Windbrace connection (110)

Windbrace connection (110) connects 1 to 10 braces to a beam or column by bolting them to a gusset plate, and welding or bolting the gusset plate to the beam or column.

The braces can be:

Located in the same work plane as the beam or column, or they can be skewed
On the same side or on each side of the beam or column

Objects created

Gusset plate
- One gusset plate, if the braces are located on the same side of the beam or column
- One gusset plate on each side of the beam or column, if the braces are located on either side of the beam or column. The plates are welded in the shop to create a folded gusset plate.
Bolts
Welds

Use for


Situation	Description
	Two gusset plates welded in the shop to form a folded plate. Braces are bolted directly to the gusset plate. Brace profile: L
	Gusset plate is welded to the column. Brace webs are bolted to the gusset plate. Stiffeners are not created. Column or beam profile: L Brace profile: L

Before you start

Create a beam or column, and 1 to 10 braces.

Selection order

Select the main part (beam or column).
Select the secondary part (first brace).
Select the second secondary parts (second brace, up to 10 braces).
Click the middle mouse button to create the connection.

Part identification key


	Description
1	Gusset plate

Picture tab

Use the Picture tab to define the gusset plate dimensions, brace clearance, and cut options for the brace ends on both sides of the main part.

Dimensions


	Description
1	Length of the edge of the gusset plate This value affects the gusset plate shape.
2	Gusset plate corner angle (in degrees) This value affects the gusset plate shape.
3	Brace edge distance from the main part
4	Gusset plate edge distance from the main part

Brace end cut


Option	Description
	Default Brace ends are cut square. AutoDefaults can change this option.
	Brace ends are cut square.
	Brace ends are cut perpendicular.

Gusset tab

Use the Gusset tab to define the gusset plate properties, brace notch properties, and welding.

Parts


Option	Description
Gusset	Thickness, width, and height of the gusset plate


Option	Description	Default
Pos_No	Prefix and start number for the part position number. Some components have a second row of fields where you can enter the assembly position number.	The default part start number is defined in the Components settings in File menu > Settings > Options.
Material	Material grade.	The default material is defined in the Part material box in the Components settings in File menu > Settings > Options.
Name	Name that is shown in drawings and reports.
Finish	Describes how the part surface has been treated.

Note: The following examples show only some of the available options. You will find more options on the Gusset tab.

Gusset plate position on the brace

Define where to place the gusset plate on the brace. If needed, you can fine-tune the gusset plate position by moving the gusset plate in the z or in the y direction.


Option	Description
	Default Gusset plate is positioned in the middle of the brace. AutoDefaults can change this option.
	Gusset plate is positioned on the top flange of the brace.
	Define how much the gusset plate is moved in the z direction.
	Define how much the gusset plate is moved in the y direction.

Gusset plate shape

When you select the option to optimize the gusset plate weight, you can define whether the selection order of the braces affects the position of the braces.


Option	Description
	Default AutoDefaults can change this option.
	This option optimizes the gusset plate weight.

Brace position


Option	Description
	Default The brace position is not affected. AutoDefaults can change this option.
	The first selected brace is placed closest to the main part.

Brace notch


Option	Description
	Select whether the brace is notched. You might want to notch the brace if the plate collides with the brace flange or if you want to create slots in the hollow braces. The last option creates a notch and fastens the plate to the brace by using a bolt.
	Vertical notch dimension Horizontal notch dimension Notch angle

Gusset plate shape


Option	Description
	Select the gusset plate shape.

Gusset plate cut


Option	Description
	Select whether the gusset plate is cut at the top.

Gusset plate hole

You might need to create an orientation hole in the gusset plate to indicate the position of the plate when the connection is assembled in the shop, or during erection.


Option	Description
	Select whether a hole is created in the gusset plate, and the hole side.
	Define the distance from the center of the hole to the gusset plate edge. Define the hole diameter.

Gusset plate welding


Option	Description
	Select whether the gusset plate is welded to the brace.

Bending dimensions


Option	Description
	Enter the bending line dimensions for the gusset plate in skewed connections. The gusset plate is bent by the angles created by the secondary parts.

Dimensioning holes in drawings

Set Create extra bolt holes for gusset to Yes to create an extra bolt hole that is perpendicular to the gusset plate. This helps to ensure that the hole dimensions are correct when the gusset plate is skewed so that the gusset hole is not perpendicular to the gusset plate.

Gusset bolts tab

Use the Gusset bolts tab to define the bolt group dimensions and properties of bolts that connect the gusset plate to the beam or column.

Bolt group dimensions


	Description
1	Dimension for horizontal bolt group position.
2	Select how to measure the dimensions for horizontal bolt group position. Left: From the left edge of the secondary part to the leftmost bolt. Middle: From the center line of the secondary part to the center line of the bolts. Right: From the right edge of the secondary part to the rightmost bolt.
3	Dimension for vertical bolt group position.
4	Select how to measure the dimensions for vertical bolt group position. Top: From the upper edge of the secondary part to the uppermost bolt. Middle: From the center line of the bolts to the center line of the secondary part. Below: From the lower edge of the secondary part to the lowest bolt.
5	Number of bolts.
6	Bolt spacing. Use a space to separate bolt spacing values. Enter a value for each space between bolts. For example, if there are 3 bolts, enter 2 values.

Gusset plate connection type


Option	Description
	Default Gusset plate is welded. AutoDefaults can change this option.
	Gusset plate is welded.
	Gusset plate is bolted.

