Modify a Structural Brace

After adding a brace element, you can modify the brace properties to control how the brace maintains position along a beam.

Each brace endpoint can be maintained positionally with a beam by either a distance or a length ratio from the beam endpoints. If you modify the position or length of the attached beam, the brace adapts to the change, depending on the brace settings you select.

Note that you can modify brace geometry much like structural beams. This includes offsets, cutback, and positioning in relation to location lines.

Brace attachment properties

1. Location of the brace end node
2. Start Attachment Distance or Ratio
3. Start of Attachment to Referenced Element (End)
4. End Attachment Distance or Ratio
5. End of Attachment to Reference Element (Start)
6. Location of the brace start node

To modify brace properties

1. Select a brace.
2. On the Properties palette, under Structural, select the Start Attachment Type.
   • Distance: If the brace start point is placed on a beam, this value specifies the distance between the specified Start of Attachment to Reference Element property and the brace start point.
   • Ratio: If the brace start point is placed on a beam, this value specifies the percentage along the beam where the start point is placed. For example, 0.5 would place the start point half way between each end of the attached beam.

   After selecting either option, enter a value for the Start Attachment Ratio or Start Attachment Distance. If the brace start point is placed on a column, this option is not available for that end of the brace.

3. Select a value for the Start of Attachment to Reference Element property. This specifies at which end of the Referenced Element (the beam), from which the Start Attachment Distance or Ratio is measured.
   Note: If the brace start node is attached to a column or a wall, you can set the level and offset to specify the height of the point.
4. On the Properties palette, under Structural, select the End Attachment Type.
   • Distance: If the brace endpoint is placed on a beam, this value specifies the distance between the specified End of Attachment to Reference Element property and the brace endpoint.
   • Ratio: If the brace endpoint is placed on a beam, this value specifies the percentage along the beam where the endpoint is placed. For example, 0.5 would place the endpoint half way between each end of the attached beam.

   After selecting either option, enter a value for the End Attachment Ratio or End Attachment Distance. If the brace end point is placed on a column, this option is not available for that end of the brace.

5. Select a value for the End of Attachment to Reference Element property. This specifies at which end of the Referenced Element (the beam), from which the End Attachment Distance or Ratio is measured.
   Note: If the brace end node is attached to a column or a wall, you can set the level and offset to specify the height of the point.