Horizontal Braces taking vertical load...
Horizontal Braces taking vertical load...
(OP)
I am modeling a steel platform and have horizontal steel braces at two levels. The platform is 35' tall. I am specifying a one way load, but when I go to the load screen, it looks like the load per square foot is being applied to the horizontal brace. I tried to inactivate the horizontal braces for gravity load cases, but I get a warning about member end forces. Is there a way I can apply the gravity load without the braces taking it?
Also, on another note, I have vertical bracing in the same platform and when I inactivated all the bracing for gravity loads I got an warning about some instability at a joint and that a weak spring was added. The joint had a column running through it with two pinned beams framing into it and a brace. The brace was inactive for gravity and the beams are pinned to the column, so there shouldnt' be an instablity. The only thing I can think of is that the loading on the platform is unsymmetrical and is probably causing some leaning.
Also, on another note, I have vertical bracing in the same platform and when I inactivated all the bracing for gravity loads I got an warning about some instability at a joint and that a weak spring was added. The joint had a column running through it with two pinned beams framing into it and a brace. The brace was inactive for gravity and the beams are pinned to the column, so there shouldnt' be an instablity. The only thing I can think of is that the loading on the platform is unsymmetrical and is probably causing some leaning.





RE: Horizontal Braces taking vertical load...
RE: Horizontal Braces taking vertical load...
When you say 'gravity load' do you mean selfweight of the structure or do you mean just vertical load?
RE: Horizontal Braces taking vertical load...
I have another question about modeling for vertical loads and not including braces though.
I have two platforms, both unsymmetric in shape and loading (there is equipment and things like that). When I inactivate all the braces I get an instability. I just wanted to see if there is a way around this? Or in this case the bracing will be forced to carry some of the load because of the unbalanced load that caused the platform to lean.
RE: Horizontal Braces taking vertical load...
In reality you will get some load in your braces due how the brace is connected to a gusset which in turn is connected to the column and beam.
RE: Horizontal Braces taking vertical load...
Thanks