Engineering Statements

12.1 Wall Panel Engineering

Engineered items are designed when PAR, PCW and PPD commands are initiated on the
wall panel layouts, or when the user uses the Update Engineering feature. The software
finds the imposed loads from the roof truss and floor framing layouts and converts these
loads to uniformly distributed loads. The horizontal wind loads are also calculated according
to the usage of the wall panels, external walls use external wind coefficients and internal
walls use internal wind coefficients. Through these calculations and checks the top plates,
window heads, wind bracing, stud density and stud spacings are determined.

12.1.1 Common Notations

G
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
P1
P2
Wu
Wd
Wh
Cpu
Cpd
Cph
Kp
qu
Vs
S
L
ks
s
n

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

Gravity load
Roof or floor live load (maximum)
Roof live load
Floor live load
Roof plus floor live load
1.1kN point load
0.7kN impact load per metre of wall
Wind upward force
=
Kp quCpu
Wind downward force
=
Kp quCpd
Wind horizontal force
=
Kp quCph
Nett pressure coefficient
Nett pressure coefficient
Nett pressure coefficient
Action combination factor
Reference pressure
Design wind speed (minimum 25m/s)
Snow load vertically
Length of stud being designed
Load redistribution factor
Maximum spacing between noggins
Number of noggins
Deflection

12.1.2 Design Wind Loads

The wind speed expressed is the basic design wind speed expressed in metres per second
for metric users and miles per hour for imperial users. From this wind speed, the free stream
gust wind pressures are derived unless specified otherwise. If the wind speed has a trailing
C then cyclonic conditions are assumed.

12.1.3 Design Snow Loads

The snow load is the basic design pressure to be applied to the roof surface (not the site
ground snow the software user must factor the ground snow load as specified by the
applicable loadings standard to determine the roof snow load).

12.1.4 Stud Design

The Y direction lengths of the studs are calculated to be the maximum spacing between the
noggins and the X direction length is the overall length of the stud between the top and
bottom plates. Where a restraint height has been set in PLI, the height in the X direction is
assumed to be this value.
Design checks are carried to the following design standards for the listed load combinations.
Stud capacities are calculated to the design standards using effective section properties
calculated using the AISI-AS/NZS4600 method. For EN 1993-1-3:2006, material factors are
then modified to produce results consistent with EN 1993-1-3:2006
For LC8 the point load is applied at the mid height of the stud and is considered to be
distributed over a panel length of 1m.
For serviceability limits

For LC7
For LC8

L / 240mm or 20mm
L / 200mm or 12mm

12.1.4.8

For EN 1993-1-3:2006

qu

ultimate wind pressure

=
0.000613(Vu)2
NOTE: User must input the site peak gust wind speed - Vu.
For use with EN 1991-1-4: Vu = vb x [ce(z)]

Design Wind Pressure

Kp Cp q

Kp
Cp

=
=

Action combination factor:

Net pressure coefficent

1.0

Wh

Wind load horizontal:

Non-cyclonic External Wall
Non-cyclonic Internal Wall
Cyclonic External Wall
Cyclonic External Wall

=
=
=
=

1.10
0.50
1.10
0.50

where,

Load Combinations

Ch
Ch
Ch
Ch

LC1 1.35G + 1.5Q2 + 1.05Q3

Strength check
Strength check
LC2 1.35G + 1.5Q3 + 0.75S
LC3 1.35G + 1.05Q3 + 1.5S
Strength check
LC4 1.35G + 1.5P3
Strength check
LC5 1.35G+1.05Q3+1.5*Wh+0.75S Strength check
LC6 1.0G + 1.5*Wu + 1.5*Wh
Strength check
LC7 0.65Wh
Serviceability check
LC8 P2
Serviceability check
* 1.75 Factor when C (cyclone) wind specified.

Effective length k factor of 1.0 for studs in X direction.

Effective length k factor of 1.0 for studs in Y direction.
Moment Shape Factor (Cb) of 1.25

12.1.5 PAR Load Report

The PAR command generates a load report. This report shows the calculated load at the
top and bottom plate of each wall panel. All these loads are not factored. This report also
shows the upward and downward reaction for each wall panel. The reactions are factored.
The reactions are factored from the load combinations listed below. The downward reaction
is the maximum value for all load combinations evaluated.
For AS/NZS 4600:2005
Load Combinations

