Lateral Bracing of Columns and Beams

Abstract

There are many situations in which it is necessary to determine the characteristics required of lateral bracing in order to counteract buckling of columns or beams, or to decide whether a given bracing system is adequate to provide the required lateral support. In this paper a simple elementary method is developed that permits the lower limits of the strength and rigidity of lateral support to be computed in order to provide “full bracing” to columns and beams. “Full bracing” is defined as equivalent in effectiveness to immovable lateral support.