Define point braces by specifying a distance along the beam that locates the brace point, and then indicating whether the top, bottom, or both flanges are braced at that location. Specify the distance as an absolute (actual) distance or as a relative distance, both measured from the I-end of the beam. All distances are measured from the center of the support, not the physical end of the beam. A relative distance to a point is the absolute distance to that point divided by the length of the beam measured from the center-of-support to center-of-support.
Note: The Point Braces form also displays when a frame object is selected and the Design menu > {Steel Frame, Steel Joist} Design > Lateral Bracing command is used and the User Specified option is selected on the resulting Lateral Bracing form and the Specify Point Bracing button is clicked.
Relative Distance from End-I and Absolute Distance from End-I options. Indicate whether the specified distances will be relative or absolute from the I-end of the beam by selecting the appropriate option.
Braces - Click the Add button to begin specifying the point brace location and type.
Location edit box. Input a distance form the end-I to locate the point brace.
Brace Type drop-down list. Choose the brace type. Top means only the top flange is braced, Bottom means only the bottom flange is braced, and All means both flanges are braced at that point.
Delete button. Click on a point brace specification and click this button to delete it.
Sort button. Click this button to sort the point braces based on the location from the end-I of the selected beam.
Click the OK button and to return to the Composite Beam Overwrites form. Note that the No. Point Braces item is automatically updated by ETABS to reflect the specified point braces.
Access the Point Braces form as follows:
Select a beam or beams.
Select the Design menu > Composite Beam Design > View/Revise Overwrites command to access the Composite Beam Overwrites form.
Click the Bracing (C) or Bracing tab.
Select Bracing Specified from the Bracing Condition drop-down list.
Double click the No. Point Braces cell.