LC1
LC2
LC3
LC5
LC6

1.2G + 1.5Q2+ 0.4Q3

1.2G + 1.5Q3
1.2G + 0.4Q3 + 1.0S
1.2G + Wd
0.9G + Wu

Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Upwards

LC1
LC2
LC3
LC5
LC6

1.2G + 1.6Q2 + 1.0Q3

1.2G + 1.0Q2 + 1.6Q3
1.2G + 1.0Q3 + 1.6S
1.2G + 1.3Wd
0.9G + 1.3Wu

Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Upwards

LC1
LC2
LC3
LC5
LC6

1.2G + 1.6Q2+ 1.0Q3

1.2G + 0.5Q2 + 1.6 Q3
1.2G + 1.0Q3 + 1.6S
1.2G + 0.5Q2 + 1.6Wd
0.9G + 1.6Wu

Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Upwards

LC1
LC2
LC3
LC5
LC6

1.0G + 1.0Q2+ 1.0Q3

1.0G + .75Q3 + .75S
1.0G + 1.0S
1.0G + .75Q2 + .75Wd
1.0G + 1.0Wu

Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Upwards

LC1
LC2
LC3
LC5
LC6

1.25G + 1.5Q2+ 0.5Q3

1.25G + 0.5Q2+ 1.5Q3
1.25G + 0.5Q3 + 1.5S
1.25G + 0.5Q2 + 1.4Wd
1.0G + 1.4Wu

Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Upwards

LC1
LC2
LC3
LC5
LC6

1.4G + 1.6Q2+ 1.0Q3

1.4G + 1.6Q3 + 1.0S
1.4G + 1.0Q3 + 1.6S
1.2G + 0.8Q2 + 1.4Wd
G + 1.4Wu

Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Upwards

For SASFA:2007
Load Combinations

For AISI S100-2007 LRFD

Load Combinations

For AISI S100-2007 ASD

Load Combinations

For CSA S136-2007

Load Combinations

For BS5950-5:1998
Load Combinations

For EN 1990:2002
Load Combinations

LC1
LC2
LC3
LC5
LC6

1.35G + 1.5Q2+ 1.05Q3

1.35G + 1.5Q3 + 0.75S
1.35G + 1.05Q3 + 1.50S
1.35G + 0.75Q2 + 1.5Wd
1.0G + 1.5Wu

Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Downwards
Upwards

12.2 Roof Truss Engineering

12.2.1 Preface
This document applies only the 2007 edition of FrameCAD ProDesign Software. The
softwares engineering modules are operated purely from first principals; this means
that all sectional properties and section capacities are calculated from scratch each
time in real time. This document gives a basic outline of the calculations performed
and methods used.
Cold Formed Steel Design requires the extensive use of effective sectional
properties at varying stress level, plus the section capacities are a variable against
the effective lengths of the material, because of this requirement it is not possible to
give worked examples as each sample would run into many hundreds of pages.
A list of sections that are covered by this software is provided in the following figure.

Available Sections

12.2.2 Principles of Operation

The method of analysis is via a 2D plane frame analysis using the displacement
method with skyline matrix technology used to solve the equilibrium. The software
takes the truss or rafter from the screen and reduces it to a single line drawing using
the centroid of each member as the reference points. Apparent intersections are
created thus creating node points with connecting lines. Each line is then subdivided
into four more points; this enables us to do far more accurate bending and deflection
calculations.
Full sectional properties are calculated from the shape information stored. These full
properties also take into account the radii of all corners. The warping constant and
St Venants torsion constant are also calculated totally from first principles mostly
using matrix methods or methods of integration.
For each load case, the software calculates the forces imposed on each node and
element within the truss. Also calculated are the effective sectional properties for
both members under uniform compression and members under stress gradient.
These effective sectional properties vary with the imposed load and length of each
member, therefore the length of the member is taken to be the distance between the
major node points.
On the completion of the analysis, the overall truss is checked for serviceability
deflections and each member is checked for compliance with the code. The
screwed, riveted or bolted joints are all designed by the software based on the
largest terminating load at that point. Whilst the software designs the required
fasteners at each joint, it does not do any checks to ensure that the quantity of
fasteners will fit within the allowed space. This may be addressed in future versions.

12.2.3 Truss Member Connections

Screwed joints and other connections between truss members are calculated in
accordance to the selected design code, using either the prescribed analytical
procedure, or test verified procedures as applicable. It is therefore essential that the
connectors specified on the design detail drawings are used for fabrication. If the
specified connectors are not provided, or if users modify the connectors specified in
the system data files, the Engineering design is no longer valid.

12.2.3.1

Units of Measure

The software is not flexible with the units of measure. Units of measure used are listed
below.
Abbreviation

Report Type

Location coordinates
Lengths and distances
Applied Point Loads
Applied moments
Applied distributed loads
Yield/Tensile strength
Moment of Inertia
Torsion constants
Warping constant
Rotation
Reactions
Joint loads and capacities
Axial forces
Bending moments
Shear force
Compression capacity
Bending capacity
Shear capacity
Effective area
Section modulus
Bearing Capacity
Various

12.2.3.2
Ag
An
lx
ly
Ix
Iy
Zx
Zy
rx
ry
xo
yo
ro1
J
Iw
E
G
df
tw
fy
fu

Node inputs
Various
Node inputs
Node inputs
Node inputs
Section Data
Sectional Properties
Sectional Properties
Sectional Properties
Node Results
Node Results
Node Results
Member Results
Member Results
Member Results
Member Capacities
Member Capacities
Member Capacities
Member Capacities
Member Capacities
Member Capacities
Code Compliance

