Steel K-Bracing

Used to place structural steel K braces.

Note: Placement is completed using the controls found on the Placement ribbon tab and the Property Panel which is loaded with the active Building element catalog items and properties.

Accessed from:

Ribbon: Building Design > Structural > Place Structural Elements > Bracing > Steel K Bracing

Placement tab

Note: The Placement tab opens on the ribbon when placing Building elements. The Placement tab contains settings specific to the Building element being placed that are used to define the position, orientation or dimensions of the Building element being placed. Also available on the Placement tab, are a collection of Building common tools selected specifically because of their relevance to the Building element being placed.

Setting	Description
Placement	Defines the location of the baseline relative to the member section by selecting from the drop list items. The attachment point dynamically updates on the pointer as the Placement icons are selected. Note: The Centroid placement point is enabled only if the section is fully symmetric (wide flange I beam) or if the section properties include a valid centroid.
Offsets:	X/Y Offsets – Moves the physical member's placement points in the X and Y axis directions relative to the section definition orientation . The attachment point dynamically updates on the pointer as the offset values are entered. X/Y Offsets: With no offsets, the cursor is on the Center, Center placement point (left). With offsets defined, the cursor is offset from the Center, Center placement point (right).
Aligned	When on, aligns the new members with existing members. The rotation angle for each new member is derived from the first supporting member’s member line (or the tangent to the curve at the intersection point if the supporting member is a curved member). The current Rotation angle value is added to the derived rotation. Top – Members placed between sloped supports, Middle – Members placed between sloped supports with a 90° rotation angle, Bottom – Members placed between curved supports
Rotation:	Entered directly or selected from a drop down list of common angles between minus 180° and plus 180°. Note: The specific entries are defined in the Design File Settings Dialog's Locks settings category.
Apply WP Offset	When on, the bracing endpoints have a working point offset applied. Select the offset method from the available drop list. The top bounding member is part of the sequence of prompts. Depth of beam – Attaches the bracing end points to the bottom of the top bounding member. 1/2 depth of beam – Attaches the bracing end points half way up from the bottom of the top bounding member. Note: When off, the bracing end points are attached to the supporting column end points. There is no prompt for the top bounding member. Left – Apply WP offset disabled, Middle – 1/2 depth of beam applied, Right – Depth of beam applied
Prompt for Bottom Beam	When on, bracing is attached to the bottom bounding member rather than the end point of the supporting column. The beams attached to the supporting column mid points are the bottom bounding members.
Automatic Coping	When on, enables automatic coping as steel members are placed connected to other steel members. When off, the Coping Options and Inside Corner options are also disabled.
Cope to member connected by AccuSnap	Fits the member using the coping settings Flange Clearance, Web Clearance, Inside Corner and Radius Corner around the selected connecting member.
Cope to any interfering member	Fits the member using the coping settings Flange Clearance, Web Clearance, Inside Corner, and Radius Corner around all members in the vicinity of the member end.
Cope normal to member line	Copes the end cut on a connecting member perpendicular to the member's center line. Selecting Cope normal to member line changes the settings available on the Placement > Coping Options tab:
Inside Corner	Creates a relief on the inside corners of the cope. The available types are illustrated on the split button: Plain, Round, or Rathole.
Flange Clearance	Maintains a space between the placed member web and the connected member flanges (for I beams). The clearance amount is entered in the available value field.
Web clearance	Maintains a space between the placed member web and the connected member web. The clearance amount is entered in the available value field.
Radius Corner	Sets the size of the round Inside Corner treatments.
Mode	Enabled when Coping Options > Cope normal to member line is selected. Minimum Clearance – Trims the member back from the center line of the connected member if the distance exceeds the Planar Cut Clearance value. Absolute Clearance – Trims the member back from the center line of the connected member by the Planar Cut Clearance value.
Planar Cut Clearance	Enabled when Coping Options > Cope normal to member line is selected. Sets a gap between the planar surfaces of the two connected members.
Tapering Options	Start Height - End Height -

