What is the purpose of flange bracing?

Flange bracing is the member used to provide lateral support to the flange of a structural member. This type of bracing provides external support for steel buildings. A flange brace connects to the rafter and purlin, column to girt.

Should you brace the compression or tension flange when providing lateral support to a beam?

Specifically, the compression flange must be braced from lateral movement which, in turn, prevents torsion. The distance between points of lateral and torsional bracing for the compression flange is called the unbraced length and is represented by Lb in the Steel Construction Manual (SCM).

What is lateral bracing of a beam?

Under lateral bracing, one can brace the beam at the compression flange (either top or bottom or both, depending on loading). Under torsional bracing, one is trying to prevent the section from twisting. To prevent twisting, typically a full-depth stiffener is welded to the SMF beam and connected to another beam nearby.

What is continuous bracing?

A continuous lateral brace, often called a continuous lateral restraint (CLR), acts as a stiffener to a web or chord member in compression and is attached in the field by the truss installation crew.

Why is bracing needed?

The primary function of bracing is to provide stability and resist lateral loads, either from diagonal steel members or from a concrete ‘core’. For bracing frames, beams and columns are designed only to support vertical load, since the bracing system should carry all lateral loads.

What is bracing required for?

Bracing is required to withstand the wind pressure on the timber framed structure. The wind produces a lateral load, which must be transferred through the structure to the foundation. The ceiling and floor form a horizontal diaphragm.

What is horizontal bracing?

Horizontal bracing is employed to resist horizontal / lateral loads on the structure and distribute them to the outer columns and thereby into the vertical stabilizing system. Horizontal bracing will also maintain the planar integrity of the structure and prevent it from deforming out of shape.

What is a lateral brace?

Stabilizing a wall beam or structural system against lateral forces by means of diagonal or cross bracing either horizontally by roof or floor construction or vertically by pilasters, columns or cross walls. See also: Brace.

What is Unbraced length ratio?

It is defined as: slenderness ratio = KL/r. Where K is the effective length factor, l is the unbraced length of the member and r is the radius of gyration. The product KL is known simply as the effective length.