Various options are available to model the beam. By selection of the roof type, the purlin’s appropriate position for the wind and snow load generation is determined. When defining the beam type, you can select between continuous beam or purlin. If you select a continuous beam, you can define several release conditions for the beam. When a purlin is selected, it is not possible to modify release conditions. In case the purlin is set, RX-TIMBER Purlin designs the beam taking into account the double cross-section for the coupling zone and a number of coupling elements becomes additionally available:

• Nails (prebored/not prebored)
• Specific dowels
• Screw connection with fastening system WT by SFS intec
• User-defined specification due to characteristic bearing capacity

Concerning material settings, it is possible to select the relevant timber grade from the material library. All material grades specified in EN 1995-1-1:2004 (EC5) or DIN 1052:2008-12 for gluelam, leafy and coniferous timber are available. Furthermore, it is possible to generate a strength class with user-defined material properties in order to extend the library. For the input of permanent loads (for example roof structure) you can use as well a comprehensive material library that can be extended.

The generators integrated in RX-TIMBER Purlin allow for a comfortable creation of various wind and snow load cases. The map showing wind and snow zones of the relevant country can be displayed by clicking the information buttons. The corresponding zone can then be selected by double click. The load cases are represented graphically so that you can check the loads. Manual load specifications are possible as well. 

According to the generated loads, RX-TIMBER Purlin creates combinations for the ultimate limit state, the serviceability limit state and for the fire protection automatically in the background. In case the DIN standard has been set, the program creates also a simplified combination for the vibration design. By means of the add-on module RF-COMBI, you can analyze the generated combinations and, if necessary, adjust them by user-defined settings.

When designing the cross-section resistance, RX-TIMBER Purlin analyzes tension and compression along the grain, bending, bending and tension/compression as well as shear due to shear force with and without torsion. The analyses are carried out with the stresses' design values.

For the design of structural components with a risk for buckling and lateral buckling, the program considers axial compression, bending with and without compressive force as well as bending and tension. Furthermore, the deflection in the characteristic and quasi-permanent design situations is determined for inner spans and cantilevers.

Separate design cases allow for a flexible analysis of specific actions as well as for individual stability checks. The type of design that you want to perform can be defined by control parameters.

Subsequent to the design, RX-TIMBER Purlin shows all performed designs including all required intermediate values in clearly arranged tables, sorted according to different criteria. As the program displays even the intermediate values in detail, transparency for all designs is guaranteed.

Furthermore, it is possible to display the distribution of internal forces for each x-location of the beam in a separate graphic window. RX-TIMBER Purlin can represent the deformations as well as the individual internal forces. The design results for the respective limit state are displayed for the member and the corresponding fastener. Thus, you can retrace each value determined for the calculation.

The designs including design details and selected result diagrams can be integrated in the printout report, which ensures a clearly-structured documentation. The printout report can be completed by graphics, descriptions, drawings etc. Moreover, it is possible to define individually which calculation data will appear in the printout.