Steel K-Bracing Properties

Setting	Description
Catalog Type Selector	Used to select from available Catalog Types. Selections made here updates the Catalog Item Selector combo box.
Catalog Item Selector	Used to select from available Catalog Items. The Catalog Item Selector combo box contains several options and settings designed to make it easier to find the exact catalog item you need to place/change. A generic example of Catalog Item selector options for searching, grouping and navigating The Catalog Item list also includes user defined assemblies, and RFA catalog items, if any. Search - Used to search for catalog items by name. Results are dynamically updated in the catalog items list. The searched text is also highlighted in the results. Group By: - Used to list catalog items in groups based on values assigned to specific catalog item properties. Groups can be collapsed and expanded by clicking the down/up arrows on the group name headers. For instance, selecting Group By: > Type for a wall catalog type creates groupings with Schematic, Partition, WallComponent, etc headings. Catalog items which have Type defined as Schematic, Partition, or WallComponent will be listed under those headings. You can also select Group By: > Do Not Group to create a flat list with no grouping. (Exemption Mechanical). (Large Icons) - Displays a representative icon for each catalog item listing. (List) - Displays catalog item listings without any icons. (Float) - When selected, the Catalog Item Selector combo box is detached from the placement/modify dialog, and becomes a separate dialog. You may prefer to have the floated dialog docked and always open over clicking the Catalog Item Selector in the placement/modify dialog for each catalog item selection. Note: The main dialog remains open and refreshes the thumbnail and preview in response to the selected catalog item. Click the Dock icon to close the floated dialog. Recently Used - Lists catalog items that were recently selected in a "Group". This is useful because when you need to repeatedly place or modify the same catalog items, you do not need to repeatedly browse or search the main catalog items list. Note: When you make your catalog item selection, it becomes the active part the Family/Part Toolbar.
Catalog Tools	A split button located to the right of the Catalog Item Selector contains tools to assist with managing catalog data prior to placement of selected catalog items. ( Match Element Properties) - Sets the current active placement/modify dialog settings to match the parameters of an existing, selected catalog item instance in the model. This saves a good amount of time when placing catalog items that need to identically match those that already exist. Note: The existing catalog item instance must be of the same catalog type selected with the Catalog Item Selector for the parameters to be matched. (Reset to Defaults) - Resets the selected catalog item property values to the default state as defined in the catalog library. (Edit Catalog Item) - Used to edit the selected catalog item. Opens the Catalog Editor, where you can create and edit new catalog types and catalog items. Catalog Editor can also be used to edit existing data and to view catalog item instance properties and values by definition. (Catalog Item Manager) - Used to manage catalog items library into organizational dataset. Opens the Catalog Item Manager, where you can copy or move catalog items into the dataset, and promoting current catalog items by moving then across workset levels. (Save Catalog Item) - Updates the active catalog item in the DataGroup System catalog library with the values currently shown in the Properties list box permanently changing the defaults for the catalog item. (Save Catalog Item As...) - Used to save a copy of the selected catalog item as another catalog item (the default name adds the prefix " Copy of " <current catalog items name>). Opens the Save As dialog where catalog item definitions can be named before saving them to the DataGroup System. Note: The Save Catalog Item and Save Catalog Item As... tools perform administrative tasks on DataGroup System catalogs. Administrators and users may want to hide the tool icons to avoid incidental or unwanted changes to their firm's dataset by setting the user configuration variables BB_CATALOGITEM_ADMIN_IN_PLACECMDS and BB_CATALOGITEM_SAVEAS_IN_PLACECMDS to "0", respectively.
Preview	Displays the selected catalog item in the preview window. This display changes and the preview updates as various options are chosen. The preview also changes dynamically with some of the prominent settings on the Placement tab, e.g Height, Rotation angle, etc. A right-click in the Preview opens a Show/Hide Viewing Tools option menu: Zoom In - Zooms in about center of preview. Zoom Out - Zooms out about center of preview. Pan - Moves the preview following the pointer. Click again to stop panning. Fit - Fits the object to the extents of the preview. Rotation - Sets the orientation of the selected item in the preview to one of the standard orientation options: Isometric Right Isometric Top Bottom Left Right Front Rear Display Mode - Sets the display of the selected item in the preview to one of the standard display modes. Solid Wire Frame Visible Edge Filled Visible Edge For Place workflow, the Hide/Show Preview controls displaying preview of the element currently selected for placement.
Properties list - toolbar	Used to manage catalog item properties during placement or modification. Catalog item properties define the catalog item instance in the model, and are accountable in the DataGroup System data management tools. You can place a catalog item with its default property values or you can change property values as needed, place an instance in the model, and optionally save the changes to the catalog. The Properties combo box contains tools for sorting and searching the properties list: (Categorize) - When on, catalog item properties are grouped in categories based on the catalog type definitions. When off, the properties are listed alphabetically without grouping. (Alphabetical) - When on, catalog item properties are listed alphabetically without grouping. When off, the properties are listed in categories. (Description) - Toggles a description field at the bottom of the placement dialog listing information about the highlighted catalog item property. The information listed includes the property definition display name, internal name, and type definition. Search - Used to search for catalog item properties by name. Results are dynamically updated in the properties list.
