Creating a Steel Truss

In this first exercise, you open a new project and create the top and bottom chords using the beam tool, create column
grids, and a framing elevation. Finally, you add braces to form the steel truss.

Create a new project

1 Click File menu ➤ New ➤ Project.
2 In the New Project dialog, click Browse.
3 In the Choose Template dialog, in the Metric Templates folder, select Structural Analysis-Default Metric.rte,
and click Open.
4 In the New Project dialog, click OK.

Create grids

5 In the Project Browser, under Structural Plans, double-click Level 2.

6 On the Drafting tab of the Design Bar, click Grid.
7 Draw 2 grid lines approximately as shown.

Add framing elevations

8 On the Basics tab of the Design Bar, click Framing Elevation.

9 Select each grid line, and place approximately as shown.

Place support columns

10 On the Design Bar, click Structural Column.

11 In the Type Selector, select Universal Column: 305x305x97UC.
12 Place 2 columns on each grid line spaced approximately 21000 mm apart as shown.

394 | Chapter 17 Truss Building