Knee Brace

Overview

Knee bracing is a critical structural component within a building’s engineering design.

Knee braces function by:

Each brace forms a balanced, equal-angle support that contributes to the overall rigidity of the building.

In SMS, there are three selectable knee brace options:

This is the default starting option for most building designs.
Provides the best engineering solution and maximum stability.
The length of the knee brace is listed on the Quote Letter and in General Notes, where the minimum knee brace clearance is also displayed.

Offers more clearance below the knee brace by increasing the angle between the column and the rafter.
May result in a larger portal frame size to meet engineering requirements.
Commonly used where internal clearance or machinery height is a concern.

SMS will attempt to generate a design without knee braces.
This option is highly limited and only available under specific design conditions.
If a calculation is successful without knee braces, users should:
- Check the Bill of Materials (BOM) carefully to confirm knee braces are not included.
- Review the Specifications page to ensure compliance.
Skillion roof designs will always include knee braces and cannot be configured without them.

Always review the BOM and General Notes after calculation to confirm brace details.
Select Reduced Knee Brace for designs requiring additional internal clearance.
Avoid using the None option unless verified by engineering, as it may lead to instability.
For custom configurations, contact Design Help to ensure structural integrity.