Unit of Measure
Metric
Imperial
Nominal units
mm
kN
N/m
kPa/m
mpa
mm4
mpa
mpa
Degrees
N
N
N
Nmm
N
N
Nmm
N
mm2
mm3
N
Percentage %

Common Notations
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

gross area of section

nett area of section
effective length in X axis
effective length in Y axis
second moment of inertia about X axis
second moment of inertia about Y axis
section modulus about X axis
section modulus about Y axis
radius of gyration about X axis
radius of gyration about Y axis
distance from X centroid to X shear centre
distance from Y centroid to Y shear centre
polar radius of gyration
torsional constant
warping constant
Youngs modulus of elasticity
200000
shear modulus
80000
screw diameter
material thickness
material yield strength
material ultimate design strength

12.2.4 Load Combinations

Load combinations are a regional or location base item and not directly coupled to the actual
design code. The load combinations used for each code option as listed in the following
sections.
In addition to uniform load cases, each member is checked for strength and stability by
applying a nominal point load of 1.1kN mid span of each major segment. This check is
applied to members where the length of the major segment if greater than five time the
height of the section. For analysis the applied load is factored down to a value of 0.7 kN to
take account for load redistribution in accordance with NASH Standards.

12.2.5 Wind Loads

The wind speed expressed is the design wind speed expressed in m/s for metric users and
mph for imperial users. From this wind speed, the free stream gust wind pressures are
derived unless noted otherwise. If the wind speed has a trailing C then cyclonic conditions
are assumed.

12.2.6 Design Snow Loads

The snow load is the basic design pressure to be applied to the roof surface (not the site
ground snow the software user must factor the ground snow load as specified by the
applicable loadings standard to determine the roof snow load).

12.2.14

Truss Design Statement for EN 1993-1-3:2006

Wind Load
Vu

basic design wind speed

NOTE: User must input the site peak gust wind speed - Vu.
For use with EN 1991-1-4: Vu = vbo x [ce(z)]

qu
qs
qs

=
=
=

ultimate wind pressure

Non-cyclonic serviceability wind pressures
Cyclonic serviceability wind pressures

=
=
=

0.000613(Vu)2
0.65 qu
0.65 qu

Design Wind Pressure

Kp Cp q

Kp
Cp

=
=

Action combination factor:

Net pressure coefficent

=
=

1.0
(Ce + Ci)

Wu

Wind load upwards case:

external pressure coefficient
internal pressure coefficient Non-cyclonic
internal pressure coefficient Cyclonic

Ce
Ci
Ci

=
=
=

0.90
0.20
0.20

Wind load downwards case:

external pressure coefficient
internal pressure coefficient Non-cyclonic
internal pressure coefficient Cyclonic

Ce
Ci
Ci

=
=
=

0.20
0.30
0.30

1.0 S

where,

Wd

Snow Load
S
Ss

12.2.14.1

=
=

user input snow load

serviceability snow load

Load Combinations

Load Combinations from EN 1990:2002:

Load Case 1
G+S
Load Case 2
Wu
Load Case 3
Q
Load Case 4
1.35G + 1.5Q
Load Case 5
G + 1.5Wu
Load Case 6
1.35G + 1.5Wd
Load Case 7
1.35G + 1.5Wd + 0.75S
Load Case 8
1.35G + 0.9Wd + 1.5S
Load Case #
1.35G + 1.5P
# - one load case for each chord panel
* 1.75 Factor when C (cyclone) wind specified.
Where
G
=
gravity load or dead load
Q
=
live load or short term load
S
=
snow load
Ws
=
wind serviceability load
Wu
=
wind load upwards
Wd
=
wind load downwards
P
=
0.7kN applied mid span
Load Cases 1, 2 & 3 are used for serviceability checks, and all load cases are checked for
strength and stability checks.

Snow loads will not appear when there is no snow load present.
Internal wind pressure is applied to the truss top chord.

12.2.14.2

Serviceability Checks

For serviceability checks, all members are checked for displacement at each node point on
the bottom chord.
Serviceability limits

Dead load combinations

Wind or Live load combinations

L / 300mm or 15mm
(L / 150mm for cantilevers)
L / 240mm
(L / 120mm for cantilevers)

Where a suspended ceiling is specified, the serviceability limits are increased

Suspended Ceiling

Dead load combinations

Wind or Live load combinations

12.2.14.3

L / 200mm or 30mm
(L / 100mm for cantilevers)
L / 150mm
(L / 75mm for cantilevers)

Strength and Stability Checks

Strength and stability checks are carried out to AISI-AS/NZS4600 method with material
factors modified to produce results consistent with EN 1993-1-3:2006. For strength and
stability checks, all members in all load cases are checked without exception. Items check
for are listed below:

Compression
Bending
Shear
Tension
Combined bending and compression
Combined bending and tension