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Step 7

Check even distribution and spacing

Nominal wall bracing would be scarce in this example because most walls require a structural brace. It is also not evenly distributed throughout the building and, therefore, can be ignored. If necessary, panel bracing or add straps could be added at the end of studs.

Wind direction 1

Looking at this plan, there is no bracing for wind direction 1 near the corner of the house where the lounge is located.

Add two 1 m panels of plywood either side of the sliding door. If necessary, panel bracing or add straps may be added at the end of studs.

Plan of a house with two bracing panels marked along one of the long external walls, one marked along the other long external wall, and two marked along internal walls.

Wind direction 1 needs an additional 3.94 kN.

The bracing capacity for plywood (from AS table 8.18) is 3.4 kN/m.

Additional racking force in wind direction 1:

(1 m + 1 m ) x 3.4 = 6.8 kN which exceeds the additional 3.94 kN required.

Wind direction 2

Wind direction 2 needs an additional 5.28 kN.

All walls are diagonally braced. Metal straps will be used over plates and are fixed to the studs to increase brace capacity as shown in the diagram by circled bracing on the end walls.

The metal straps have a bracing capacity of 1.5 kN/m.

Additional racking force in wind direction 2 for four lengths of strapped bracing:

(1.5 - 0.8) x 2.4 x 4 = 6.72 kN which exceeds the additional 5.08 kN required.

Plan of a house with two sets of bracing panels on each of the shorter external walls, and seven on the internal walls. The four external wall bracing panels are highlighted.

Make sure your plan is detailed clearly showing the bracing types, sizes and locations.

Plan showing all of the bracing panels described in previous examples.