Introduction
Most buildings are designed strongly enough to support the vertical loads created by dead loads and live loads. However, they also need to be able to resist lateral loads from wind loads. Numerous techniques can be used to overcome this problem.
Diagonal bracing
Diagonal components of bracing interconnect and stiffen columns and beams. The main types of bracing are:
When using cable for cross bracing, it is necessary to use two cables to stabilise the structure against lateral forces from both directions. One cable will work effectively in tension while the other would just buckle. If rigid bracing is used, a single brace will stabilise the structure.
Any of these methods may be used singly or in combination to stabilise a structure.