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Section:

DESIGN PROCEDURES DP 5.2


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A. GENERAL

A1. References
Materials outlined in this document are supplemented by the following references:
Table 1
Limit State / Design Consideration References
General about bracing
Braced Bays (VISION) DP 5.1
Torsion Bracing Limits
AISC 341 (Seismic Provisions) DP 1.5
Horizontal load transfer (roof and floor diaphragms, collectors) DP 5.3
Diaphragm condition (flexibility) DP 5.3.1
Lateral-force resisting systems (longitudinal) DP 5.4
Frame types used by BlueScope Buildings (transverse) DP 2.1
Endpost-to-purlin strut load transfer DP 3.16.1

B. BUILDING STABILITY BRACING

All lateral (transverse and longitudinal) loads are ultimately resisted by the building foundation.
To reach the foundation, the load must be able to follow a defined structural load path from its
point of origin. These paths must be complete and adequately designed to ensure strength
and stiffness of the building system.
Primary load-path elements of metal building systems are:
horizontal load distribution system
lateral-force resisting system

B1. Horizontal load distribution systems


The horizontal load transfer and distribution system i.e., roof (or floor) diaphragm transmits
horizontal forces from their origin to the designated vertical resisting system(s).
Detailed description of this system is given in the DP section of the same name (see Table 1).

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B2. Lateral force resisting systems


The term Lateral Force Resisting System (LFRS)1 is defined as the assembly of structural
elements in the building that can resist all laterally applied loads (longitudinal and transverse),
i.e., provide transfer of horizontal loads from upper elevations (roof, floor, wall, and crane) to
the foundation. These systems also provide general stability against gravity sway instability in
the transverse direction.
Common systems used by BlueScope Buildings are:
moment frames
braced frames
shear walls
fixed based columns

Description of standard BlueScope Lateral-Force Resisting Systems is given in the DP 5.4.


Most metal building systems are rectangular buildings that have two principal axes -
longitudinal and transverse. With only two principal directions, the building bracing can be
modeled as a system of individual but dependent two-dimensional structural systems. With
non-rectangular shapes, building bracing may be placed in other planes of the building which
may require that loads are resolved in more than two directions.
In most cases, the most efficient bracing system will be one that resists lateral loads from all
sources in the building. However, there are cases where separate (independent) bracing
systems may be required due to load path considerations. For example, a building may require
separate load paths or bracing systems for wind and crane loading.

B2.1 Transverse load resisting system


Loads in the transverse direction typically originate at roof, floors or walls. In the building
interior, with rare exceptions, metal buildings rely on the moment frames to resist all gravity
and all lateral forces. Frame Types used by BlueScope are explained in the DP 2.1.
Note: In some cases one or more of the longitudinal bracing systems may also be used in the transverse
direction either with or in lieu of moment frames.
In endwalls, several options are used:
Frequently, the endwall cladding system has adequate diaphragm strength and
stiffness. Otherwise, a braced frame or some other lateral resisting system must be
added (see Figure 1).
For endwalls where open or unobstructed space is required, three solutions are
available. An efficient solution is to furnish a set of braces in the roof end bay. These
braces diaphragm action to transfer the post-and-beam in-plane (lateral) loads to the
first interior moment frame, which must be designed for the additional lateral load. Other
possibilities include use of portal frames or knee braced frames that integrate the rake
1
With respect to the nature of applied loads these systems are sometimes referred to as Main Wind-Force
Resisting Systems (MWFRS) or Seismic-Force Resisting Systems (SFRS). Resisting systems in BlueScope
buildings serve both purposes, though in some cases they may be different.
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beam and end posts into a rigid frame causing minor axis bending in the endwall
columns.
Note: The first interior frame and the transfer braces must incorporate a second-order analysis
including all leaning columns in order to assure lateral stability. See DP 2.4 (Sec.-Order Effects)

Moment Frame Post & Beam Frame


(Requires Shear Wall or
other Bracing Systems
for lateral stability)

Shear Wall
(Endwall cladding
often provides
Braced Frame sufficient lateral
(May be required if endwall resistance)
cladding is not sufficient)

Figure 1 Transverse load resisting systems

In the building transverse direction loads are applied as follows:


(a) Wind loads are applied to the frames as uniformly distributed loads along the external
framing members, perpendicular to the building surfaces. The same loading model is
used for metal walls and for reinforced concrete or masonry walls.
(b) Crane (live) loads are applied as concentrated loads, directly to the frames, at the runway
elevation.
(c) Seismic loads correspond to the seismic mass, which is approximated by a series of
concentrated joint loads applied at each rafter-to-strut intersection. The magnitude of
such loads is proportional to the tributary seismic weight at the joint under consideration.
Commentary: When more than one wall covering type is specified for the wall under consideration VISION will
progress to diagonal (X) bracing without checking the available vertical diaphragm strength.

B2.2 Longitudinal load resisting system


This system transfers horizontal loads from upper elevation (roof, floor, wall, and crane) to the
foundation, in the longitudinal direction. It also provides general stability against gravity sway
instability in the longitudinal direction. Bracing in this direction can take several forms including:
braced frames,
moment frames,
shearwalls, and
fixed base columns.

