How do I prevent area loads from
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applying load to bracing?
Answer: Bracing and other frame objects located within an area subjected to area loading may be removed from the effect of loading through the following process:
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An alternative approach is to implement a staged-construction analysis where in which bracing is omitted from the model until after an analysis stage is complete. Bracing may then be introduced during a stage where it does not conflict with loading configuration. For example, lateral-force-resisting braces located in the horizontal plane may be excluded from gravity-load analysis, then may be modeled for subsequent analysis stages.