Template 2D Trusses

The template structures available using the 2D Trusses form include sloped trusses, vertical trusses, or Pratt trusses.

Choose the type of truss by clicking on it in the 2D Truss Type drop-down list in the upper left corner of the form. A drawing of the selected truss type will be shown in the small display box.

Sloped or Vertical Truss Dimensions
Number of Divisions edit box. Specify the number of divisions for the sloped or vertical truss in this edit box.
Division Length edit box. Specify the length of the division(s) in this edit box.
Height edit box. Specify the height of the sloped or vertical truss in this edit box.
- Use Custom Grid Spacing and Locate Origin check box and Edit Grid button. When this check box is checked and the Edit Grid button is clicked, the Define Grid System Data form displays. Use the form to specify the grid spacing and to locate the origin as needed.
Section Properties
- Chords and Braces drop-down lists. SAP2000 will suggest section properties for the chords and braces in these drop-down lists. The section properties will apply to the entire length of the chords/each division and braces/each division.

TIP: Click the + (plus) symbol next to the drop-down lists to access the Frame Properties form; use that form to add, modify or delete a frame section definition. The Assign menu > Frame > Frame Sections command or the Assign menu > Tendon > Tendon Properties command can be used to change the section property later, if needed.

Restraints check box. When this check box is checked, SAP will assign default restraints to each point at the base of the model.

Pratt Truss Dimensions

Note: Click the Parametric Definition button to display a drawing illustrating the following parameters.

Span Length, L1 edit box. Specify the length of the first span using this edit box.
Num. of Divisions, N1 edit box. Specify the number of divisions for the first span using this edit box.
Span Length, L2 edit box. Specify the length of the second span using this edit box.
Num. of Divisions, N2 edit box. Specify the number of divisions for the second span using this edit box.
Height, H1, Height, H2, and Height, H3 edit boxes. Use these edit boxes to specify the heights required for a Pratt truss.
Locate Origin button. Click this button to display the Coord System Location and Orientation form. Use the form to specify the location of the origin for the model.
Section Properties
- Chords and Braces drop-down lists. SAP2000 will suggest section properties for the chords and braces in these drop-down lists. The section properties will apply to the entire length of the chords/each span and braces/each span.

Restraints check box. When this check box is checked, SAP2000 will assign default restraints to each point at the base of the model.
Gridlines check box. When this check box is checked, the model will display with grid lines when the OK button is clicked. Uncheck this check box to turn off the grid lines. The View menu > Show Grids command also can be used to turn the grid lines on or off after the model has been initiated.

Template - 2D Trusses