User Guide

Tutorial 1 - Modeling
Version 5.0 39
The design group for both members is currently set to Rectangular. While this is
sufficient for the web members, we would like to use doubled members for the
chords.
Click on the Shape cell in the first row and and then click the
arrow to open the
dialog with the NDS Wood Database. Select to indicate that our top
chords will consist of two back back to back rectangular sections.
Click OK to return to the Section Sets spreadhseet.
We’ve now changed the current shape to a Double 2x4. If we want to program to
suggest Double Rectangles when it performs member re-design / optimization,
then we must also change the Design List.
Click on the first cell in the Design List column to make this the active cell. Then
click the arrow next to the text that says, “Rectangular” to open the drop down
menu for design lists. Select Rectangular Double for the Design List.
This last selection will insure that the when the program performs member re-
design / optimization it will suggest another doubled up member for our chords.
To control the depth and thickness of the suggested shapes, we will change our
Design Rules.
Click on the first cell in the Design Rules column to make this the active cell.
Then click the arrow next to the text that says, “Col-Rules” to open the drop
down list. Select “Truss-Rules” for the design rules. Repeat these actions to
change the Design Rules for the Web members as well.
Your spreadsheet should now look like this: