Fixing and Positioning of Knee Brace Brackets

Knee brace brackets are fitted when the designed load application may be exceeded on selected Props/Panel braces. The principle of the fitment is to stop flexing of the primary prop therefore increasing the load capacity. The optimum angle for fitment is 90 degrees. Horizontal and vertical angles below the optimum may require lateral bracing. All fitment angles should be verified by the design engineer.

Fitment of the knee brace bracket must always be over the inner and outer sections of the Prop to obtain the maximum strength.

Each Prop has different length inner and outer bodies and the loads applied in each position is defined in the application chart.
Do not attach a knee brace to a single section of the Prop body as this can crush the body of the Prop and allow the single section to bend when they exceed the design load applied to them.

If in the design calculations the need for knee braces is indicated then allowances should be made for the inclusion of ferrules with in the panel based on the dimensions required.

Attachment of knee brace support after erection:

The other option is to fix the knee brace support Prop to the floor of the building in such position as to enable the secondary prop to achieve the correct angle to reduce Prop flex whilst in position.

If there is no floor to attach to, the alternative is to attach to the panel by drilling through the panel. After the panel has been drilled through a plate shall be attached to the far side of the panel to avoid breakup of the panel face.

All load dimensions should be verified by the design engineer.