Bolt basic properties


Option	Description	Default
Bolt size	Bolt diameter.	Available sizes are defined in the bolt assembly catalog.
Bolt standard	Bolt standard to be used inside the component.	Available standards are defined in the bolt assembly catalog.
Tolerance	Gap between the bolt and the hole.
Thread in mat	Defines whether the thread may be within the bolted parts when bolts are used with a shaft. This has no effect when full-threaded bolts are used.	`Yes`
Site/Workshop	Location where the bolts should be attached.	`Site`

Staggering of bolts


Option	Description
	Default Not staggered AutoDefaults can change this option.
	Not staggered
	Staggered type 1
	Staggered type 2
	Staggered type 3
	Staggered type 4

Brace bolts 1 tab

Use the Brace bolts 1 tab to define the bolt group dimensions and properties of bolts that connect the braces to the upper brace, or to the gusset plate only.

Bolt group dimensions


	Description
1	Dimension for vertical bolt group position.
2	Select how to measure the dimensions for vertical bolt group position. Top: From the upper edge of the secondary part to the uppermost bolt. Middle: From the center line of the bolts to the center line of the secondary part. Below: From the lower edge of the secondary part to the lowest bolt.
3	Bolt edge distance. Edge distance is the distance from the center of a bolt to the edge of the part.
4	Number of bolts.
5	Bolt spacing. Use a space to separate bolt spacing values. Enter a value for each space between bolts. For example, if there are 3 bolts, enter 2 values.

Bolt distance

Define the minimum distance from the brace bolts to the intersection point of the main part and brace center lines. If a brace is perpendicular to the main part, the distance is measured from the main part center line to the nearest bolts.

Bolt basic properties


Option	Description	Default
Bolt size	Bolt diameter.	Available sizes are defined in the bolt assembly catalog.
Bolt standard	Bolt standard to be used inside the component.	Available standards are defined in the bolt assembly catalog.
Tolerance	Gap between the bolt and the hole.
Thread in mat	Defines whether the thread may be within the bolted parts when bolts are used with a shaft. This has no effect when full-threaded bolts are used.	`Yes`
Site/Workshop	Location where the bolts should be attached.	`Site`

Slotted holes

You can define slotted, oversized, or tapped holes.


Option	Description	Default
1	Vertical dimension of slotted hole.	`0`, which results in a round hole.
2	Horizontal dimension of slotted hole, or allowance for oversized holes.	`0`, which results in a round hole.
Hole type	Slotted creates slotted holes. Oversized creates oversized holes. No hole does not create holes. Tapped creates tapped holes.
Rotate Slots	When the hole type is Slotted, this option rotates the slotted holes.
Slots in	Part(s) in which slotted holes are created. The options depend on the component in question.

Bolt assembly

The selected check boxes define which component objects (bolt, washers, and nuts) are used in the bolt assembly.

If you want to create a hole only, clear all the check boxes.

To modify the bolt assembly in an existing component, select the Effect in modify check box and click Modify.

Bolt length increase

Define how much the bolt length is increased. Use this option when, for example, painting requires the bolt length to be increased.

Staggering of bolts


Option	Description
	Default Not staggered AutoDefaults can change this option.
	Not staggered
	Staggered type 1
	Staggered type 2
	Staggered type 3
	Staggered type 4

Brace bolts 2 tab

Use the Brace bolts 2 tab to define the bolt group dimensions and properties of bolts that connect the braces to the lower gusset plate.

Bolt group dimensions


	Description
1	Dimension for vertical bolt group position.
2	Select how to measure the dimensions for vertical bolt group position. Top: From the upper edge of the secondary part to the uppermost bolt. Middle: From the center line of the bolts to the center line of the secondary part. Below: From the lower edge of the secondary part to the lowest bolt.
3	Bolt edge distance. Edge distance is the distance from the center of a bolt to the edge of the part.
4	Number of bolts.
5	Bolt spacing. Use a space to separate bolt spacing values. Enter a value for each space between bolts. For example, if there are 3 bolts, enter 2 values.

Bolt distance

Bolt basic properties


Option	Description	Default
Bolt size	Bolt diameter.	Available sizes are defined in the bolt assembly catalog.
Bolt standard	Bolt standard to be used inside the component.	Available standards are defined in the bolt assembly catalog.
Tolerance	Gap between the bolt and the hole.
Thread in mat	Defines whether the thread may be within the bolted parts when bolts are used with a shaft. This has no effect when full-threaded bolts are used.	`Yes`
Site/Workshop	Location where the bolts should be attached.	`Site`

Slotted holes

You can define slotted, oversized, or tapped holes.


Option	Description	Default
1	Vertical dimension of slotted hole.	`0`, which results in a round hole.
2	Horizontal dimension of slotted hole, or allowance for oversized holes.	`0`, which results in a round hole.
Hole type	Slotted creates slotted holes. Oversized creates oversized holes. No hole does not create holes. Tapped creates tapped holes.
Rotate Slots	When the hole type is Slotted, this option rotates the slotted holes.
Slots in	Part(s) in which slotted holes are created. The options depend on the component in question.

Staggering of bolts


Option	Description
	Default Not staggered AutoDefaults can change this option.
	Not staggered
	Staggered type 1
	Staggered type 2
	Staggered type 3
	Staggered type 4

Brace conn tab

Use the Brace conn tab to create shim plates between the braces and the gusset plate, to bolt the braces to the beam or column, or the gusset plate.

Shim plate


Option	Description
	Default Shim plate is created. AutoDefaults can change this option.
	Shim plate is not created.
	Shim plate is created.

Double-bolting braces

By default, braces are bolted to the gusset plate. You can also select to bolt braces to the first or second beam, or to the selected column.


Option	Description
	Bolts braces to the gusset plate. This is the default option.
	Bolts the first selected brace to both the gusset plate and the first selected beam or column.
	Bolts the first and subsequent selected braces to both the gusset plate and the first selected beam or column.