Brace properties

When a brace is selected, its properties are displayed in the Properties window.

The displayed properties are described below for each of the available material types.

Steel brace properties


Property	Description
General
Name	The automatically generated name.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Group	The name of the group to which the member belongs. See: Steel member design groups
Plane	Indicates the level or frame within which the member is placed.
Characteristic	Brace
Active	Clearing this option makes braces inactive in the analysis. See: Inactive members
Element type	Beam
Material type	Steel
Construction	The available construction options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Fabrication	The available fabrication options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Autodesign	See: Steel member autodesign
Design section order [Only displayed when 'Autodesign' is selected]	The design order file from which a section size will be selected. For details of managing order files, see: Manage design section orders
Rotation	Rotation of the member about its local x axis. The default (Degrees0) aligns the major properties with the global Z axis, (provided that the member has not been specifically defined within an incline plane).
Alignment
Global offset end 1, end 2	Can be used to model a physical offset with respect to the global axes at one or both ends of the member, (exceptions apply). See: Member global offsets
Major snap level, Minor snap level	Defines the major and minor alignment of the member relative to the insertion point.
Major offset, Minor offset	Used to offset the member from the snap point in the major and minor axis.


Property	Description
Span
Section	The section size
Geometry (automatic design) [Only displayed if Autodesign is selected]	The cross section type to be designed
Grade	Steel grade
Connection	Bolted Welded
Compression only, Tension only	Specify if the brace is compression only, or tension only. Note: Tension only and Compression only members are non-linear elements and therefore require non-linear analysis. If linear analysis is performed they will be treated as linear elements
Relaxation factor [Only displayed if the brace is tension only]	Default 0.0. Any value entered is not used unless you also check the ‘Use relaxation factors for tension only elements’ box in Analysis Options. Note: It is highly unlikely that you would ever need to set a specific release factor for an individual brace. See 1st order non-linear settings in: Analysis settings
Linearity	Straight
Releases
Fixity end 1, end 2	Pinned
Torsional load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a torsional release.
Vertical load release end 1, end 2	A vertical load release can be applied to the end of a V or A type brace pair so that they don’t prop other members against gravity loads, (you are prevented from releasing single braces, or other brace pairs in this way).
Include force in eccentricity moment end 1, end 2	Eccentricity moments in steel and precast columns as a result of beam connection eccentricities do not also consider the brace connection eccentricities unless this property is checked for the appropriate end of the brace. When checked ON the brace axial force is resolved into a vertical force, multiplied by the connection eccentricity, to obtain a connection eccentricity moment. When checked OFF the brace axial force does not contribute to the total connection eccentricity moment. See: Steel column connection eccentricity moments - overview
Wind loading
Apply open structure wind load	Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. See: Open structure wind loads
Shape factor, Cf	The default shape factor varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading Default Cf factors are taken from the document ‘Wind Loads For Petrochemical And Other Industrial Facilities’ published by ASCE.
Effective area XY
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Effective area XZ
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Live (Imposed) Load Reduction
KLL [Only displayed for Regional Code ACI/AISC]	Specify the KLL factor in accordance with Table 4-2 in ASCE 7-05/ASCE 7-10. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Reduce imposed loads by [Displayed for Codes other than ACI/AISC]	This property is particularly applicable to the design of transfer beams. Although the percentage of imposed load reduction is not determined automatically for beams, this property allows you to specify the percentage manually. It can be applied to all, or individual spans. reducible loadcases are reduced combinations incorporating reducible loadcases are reduced The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Compression
Effectve length factor y-y, z-z
Tension
Net area	Specified as an effective net area or a percentage value.
Size constraints
Max depth, Min depth, Max width, Min width	Size Constraints are only applicable when Autodesign is checked. They allow you to ensure that the sections that Tekla Structural Designer proposes match any particular size constraints you may have. For instance for a composite beam you may want to ensure a minimum flange width of 150mm (6in). If so you would simply enter this value as the Minimum width, and Tekla Structural Designer would not consider sections with flanges less than this width for the design of this beam. See: Size constraints
Apply max span/depth ratio Max span/depth ratio	After setting a max span/depth ratio you can check the 'Apply' button for it to be considered by auto-design. During design, only sections which satisfy the maximum ratio limit will be selected. The setting can also be reviewed and/ or copied via Review View > Show/Alter State. See: Size constraints
Seismic
In a seismic force resisting system	If this is the case, select the checkbox, and then specify the SFRS direction and type. Note: Design of members in seismic force resisting systems is only supported for the ACI/AISC Regional Code in the current release.
End 1 / End 2 [Only displayed for ACI/AISC regional code]
Apply SidePlate connection	Select to apply a side plate connection at the specified end(s).
Utilization ratio
Apply (to autodesign)	Selected - When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than the ratio limit. Unselected - When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than 1.0. See: Apply user defined utilization ratios
Apply (to check)	Selected - When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than the ratio limit. Unselected - When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than 1.0.
Ratio limit	The utilization ratio against which the autodesign or check is performed (when applied above).
Fire proofing
Protected	When members are set as 'Protected', self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure	Exposed on all sides
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Create and manage user-defined attributes

