Structural Bracings

Presentation by V. G. Abhyankar
For Knowledge sharing sessions

26.03.2008
 Objectives
• To understand various types of structures and bracing
systems and their behavior

• To explain the advantages of braced systems

• To discuss the limitations of Braced frames

• To study the method of Detailing bracing systems

• To highlight advanced theories – in – bracing design

 Types of Structural Framing systems

• Bare Frame
(Moment Resistant / Rigid jointed frame)

• In-Filled frame

• Equivalent bracing system

• Braced frame
(Pin Jointed / Truss)
 Types of Loads
• Vertical / Gravity Loads
– Self-weight
– Imposed Load
– Live loads
– Snow load

• Lateral Loads
– Wind
– Earthquake
– Wave / Current forces
– Friction

• Special Loads
– Lack of fit
– Sinking supports
– Tsunami
– Blast Load / Vibrations / Dynamic Loads
– Fatigue
– Shrinkage / Creep
Behavior of Structural Framing Systems under various
types of loads
VERTICALLOAD LATERAL BEAM
RIGID JOINT SWAY
LOAD

BEAM
COLUMN

COLUMN
DEFLECTED DEFLECTED
SHAPE SHAPE

BARE FRAME UNDER BARE FRAME UNDER

GRAVITY LOAD LATERAL LOAD

VERTICALLOAD LATERAL BEAM SWAY

PIN JOINT LOAD
COLUMN

COLUMN
DEFLECTED
DEFLECTED SHAPE
SHAPE

BRACED FRAME UNDER BRACED FRAME UNDER

GRAVITY LOAD LATERAL LOAD
Comparison of Rigid Jointed / Pin Jointed Framing System
RIGID JOINTED FRAME BRACED FRAME

Advantages
1. More free space (allows openings) 1. Full cross sectional area is utilized as
members are mainly axially loaded
2. Less numbers of Members
2. Simple connections, simple behaviors
3. More sway as compared to braced frame (direct load transfer)
3. Lesser sway
4. Easy to analyze
5. Capable of resisting accidental loads,
twisting etc.
6. Easy to modify
7. Aesthetically appealing
8. Economical
Disadvantages
1. The flanges only resist the moment. 1. More number of members
Stress diagram is triangular (less
2. Difficult to provided openings
utilization of area)
3. Heavy bracings are required for long
2. Connections are difficult to fabricate
spans
3. Bulky sections are required
4. Loads need to act essentially on joints
5. Design load for the Bracing design is
always debatable
 Types of Braced Frames
1. Single Diagonal Brace (Tension / Compression Both)

2. X – Cross Brace (Tension / compression only)

3. Chevron Brace (K-brace)

4. A – Chevron brace

5. Inverted chevron

6. Braced Chevron Brace

7. Braced Single Brace

8. Knee brace
 A few facts regarding Bracings
1) Force in Bracings
– Compression only Bracings – Concrete
– Tension only Bracings – Steel

– Pre-stressed bracings are also used for industrial structures (wire-ropes)

– Vertical Load carrying braces

– Horizontal Load carrying braces
• Seismic bracing
• Wind bracing

2) Slenderness of bracing
– Effective length for In-Plane action
– Effective length for out-of Plane action
– Wind load for out-of-plane bending need not be checked (but the wind acting
on braces is transferred to the connected joints)

– Stiff-bracings
– Flexible bracings
 Cont /- . . .
3) Torsion Control with bracings is effective

4) 2D-Plane - Portal frames when connected with braces demand wind

braces

5) Design loads on braces are usually 2.5% to 3% Lateral loads of the

respective vertical loads

6) Bracings are effective in resisting Seismic forces than bare frame. Plays
major role in seismic retrofitting

7) It is difficult to provide opening at the location of bracing

8) In case of In-filled frame, the stiffness of Infill walls can be simulated in the
structural model by means of equivalent brace. This philosophy was
proposed by Mr. V. V. Bertero
 Slotted connection
• Slotted connections are provided if the
bracing is expected to resist the load in a
particular direction only.

RCC BEAM WP

GUSSET PLATE
SLOTTED
CONNECTION
STEEL BRACING
 BRACING SYSTEMS
• ELEVATIONAL BRACING

• SECTIONAL BRACING

• PLAN BRACINGS
 Technical Reference
1. “Structures” – by Daniel Schodeck
2. AISC Presentations
3. Tall steel Buildings –
4. Steel Designers Manual
5. Steel Detailers Manual
6. SP-40
7. V. V. Bertor’s articles
8. Standard detail drawings - Toyo Engineering
Structural Bracings
Presentation by V. G. Abhyankar
For Knowledge sharing sessions

26.03.2008