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. |
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 | |
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). |
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 |
|
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 |
|
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.
|
Wind loading | |
Apply open structure wind load |
Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. |
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. |
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.
The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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). |
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. |
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. |
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.
The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. |
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. |
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. |
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). |
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. |
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. |
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.
The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. |
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. |
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. |
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 | |
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). |
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 |
|
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.
|
Wind loading | |
Apply open structure wind load |
Select this option if you want open structure wind loads to be calculated. |
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. |
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.
The reduced results are used in concrete beam design. |
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. |
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. |