Hi Peter,

Coincidently,  a mate of mine Greg Poole,  the local Oz Velocity
agent is doing a very similar thing - he's about to convert his tractor
shed to a hangar,  and one of the members of our local SAAA is a  
" Strukchahz Inginnah" and is 'on the case' as I write.  He works for
a mob who builds highrise apartments,  and is incidentally also
building the neatest 3/4 scale SE5A you ever did see.  

So happy to share the info.   Don't know how quickly you want this
done. I'm going to an airshow with the guy this weekend.  Give me
some idea of the Roof and Wind loads it needs to support and a
rough sketch of the building and I'll talk to him on the way down
this weekend.

Alternately,  subscribe to Paul Lamar's ACRE Newsletter and ask
HIM to design you a nice Pratt Truss. He's good at that sort of
thing.  He's got CAD and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software.  
Just DON'T mention Electric Water Pumps or my name!! }:>)

Cheers,

Leon

On 11 Oct 2003, at 23:10, Peter Cowan/Lexy Cameron wrote:

> Anyone know of a web site or other source for assistance in designing
> the 40' beam I need for the opening of my new hangar? What I have in
> mind is a 3' deep open truss in steel or combination wood and steel.
> thanks guys. Peter