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 SWAY
RIGID JOINT 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. Bertors articles
8. Standard detail drawings - Toyo Engineering
Structural Bracings
Presentation by V. G. Abhyankar
For Knowledge sharing sessions

26.03.2008