Double Brace

Used to parametrically generate a connection between two brace members and a supporting member.

The Substation Gallery object connection is intended for use with triangular and rectangular substation trusses. This tool can also be used on any pipe or hollow HSS tube supporting shape providing that an offset distance between the connection shapes and the center of the support shape by the plate thickness has already been included.

This connection supports any combination of two, three, or four (including two back-to-back) angles.

Accessed from:
  • Ribbon: Steel > Home > Steel Connections > Substation Gallery
  • ... [Substation Structural Objects] > Double Brace

Plate tab

Used to enter gusset plate geometry for each brace.

Setting Description
Same for All Braces When on, parameters set in the Large Angle Brace tab are applied to both the large and small angle braces. Disables Small Angle Brace tab settings. When off, Small Angle Brace tab settings can be defined independently.
Figure 1. The Small Angle Brace tab with settings activated (Same for All Braces turned off in Large Angle Brace tab)
Brace Gap Sets a gap between the brace and the supporting member. Denoted with 1 in the diagram.
Chamfer Edge Controls the geometry of the plate chamfers.
  • Distance to Hole - Sets the distance between the chamfer edge and the center line of the closest holes. Denoted with 2 in the diagram.
  • Distance to Brace - Sets the distance between the chamfer edge corner and the edge of the braces. Denoted with 3 in the diagram.
Side Edge Provides different ways to define the geometry of the plate sides.
  • Perpendicular to Chord - When on, the side edge is perpendicular to the supporting member. Denoted with 4 in the diagram.
  • Angle to Brace - When on, the side edge is angled by the angle entered in the value field. Denoted with 5 in the diagram.
  • Outer Offset - When on, the side edge is offset from perpendicular (to the supporting member) by the distance entered in the value field. Denoted with 6 in the diagram.
Thickness Single, double and triple brace connections require brace members be correctly positioned, with a gap equal to half the eventual plate thickness from the supporting shape centerline. The plate thickness cannot be added or altered here, however the thickness is displayed as a reference.
Outer Edge is Parallel to Chord When on, the outer edge is parallel to the supporting member. Denoted with 7 in the diagram.

Hole tab

Used to enter bolt arrangement values for each brace.

Setting Description
Welded When on, a welded brace connection is created. Enables the Weld settings in the dialog's Bolt/Weld tab.
Same for All Braces When on, parameters set in the Large Angle Brace tab are applied to both the large and small angle braces. Disables Small Angle Brace tab settings. When off, Small Angle Brace tab settings can be defined independently.
Figure 2. The Small Angle Brace tab with settings activated (Same for All Braces turned off in Large Angle Brace tab)
Distribution in Cross Shape Direction / Distribution in Shape Direction Used to define hole rows in two directions relative to the horizontal brace member's axis.
  • Number - Specifies the number of bolt rows for each direction.
  • Edge Distance - Sets the distance from the horizontal brace edge to the center of the first hole row for each direction. Denoted with 1 in the diagram.
  • Distance Between - Sets the distance between hole rows for each direction. Denoted with 2 in the diagram.
Hole/Slot Used to specify the geometry of the bolt holes for the connections. Round or slotted holes can be used.
  • Hole Diameter - Specifies the diameter of the holes.
  • Work Loose - Sets the clearance between bolt diameter and hole diameter.
  • Slot Length - Specifies the length of the slotted holes..
  • Slot Rotation - Used to rotate the slotted holes.

Bolt/Weld tab

Used to enter bolt or weld data.

Setting Description
Bolt
  • Without Bolts - When on, bolts are not included in the connection. Disables the Bolt Style option.
  • Bolt Style - Selects the bolt style from the drop-down list.
Weld Defines the welding of the brace. Settings found here are enabled when Welded is checked on the dialog's Hole tab.
  • Weld Style - Selects the weld style from the drop-down list.
  • Two Sides Welding - When on, the selected Weld Style is applied to two sides of the brace.
  • Three Sides Welding - When on, the selected Weld Style is applied to three sides of the brace.
  • L-Shaped Welding - When on, the selected Weld Style is applied in an L shape on the brace.

Group tab

Used to create a new OpenBridge Modeler group with the Substation Gallery objects.

Setting Description
Create Group Select this option to select additional shapes. Separate Substation Gallery objects are created.
Group with Bolts/Welds Select this option to group bolts and welds.

Assignment tab

Used to assign elements in the connection to a material, display class, area class, part family, level, etc.

Dialog Controls

Setting Description
OK Closes the dialog and save your changes.
Cancel Closes the dialog without saving changes.
Help Opens online help.
Template Saves and retrieve settings to be used on other projects.
Clone Shifts focus to the geometry, allowing cloning the current structural object (stair, frame, truss, etc.) properties to match one or more objects selected in the view.
Show /Hide Preview Opens or closes, respectively, a flyout panel to display an illustration based on the tool.
Key-in: PROSTEEL CREATE DOUBLEBRACE