TrayPan is a unique software solution from Ruukki, which allows you to automatically select sandwich panels and fixtures within minutes, taking into account various loads.
Proper selection of sandwich panels type and thickness is a guarantee that the building envelope will be durable, meet thermal requirements and withstand all loads during operation. Typically, the selection of sandwich panels is carried out using the load-bearing capacity tables provided by the manufacturer. However, Ruukki, an innovation leader in sandwich panel construction, has developed a unique TrayPan program that allows you to calculate the load-bearing capacity of sandwich panels under any load within minutes.
The program for calculating TrayPan sandwich panels is implemented as a free web application that does not depend on the user’s operation system and uses for the calculations the developer’s servers capacities.
TrayPan has the following advantages:
The English-language interface of the program is quite simple and clear, which allows even a novice user to quickly manage it.
TrayPan design is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the EN 14509 standard. Safety factors and load combinations, as well as safety factors for the material can be taken from national annexes or set manually by the user.
In the program you can calculate sandwich panels structures for external walls, partitions, roofs or ceilings. At the beginning of the calculation it is necessary to select the conditions (normal or emergency) and the direction of mounting the panels (horizontal or vertical).
When choosing the color of the outer facing of the sandwich panel, the program automatically takes into account the temperature loads that occur during heating from the sun.
In the program, it is possible to set one-, two- or multi-span scheme of the structure operation. Calculations show that the most optimal scheme of operation is a single-span structure, less stable – multi-span, and the worst option – double-span. If necessary, the program allows you to set manually the maximum deflection of the structure.
TrayPan allows you to set two types of panel connections: split construction – when two sandwich panels are joined on a support, or continuous – when the panel lasts over several spans. The actual span length is calculated depending on the type of joint and the width of the support.
Calculation of fasteners for sandwich panels can be made for steel or concrete support.
TrayPan calculates fasteners based on the minimum required or fixed number of fastener points. If the limit strength of the joints is exceeded, the program automatically increases the calculated number of fasteners.
For various types of fasteners, you can set the distance between the fasteners and the end of the sandwich panel. This allows you to increase the pull resistance of the fastener, which is usually the most limiting factor.
TrayPan takes into account dead and live loads and allows you to determine various types of loads (wind, snow, etc.) using special calculators. At the same time, wind loads can be set as suction or pressure and are determined depending on the selected terrain type: sea or coastal zone, lake or flat plain, area with low vegetation, rural areas or urban development.
Possible types of loads depending on the type of structure
| Load | Structure |
| Dead load | Roof, ceiling |
| Snow load | Roof |
| Wind load | Roof, walls |
| Live load | Roof, ceiling |
A uniformly distributed load is given between two supports and has the same value. The trapezoidal load is not permanent and can be located between the supports. Snow and wind load for a complex design scheme can be determined using the shape and pressure coefficients.
During the calculations TrayPan allows taking into account the additional load from the cladding on the external side of the sandwich panel wall with a ventilated façade. In the program you can choose the type of cladding for the ventilated facade (cassettes, lamellas, design profiles), the direction of the elements and their length, the thickness and material of the lathing.
TrayPan uses the current available range of Ruukki sandwich panels. You can choose the type of sandwich panel and core, the thickness of the panel and the type of facing profiling. Panel facing thickness optimization is an additional feature of the program that allows you to change the facing by selecting automatically the panel thickness that provides acceptable bending stresses and deflection utilization. During calculation the support reaction is decisive, therefore, in case of non-compliance with this criterion, the thickness of the panel will not be optimized.
After calculation for each selected sandwich panel preliminary results of its load-bearing capacity are displayed. If necessary, the calculation results can be improved by increasing the thickness of the facing or choosing a different type of panel.
In the advanced calculation results, detailed information on the deflections of sandwich panels in spans is available. The program allows you to build an envelope curve for deflection, bending moment or shear force for combinations of loads or each type of load separately.
The degree of utilization of the sandwich panels load-bearing capacity is shown for each calculated parameter and is highlighted in yellow or red when the value exceeds 100%.
A separate Panels tab allows you to view detailed usage coefficients and numerical parameter values for each sandwich panel.
The results of the calculation also shows the maximum and minimum support reactions of the ultimate limit state for each support and load type, which can be used later, for example, when calculating the load-bearing capacity of columns, crossbars, etc.
The quantity of fasteners required for the sandwich panels installation and the internal stress can be viewed in the Fasteners tab.
Calculation results can be saved in PDF format by selecting data to fill in the report.
Using TrayPan to calculate sandwich panels allows customers to create modern buildings with ample opportunities for budget optimization. For high-rise buildings made of sandwich panels, the program allows you to select panels with different density of mineral wool core and the number of fasteners along the height of the building, which ensures sufficient load-bearing capacity and durability of building envelope structures.
The program is easy to use and allows designers to significantly speed up the work on the calculation and selection of sandwich panels and be completely confident in the reliability and durability of the building envelope. Rauta engineers are well versed in the principles of sandwich panel calculation and are ready to provide advice on the features of using TrayPan, as well as help to quickly design a reliable building.
