Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics

Truss Solver Home Page

What is it?

Truss Solver is a graphical interface based computer program for solving simple 2-D truss deformation problems. This program is used in AEM 4501, Aerospace Structures I and AEM 4502, Computational Aerospace Structures.

Where can I use it?

Truss solver runs under Microsoft Windows 95/98 and NT and under Unix. An old version for the Macintosh of Truss Solver is available, but it is no longer supported. Truss solver is installed on the PC's and SGI's in the IT Computer Labs. See the Download page to obtain a copy for use at home.

How do I use it?

That is the real point to this page, and the table of contents of the online documentation is listed next.

Table of Contents

• Topic Reference:
  • Steps to Solve a Truss Problem:
    1. Defining Nodes
    2. Defining Material Property Sets
    3. Defining Elements
    4. Defining Loads and Restraints
    5. Solving the Problem
  • Theoretical Considerations:
    • Calculating Non-Dimensional Quantities
    • Proper Boundary Conditions Specification
    • Dynamic Mechanisms vs. Static Trusses
  • Program Usage:
    • Downloading Truss Solver for use at home
    • Running Truss in the IT Labs
    • Main Window Mouse Usage
    • Why the Beep?
    • Printing
    • Results file format
    • Import the Results file into Excel, etc.
    • Transfer Truss files between Unix and a Home PC
• Menu Reference:
  • File Menu
    • New
    • Open...
    • Example
    • Save...
    • Print
    • Exit
  • Model Menu
    • Nodes...
    • Mp sets...
    • Elements...
    • Loads/Restraints...
    • Solve
    • View Results...
  • Options Menu
    • Draw/Hide nodes
    • Snap spacing...
  • Help Menu
    • Help
    • About

Documentation Version

0.7.3

Copyright

T. W. Shield, shield@aem.umn.edu, 1997, under the GNU Public License, GPL, see the file COPYING for more details.