BraceWall Brackets new from MiTek Australia
The Australian Standard for residential timber-framed construction (AS1684)
requires building to be sufficiently braced against the action of wind with structural bracing
walls. AS1684 further requires an effective connection between the top of all braced frames and
the roof trusses above. For non load bearing internal walls used as braced frames, the most common
solution has been the use of Shear Blocks, combined with Internal Wall Brackets (IWB), to stabalise
the wall. MiTek Australia's new BraceWall Bracket (BWB35 - Patent Pending) combines these two
functions into one easy to calculate, easy to fix and easy to check bracket.
The new BWB35 connects the ceiling diaphragm to the top of non loading bearing brace wall and enables
lateral loads to be distributed in accordance with AS1684. The BWB35 is a robust bracket, with vertical
slots for fixing to either side of the truss or trimmer in the same manner as an IWB. With eight nails
securing the BWB35 to the top plate, the products has the strength to transfer racking forces into the
internal bracing walls.
Extensive laboratory tests have been carried out to determine the load capacity of a bracket. For
simplicity, a single value may be used with any common Australian timber species. From these test
results, MiTek has produced comprehensive data sheet which contains a simple to follow table specifying
the number of BWB35 brackets required for fixing to the top of any type of bracing wall. Installers
and certifiers can easily determine the number of brackets required by checking against the simplified
table for that brace type and length.
For example, a 2.4m long brace panel using structural bracing straps, needs 1 x BWB35 fixed to the top
plate;
For certifiers, this is an engineered solutions to an old problem. It gives the added assurance that
the engineered product has been designed, tested and certified by MiTek Australia. There is no longer
any need to count nails or screws or bolts.
For the building the BWB35 provides an easier and quicker installation solutions for those situations where
there is the combined requirement for shear blocks and IWB's.
For further information contact:
MiTek Australia Ltd
Address: 46 Monash Drive, Dandenong South, Vic, 3175
Phone: 03 8795 8....
Fax: 03 9702 9....
Web: www.mitek.com.au
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