Timber brace properties


Property	Description
General
Name	The automatically generated name.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Group	The name of the group to which the member belongs. See: Timber member design groups
Plane	Indicates the level or frame within which the member is placed.
Characteristic	Brace
Active	Clearing this option makes braces inactive in the analysis. See: Inactive members
Element type	Beam
Material type	Timber
Construction	The available construction options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Fabrication	The available fabrication options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Rotation	Rotation of the member about its local x axis. The default (Degrees0) aligns the major properties with the global Z axis, (provided that the member has not been specifically defined within an incline plane).
Alignment
Global offset end 1, end 2	Can be used to model a physical offset with respect to the global axes at one or both ends of the member, (exceptions apply). See: Member global offsets
Major snap level, Minor snap level	Defines the major and minor alignment of the member relative to the insertion point.
Major offset, Minor offset	Used to offset the member from the snap point in the major and minor axis.


Property	Description
Span
Section	The section size
Grade	Timber grade
Compression only, Tension only	Specify if the brace is compression only, or tension only. Note: Tension only and Compression only members are non-linear elements and therefore require non-linear analysis. If linear analysis is performed they will be treated as linear elements
Relaxation factor [Only displayed if the brace is tension only]	Default 0.0. Any value entered is not used unless you also check the ‘Use relaxation factors for tension only elements’ box in Analysis Options. Note: It is highly unlikely that you would ever need to set a specific release factor for an individual brace. See 1st order non-linear settings in: Analysis settings
Linearity	Straight
Releases
Fixity end 1, end 2	Pinned
Torsional load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a torsional release.
Vertical load release end 1, end 2	A vertical load release can be applied to the end of a V or A type brace pair so that they don’t prop other members against gravity loads, (you are prevented from releasing single braces, or other brace pairs in this way).
Wind loading
Apply open structure wind load	Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. See: Open structure wind loads
Shape factor, Cf	The default shape factor varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading Default Cf factors are taken from the document ‘Wind Loads For Petrochemical And Other Industrial Facilities’ published by ASCE.
Effective area XY
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Effective area XZ
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Live (Imposed) Load Reduction
KLL [Only displayed for Regional Code ACI/AISC]	Specify the KLL factor in accordance with Table 4-2 in ASCE 7-05/ASCE 7-10. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Reduce imposed loads by [Displayed for Codes other than ACI/AISC]	This property is particularly applicable to the design of transfer beams. Although the percentage of imposed load reduction is not determined automatically for beams, this property allows you to specify the percentage manually. It can be applied to all, or individual spans. reducible loadcases are reduced combinations incorporating reducible loadcases are reduced The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Fire proofing
Protected	When members are set as 'Protected', self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure	Exposed on all sides
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Create and manage user-defined attributes

General brace properties


Property	Description
General
Name	The automatically generated name.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Group	The name of the group to which the member belongs. See: Timber member design groups
Plane	Indicates the level or frame within which the member is placed.
Characteristic	Brace
Active	Clearing this option makes braces inactive in the analysis. See: Inactive members
Element type	Beam
Material type	Timber
Construction	The available construction options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Rotation	Rotation of the member about its local x axis. The default (Degrees0) aligns the major properties with the global Z axis, (provided that the member has not been specifically defined within an incline plane).


