I’m looking for the 14” so I’ll keep an eye out for it to be added. Thanks….
Thoughts?
For something like this there I’m going to assume there would be no rim joist.
These are created with my own algorithm but would be very close to a top bearing Red-L Open Web Truss (RedBuilt Parallel Chord):
24" deep
12’ span
5.5" inset
2x4 chords (MSR Lumber)
1" DIA webs
Is this of interest to anyone or am I straying to far into the commercial/industrial side of things.
+1 for RedBuilt products or your facsimile of open web trusses with tubular steel webs – we would specify these more than Triforce only because of regional availability and being listed approved products by governing agencies. We’ve used these open web type trusses (as opposed to TJI or similar with solid web) in many high-end residential projects because of a combination of large spans and having to accommodate mechanical ducts, plumbing, etc.
Looks like our typical projects with framing going in every direction compounded by depressed framing in particular areas with various conditions to allow for hard rock concrete, gypcrete/acoustic underlayment, thick hard surface floor finishes, waterproofing underlayment/drainage systems, etc. – all to maintain a level floor finish surface for accessibility compliance.
Bah! Yeah it’s big, but that’s still all rectilinear. Not like my house. As I may have said, a client once threw down the gauntlet before me: “No curves, no angles, and no changes in level.” Naturally I had to get all of those into my house.
And here is a first look at some fairly hefty Red-H open web trusses:
These are awfully stout, double 2x6 chords with 2" dia. webs, depths can range between 24" and 72".
Floors like these are typically seen in schools and commercials buildings:
Still putting the algorithm through its paces. These polygon floors make things quite a bit more complicated.
It isn’t too big of a stretch to also include some steel open web trusses/joists:
I was digging through the Nucor/Vulcraft website today and it doesn’t look like to much trouble to include a k series steel joist (or equivalent).
If I do include steel trusses I think rather than provide set sizes I provide a few more parameters so that one can customize them a bit further:
Depth:
Bearing: Top/Bottom
Bearing Length:
End Panel Length:
Web Style:
Web Size:
Bearing Height: (for top chord bearing trusses)
Top Chord Size:
Bottom Chord Size: (ie. L1-1/2X3/16)
My father, a senior estimator for a commercial framing and finishing company, has watched me and had me draw stuff for him using your tools and was amazed, but sad that they are not more integrated with commercial building solutions. This coupled with the CFS framing material will make him happier 
Too late! I needed open web steel joists about 4 weeks ago. I found some, but I’d love it if you made some.
