ProtaStructure Design Guide - Space Trusses
ProtaStructure Design Guide - Space Trusses
Space Trusses
Version 1.0 July 2024
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Responsibilities documentation, software, or usage errors.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents..................................................................................................................................... 3
Space Trusses........................................................................................................................................... 4
Inserting a Space Truss ........................................................................................................................ 5
Framing Type ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Top Surface and Bottom Surface Shape .............................................................................................. 6
Adjusting Grid & Offset ........................................................................................................................ 7
Changing Profiles ................................................................................................................................. 7
Applying Loads on Space Truss ............................................................................................................ 7
Applying Loads on Space Truss via Load Editor.................................................................................... 9
Extending Top of the Columns to Space Truss ................................................................................... 10
Design of Space Trusses ..................................................................................................................... 11
Thank You… ........................................................................................................................................... 13
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Space Trusses
Space trusses are three-dimensional counterparts of planar trusses. These structures consist of
members connected at their ends, often utilizing ball-and-socket joints to create a stable and versatile
framework. Space trusses find wide application in various construction projects due to their adaptability
and capacity to withstand complex loads. They are commonly used in steel buildings, bridges, and other
large-scale structures.
A space truss is a rigid, lightweight structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern.
Unlike planar trusses, which lie in a single plane, space trusses extend into three dimensions.
Space trusses consist of straight members (often called bars or struts) connected at their ends. These
members can be made of steel, aluminum, or other materials.
The joints in space trusses are typically ball-and-socket joints, allowing rotational freedom. This flexibility
enables the truss to accommodate various load conditions.
Simple space trusses can be obtained by adding three elements at a time to three existing joints and
joining all the new members at a point. The most elementary 3D space truss structure is the
tetrahedron.
Space frames are used to span large areas with few interior supports. They are commonly found in
architectural designs for roofs, canopies, and other large-scale structures.
Space trusses are versatile and efficient, making them valuable components in modern engineering and
architecture. ProtaStructure 2025 offers powerful steel modeling macros like trusses, purlins, girts,
braces, steel domes, etc. With these macros, creating a fabrication-ready steel model with accurate
eccentricities and member positions is very easy.
In ProtaStructure 2025, we have developed Space Truss macro. This is a powerful addition to our steel
modeling arsenal. With this macro, you can specify a region and insert a space truss parametrically. You
can control parameters such as cell size, number of rows and columns, curvature and more.
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1. Pick the Space Truss command on the Modeling > Steel Members ribbon tab.
2. Draw a rectangular area on the screen where the space truss will be placed. Space trusses can
only be placed in a rectangular area.
3. The parametric Space Truss Editor will be launched. On this editor, you can control the
parameters for top and bottom surface separately. Additionally, you can change the steel profile
to be used in space truss, define uniform loads and change number of truss grids.
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Framing Type
You can select Reducing or Increasing option for auto-generation of space truss pattern. The icons on
the toolbar being self-explanatory, the Reducing option creates bottom surface larger than the top
surface while Increasing option does the opposite.
Changing Profiles
You can change the steel profile to be used in truss rods using the Section button under Loads tab.
The cladding object that facilitates the load transfer will be automatically inserted on the space truss
and is an inseparable part of the truss. That means you cannot delete it. Apart from the uniform loads
specified in the space truss editor, You can assign any loads on the space truss using the ProtaStructure
Load Editor.
Self-Weight: Enter the self-weight of the cladding in this field. The self-weight will depend on the type
of the cladding profile. We have provided a library of cladding loads for easy application of cladding self-
weight. You can access the cladding load library by clicking the small button next to Self-Weight field.
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Dead Load: Enter the additional dead loads (finishes etc.) in this field. ProtaStructure already has a
library of additional dead loads. You can access the cladding load library by clicking the small button
next to Dead Load field. The library editor is in Building Setout > Slab Additional Loads ribbon tab.
Live Load: Enter the live loads in this field. You can access a quick list of imposed load values by clicking
the small button next to Live Load field.
Roof Live Load, Snow Load and Rain Load fields will be activated if the associated load cases are defined
in the Load Combinations Editor.
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3. On the load editor you can assign Uniform Area Loads on any region on the truss cladding or
Point Loads on any joint under any load case (except seismic and notional load cases)
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1. Select the column and pick “Extend Column to Member” command on the right-click menu.
3. The extend command will calculate the nearest point on the bottom surface of the space truss
and assign a Del Z-Top value to the column.
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After you analyze the building with space truss, you can continue with designing the space truss
members. There is a dedicated design interface where you can check the sub members and control the
whole process in a well-coordinated environment. To access the space truss design:
2. Pick the Steel Member Design command on the right click menu
3. Click Check All button to design all space truss sub members. The steel design will take place for
sub members using a multi-threaded approach utilizing computer’s all available CPU cores.
4. Alternatively, you can access the design of all space trusses via Design > Space Trusses ribbon
tab.
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Important
ProtaStructure can only design the members of a space truss. Ball & Socket joint design is currently
out of ProtaStructure and ProtaSteel’s scope.
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Thank You…
Thank you for choosing the ProtaStructure Suite product family.
Our top priority is to make your experience excellent with our software technology solutions.
Should you have any technical support requests or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at all
times through globalsupport@protasoftware.com and asiasupport@protasoftware.com
Our dedicated online support center and our responsive technical support team are available to help
you get the most out of Prota’s technology solutions.