Roof Truss Layout Optimization for Weight and Design Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for designing roof trusses are complex and time-consuming, requiring manual calculation of span and loading to determine if the design can handle live and dead loads, often resulting in suboptimal material usage and increased construction costs.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that maps a roof layout, identifies key features, applies trusses in predetermined orientations, generates profiles, calculates weight, and determines a difficulty rating, optimizing truss placement and material usage to achieve both functional and aesthetic goals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual calculation and design methods are used for roof trusses, then design flexibility and customization are improved, but design time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoiddesign time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical calculation methods with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms to calculate span, loading, and truss design parameters. This substitution dramatically reduces design time while maintaining the ability to handle various roof configurations and requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service design by allowing users to input basic roof parameters and automatically generating optimized truss designs without requiring extensive manual calculation expertise. The automated system performs all necessary structural calculations and produces construction-ready designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If traditional design methods are used without optimization, then design simplicity is maintained, but material usage efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidmaterial usage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes material usage by dynamically adjusting truss parameters such as spacing, orientation, and profile based on specific roof layout requirements, load conditions, and structural constraints. This automated parameter optimization ensures minimal material usage while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local optimization by tailoring truss designs to specific regions of the roof layout, adjusting truss characteristics based on local load conditions, geometric constraints, and structural requirements rather than using uniform designs throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If standard truss spacing is used, then design process is simplified, but total roof truss weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign process complexityVSAvoidtotal roof truss weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static standard spacing to dynamic optimized spacing by automatically calculating and adjusting truss spacing based on roof geometry, load distribution, and structural requirements. This dynamic approach reduces total truss weight while maintaining design accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of substance

If multiple spacing variations are checked to achieve optimum weight, then material efficiency is improved, but design time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial efficiencyVSAvoiddesign time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated iterative analysis by systematically evaluating multiple spacing configurations and automatically selecting the optimal design. This periodic computational analysis achieves material optimization without requiring manual intervention for each spacing variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20220043943A1Method and system for optimizing roof truss designs

Publication Date: 2022.02.10 CONSULTING ENGINEERS CORP

AI summary

The present invention is a computer implemented method of design a roof, the method comprising: mapping, a roof layout of a structure; identifying, a set of features of the roof layout, wherein the set of features identifies the slope and intersection of the surfaces of the roof layout; applying, a plurality of trusses over the roof layout in a predetermined orientation; generating, a profile of each of the plurality of trusses, wherein the profile is generated through the combination of the identified set of features of the roof layout and the orientation of the trusses; calculating, a weight of the roof layout based on the total weight of the trusses; and calculating, a difficulty rating of the roof layout.