Use the Structural Geometry and Properties for Stagger Truss form to define a staggered truss system.
Note: This form also displays when the Edit menu > Add to Model From Templates > 3D Structure command is used and the Staggered Truss button is clicked on the Add to Model - 3D Structure form.
Truss Location edit boxes. Use these edit boxes to specify the location of the truss by specifying the Vierendeel Panel Width, the Number of Panels Before the Vierendeel, and the Number of Panels After the Vierendeel. The program uses those values to distribute the vierendeel within the model structure. When the First Bay has Truss at Top Level check box is checked, the program will begin distributing vierendeel within the model structure starting in the first bay of the top level/story of the structure.
Deck Overhangs
Along X Direction -- Left Edge Distance and Right Edge Distance edit boxes. Use the defaults or specify positive values greater than or equal to zero for the distance from the perimeter grid line to the edge of the slab/deck in the X direction (i.e., left and right edges).
Along Y Direction -- Top Edge Distance and Bottom Edge Distance edit boxes. Use the defaults or specify positive values greater than or equal to zero for the distance from the perimeter grid line to the edge of the slab/deck in the Y direction (i.e., top and bottom edges).
Restraints at Bottom options. Use these options to specify the type of restraint at the bottom of all columns.
None option. Specify no restraints (supports) at the bottom of all columns.
Pinned option. Specify pinned restraints (UX, UY and UZ restrained and RX, RY and RZ free) at the bottom of all columns.
Fixed option. Specify fixed restraints (UX, UY, UZ, RX, RY and RZ restrained) at the bottom of all columns.
Floor Diaphragm Rigidity check box. Choose rigid, semi-rigid, or no diaphragm. Both rigid and semi-rigid diaphragms also can be assigned to floor/deck members during the modeling process. The rigid and semi-rigid options affect only the analysis of the model. If the rigid option is selected, a fully rigid diaphragm is assumed. If the semi-rigid option is selected, the in-plane rigidity of the diaphragm comes from the stiffness of the floor/deck member that is part of the diaphragm.
Structural System Properties drop-down lists. Use these drop-down lists to select section properties to be assigned to the various framing members in the model and to assign a section property for the deck/slab. The framing members are assumed to be self explanatory, with the following further descriptions.
The Truss Hanger is the vertical tension member that supports the level below the lowest truss.
The Truss Post is the vertical compression member that supports the level above the highest truss.
This Column supports the ends of the truss.
This Spandrel is the beam that spans between trusses.
Click the 
button to the right of the drop-down lists to display the Frame Properties form or the New Deck/Slab Section form, which has options that can be used to display the Deck Properties form or the Slab Properties form that can be used to add a new property definition to the model file.
Load drop-down lists and edit boxes. Use the drop-down lists and edit boxes in this area to specify dead and live load cases on the model.
Dead Load Pattern drop-down list and Dead Load (Additional) edit box. When accessing this form to begin a mode, the default Dead load pattern is the only option. Use the Dead Load (Additional) edit box to define uniformly distributed dead load in addition to the self weight of the structure. The self-weight of the structure is determined by multiplying the weight per unit volume of each object that has structural properties times the volume of the object. The weight per unit volume is specified in the material properties.
Live Load Pattern drop-down list and Live Load edit box. When accessing this form to begin a model, the default Live load pattern is the only option. Use the Live Load edit box to define additional uniformly distributed live load.
TIP: If the Initialize from Existing .edb File option was selected on the Model Initialization form when the File menu > New Model command was used to begin the model, and if load patterns other than dead and live (e.g., snow, wind, wave) were created for the "existing .edb file" selected as the basis for creating the current model file, additional load pattern will be available in the Dead Load Pattern or Live Load Pattern drop-down lists.
Access the Structural Geometry and Properties for Staggered Truss form as follows:
Click the File menu > New Model command to access the Model Initialization form and initialize a new model.
When the New Model Quick Templates form displays, specify the grid dimensions and story level, and the click the Staggered Truss button.
Click the OK button.