RESEARCH

Distributing lateral loads in

timber-framed buildings
Creating a compliant bracing distribution system can be a challenge in
today’s open plan house designs. Even if you don’t design them, it is still
important to understand how bracing works.
By Ross Connon, Building Consulting Ltd, Whangaparaoa

N
ZS 3604:1999 Timber framed buildings is the principal
design standard applying to residential and some commercial 4m
buildings that do not require specific engineering design. post wall line A
Building design that falls outside the scope of NZS 3604
must demonstrate compliance with the New Zealand Building Code
by way of specific engineering design.
Many of today’s residential timber-framed buildings are significantly glazed windows
timber-framed wall
different from those when NZS 3604 was first used. Now open plan
living spaces often have access routes that connect with the outside,
and large glazed areas in exterior walls, including corners in exterior timber-framed wall

building lines. Our increased space awareness means the designer’s

goal is to create a building that lets us experience the openness and
connectivity between the various spaces. This type of design may
create difficulties for achieving a compliant bracing distribution system
within the scope of NZS 3604. Figure 1: Plan view of part of an open space. (Not to scale.)

Bracing at external corners column at its base to the foundation (see Figures 2 and 3). An
Bracing is covered in sections 5 and 8 of NZS 3604. Clause 5.5.3 understanding of both framing systems will enable the designer to
states, ‘Wall bracing elements shall be located as close as possible to verify the location and distribution of bracing into external corners.
the corners of external walls and evenly throughout the building’. Both systems will carry vertical acting roof loads but only the sway-
Consider a typical corner floor plan for part of an open plan building resistant frame will provide any resistance to horizontal loads.
(see Figure 1). For wall line A, the nearest bracing to the corner would
be the portion of wall immediately adjacent to the window opening.
Even distribution
So what sets the boundaries to this requirement? For example, The purpose for even wall bracing is set out in BRANZ Study Report 168
does NZS 3604 set out a maximum distance that the nearest bracing (2007) The engineering basis of NZS 3604. The broad engineering
element can set back from the corner? It doesn’t, but other specific principles identified in the report are:
bracing requirements for external walls are in: ❚ symmetry of distribution of lateral force resisting elements to reduce

❚ clause 5.5.5.3 – Bracing elements shall be evenly distributed torsion loadings in winds or earthquakes
along each line as far as possible ❚ relatively even distribution of lateral force resisting elements to

❚ clause 5.5.6.1 – Each external wall shall have a total bracing avoid concentrations of loading on individual elements and their
capacity of at least 10 BU/m length of wall. connections to the rest of the structure
❚ ensuring bracing elements are spread out to the building
The use of expansive glazed areas along exterior walls and into corners
extremities (like the corners of external walls) where they are more
will require specific engineering design of the required cantilevered
effective in resisting torsion loads.
lintel. The beams/lintels that carry the roof loads above the window
openings can be arranged to form part of a sway-resistant frame and The requirements for distribution are clearly set out in NZS 3604,
not merely be simply connected at either end. clauses 5.5.5.1 to 5.5.5.4:
A sway-resistant frame can easily be identified by its connection ❚ Brace lines to be parallel with the external walls of the main
at the tops of its support columns and the connection of the support building.

78 BUILD December 2007/January 2008

roof loads roof loads roof loads roof loads roof loads roof loads

beam or lintel – designed by engineer horizontal beam or portal

load

simple
connection, moment
column normally same
generally connections
material/dimension as beam,
designed to weld connected
resist only
vertical
multiple studs to support
loads
beam or lintel

bottom plate
connection at base resists horizontal
load either embedded or fitted to
Figure 2: Simply supported beam carries only roof loads. (Not to scale.) foundation via base plate

❚ Brace lines not to be more than 6 m apart. Brace lines may be Figure 3: Portal frame carries roof and horizontal loads and is able to resist sway.
greater than 6 m apart when a structural diaphragm is used. (Not to scale.)

❚ Even distribution along each brace line as far as possible. bracing capacity may not contribute to the building’s stiffness due to
❚ Each internal brace line shall have a minimum capacity of 70 BU. a lack of suitable top plate or framing member connectivity between
the isolated bracing system and the building structural frame. The
provisions of 8.7.3.4 are to prevent this situation. An example could
Structural ceiling diaphragms
be a masonry wall in the middle of a large open space within the
A structural ceiling diaphragm is a horizontal load distribution system building.
that functions on the deep beam principle of distributing lateral forces
to the side walls, where conventional sheet wall bracing can provide Identifying non-compliance
the bracing resistance to the loads imposed. As with all load-carrying
Gaps can often appear in bracing designs that incorporate both
members in any structural element, connections form an important
architectural and engineering inputs. The following checks should be
part of the system’s integrity and ability to perform.
made to identify non-compliance problems:
In clause 5.5.5.2 structural diaphragms become a solution where
❚ Bracing should be evenly distributed throughout the structure and
the distance between brace lines exceeds 6 m. Clause 5.6.2 sets out
as close to external corners as possible.
the bracing capacity requirements for the perimeter walls that connect
to the diaphragm and clause 13.5.2 and Table 13.3 set out the ❚ Where required, brace lines must be continuous between the
requirements for connections. external walls of the structure by way of either top plate continuity
Figure 13.4 of NZS 3604 shows a ceiling batten forming the perimeter and/or framing members with the appropriate connectors.
fixing for the connection between the ceiling sheet and the top plate. ❚ When brace lines exceed 6 m separation, the appropriate design
Table 8.19 gives the fixings required for such laminated top plates. solutions must be incorporated (e.g. structural diaphragms).
However, proprietary bracing systems provide clearer requirements on
❚ The critical load path between the point of load impact and
how the perimeter of a diaphragm should be framed.
resistance must be clearly defined along with appropriate
connections.
Top plates and isolated bracing
The requirements for top plates and/or framing members are set out
in clause 8.7.3.4.
NZS 3604 sufficient
Top plates transmit the lateral forces through the building frame to NZS 3604 provides sufficient scope to cover most bracing systems in
the location of the bracing system. If framing members are to form modern construction. Proprietary bracing systems can be relied upon to
part of the load path then it is important to carefully consider the deliver their rated capacity on demand, given that the Standard requires
connection detail (see Figure 8.16 of NZS 3604). This detail should all bracing systems to have their capacities determined by P21 tests.
ensure a connection of adequate capacity. Framing members must Once the design falls outside the scope of NZS 3604 it is up to the
be in the same line as the brace line you want to connect to. NZS structural engineer to define and evaluate the critical load paths. In
3604 does not require the designer to follow the load path via framing some cases the specific engineering design will need no more than a
members, but it is recommended practice so that the continuity of the framing member to connect with some proprietary bracing system, or
load path from point of impact to resistance can be verified. it may need portal frames that are sway resistant. Once the loading
Although they have bracing capacity, internal walls may be isolated demand is determined, the distribution is then achieved by using the
from the external bracing walls. Under these circumstances their rules in NZS 3604.

BUILD December 2007/January 2008 79