Aegis 8.1

We received our copy of Aegis 8.1 today.

Here are the Release Notes. Looks like several nice new tools:

• Hip girder loading is automatically reduced
• Overstressed panels are now highlighted, instead of the entire chord member
• Option to select and modify multiple webs in Versatruss
• Zoom wheel functions similar to layout--no more Zoom window
• Quickly modify joints in Profile by inputting new location and hitting Enter

Please read through the release notes. We will probably not be upgrading to this version for a few weeks. If anyone is interested in serving as a tester for us, please let me know.

We also have a new version of Wall Solutions. Here are those Release Notes.

Please share your opinions in the comments!

Procedure to submit Gable Walls for fabrication

From Ed Herter:

Procedure to submit Gable Walls for fabrication at the Marne facility

1. Verify with the senior panel designer that gable walls are required on the job. This is to be done before the truss submittal is issued. If gable walls are required they need to be in the submittal package to be approved and insure material is on hand during fabrication. Failure to accomplish this task can cause delays in production and deliveries.

A. Unless gable walls were specifically sold gable end trusses should be used.

B. If the gable truss needs to be capped then changing to gable wall can be explored.

C. If a submittal is returned that utilized a gable end truss marked to be a gable end wall the designer needs relay this information to the project manager to see if there is a possibility for a change order.

2. Gable walls are required. The designer requesting the panels should provide the following information at the start of the project so to be included in the truss submittal package:

A. A cad profile of the required gable wall. This profile should have the following:

1. Minimum heel height of 1-1/4”
2. Dimensions and pitches
3. Expected wall label and quantity
4. Any openings size and location

B. Provide the stud and track size and gauge of the wall per contract drawings. Also provide required stud spacing. If it is to be sheathed provide what material is required. The designer must provide the following:

1. Expected width of wall
2. Project design criteria

a. Wind speed, wall pressures and deflection (what is the wall veneer?)
b. Roof loads
c. Roof area being carried by the gable wall
d. Bearing material

3. Wall stud spacing. Please note that you must line up your outlookers directly over the wall studs as if the roof loads are significant and the outlookers are not lined up with the studs a distribution header may be required.
4. Any un-supported area on the gable bottom track needs to be identified.
5. Are there any shipping restrictions.

3. The wall designer with provide the truss designer with the labels (if the wall has to be broke into several panels), panel drawings and panel profiles in cad (if the truss designer requests).

4. The truss designer will provide the panel designer the amount of contract dollars for the gable walls. If the gables are not a line item the truss designer must do the following:

A. Design comparable trusses and run summary for the whole truss job for the JCC.
B. Run a summary of only the gables so that money can be taken from the contract truss dollars for the production side to get credit for the wall fabrication.

[From Aegis] Aegis Suite 8.1

From Ray Wagner:

During the next couple days Version 8.1 will be arriving at your office. Please take the time to read the release notes and install the programs. Design and Layout and Summary have been updated. Please be aware that in 60 days we will stop accepting truss submittals using version 7.1.

We hope you find Version 8.1 helps to improve your design efficiency and quality.

Thank you for your business and please feel free to give us your feedback and suggestions.

We will most likely test this new release for a little while before upgrading everyone. I will post the release notes as soon as I get them.

Optimizing Bottom Chord Bracing

From Ed Herter:

We are all trying to reduce costs in any way possible. We need to look at jobs and take a closer look at the bottom chord bracing. SSC standard has always been BC bracing at 6’-0” oc. With common trusses in straight runs try increasing the spacing to 8’ then 10’. If the truss runs with no change at one of these use it. But, do not exceed 10’-0” oc. Also, look at jacks and mono’s trusses. If the span between bearings is 10’ or less, try running them at the span length.

Thanks Ed!

