What is Bracing?

Tips & Advice

If problems arise with a building’s foundation, it can cause costly damage, create safety hazards, and reduce the value of the structure. Wall bracing is used to help secure a structure in order to prevent foundational issues.
Similarly, trench shoring, which is a kind of bracing, is used to brace the walls of a trench to prevent collapse and cave-ins, and braced cofferdams involve a bracing system to support the walls of an excavation project.
In each of these scenarios, bracing helps stabilize structures to prevent buckling or collapse.

How Does Wall Bracing Work?

Wall bracing involves the use of steel braces, often made of steel pile beams, to help a structure support its own weight, as well as to “brace” against outside forces such as wind, earthquakes, water leaks, and more. Wall braces are one of the most effective ways to repair and restore buildings and to protect against foundational shifts or damage.
Bracing can protect against:

Water

Water leaks and excessive moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow within a structure. Similarly, when it’s cold outside, water or moisture trapped in cracks can freeze and expand, which can cause the cracks to stretch or break. By installing a steel brace to hold the foundation in place, these structural issues can be prevented.

Buckling Walls

Walls can buckle due to moisture, the weight of the structure, or old age. Steel wall reinforcement braces provide support for older foundations that may be buckling inward due to the weight of exterior soil and water.

Collapse

Over time, building foundation can become damaged and develop cracks, which can eventually collapse. If wall braces are in place, they can prevent structural collapse.

Steel beams: wide flange, h-oile, and more

How Does Trench Shoring Work?

One of the most common methods used for trench shoring is called “beam and plate,” in which steel I-beams are driven into the ground and steel plates are slid in among them. (A similar method that uses wood planks is called soldier boarding). Though hydraulic methods can be faster and easier, the beam and plate method can be used for longer term applications or larger excavations.

How Do Braced Cofferdams Work?

Braced cofferdams are systems used in urban areas to support the walls of an excavation project, or to prevent water from entering an excavation. Braced cofferdams are comprised of a sheeting and bracing system and are frequently used in the construction of bridge piers and abutments. The cofferdams can be made with soldier beams that are driven into the earth prior to the start of excavation. Laggings are placed between the soldier beams as the excavation begins. As soon as the excavation reaches the level of each tier, wales and struts are installed. The soldier beams are sometimes left in place and used as support of the permanent wall.

Available Steel Bracing Sizes

The size of the steel beam used for bracing will depend on the size of the project. Some of the available beam sizes include:

  • W8: W8x18, W8x21, W8x24, W8x28, W8x31, W8x35, W8x40, W8x48, W8x58, W8x67

  • W10: W10x22, W10x26, W10x30, W10x33, W10x39, W10x45, W10x49, W10x54, W10x60, W10x68, W10x77, W10x88, W10x100, W10x112

  • W12: W12x26, W12x30, W12x35, W12x40, W12x45, W12x50, W12x53, W12x58 ,W12x65, W12x72, W12x79, W12x87, W12x96, W12x106, W26x120, W12x136, W12x152, W12x170, W12x190, W12x210, W12x230, W12x252

  • W14: W14x22, W14x26, W14x30, W14x34, W14x38, W14x43, W14x48, W14x53, W14x61, W14x68, W14x74, W14x82, W14x90, W14x99, W14x109, W14x120, W14x132, W14x145, W14x159, W14x176, W14x193, W14x211, W14x233, W14x257, W14x283

  • W16: W16x26, W16x31, W16x36, W16x40, W16x45, W16x50, W16x57, W16x67, W16x77, W16x89, W16x100

  • W18: W18x35, W18x40, W18x46, W18x50, W18x55, W18x60, W18x65, W18x71, W18x76, W18x86, W18x97, W18x106, W18x119, W18x130, W18x143, W18x158, W18x175, W18x192, W18x211, W18x234

  • W21: W21x44, W21x50, W21x57, W21x58, W21x55, W21x62, W21x68, W21x73, W21x83, W21x93, W21x101, W21x111, W21x122, W21x132, W21x147, W21x166, W21x182, W21x201, W21x223, W21x248, W21x275

  • W24: W24x55, W24x62, W24x68, W24x76, W24x84, W24x94, W24x103, W24x204, W24x117, W24x131, W24x146, W24x162, W24x176, W24x192, W24x207, W24x229

  • W27: W27x84, W27x94, W27x102, W27x114, W27x129, W27x146, W27x161, W27x178, W27x194

  • W30: W30x90, W30x99, W30x108, W30x116, W30x124, W30x132, W30x148

  • W33: W33x118, W33x130, W33x141, W33x152, W33x169

  • W36: W36x135, W36x150, W36x160, W36x170, W36x182, W36x194, W36x210, W36x232, W36x256

  • HP8: HP8x36

  • HP10: HP10x42, HP10x57

  • HP12: HP12x53, HP12x63, HP12x74, HP12x84, HP12x89, HP12x102, HP12x117

  • HP14: HP14x73, HP14x89, HP14x102, HP14x117

  • HP16: HP16x88, HP16x101, HP16x121, HP16x141, HP16x162, HP16x183

W-beams

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