Tension Only X-Brace Detailing?

[gte447f]

I am reviewing some shop drawings for a small rooftop structure with tension only, rod, x-braces for lateral load resistance. Is it necessary to offset the gusset plates from the beam/column centerlines to allow the rod braces to pass one another at their intersection? Or, are the rods flexible enough to intersect without needing to be offset from one another? These particular rods are only 3/4" diameter and they are about 13 feet long.

 

[JAE]

We just let the rods (of that general size) pass by and both are connected at the centerline.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Agree w/ JAE

 

[SteelPE]

If you are that worried about it, couldn't you have them attache the gusset at the column/beam center line and then attach the rods on opposite sides of the gussets? This way the gap between the members would be equal to the thickness of the gusset.

 

[gte447f]

SteelPE, in this case, the rods are attached with clevises, so the centerline of the rods coincides with the centerline of the gussets.

Since the rods are so slender (i.e. flexible), I think I will just let them pass by one another out of plane, and leave the gussets centered on the beams/columns, as JAE and Mike suggest.

 

[ToadJones]

I prefer in this case to have them both on the center line so they do touch in the middle.