cross brace member check to carry wind in exterior wall studs

[kalpesh38]

If one uses HSS cross brace in exterior wall, the diagonal member does it required to be checked for strength and deflection due to wind load on infill metal studs. (out of plane bending design rather then tension force check)

 

[CSEllc]

I would and have checked the HSS for such loading.

Regading what wind load the brace should should resist, I used Components and Clading wind pressures for this. Since the wall studs should be designed for the higher wind pressures, the braces "supporting" them (out-of plane) shoyuld be capable of resisting the same load.

 

[JAE]

Agree - but don't use the same tributary area as the stud design. The brace is taking wind all at once from many studs to At gets larger and the applicable Components and Cladding wind pressure gets smaller.