Design of Members for Tension Section D4 1

[eit09]

When using double angles as vertical braces does this section apply (D4)? On my typical notes I have connector plates spaced every 5' c-c but have been questioned on this note. I am going to start referencing a standard spacing for my bolted connector plates per the 13th Edition. My connector plates are sim to fig 13-1 a on page 13-2 of the 13th Edition with on bolt centered. Never had a problem before just wondering how I should call out connecters per code?

 

[bootlegend]

Section D4 should apply (L/r <300) but assuming that the brace is tension-compression, the chapter E requirements should control. I don't know how long the brace is, but I've found that usually two connectors are needed for any length, but I've needed three on occasion. On a short (say 10') brace, the 5' typical note you use may not be meeting the Chapter E requirements since you only have one connector.

I don't know much about statistics, but I do know that if something has a 50-50 chance of going wrong, 9 times out of 10 it will.

 

[StrPE]

Section E6 is likely to be your controling code for connector plates, also known as "stitch plates". While one connector may be all that is required to satisfy slenderness requirements, braces that are shipped loose should always use no less than 2 connectors spaced at approximately third points to prevent the braces from "scissoring" during handling.