Structural Parameters	Section Name - Sets the section shape for the structural element. A selection made here overrides the Structural section defined for the selected Structural component type. You can select from a list of Recent section shapes or from the loaded catalog Library. You can also browse and load more shape category types with the available Shape Catalog. Menu - The drop down menu filters the list of shapes based on type (round, cee, angle, ell, I, tee, solid round, etc.), and displays them in the list view. By default, show all () is selected. Search - Used to search loaded shapes by name. Shapes List Box – Displays loaded shape classes and shapes by type. The list can be collapsed/expanded by clicking on the triangle buttons or by pressing the Collapse All, Expand Types, Expand Selected Shape Class toolbox options below. Collapse All, Expand Types, Expand Selected Shape Class - Enabled when is selected from the menu. Used to collapse or expand the shape classes in the shapes list box. Shape Catalog - Opens the Shape Catalog dialog where you can browse and load more shape category types. Note: If you are using Legacy Mode structural tools, section definitions can be selected using the legacy section picker.
Steel Brace Results	Used for import/export of analysis data. Tension Only - When on, the brace is set to be a tension only brace. Braces in a tension-only braced frame are designed to resist, in tension, 100% of lateral shear forces in the braced frame. Since the resistance of braces acting in compression is ignored in the design, tension-only braced systems must be direct-acting and concentrically braced frames. Tension-only braced frames are commonly used in construction of buildings that have a high storey(s) but are subjected to relatively small lateral forces, such as single-storey buildings. Minimum/Maximun Axial Force - Sets the minimum and maximum allowable loads through the center of gravity of the brace.
Materials	Part Definition - Lists the default family/part definition assigned to the structural member being placed. Structural linear members are Building forms. All forms are associated with a part definition. Similar parts are grouped together into a family. The referenced datasets delivered with OpenBuildings Station Designer use material as the family (steel) and member function (beam) as the part. Part definitions include default symbology values for displaying the form in the drawing output, and information for quantifying the form in a schedule, etc. Parts defined as Structural parts also include section orientation, end treatment and extended Structural data. Associated analytical members are handled in the same way. The active family and part information is displayed in the Family/Part Toolbar. If the active part (and/or family) is changed during placement, the Property Panel dialog is updated. The Part Definition property is a link to the Family/Parts system. Placement tools use the Part Definition value to access the part information and to set the default values for section orientation, end treatments, extended data, and associated analytical members. Selecting another catalog item updates the entire Property Panel dialog including DataGroup properties and part related properties. Similarly as the Part Definition property value is always synchronized with the active part definition, changing the value also updates the Family/Part Toolbar. That is, that whenever and however part names change, all the part-related values get updated. The handling of the relationship between DataGroup catalogs and Family/Part systems also enables catalog types for Structural linear members to include the ObjectMaterial catalog schema. This schema contains the Section Name property. Placement tools retrieve the default section data value from the Section Name property. The Section Name property value in the Properties list is synchronized with the Placement contextual ribbon tab's (End 1) section name. Changing the value in either tab updates the data on the other.
Identification	Lists identification properties for the active catalog item type.
Fire Resistance	Lists fire rating properties based on agency fire safety tests and classifications.
Thermal Transmittance	Lists the thermal properties to apply to the active catalog item.
Construction Phase	Lists design and construction phase properties for walls such as New Construction, Future Construction, and Items to be Moved.
IFC Override	Lists IFC properties not automatically mapped to DataGroup System properties that can be manipulated for export.
LEED Parameters	Lists several common Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design properties used to identify compliance of the active catalog item.
Classification	Building Classification Systems are supported by the DataGroup System. MasterFormat, OmniClass, and UniFormat property values can be associated with any Building element. Click the Value cell to open the Classification System selection combo box. The combo box is populated with selected classification system property values. It can be resized by clicking on the combo box's bottom right corner. Search for properties by name. Search results are displayed in the classifications hierarchy. Double click a property to select it. This action also closes the selection menu. The selected property displays in the selected classification system property value (on the Properties list).
Structural Data	Mark - Sets the identification mark for the structural member. Members are typically marked with a prefix. For instance: `B-1` for Beams `C-1` for Columns `P-1` for Purlins, etc. You can edit the field to set a relevant Mark, if it differs from your standards. Type - Sets the type of structural member. Types are typically the identification of the member category. For instance: `Beam` for Beams `Column` for Columns `Purlin` for Purlins `Handrail` for Handrails, etc. You can edit the field to set the relevant Type. Material - Sets the type of material for the structural member. For instance: `Steel` `Timber` `Concrete`, etc. You can edit the field to set the relevant Material. Grade - Sets the grade for the structural member. Grade indicates material specifications standard, and is added as an attribute to the member. `A36, A50` for Steel `4000psi, 5000psi` for Concrete, etc. You can edit the field to set the correct gradation. Status - Sets the status for the structural member. For isnatnce: `New` `Old` You can edit the Status from `New` to `Old` when over the time the member gets older. Class - Sets the class for the structural Member. Class indicates the member order, usually stated as the following: `Primary` `Secondary` `Framing`, etc. You can classify the member to suit as appropriate. User1 .. User 4 - Sets the user defined variables `1` through `4` for the structural member. You can set and alter the name of the variables to be unique to manipulate parts externally in 3rd party applications. End1 / End2 Detail - Sets the end 1 and end 2 detail for the structural member. For instance: `Type I / Type II`.

