izontal X-bracing system comprises axially loaded mem- Solution:

bers arranged as shown in Figure 5.3.1, the bracing can be

Because the diagonal bracing layout as shown in Figure
designed for 0.6 percent of the truss chord axial load. Since
5.3.2 forms an angle of 45 degrees with the trusses, the
two truss chord sections are being braced at each bracing
solution used in the paper by Nair, (1988b) is suitable. The
strut location the strut connections to the trusses must be
bracing force thus equals 0.6 percent of the chord axial
designed for 1.2 percent of the average chord axial load for
load. Member forces are summarized above.
the two adjacent chords. In the reference it is pointed out
that the bracing forces do not accumulate along the length
5.4 Erection Bracing
of the truss; however, the brace force requirements do accu-
mulate based on the number of trusses considered braced by The engineer of record is not responsible for the design of
the bracing system. erection bracing unless specific contract arrangements
In addition to stability bracing, top and bottom chord incorporate this responsibility into the work. However,
bracing may also be required to transfer wind or seismic lat- designers must be familiar with OSHA erection require-
eral loads to the main lateral stability system. The force ments (OSHA, 2001) relative to their designs.
requirements for the lateral loads must be added to the sta- Even though the designer of trusses is not responsible for
bility force requirements. Lateral load bracing is placed in the erection bracing, the designer should consider sequence
either the plane of the top chord or the plane of the bottom and bracing requirements in the design of large trusses in
chord, but generally not in both planes. Stability require- order to provide the most cost effective system. Large
ments for the unbraced plane can be transferred to the later- trusses require significant erection bracing not only to resist
ally braced plane by using vertical sway braces. wind and construction loads but also to provide stability
until all of the gravity load bracing is installed. Significant
EXAMPLE 5.3.1 cost savings can be achieved if the required erection brac-
ing is incorporated into the permanent bracing system.
Roof Truss Stability Bracing
Erection is generally accomplished by first connecting
For the truss system shown in Figure 5.3.2 determine the two trusses together with strut braces and any additional
brace forces in the horizontal bracing system. Use the pro- erection braces to form a stable box system. Additional
cedure discussed by (Nair, 1988b). trusses are held in place by the crane or cranes until they
can be “tied off” with strut braces to the already erected sta-
ble system. Providing the necessary components to facili-
tate this type of erection sequence is essential for a cost
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
effective project.
A
Additional considerations are as follows:
1. Columns are usually erected first with the lateral brac-
B
ing system (see Figure 5.4.1). If top chord seats are
Web
Diagonals
C
Horizontal
Truss Bracing installed
45°
D while crane holds
Chord
Bearing trusses.
Seats
E Column
Bracing Truss
Struts
F
Bracing
Framing Plan installed
prior to
(600k) (800k) (1000k)
truss
erection.

Column

Top Chord Seats Bottom Bearing

Truss Elevation

Fig. 5.3.2 Horizontal Bracing Systen Fig. 5.4.1 Wall Bracing Erection Sequence

DESIGN GUIDE 7 / INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS—ROOFS TO ANCHOR RODS, 2ND EDITION / 13