Hip/Valley Rafter Function [Hip/V]   Enhanced Hip/Valley Rafter Function

In other constructions calculators, setting up a calculation for a Regular or Irregular hip roof can be a real puzzle.  Starting with BuildCalc 2.0, this is no longer the case.  Inputs are all in one place, clearly labeled, and all have "on the spot" help to provide you with the missing pieces.  In addition, BuildCalc's Hip/Valley function has been enhanced to display the most information with the least number of keystrokes.  One press of the [Hip/V] key and all Hip/Valley function results are displayed in a list - fast.   And the [Hip/V] function is now interactive.  Want to change input values?  Change the Minor Pitch?  Switch between Regular and Irregular Hip Roof analysis?  You can do this and more.  Lastly, your results will be updated automatically - without you needing to remember what key to press.  All the examples below illustrate this new feature.

For those experienced with BuildCalc, we made sure that you would have to make no compromises - the functionality is still there (see example 3) in both keystroke and interactive form.  Version 2.0's [Hip/V] key can still calculate the layout geometry for a Hip or Valley Rafter based on the Regular and Irregular roof geometry, as described by the values saved at two of the following: [Pitch], [Rise], [Run] and [Diag].  See the examples below to see how this works.

And one more thing.  Confused about how to layout Miter and Bevel results?  You're not alone.  Starting with BuildCalc 2.0, you can switch between Miter Saw results and Protractor "on the board" results (what you would measure using a hand held protractor).  Less confusion and more flexibility.

Examples

1.    Regular Hip/Valley Rafter Calculation
       with a 15' rise and and a 7-1/2" pitch.
Input
[clr][clr]   
[Hip/V]
Display

    0
  see interactive screen, below


In the above interactive screen, enter 15 for the rise and 7[Inches]1/2 for the Pitch.  Notice that, if the units stay the same (like when you changed the Rise from 12' to 15') then you don't have to enter the units!  On the flip side, when you changed the pitch from degrees to inches per 12" pitch, you changed units - and thus had to enter the units.  Below are the results:

Also note that you can quickly switch between Regular and Irregular Hip/Valley Rafter Calculations using the [Regular / Irregular] switch at the top of the Hip/Valley Function screen.

2.  Regular Hip Rafter calculation using 12'
     stored in the [Rise] key and 15' stored
     in the [Run] key.
Input
[clr][clr]   
12 [Feet] [Rise]
15 [Feet] [Run]
[Hip/V]
Display

    0
Rise
    12ft
Run
    15ft

 see results, below



3.    Irregular Hip/Valley Rafter Calculation
       assuming an Irregular Pitch of 30°.
Input
[clr][clr]   
12 [Feet] Rise
15 [Feet] Run
30 [Hip/V]
Display
0
Rise
    12ft
Run
    15ft
see results, below



Definitions:

Illustration of rafter cuts.



Regular vs. Irregular Hip Roof



Plan view of Hip/Valley layout



Illustration of the types of Purlins



Illustration of Hip/Valley Rafter Backing Angles



Illustration of Hip Valley Roof Areas
Hip/Valley Roof Area:
As an aid for calculating roofing materials (can be used in conjunction with the results of the [Roof] function), the Hip/Valley Roof Area is included in BuildCalc's Hip/Valley function results. 

For Irregular Hip/Valleys, the Total Hip/Valley Roof Area is sum of the Major Area and Minor Area, as shown in above (the Major and Minor Areas are the parts of the Hip/Valley framed with Jack Rafters). 

Since Major and Minor Pitch is the same on a Regular Hip/Valley, only the Total Hip/Valley Roof Area result is shown.

Notes:

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