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Steel
Cross bracing (X-bracing)
Diagonals turning a deformable frame into a rigid triangle: they resist horizontal forces (wind, seismic) and carry them to the foundations. Without bracing, a pin-jointed building collapses sideways.
Typical dimensions & rules
- •Members: rods with turnbuckles, angles or tubes
- •Location: end bays + roughly 1 bay in 5
- •In X: only the tension diagonal works (simple design)
- •Required in both building directions
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✗Removing a cross 'blocking a door' without compensating
- ✗Bracing only one building direction
- ✗Turnbuckles never re-tensioned after erection
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