Recent BRANZ testing has quantified the bracing ratings of some common older generic bracing systems. These ratings will be useful during repairs or renovations of older buildings.
Lessons from the Canterbury earthquakes mean that all concrete floor slabs must now be reinforced with steel bars or welded mesh with a reasonable degree of ductility.
Following feedback on the previous article on bracing ratings (Build 141, pages 39–40), we have rounded the ratings for use on existing and renovated walls for a more user-friendly table.
It is likely that the framing in light timber-framed buildings will be altered in the near future so that less framing is required. One effect of this change is that...
