BRACED FRAMES - STRUCTURES

Braced frames resist gravity load in bending and axial compression, and lateral load in axial compression and tension by triangulation, much like trusses.  The triangulation results in greater stiffness, an advantage to resist wind load, but increases seismic  forces, a disadvantage to resist earthquakes.  Triangulation may take several  configurations, single diagonals, A-bracing, V-bracing, X-bracing, etc., considering both  architectural and structural criteria.  For example, location of doors may be effected by  bracing and impossible with X-bracing.  Structurally, a single diagonal brace is the  longest, which increases buckling tendency  under compression.  Also the number of  costly joints varies: two for single diagonals, three for A- and V-braces, and five joints for  X-braces.  The effect of bracing to resist load is visualized through amplified deformation  as follows:

1  Single diagonal portal under gravity and lateral loads
2  A-braced portal under gravity and lateral load
3  V-braced portal under gravity and lateral load
4  X-braced portal under gravity and lateral load
5  Braced frame building without and with lateral load

Note: deformations and forces reverse under reversed load