Bracing design, assessment and applications thereafter

摘要

A method implemented on a computing device of assessing or designing the bracing resistance of/for a structure and a computing device to assist in assessing or designing the bracing resistance of/for a structure are disclosed. The structure can be a building or part thereof. The computing device is configured to a) for each wall along one or more bracing lines of the structure, receive a sum of horizontal lengths of full height wall sections between openings; b) receive selected sheet material bracing type(s) for each wall, c) receive a fastening pattern for fastening sheet material bracing of the selected type(s) to each wall and d) calculate, using the sum of horizontal lengths for each wall, the bracing resistance of each wall and/or the structure provided by the sheet material bracing type(s) when fastened to the wall(s) according to the fastening pattern. Also disclosed is a method of assessing or designing the bracing resistance of/for a structure comprising the steps of a) for each wall along one or more bracing lines of the structure, determining a sum of horizontal lengths of all full height wall sections between openings, b) specifying a sheet material bracing type(s) for each wall in the computing device, c) specifying a fastening pattern for fastening sheet material bracing of the selected type(s) to each wall in the computing device, d) determining, using the sum of horizontal lengths for each wall, the bracing resistance of each wall and/or the structure provided by the sheet material bracing type(s) when fastened to the wall(s) according to the fastening pattern using the above described computing device or the method implemented on a computing device of assessing or designing the bracing resistance of/for a structure, e) comparing the bracing resistance against a bracing demand, and f) where necessary, re-specifying in the computing device one or more alternative sheet material bracing types and/or modifying the fastening pattern(s) to adjust the bracing resistance to reassess the alternatives against bracing demand.