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 RIGID JOINT COLUMN BEAM LATERAL LOAD COLUMN BEAM SWAY

DEFLECTED SHAPE

DEFLECTED SHAPE

BARE FRAME UNDER GRAVITY LOAD

BARE FRAME UNDER LATERAL LOAD

VERTICALLOAD PIN JOINT COLUMN

LATERAL LOAD COLUMN

BEAM

SWAY

DEFLECTED SHAPE

DEFLECTED SHAPE

BRACED FRAME UNDER GRAVITY LOAD

BRACED FRAME UNDER LATERAL LOAD

Comparison of Rigid Jointed / Pin Jointed Framing System

RIGID JOINTED FRAME
Advantages
1. 2. 3. More free space (allows openings) Less numbers of Members More sway as compared to braced frame 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. 2. Full cross sectional area is utilized as members are mainly axially loaded Simple connections, simple behaviors (direct load transfer) Lesser sway Easy to analyze Capable of resisting accidental loads, twisting etc. Easy to modify

BRACED FRAME

7.
8.

Aesthetically appealing
Economical

Disadvantages
1. The flanges only resist the moment. Stress diagram is triangular (less utilization of area) Connections are difficult to fabricate Bulky sections are required 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. More number of members Difficult to provided openings Heavy bracings are required for long spans Loads need to act essentially on joints Design load for the Bracing design is always debatable

2. 3.

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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Structures by Daniel Schodeck AISC Presentations Tall steel Buildings Steel Designers Manual Steel Detailers Manual SP-40 V. V. Bertors articles Standard detail drawings - Toyo Engineering

Structural Bracings
Presentation by V. G. Abhyankar For Knowledge sharing sessions

26.03.2008