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Roof Diaphragm
using rod braces

Applied
Wind
Loads

Shear Wall

Figure 2 Longitudinal load resisting system

In the building longitudinal direction loads are applied similar to the transverse loads except
that the loads are applied along the strut lines rather than to the frames.
Since the building analysis model normally consists of a series of interconnected 2-D (planar) models, the
loads applied in the longitudinal direction are resolved to roof and wall planes, which means that loads
enter the analysis model along the discrete points along the strut lines.
Whenever the lateral load is delivered to the roof diaphragm either at the top of each endpost
(wind, see Figure 2) or directly along the strut lines (seismic), the load follows the path through
roof bracing system down the plane of the roof to the eave where the forces accumulate. From
this location the eave strut acts as a collector to deliver the accumulated roof diaphragm forces
into the sidewall bracing and finally the foundation.
When diaphragms are not flexible additional effects may have to be required for seismic
design. See Roof Diaphragm section of DP for more details (ref. in Table 1).

Commentary: VISION does not automatically include the weight of sidewalls in the Effective Seismic Weight, for
the building longitudinal direction.
For common metal walls, that weight is negligible. The available diaphragm strength of such walls is more than
adequate, which is not utilized by VISION.
For other wall types: concrete or masonry, stud walls or similar, user is responsible to manually add or adjust the
corresponding seismic forces.

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How the Bracing System Works


Roof and wall panels have the capacity of resisting both loads normal to their surface and
within their plane. Wall and roof bracing (X-bracing shown in Figure 3), on the other hand,
resists only in-plane loads. The figure below illustrates the force flow from wind applied on a
typical endwall where the endposts are in-line with the purlins.

Strut roof purlins resist the endpost top reactions and carry this load back to the roof bracing
rods. Since rods act in tension only, the purlin struts and diagonals behave as a horizontal
Pratt truss with redundant diagonals. The roof diaphragm forces accumulate from the ridge to
the eave. The eave force, for this example, is transferred to the foundation by a braced frame
consisting of the sidewall diagonal bracing, eave strut, and frame columns.
Pratt truss with
Tension redundant diagonals
Cantilever diagonal
truss

Purlin
P1 P2 struts P2 P1

Figure 3 - Longitudinal load path to foundation

Endwall-to-Roof Bracing Load Transfer


The accumulated top-of-endpost reaction resulting from longitudinally applied loads must be
transferred into roof bracing system in one of the following ways:
(a) Direct transfer
Endpost is connected directly to the purlin strut.
(b) Non-direct transfer
Often, the endpost will not line up with the purlin. When this occurs, one of several
alternative transfer mechanisms must be used.
Description of all available solutions for direct and non-direct endpost-to-roof bracing load
transfer, with applicable design rules is given in the DP section on Endpost-to-Purlin Strut
Connection (see Table 1).
(c) Local diaphragm transfer
If endpost location is not near the strut line, in most cases, the endpost reaction can be
safely transferred into the main roof and building bracing relying on the strength of the
subdiaphragm, i.e., the roof system which is already in place. Even standing seam roofs
may be adequate for many applications.

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C. GENERAL BRACING GUIDELINES


(a) It is preferable to have both roof and sidewall bracing in the same bay. If not, ensure
proper force distribution through struts and proper factors applied to eave struts acting as
collectors.
(b) Avoid braced bays with openings that may interfere with X-bracing.
(c) Due consideration must be given to adjoining structures and their transfer of brace forces
in and out of the main structure.
(d) In the analysis of multi-bay braced buildings, the applied load is proportionately
distributed between the braced bays with respect to their relative stiffness. Automated
design uses the same principle, by first using assumed member properties which are
updated in the subsequent design cycles.
(e) Diagonal and cross bracing must be broken at mezzanine elevations, at crane elevations,
or lean-to tie-in locations, as applicable unless separate load paths and systems are
provided.
(f) Do not brace a bay with sliding purlin connections.
(g) Depending on the Seismic Design Category a building is assigned to additional
requirements may apply for seismic loading and design. The requirements exist for the
selection of SFRS, design of members and connections; material selection, etc. Table 1
lists documents that contain more specific information about seismic provisions, and the
summary of applicable provisions required by AISC Seismic Provisions (DP 1.5)
(h) BlueScope does not design building foundations - column reactions are supplied to the
foundation engineer.

C1.2 Bracing Separate Structures


Lean-to's, penthouses, dormers, stepped buildings, etc. require special bracing considerations.
Any portion of a building that receives wind, seismic, or other horizontal loads must have a
defined load path to deliver the forces to the primary building bracing systems.

C1.3 Expansion Joints


A building with an expansion joint can be thought of as two separate buildings. Therefore,
each side requires its own longitudinal bracing (see Figure 4).
As a result, the pressure force on one face acts on the front half of the building only, and the
suction on the back half. But keep in mind that the wind blows in both directions so both
halves are designed for the worst case, typically windward pressure.

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DESIGN PROCEDURES DP 5.2
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Figure 4 Bracing with expansion joints

Document and Revision History


REV. # DATE NAME DESCRIPTION
0 10/01/2009 Allen Harrold Original document
1 11/20/2009 Igor Marinovic Commentary added on p. 3 about shearwalls when multiple covering types entered.
1.1 12/16/2012 Igor Marinovic Commentary added on p. 4 about sidewall weight and Effective Seismic Weight calculation in Vision

When printed, this document becomes uncontrolled. Verify current revision number with controlled, on-line document. Author:
Allen Harrold

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