Property	Description
Span
Section	The section size
Grade	The general material grade
Compression only, Tension only	Specify if the brace is compression only, or tension only. Note: Tension only and Compression only members are non-linear elements and therefore require non-linear analysis. If linear analysis is performed they will be treated as linear elements
Relaxation factor [Only displayed if the brace is tension only]	Default 0.0. Any value entered is not used unless you also check the ‘Use relaxation factors for tension only elements’ box in Analysis Options. Note: It is highly unlikely that you would ever need to set a specific release factor for an individual brace. See 1st order non-linear settings in: Analysis settings
Linearity	Straight
Alignment
Global offset end 1, end 2	Can be used to model a physical offset with respect to the global axes at one or both ends of the member, (exceptions apply). See: Member global offsets
Major snap level, Minor snap level	Defines the major and minor alignment of the member relative to the insertion point.
Major offset, Minor offset	Used to offset the member from the snap point in the major and minor axis.
Releases
Fixity end 1, end 2	Pinned
Torsional load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a torsional release.
Vertical load release end 1, end 2	A vertical load release can be applied to the end of a V or A type brace pair so that they don’t prop other members against gravity loads, (you are prevented from releasing single braces, or other brace pairs in this way).
Wind loading
Apply open structure wind load	Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. See: Open structure wind loads
Shape factor, Cf	The default shape factor varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading Default Cf factors are taken from the document ‘Wind Loads For Petrochemical And Other Industrial Facilities’ published by ASCE.
Effective area XY
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Effective area XZ
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Live (Imposed) Load Reduction
KLL [Only displayed for Regional Code ACI/AISC]	Specify the KLL factor in accordance with Table 4-2 in ASCE 7-05/ASCE 7-10. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Reduce imposed loads by [Displayed for Codes other than ACI/AISC]	This property is particularly applicable to the design of transfer beams. Although the percentage of imposed load reduction is not determined automatically for beams, this property allows you to specify the percentage manually. It can be applied to all, or individual spans. reducible loadcases are reduced combinations incorporating reducible loadcases are reduced The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Fire proofing
Protected	When members are set as 'Protected', self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure	Exposed on all sides
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Create and manage user-defined attributes

Cold formed brace properties


Property	Description
General
Name	The automatically generated name.
User Name	Can be used to override the automatically generated name if required.
Group	The name of the group to which the member belongs. See: Steel member design groups
Plane	Indicates the level or frame within which the member is placed.
Characteristic	Brace
Active	Clearing this option makes braces inactive in the analysis. See: Inactive members
Element type	Beam
Material type	Cold formed
Construction	The available construction options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Fabrication	The available fabrication options depend on the characteristic and material type selected, see Member characteristic, construction and fabrication properties
Autodesign	See: Steel member autodesign
Design section order [Only displayed when 'Autodesign' is selected]	The design order file from which a section size will be selected. For details of managing order files, see: Manage design section orders
Rotation	Rotation of the member about its local x axis. The default (Degrees0) aligns the major properties with the global Z axis, (provided that the member has not been specifically defined within an incline plane).
Alignment
Global offset end 1, end 2	Can be used to model a physical offset with respect to the global axes at one or both ends of the member, (exceptions apply). See: Member global offsets
Major snap level, Minor snap level	Defines the major and minor alignment of the member relative to the insertion point.
Major offset, Minor offset	Used to offset the member from the snap point in the major and minor axis.


