Notes On Wing Menu Choices
General
The tree menu system is reasonably self-explanatory for many, if not most items, at
least when accompanied by a graphic, so this section discusses those items that relate
more to concepts. We hope to discuss these such that the intent is clear.
Post Spacing Methods
There are a number of algorithms to choose from. Some of these are the result of
historical intertia in the industry rather than having a proven engineering advantage.
The reason for dealing with spacing methods is never what you do with a building that
is a multiple of spacing size, but how to handle those that aren't. Say you have 8'
post spacings resulting in 5 equially sized 8' bays on a 40' building. But if you have
a 43' building, what do you do with the extra 3'? The Post Spacing Method tells the
software how you prefer to deal with that extra bay space.
"Historical inertia" comes into play here. In many cases since there hasn't been much
in the way of reliable tools to date, builders will calculate labor etc. on a per bay
basis and push the remainder bay to one end of the wall. The thinking here isn't driven
by structure or engineering, but by a lack of tools prior to now.
The interesting thing is that changing the post spacing method on various buildings
can and will change the price. The software doesn't estimate labor etc based on the
bay count times a cost per bay figure, so any advantage to pushing a smaller to one
end is generally nullified. In fact, in most cases where we have actually been
able to test live buildings, the software's default of Make All Spaces Even
tends to yield the least expensive design. How do we know this? Simple. Our design lab
looks at every live building we receive for testing, answering questions, or reporting
of results that weren't expected. They run the building through a special version of
the software, one that iterates through a barrage of selections.
The Post Spacing Methods selection is something you may want to look into as
an experimental option to try yourself. Since this software only takes seconds to get
you a price, you can easily try various options to see what happens. It's the reason
software like this is so powerful. Not just because it can mimic what you did last year,
but because it can let you do things next year that are better.
Three Random Buildings test.
Lumber Length Selections
The object of any setting that defines lumber lengths is not to micromanage every possible
detail by limiting the lumber the software will use. Rather, the object is to define lumber
you can't get. If you absolutely can't get a great price on say 14' No.2 SYP although other
lengths are available and priced well, then by all means, remove the 14' option from the
selections that deal with No.2 SYP lumber (e.g. purlins, girts, etc.)
There have been some people who insist on setting lumber lengths for a given building to the
multiples of their idealized bay spacing, e.g. 12' and 18' for 6' bays or 8' and 16' for 8'
bays, etc. On the face of things this works, obviously. But add a handful of openings and/or
create a building that isn't an ideal multiple of bay space, and the results may not work
as well as hoped. We always suggest that you test your assumptions with the
Three Random Buildings test.
Wall Manipulation -- GRT Files
It's possible to have a partially open wall with this product, which seems to be common in
many agricultural buildings. It's also possible that an outer wall may have a construction
that is different from other outer walls or in some other way unique; i.e. done for a
specific purpose. Horse or milking barns might have such walls.
Normally wall lumber is laid in the standard fashion; that is, splash/skirting at the bottom,
girts for attachment of siding materials, and truss carrying girders at the top edge. Usually
the girts in particular are spaced equally (e.g. 24" center to center.)
When building any wall that isn't "vanilla" we can manipulate the lumber via a GRT file, which
is a listing of placement of lumber positions and sizes. Here
is specific help to show you how to use this file.
Endwall Checks (Endwall Post Control)
Some builders have their endwall posts extend to the roofline. This appears to be common in
situations where structural gable trusses aren't used. There are two ways to do this.
The first check is Extend to Roofline which says to merely extend the post. The
Use Extension Posts check is used to define having the endwall post come up to the
standard Truss BC height and then extending this with a new inline post up to the roofline.
You can look at this as being akin to stacking posts end to end.
Post/Truss Connections
When trusses are required to be attached to posts, there are 3 primary methods supported
by this software:
- The truss is bolted to one side of the post.
- The post is "notched" to carry the truss in the center.
- The truss is bolted to the side of each post in an alternating pattern.
If trusses aren't attached to posts, they are assumed to be attched to the truss carriers
(or girders.)
Long/Short Lumber Placement
This option is used to control "staggering" of joints for lumber on successive runs such
as purlins. For example a building with 8' spacing would start the first run with an 8'
piece of lumber, followed by a 16' piece of lumber. The next run would reverse the scheme
such that the 16' is followed by the 8' piece. This continues such that odd numbered runs
use a different starting length than the even numbered runs.
Opening Framing Notes
One feature in the software is called Ignore Small Openings. The idea is that application
of framing, siding and insulation ignores walk doors and most windows so that less time is spent
framing things. The opening is then cut out later. This is an effort to save money on labor,
generally by the builders who approximate labor costs by bay sizing. If you are using the labor
package functions in the software, you probably won't need this.
Doors can be vertically framed with posts or lumber. If lumber is used, the framing may extend to
either the elevation height OR the door height plus room for a header.
Home
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System Overview
Philosophy
Rooflines
Inside PostFrame Manager
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Running 3D
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