Bracing Design

The Importance of Proper Bracing in Structural Performance

The structural performance of a frame diagonal bracing, bridging and blocking
building depends on continuous paths at the heels and ends of the trusses.
for all loads to eventually be transferred This bracing functions to strengthen
to the ground. In the specific instance and stabilize the truss chords and webs
of pre-engineered trusses, there are which may be particularly long or highly
several types of bracing, which are stressed. The required locations of the
sometimes confused. Each of these continuous lateral bracing are typically
types of bracing is important to the called out on the shop drawings
construction process and ultimately to supplied by the truss engineering
the structural integrity of the building. company. These lateral braces must be
There are two distinct types of bracing. stabilized at regular intervals with
Temporary or construction bracing is diagonal bracing. This extremely
the first type, and permanent bracing is important bracing system creates the
the second type. continuous path through which all loads
applied to the roof are transferred, from
Temporary or Construction Bracing: the truss system into the walls and
eventually to the ground.
This is the proper bracing of the trusses
during the erection phase of the Because of the component nature of our
structure. Much like walls are braced fast track building process, permanent
until the completion of the framing bracing design is not supplied by the
process, when trusses are placed on the wall panel designer, or by the truss
plate line, they must be braced to hold fabricator, because neither party
them safely and securely in place and to controls the design process of the other
resist environmental influences such as component. To bridge this gap in the
wind gusts during the framing process. information process, a number of
Temporary bracing guidelines are engineering firms are beginning to
available through truss industry provide permanent bracing design based
documents for truss spans up to 60 ft. on their review of the wall and truss
For spans over 60 ft. a professional layouts supplied by separate parties.
For information regarding the
services of Alpine Structural engineer should be consulted for the
temporary bracing plan.
Alpine Structural Consultants
Consultants, for cold-formed steel
and wood construction projects, A division of Alpine Engineered
contact: 800-755-6001 or e-mail: Permanent Bracing Products, Alpine Structural Consultants,
[email protected] Permanent bracing typically includes is an engineering group that can assist
continuous lateral bracing (CLB), with the design of an entire roof or floor
system by providing:
• Roof and floor diaphragm design
• Layout and design of trusses
• Engineered bracing systems for perm-
anent and temporary truss bracing
Web lateral brace • Truss-to-Truss and Truss-to-Bearing
connections
Web diagonal
brace
• Non-truss framing in trussed roof
structures, including engineered wood
products
• Complete truss system framing plans,
including design of stick framing
members such as:
- Fascia beams
- Headers
- Blocking
Truss Bracing Types - Over-framing
Bottom chord - End wall gable frames
lateral brace
Heel Blocking
Bottom chord
diagonal brace

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