Setting out braces

Each steel brace is placed on an insertion line between points, with its geometry being drawn to reflect the major and minor snap points and any offsets specified in the brace properties.

Note:

The alignment snap points and offsets have no effect on the positioning of the solver elements created to represent the braces in the solver models, as these will be created directly between the insertion points.

Specify the brace material, pattern and section size

Before creating a brace, you need to specify its material, pattern and section size. For more information, see the following instructions.

Do one of the following:

To	Do this
Specify a steel single brace or pattern	On the Model tab, click the arrow under Steel Brace. In the list, select Brace for a single brace; or choose an X, K, V, or A pattern.

To	Do this
Specify a cold formed single brace or pattern	On the Model tab, click Cold Formed. In the list, click the arrow next to Brace. In the list, select Brace for a single brace; or choose an X, K, V, or A pattern.

To	Do this
Specify a timber single brace or pattern	On the Model tab, click the arrow on the right side of Timber Brace. In the list, select Brace for a single brace; or choose an X, K, V, or A pattern.

In the Properties window, go to the Section property.
Click the arrow on the right side of Section.
In the list that appears, click <New\Edit...>.

The Select Section dialog box opens.
Select the desired section, and click Select.
In the Properties window, adjust the remaining properties according to your needs.

Create a single brace

Note: Although it is possible to model A or V brace configurations using individual brace members instead of a brace pair, Tekla Structural Designer is then not able to calculate the notional loads or EHFs (Equivalent Horizontal Forces) correctly. In this case, elements of the vertical loads that are supported by the bracing system are lost, and are not included in the notional load or EHF calculations.

Specify the brace material and section size.
Click the start point of the brace.
Click the end point of the brace.
Tekla Structural Designer creates the brace.
Tip: If you are using a point along an existing member as either the start or end point, do the following:
1. Click the existing member to view its points.
2. Click the point that you want to use, or type the distance from the start of the member to the desired point.

Create an X, K, V or A brace

Note: Loads in Notional Load, Minimum Lateral Load and Seismic Weight Loadcases are only calculated correctly if you position K, V, and A brace pairs according to the following rules:

K brace pairs should have the "apex" to the left or right
V brace pairs should have the "apex" at the bottom
A brace pairs should have the "apex" at the top

Provided that you click on the points in the order described below you will position the brace pairs correctly.

Specify the brace material, pattern and section size.
Click to identify a bottom corner of the bay that you want to brace.
Click to identify the opposite bottom corner of the bay.
Click to identify a top corner of the bay.

Click to identify the opposite top corner of the bay.

Tekla Structural Designer creates the brace pattern within the selected area.


X pattern
K pattern
V pattern
A pattern

Specify a brace as tension only or compression only

You can move the end nodes of individual steel, concrete, cold formed, or timber braces in both 2D and 3D views. For more information, see the following instructions.

Once a brace has been created, you can specify it as Tension only or Compression only in the Properties window.

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.

Select the brace.
In the Properties window select either Compression only, or Tension only as required.

Modify the position of a brace

You can move the end nodes of individual steel, concrete, cold formed, or timber braces in both 2D and 3D views. For more information, see the following instructions.

To move an entire brace, see: Move objects.

Select the brace.
Select the end node that you want to move.

Note:
Ensure that only the desired end node is highlighted in the Select Entity tooltip.
Click a grid or construction point where you want to move the end node.

Tekla Structural Designer redraws the brace, moving the end node to the selected point.

Steel brace properties

Properties are listed below in the order that they appear in the Properties window.


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.


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 Load Reduction [ACI/AISC]
KLL	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
Imposed Load Reduction [Codes other than ACI/AISC]
Reduce imposed loads by	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
Effective length factors	Specified as Kx, Ky for ACI/AISC, or Effective length factor y-y, z-z for other codes.
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
Ambient temperature utilization [Only displayed for Eurocodes]	When enabled, a 'Fire: Ambient Temperature' heading is included in the member design summary. Under this heading the ambient ratio for 'Axial load' is reported.
Protected	When Protected is selected, self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure [Only displayed when Ambient temperature utilization or Protected is selected]	For braces the only option is "Exposed on all sides"
Required time of fire exposure [Only displayed when Ambient temperature utilization or Protected is selected]	The minimum time in minutes that the member must be able to withstand a standardized fire, while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Work with user-defined attributes

Timber brace properties

Properties are listed below in the order that they appear in the Properties window.


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.


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 Load Reduction [ACI/AISC]
KLL	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
Imposed Load Reduction [Codes other than ACI/AISC]
Reduce imposed loads by	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 Protected is selected, self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	For braces the only option is "Exposed on all sides"
Required time of fire exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	The minimum time in minutes that the member must be able to withstand a standardized fire, while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Work with user-defined attributes

General brace properties

Properties are listed below in the order that they appear in the Properties window.


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).


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 Load Reduction [ACI/AISC]
KLL	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
Imposed Load Reduction [Codes other than ACI/AISC]
Reduce imposed loads by	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 Protected is selected, self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	For braces the only option is "Exposed on all sides"
Required time of fire exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	The minimum time in minutes that the member must be able to withstand a standardized fire, while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Work with user-defined attributes

Cold formed brace properties

Properties are listed below in the order that they appear in the Properties window.


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.


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 Load Reduction [ACI/AISC]
KLL	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
Imposed Load Reduction [Codes other than ACI/AISC]
Reduce imposed loads by	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
Effective length factors	Specified as Kx, Ky for ACI/AISC, or Effective length factor y-y, z-z for other codes.
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 Protected is selected, self-weight of the members is increased by the weight of fireproofing. See: Fire proofing
Exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	For braces the only option is "Exposed on all sides"
Required time of fire exposure [Only displayed when Protected is selected]	The minimum time in minutes that the member must be able to withstand a standardized fire, while maintaining its load-bearing capacity.
UDA
Name Finish Class Phase Note File	A customizable list of the attributes that can be applied to individual members and panels. See: Work with user-defined attributes

Create braces

Create braces

Setting out braces

Specify the brace material, pattern and section size

Create a single brace

Create an X, K, V or A brace

Specify a brace as tension only or compression only

Modify the position of a brace

Steel brace properties

Timber brace properties

General brace properties

Cold formed brace properties