Bracing

Choices for bracing conditions are as follows:


X-Bracing/No Restrictions: Manufacturer may place brace cables or other appropriate means of X-bracing in whatever bays on this wall that design optimizes.


X-Bracing w/Bay Restrictions: X-Bracing is allowed in some bays. If this choice is selected, your quotation/purchase order will specify between which frame lines bracing may be placed. If the braced bays specified are less than required, the manufacturer may design the selected bays to meet the requirements or add additional nonrestrictive bracing (portal frames or fixed base) in bays as indicated on the report.



No X-Bracing: Brace cables or other means of X-bracing are not allowed in any bay in the specified wall. The manufaturer will design the appropriate alternate bracing method.



 

Fixed Base: If it is indicated that Fixed Base is allowed, manufacturer may use Fixed Base as the bracing method, if needed.



Diaphragm Action: If design has determined that diaphragm action is adequate for this building, this choice will be available. It will also show how many feet of effective sheeting is needed. If diaphragm action is not feasible as a bracing solution, then the diaphragm selection will be inactive. It is the responsibility of the user to verify if adequate diaphragm action exists.

The following notes are intended as guidelines for use of diaphragm action:

  1. All member and stitch screws must be properly installed.

  2. Wall panels must be properly attached to the eave strut, intermediate girts, and the base member.

  3. The lineal footage available on a given wall can be calculated by taking the total wall length, subtracting the widths of ineffective areas such as doors, windows, framed openings, and then further subtracting any widths of panels which have a length less than the building eave height. If the lineal footage available is less then that shown, you must relocate your accessories or pick another bracing option.


For example, in the sketch shown below, dotted lines in the areas, which are ineffective for diaphragm action. The two 13'-0" areas at the ends of the wall are ineffective because their length (13'-0") is less than the eave height (20'-0"). Therefore, the amount of diaphragm action available on the wall shown below is 21'-0".


Click to Enlarge Image

Notes on Bracing:

  1. At least every 5th bay must be X-braced unless alternate bracing methods are used.

  2. The program will use X-bracing if possible. If the X-bracing limitations you have chosen prohibit the use of X-bracing, alternate bracing will be designed. This may consist of portal frames (wind bents), torsional bracing, weak-axis, or other special conditions.