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JFBA offers training up to 3 times per year. The classes are either held in Colorado Springs, CO or before/after the Metalcon conviention. Training is 2-3 days. It is encouraged that attendees have the software to be familiarized with its basic capabillities in order to keep pace with the other students. Contact us to find out when the next training seminar will be held. |
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I am a designer, why would I select Truss D&E over other truss software programs? |
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Truss D&E offers many design options not available in other truss software. Some of the options available with Truss D&E are:
o Choice of many different material libraries, i.e. Knudson, Dale/Incor, Dietrich, Unimast, MSMA, MBCI or create your own material library.
o Several different design options: In-Plane or Out-of-Plane; Concentric or Offet Webs, Imperial or Metric, ASD or LRFD
o Auto design options: Hip Roof generator, Auto Batch design, Piggyback trusses, Optimize member selection
o Mutiple support types
o Splice truss (up to 3 places)
o Bill of Materials, Cut sheets, Shop drawing and details created at the click of a button
o Easy to use. No CAD commands to learn and memorize. You can be up and running the same day you receive the software!
o Several truss connection options: screws, welds, bolts or rivets
o Multiple truss shapes: roof trusses, attic trusses, floor trusses, curved top and/or bottom chords, building frames, and odd shaped user created trusses
o Unlimited spans
o Up to 21 different building codes with auto wind load generator
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Does Truss D&E analyze for offset webs? |
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Yes, Truss D&E creates additional node points for the offset web. The additional node points create a more exact model of the truss web layout. The program’s offset web analysis automatically accounts for the additional forces created by the offset web condition. |
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Can I customize the price data for the materials that I design with in Truss D&E? |
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Yes, the material cost data can be customized and adjusted very easy in Truss D&E since material costs will vary by user and supplier. |
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Does the complete building need to be modeled to start designing trusses? |
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No, the complete structure does not need to be modeled. Modeling the truss design can be started immediately.
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What experience is necessary to operate Truss D&E? |
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Truss D&E is a windows based program. User should have experience with computers and the metal building industry. CAD experience is not necessary to operate Truss D&E.
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How long will it take to become proficient at the software? |
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The time to become proficient in Truss D&E varies on the user and their experience. Most users can become very proficient in two weeks to a month.
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Will an engineer still need to stamp the designs produced by Truss D&E? |
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A licensed engineer will still need to approve and stamp the designs made in Truss D&E. Truss D&E does however reduce that time and work required by the engineer.
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How much training is needed to use Truss D&E? |
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Truss D&E can be learned in less than a day, typically in about two hours. Users do not need constant training on the program to stay proficient, once they have become familiar with the program.
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Can I network or share Truss D&E software? |
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Truss D&E uses hardlocks to protect the software. Users can install the software on as many computers as they wish. Computers without the hardlocks attached will go into Demo mode. The software will not work on a network.
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Will Truss D&E analyze and design the Truss to Truss and Truss to Support connection designs? |
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Yes, Truss D&E will analyze and design Truss-Truss and Truss-Support connections.
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Yes, the program can be purchased. We do offer a 2-year lease program with the option to buy at the end of the lease agreement.
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What libraries does Truss D&E design in? |
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Truss D&E has 12 standard libraries along with several proprietary libraries. The standard libraries include: Allied Tube & Conduit, Aluminum Tube, Aluminum Cee, Dale/Incor, Dietrich, Knudson Frame Maker, Knudson Big Cee, MBCI, SSMA Cold Formed Steel, SSMA Stainless 316A, SSMA Stainless 316 _ Hard, and Unimast.
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Am I limited to C studs or can I use my own proprietary shape? |
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Truss D&E does not limit our users to specific libraries or manufacturers. Our software allows users the freedom to create their own proprietary shape or use standard C studs. Occasionally, customization of the program is necessary for proprietary shapes and there are additional charges for this service. |
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Does Truss D&E take into account wind analysis? |
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Truss D&E automatically generates all load cases and load combinations, including wind loads on exposed vertical webs and bottom chord overhangs. Truss D&E analyzes by Main Frame Design (constant wind pressure) or Component & Cladding Design (higher pressures at edges and pitch breaks). Truss D&E, also, creates a separate load case for reduced dead load plus wind load for the truss to support connection design. |
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I design out of plane trusses, will Truss D&E allow me to design for out of plane trusses? |
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Yes, Truss D&E calculates the moment created in the web due to the out-of-plane eccentricity and uses this moment in determining the correct member size. In-plane or out-of-plane trusses can both be created using Truss D&E. |
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I mostly design commercial buildings but occasionally have a residential design job, can I use Truss |
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Yes, Truss D&E software can be used for residential, commercial, or heavy construction.
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As an engineer, I can design trusses with structural software that cost less than Truss D&E? |
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The simple answer is Time. Let’s compare the cost
to design an "L" style residential house using standard
structural software and Truss D&E.
Total number of trusses:
Gable truss @ main area — 1 each
Hip roof trusses @ main area — 9 each
Gable truss @ "L" area — 1 each
Hip roof trusses @ "L" area — 11 each
Total number of trusses = 22 each
Standard Structural Software
Design Costs
Engineer cost per hour - $110
Time to design one truss — 3.5 to 6.0 hours
Time to prepare simple shop drawing — 0.5 hours per truss
Time to prepare cost estimate for project — 2.0 hours
Total cost for project:
Design — 22 * 3.5 hours = 77.0 hours
Shop Drawings 22 * .5 hours = 11.0 hours
Cost estimate = 2.0 hours
Total Cost = 90.0 hours * $110 = $9,900
Design using Truss D&E software
Gather design information, input and design first gable truss
— 0.5 hours
Design 1st hip roof — 5 minutes
Design 2nd gable truss — 2 minutes
Design 2nd hip roof — 5 minutes
Review and summarize all truss designs — 1 hour
Total cost for project:
Design, estimate, summarize = 1.75 hours * $110 = $192
Cost difference = $9900
- $192 = $9708
Total Saved $9708
You could pay for the Truss D&E software in the design of the
first house! Also, Truss D&E designed all the truss to truss
connections, truss to support connections and truss to truss lateral
bracing. The real question here is why wouldn’t you use Truss
D&E?
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