Property	Description
Span
Section	The section size
Geometry (automatic design) [Only displayed if Autodesign is selected]	The cross section type to be designed
Grade	Cold formed grade
Connection	Bolted Welded
Compression only, Tension only	Specify if the brace is compression only, or tension only. Note: Tension only and Compression only members are non-linear elements and therefore require non-linear analysis. If linear analysis is performed they will be treated as linear elements
Relaxation factor [Only displayed if the brace is tension only]	Default 0.0. Any value entered is not used unless you also check the ‘Use relaxation factors for tension only elements’ box in Analysis Options. Note: It is highly unlikely that you would ever need to set a specific release factor for an individual brace. See 1st order non-linear settings in: Analysis settings
Linearity	Straight
Releases
Fixity end 1, end 2	Pinned
Torsional load release end 1, end 2	Check one end only to define a torsional release.
Vertical load release end 1, end 2	A vertical load release can be applied to the end of a V or A type brace pair so that they don’t prop other members against gravity loads, (you are prevented from releasing single braces, or other brace pairs in this way).
Include force in eccentricity moment end 1, end 2	Eccentricity moments in steel and precast columns as a result of beam connection eccentricities do not also consider the brace connection eccentricities unless this property is checked for the appropriate end of the brace. When checked ON the brace axial force is resolved into a vertical force, multiplied by the connection eccentricity, to obtain a connection eccentricity moment. When checked OFF the brace axial force does not contribute to the total connection eccentricity moment. See: Steel column connection eccentricity moments - overview
Wind loading
Apply open structure wind load	Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. See: Open structure wind loads
Shape factor, Cf	The default shape factor varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading Default Cf factors are taken from the document ‘Wind Loads For Petrochemical And Other Industrial Facilities’ published by ASCE.
Effective area XY
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Effective area XZ
Formula	The default effective area formula varies according to the entity type and is taken from Model Settings > Loading > Wind Loading
Factor	The factor used in the above formula can be edited if required.
Live (Imposed) Load Reduction
KLL [Only displayed for Regional Code ACI/AISC]	Specify the KLL factor in accordance with Table 4-2 in ASCE 7-05/ASCE 7-10. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Reduce imposed loads by [Displayed for Codes other than ACI/AISC]	This property is particularly applicable to the design of transfer beams. Although the percentage of imposed load reduction is not determined automatically for beams, this property allows you to specify the percentage manually. It can be applied to all, or individual spans. reducible loadcases are reduced combinations incorporating reducible loadcases are reduced The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. See: Overview of live or imposed load reductions
Compression
Effectve length factor y-y, z-z
Tension
Net area	Specified as an effective net area or a percentage value.
Size constraints
Max depth, Min depth, Max width, Min width	Size Constraints are only applicable when Autodesign is checked. They allow you to ensure that the sections that Tekla Structural Designer proposes match any particular size constraints you may have. For instance for a composite beam you may want to ensure a minimum flange width of 150mm (6in). If so you would simply enter this value as the Minimum width, and Tekla Structural Designer would not consider sections with flanges less than this width for the design of this beam. See: Size constraints
Apply max span/depth ratio Max span/depth ratio	After setting a max span/depth ratio you can check the 'Apply' button for it to be considered by auto-design. During design, only sections which satisfy the maximum ratio limit will be selected. The setting can also be reviewed and/ or copied via Review View > Show/Alter State. See: Size constraints
Seismic
In a seismic force resisting system	If this is the case, select the checkbox, and then specify the SFRS direction and type. Note: Design of members in seismic force resisting systems is only supported for the ACI/AISC Regional Code in the current release.
End 1 / End 2 [Only displayed for ACI/AISC regional code]
Apply SidePlate connection	Select to apply a side plate connection at the specified end(s).
Utilization ratio
Apply (to autodesign)	Selected - When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than the ratio limit. Unselected - When an Autodesign is performed, the design will be incremented to achieve a utilization ratio less than 1.0. See: Apply user defined utilization ratios
Apply (to check)	Selected - When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than the ratio limit. Unselected - When a Check is performed, the check will pass provided the utilization ratio is less than 1.0.
Ratio limit	The utilization ratio against which the autodesign or check is performed (when applied above).
Fire proofing
Protected	When members are set as 'Protected', self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure	Exposed on all sides
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Create and manage user-defined attributes