I've been thinking about adding in a retaining wall feature that auto sizes the rebar and qty. based on my typical retaining wall details:



For stemwall foundations I typically check the footing width (bearing pressure) and min. rebar for shrink (ACI 318-11), see engineering calcs per this PDF:

http://design.medeek.com/resources/footing/STEMWALL_FOOTING_CALCULATOR.pdf

I could easily incorporate this type of engineering calculations into the plugin, however I'm still trying to figure out how to have the plugin output PDF reports, or Excel spreadsheets, which would be necessary if engineering reports become part of this plugin.

Same sort of thing with square or rectangular footings can be done:

http://design.medeek.com/resources/footing/SQUAREFOOTING_CALCULATOR.pdf

With stemwalls or pony walls (not necessarily retaining walls) that exceed 24" in height (but not in excess of 48") I like to add #4 bars cont. horizontal at 18" o/c.  Logic could be incorporated that adds in additional stemwall and foundation wall rebar per a number of prescriptive criteria, IRC tables etc...

Currently it is entirely up to the users to specify rebar size and qty. with both stemwall and slab on grade foundations.

Stemwall foundations allow you to place rebar at the top of the wall  (5" below top, qty. 1,2, or 3 bars) and rebar at the bottom of the wall (3" above bottom, qty, 1,2, or 3 bars).  It also allows placement of bar in perimeter footing and interior footings (qty 1,2 or 3 bars).  Bar sizes range from #3 to #8 and similar sized metric equivalents for the metric templates, I can always add more sizes if requested.

Version 1.0.5 - 12.01.2016
- Enabled reinforcement for stemwall foundations.



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=ef2187c3-eec9-487f-ae38-601f128390f1

Version 1.0.4 - 11.27.2016
- Enabled rebar and mesh reinforcement for slab on grade foundations.

I've repackaged the .rbz file this morning so that when it installs into SU 2017 the extension will have the appropriate hash file and appear as "signed".  I have not yet rolled the revision (1.7.0) which includes the updates for stepdown hip truss sets, there is still substantial work before I am ready to release that module and version.

I've recently uploaded my latest volume of residential structural details to the CAD Library. 

This is an example of the wireframe (temporary) graphic that is shown while creating a valley set.

I've been slowly working on the stepdown hip truss set.  Its been a bit more complicated than expected.  I've also decided to make it auto select the common truss type by span but also allow the user to manually select the common truss type as well, yet another level of complexity.  In addition I would also like to enable raised heels which again adds to the complexity of the required logic and amount of code required to make this work.

The user will be able to select the hip setback.  This is usually 3x or 4x the truss spacing (ie. 6ft, 8ft with 24" o/c truss spacing).  I could restrict this to some multiple of the truss spacing but I think I will leave it completely open ended for the user.

Once I have the initial module complete I will then add into the advanced options the ability to use a drop-in purlin frame.

Version 1.6.9 - 09.14.2016
- Added some enhancements and wireframe (temporary) graphics to the valley set function.
- Fixed bug in the trim function.
- Fixed bug in the roof battens option.

I now just need to hunker down and get some heavy coding done to make all of these hip set variants a reality.  Once I have one the rest will fall out fairly easily since the overall logic for all the variants are quite similar.  I've spent the last 2-3 days reviewing some texts and shop drawings to make sure I've got things more or less correct with my models/templates.  So far no one has complained too loudly about any of the configurations so I think it is now time to proceed and add the hip sets into the plugin.

A smaller (16' span) standard terminal hip set attached to the main roof with girder truss and valley set.



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=beb29cf5-e571-42ab-8df5-526793a49332

The addition of the hip sets into the plugin will allow the creation of more complex hip roofs with minimal manual intervention. 

A stepdown or midwest hip set with a drop-in purlin frame:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=5d01af7e-a966-42c2-8355-88b5964e6d8c

There is some minor conflicts at the top chord of the frame with the hip trusses and at the peak but I don't think it is worth worrying about.

I have found that for manual editing of members the "trim" function is becoming a very valuable tool, it has already saved me a lot of time when adjusting webs and chords as I adjust or drop some of the hip truss top chords.  I strongly suggest that everyone upgrade to the latest version (1.6.8 ) to take advantage of the improved trim function.  I now need to get the extend function working.

The revised california hip set with a stacked hip rafter:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=97644895-c988-435c-bdc4-c7b8956a6d46

This is the California Hip Set:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=c17f8767-de27-44bd-b589-fbb186ea09fc

The problem I am having with this variant is the conflict between the 2x6 hip rafter and the top chords of the step down hip trusses.

This is the Northeast Hip Set variant:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=7a091720-b221-4b49-b59b-f797f95211e6

In a northeast hip set, you will find a short jack truss starting at the corner and running up the hip ridge. This hip jack stops at a sub-girder. All end jack bottom chords run to the hip girder, allowing for better attachment of the drywall on the ceiling. Hip cats must be field cut and installed between the hip trusses. Works well with dual-pitched hip systems.

Again I apologize for the delay in development, first it was my new job and then I re-injured my rotator cuff (old injury from 10 years ago) which has made sitting at my desk for prolonged periods very difficult.

This morning I sat down and thought about hip sets since I've had some recent requests for the their addition to the plugin.  What I show below is a fairly standard step down hip set with, with the midwest variant shown at one corner and the standard variant at the other corner. 



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=aa9db54b-4a66-412e-86fd-94e3e676e0b5

Note, I have not shown all of the internal webs for clarity, those will be generated automatically and not be user definable. 

Please review carefully and let me know if anything looks amiss.  I will also be adding in other variants of the hip set but I figured I would start with these two.

A stepdown hip set provides a girder truss, with a hip jack truss running from the corners up the ridge until they meet the hip girder.

The Midwest hip set also provides a girder truss, with hip trusses that step up to the peak.
However in a Midwest hip set, you run a rafter (dropped) up from the corner of the front wall to the hip girder.
All the bottom chords of the end jacks run to the hip girder, allowing for better attachment of the drywall on the ceiling.