Classical Truss Solution 1

[driftLimiter]

Here is a cool snip I found from a real Design. Credit is to John K Minasian, Circa 1950.
I couldn't help but share it here its just so pristine. Theres a bunch more drawings and details to go along with this calc the hand drawings are very clean other than some eraser and smudge marks.

 

[civeng80]

Yes it was the maxwell diagram. Apparently, Maxwell was also into civil engineering when he wasn't doing electromagnetism.

The diagram requires the use of Bow's notation. Back 40 years ago it was a very neat way of analyzing and designing trusses.

Timoshenko and Young, Theory of structures have a section on this.

 

[hokie66]

Using a CAD program would take all the fun out of it. A drafting machine is my favourite way.