Hi TB,
You can download a trial version of EngiLab plane frame analysis from
http://www.engilab.com/download.htm and this will enable you to play at inputting and visualising the effects of loads and restraints on different configurations of timber framed structures. The trial version is not time limited but instead limits the number of members that can be included in a frame. You will not be able to save your models until you contribute a little money to the struggling Greek economy. Other trial packages are available to download from the web.
I am sending you (offline) results of a queenpost frame analysis using another plane frame analysis programme so that you can see typical some of the loads, load cases and restraints that need to be input to the model to help determine the various outputs for beam sizing (axial, bending, shear, deflection).
You will need to have a basic understanding of structural mechanics in order to arive at a meaningful result.
Regards
Ken Hume