Aegis Software Goals [2]

As many of you are aware, Aegis has become a wholly owned division of MiTek. This means, among other things, that we will see more people working on improving the Aegis software. According to Tom Valvo,

MiTek's software development resources are unrivaled in the industry, and Aegis will leverage these to further advance our own software offerings, including out next-generation software initiatives. [full press release]

Those "next-generation" plans will have a large impact on the way we do business.

In the next few weeks, Gene Toombs, the chairman and CEO of MiTek, will be visiting our facilities and meeting with our management. Our ideas for their "next-gen" software will be one of things discussed during those meetings.

Obviously, this is an excellent opportunity for SSC to have a large influence on the software we will be using in the years ahead, and we CANNOT let this pass. We need start working on a list of ideas! Here are some to start:

• An inventory tracking system for production, that will create cutting bills and batch paperwork based on up-to-the-minute inventory available. Bar-code scanners could even be used for inventory control.
• Create Special Product Lists in Summary or a similar program--things like truss-to-bearing clips, bracing, stabilizers, etc.
• Snow and Wind Loading based on a truss's location on the building--including roof plane lengths, bearing heights, etc.
• Eliminating the Layout program in favor of an AutoCAD plug-in.
  

So, grab some coffee, diet Coke, Red Bull, candy, fresh air, anything to start the brainstorming. Please leave your ideas in the comments below, email me, or even use the phone. The more input and discussion we get, the better plan we will have for Aegis. Thanks!

[From Aegis] Aegis Wizard Update 2.7

Ray Wagner sent this out via email April 9 2009.

To all Aegis-Link User Managers,

There is a new update for our Aegis Wizard program that is now ready to be downloaded on Aegis-Link as of today. You can find this download by clicking on the "Detail Wizard" link near the bottom of the main page.

Please read the Release Notes Document on the download page to see what the new enhancements are. This install will overwrite your old version. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact a member of the engineering staff.

Thank you for your business.

Verticals at Point Loads

Often, girder trusses must be designed with vertical webs at each location where tie-in truss is connected. There are many ways to accomplish this, including one very easy way built into the Profile command.

If you open a girder truss, or any truss with point loads on the bottom chord, and go to the Profile window, you will see the dialog box at the left. At the bottom right corner of this box, you will see a button labeled "Notes at loads". Don't ask me why it's labeled that way, it should probably be something more like "Joints at loads" or even "Nodes at loads". But, we didn't get to name it.

Clicking on this button will insert fixed joints at the location of each point load. These fixed joints will be created on both the top and bottom chords. Please note, this command will not affect any existing fixed joints--you may want to click "Unlock All" first.

Finally, you can build the truss and you will see verticals at each point load location.

[From Aegis] Updated Standard Detail

Ray Wagner sent the following in an email on April 6 2009:

To all Aegis-Link User Managers,

Our standard Truss to Truss Connection Detail US2US-23a has been modified to limit the tie-in reaction for 35mil girder bottom chord. You can request the new standard detail sealed or download the detail in any of our 3 formats (PDF, DXF, or DWG) as of today.

Any questions please contact our Aegis Engineering Department.

Open Building Design

Chris Flory in Locust has found another bug with Aegis Design. Apparently, the program will not design a structural fascia member for an Open enclosure. Specifically, the program crashes when the wind loading is set to:

• Procedure: ASCE 7-05
• Wind Design Method: C & C
• Enclosure Classification: Open Buildings

Aegis is now aware of the problem (thanks to Chris), and has added it to their list of corrections.

[From Aegis] Aegis Wizard Update

This was sent in an email by Ray Wagner, Thursday March 26 2009:

To all Aegis-Link User Managers,

As of April 4, 2009 you may experience problems running our Excel macros in our Aegis Wizard program. To ensure that you do not have any interruption in availability, you will need to download the latest Aegis Wizard program. We have updated our Digital Signature Certificate to be signed as a MiTek company.

You can find this download by going to http://www.aegis-link.com and clicking on the "Detail Wizard" link near the bottom of the main page.

As always, “Thank you” for your continued business!

Please let me know if you have any questions, thanks.