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See how to design a Hip Rafter wood beam to ASD or LRFD requirements. Learn how to translate your CAD plan and elevation directly to a Calcs.com calculation! Download this example as a PDF: Hip Rafter [USA Timber Beam]

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This is what we have

Start from the plan, elevation, and design criteria for the hip rafter. The lettered callouts (A–H) map to the inputs you’ll enter in Calcs.com in the steps below. Hip Rafter plan, elevation, loading data, and design criteria

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This is how we model it in Calcs.com

Open a USA Wood Beam calculation with the Hip Rafter preset, then work through Key Properties, Loads, and Design Conditions.

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Step 1 — Key Properties

Enter the section, geometry, and bracing. Side length (A) and roof pitch (B) drive the calculated hip length and support positions. Continuous top bracing (C) matches the rafter spacing assumption. Set bearing length to zero when no bearing check is required (D). Key Properties inputs for the hip rafter

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Step 2 — Loads

Apply the area loads from the design criteria (G) as distributed loads with a triangular tributary width (E): TW_s starts at the side length and tapers to zero at the ridge. Use Gravity orientation for roof/snow (F) and Aligned for wind acting normal to the hip. Loads table with triangular tributary width for the hip rafter

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Step 3 — Design Conditions

Set beam incline to Hip/Corner Slope, keep the typical wood service settings, and enter the deflection limits (H). The absolute deflection limit fails the check if exceeded. Design Conditions for the hip rafter