Use this macro to define a brace between a girder and a purlin positioned on it. The brace is an oblique element used to protect the lower chord of the girder against buckling (and consequently, to protect an entire spandrel beam against lateral buckling).
To begin defining a brace, open the Brace dialog from:
- Menu: Steel > Parametric structures > Brace
- Ribbon: ASD - Model > Parametric structures > Brace
- Toolbar: Parametric > Brace
.
In the drawing area, select the girder and the purlin supported by it.
- Girder - may be any I-section or plate girder
- Purlin - may be any I-section or C-section
The Brace dialog has 3 tabs: General, Connection to girder, and Connection to purlin. On the General tab, define parameters of a supporting element (this is an angle selected from the database). On the 2 remaining tabs, define parameters of connection of the brace with the girder and the purlin.
Define the Brace insertion line:
- Profile axis - select this to insert the brace profile in the axis of gravity
- Bolt axis - select this to insert the profile along the line connecting axes of fastener openings
Define the brace parameters:
- Profiles
- Families
- Materials
- Brace dimensions - horizontal and vertical dimensions of a triangle that makes up the brace, brace length, distance between the brace profile and the lower vertex of the triangle
- Side on which the brace profile is to be placed in relation to the brace plane (front or back)
Profiles available on the selection list of profile types are those defined in the Profile List dialog. To add a profile to the list, click 
. The Profile list dialog displays, where you can select a profile.
Profile families available on the selection list are those defined in the Family Manager dialog. To add a family to the list, click 
. The Family manager dialog displays, where you can select a family.
Under Holes/Bolts, define the bolt diameter and grade (these do not apply to the bolts of the connection with a purlin). Click Settings to open the Bolt settings dialog.
After you have defined the brace geometry, specify the method of connection of the brace with the girder and the purlin.