Trusses in Revit Structure

[djn]

I think that Truss Tool needs some work. One is that you should be able to attach the top chord to a floor not just a roof. I am not sure why you can only attach a truss to an architectural element, and not a structural element.

It would also be nice to be able to set the out to out distance of a truss currently right now members are defined by the center of the member. So if I place a truss with a floor on top of it I have to offset the top chord half the distance of the member, and if that member changes I have to remember to go back and change the offset of the truss.

Also I have posted this before, but you can't have different top and bottom chords. If you make any modifications to the truss they will reset themselves to be the same length.

Since we know have the extension for analyzing trusses it would be nice to be able to model trusses with the truss tool.

[chad_lueptow]

I agree that Autodesk needs to add some functionality in this area. Having the top and bottom reference planes at the top of the top chord and bottom of the bottom chord is necessary. Expecially if you're designing trusses composed of wide flange shapes. Has anyone at Autodesk tried to model a wide flange truss and then tried to dimension the full height when their done? I doubt it! If they had they would clearly see the issue.

[hchui]

I agree with you both. The truss tool lacks the ability to create a triangular lattice truss or girder or 3d truss. All members (top, web and bottom chords) of a truss created can only be in the same plane!

[cmbyrd77]

My firm is VERY new to Revit Structure, so bare with me. We are creating a model for an old existng building and I have been given the task of creating the trusses. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I can't seem to get the Truss family to work they way I want. How do go in and edit the top chord, bot chord & web members? The trusses that our "out of the box" look very generic and can't seem to be edited. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[djn]

Check out this link it may give you a starting point.

http://augiru.augi.com/content/libra...er/SE304-2.pdf

[cmbyrd77]

WOW! Thank you very much! Where did you find such useful information?

[djn]

It was actually one of the classes that was offered at AU a couple years ago. Do a search on Autodesk University you might find a bunch of similar info.

[cmbyrd77]

So I am trying to creat my own truss and when I put in the vertical web members (using a vertical detail line and making it the work plane), and when I draw in the vertical member it doesn't draw it straight up and down, it is at a small, but noticeable angle. I've attached an image of the issue.

Also, I have a question regarding the "out-of-the-box" trusses. Is there a way to modify the number of default panels?

Thank you.

[lzcncpcn]

I'm trying to make a half - howe truss, but I see that you can't delete the existing dimension labels in the truss family template. For instance I just want half of a six-panel howe truss, so I should have only three reference planes / dimensions. The default is six and it seems to always have to be symmetrical. Is there any way to do this?

[troberts]

I'm trying to make a half - howe truss, but I see that you can't delete the existing dimension labels in the truss family template. For instance I just want half of a six-panel howe truss, so I should have only three reference planes / dimensions. The default is six and it seems to always have to be symmetrical. Is there any way to do this?

I had the same problem. A quick but dirty work around was to delete one half of the members and leave the six dimensions. It works,but there should be a better way.