Note: Information in the Value column rows can be completed by selecting the applicable cell to activate an editor field, an option menu, or a pop up dialog. This data is written to the element properties. Properties displayed with grey text are read only. Some of these are set in the placement tool's Placement tab, and can be modified there. The dividing bar between the Property, and Value columns can be moved to change the width of either area, or resize the dialog. A vertical and horizontal scroll bars are available to scroll and adjust Properties panel viewing and the display of data.

Key-in: STFPLACE FORM KBRACING [ Catalog_Item ]

Use the Catalog_Item argument to directly key-in the desired catalog item saved in the active DataGroup System catalog to pre-populate the tool settings. For instance STFPLACE FORM KBRACING Hollow Structural Section where Hollow Structural Section is the catalog item name.

Note: The Catalog_Item argument is case sensitive. Be sure to key it in exactly as it appears in the catalog.

Steel K-Bracing

Placement tab

X/Y Offsets: With no offsets, the cursor is on the Center, Center placement point (left). With offsets defined, the cursor is offset from the Center, Center placement point (right).

Top – Members placed between sloped supports, Middle – Members placed between sloped supports with a 90° rotation angle, Bottom – Members placed between curved supports

Left – Apply WP offset disabled, Middle – 1/2 depth of beam applied, Right – Depth of beam applied

The beams attached to the supporting column mid points are the bottom bounding members.

Steel K-Bracing Properties

A generic example of Catalog Item selector options for searching, grouping and navigating