Stability, Bracing, and Moment Frames
Stability, Bracing, and Moment Frames
(OP)
Hello,
I am new to the design of buildings. For the past few years I have been designing components, and chose to make a career change because I wanted to design buildings and other similar structures. I now am working on one of my first projects and had a few questions regarding bracing.
Are there any dos and don'ts as far as how X bracing and moment frames interact? I think that I have heard once or twice that it is usually not good practice to mix the two that much, and it seems like it should make sense, but if someone asked me why I couldn't give them an honest answer.
Is there any common practice as far as how bracing should be laid out in a building?
I am a rookie here and any help is appreciated and if anyone knows of a good reference I would definitely take a look at it.
I am new to the design of buildings. For the past few years I have been designing components, and chose to make a career change because I wanted to design buildings and other similar structures. I now am working on one of my first projects and had a few questions regarding bracing.
Are there any dos and don'ts as far as how X bracing and moment frames interact? I think that I have heard once or twice that it is usually not good practice to mix the two that much, and it seems like it should make sense, but if someone asked me why I couldn't give them an honest answer.
Is there any common practice as far as how bracing should be laid out in a building?
I am a rookie here and any help is appreciated and if anyone knows of a good reference I would definitely take a look at it.






RE: Stability, Bracing, and Moment Frames
I'm sure others will provide responses referencing a good mentor and sharing hope that you aren't going through this project without some oversight.
As for your question regarding frame mixing. Take a single bay moment frame and a single bay braced frame, of similar height and width, apply a unit lateral load to each and review the drift results. Should give you some indication as to what would happen if they were tied together with a rigid link.
RE: Stability, Bracing, and Moment Frames
RE: Stability, Bracing, and Moment Frames
Usually, the stiffer load resisting systems (such as braced frames) should be located close to center bay of the structure to minimize impact of deformation due thermal expansion and contraction.