{"id":32912,"date":"2026-04-27T12:32:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T12:32:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/technical-manuals\/frequently-asked-questions\/how-to-model-roller-support\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T12:37:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T12:37:50","slug":"how-to-model-roller-support","status":"publish","type":"wiki","link":"https:\/\/protasoftware.com\/wiki\/how-to-model-roller-support\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Model Roller Support"},"content":{"rendered":"
When modelling a truss in ProtaStructure, it must be supported by a column, wall or another beam. Hence, the supporting member must be modelled for the truss to sit on. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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If you want to assign a special support, such as a roller support, it must be always be applied to the bottom of a column, and cannot be done directly on the truss member. 
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<\/span><\/div>\n
A simple example is shown below, where a truss is supported on a default fix support on the left end, and roller support at the right end. <\/span><\/div>\n
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Restraint Symbol at the Support<\/h2>\n
In the ProtaStructure, there are 2 types of restraint at the support : Translation Restraint and Rotation Restraint. <\/div>\n
In the picture below is an example of the restraint visualization of a fixed support, with both rotation and translation restrained in the 3 degrees of freedom. <\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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Square<\/b> = Translation Restraints<\/span><\/div>\n
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Circle<\/b> = Rotation Restraints<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

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<\/p>\n
By default, whenever a column or wall is inserted in ST 01, it will automatically be assigned a fixed support as above<\/span>. <\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

Thus for roller support, the only restraint acting upon it will only be at Z-direction as shown below. <\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The steps in creating a truss supported by different supports are as follows : <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

1. Insert Short Columns as the Truss Supports
<\/h2>\n
Firstly, 2 short columns have to be inserted to provide support for the truss. <\/span><\/div>\n
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The purpose of a short column is to ensure the support is very stiff to minimize the 3D behavior of sway or deflection out of the plane. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

There are 2 ways to insert a short column in ProtaStructure :<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\n
1. Change the column height by editing the Storey Height : Storey Related Controls and Settings – Edit Storey<\/a><\/div>\n
2. Edit the del-z value of the column : Working with Columns – del z (Top) & (Bot)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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When a column is inserted at ST01, a fixed support is automatically created. Hence there is no need to change the support type of the column at the left end.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

2.  Create Roller Support & Assigning it to the right end Column
<\/h2>\n
\n
1. <\/span>Go to <\/span>Modelling<\/span><\/b> Tab<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
2. Click <\/span>Support Types<\/span><\/b>
<\/span><\/div>\n
3. Add and name a new support type as '<\/span>Roller<\/span><\/b>'.
<\/span><\/div>\n
4. Choose <\/span>Roller <\/span><\/b>and set the restraints to roller support. Direction is up to user's choice.
<\/span><\/div>\n
5. Click <\/span>OK<\/span><\/b>.
<\/span><\/div>\n
6. Double-click<\/b> on the right end column to bring up the Column Propertie<\/b>s window.
<\/span><\/div>\n
7. Go to the <\/span>Geo <\/span><\/b>Tab and change the column support types to "<\/span>Roller"<\/span><\/b>.
<\/span><\/div>\n
8. Click <\/span>Update<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Refer to this article for more detailed explanation on the Support Types function<\/span> : Support Types<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

3.  Create the Truss
<\/h2>\n
Go to the 3D <\/b>view and create the truss by activating the "Truss" element in Modelling<\/b> tab and then clicking on the top of the 2 columns.  <\/span><\/div>\n
\n
For details refer  : <\/span>Working with Steel Truss<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

4.  Check the Structural Behavior via <\/span>Analytical Model<\/h2>\n
You should verify the validity of the analysis by examining the analytical model forces and deflection via<\/span> Analytical Model<\/span><\/a> view.<\/div>\n
\n

\n

For guidance on analytical model verification, watch this e-learning video : <\/span><\/span>15 Post Analysis, Analytical Model<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
Open the Analytical Model after running the Building Analysis, go to <\/span>Results<\/span><\/b> Tab and make sure to click the <\/span>Displacement <\/span><\/b>and <\/span>Animation<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Here, the user can verify the structure's behavior. As shown below, the truss at right end is indeed behaving like a roller, because of the assigned roller support. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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