©

At last! Construction bracing

made easy . . .

. . . a fast, smart and simple system

with a range of applications
 © THE SMART BRACING SYSTEM

There are many situations in building with a need for the

bracing of walls and floors. Features and Benefits
Often the bracing capacity actually required is not fully of Uni-Brace
©
considered, unless it has been properly designed. The
potential result can be failure, if the allowance is inadequate,
or, if “over designed” the result can be sheer waste. • Telescopic Diagonals
Uni-Brace© is fully engineered in accordance with the Design Easy to adjust to required span
Assumptions that are included as part of this brochure.
Uni-Brace© was also developed to make installation easy • Non-Symmetrical Design
and, at the same time, provide a smart finished appearance. Can be sloping sites where posts to
be braced are different in height
The unique telescopic design of Uni-Brace© also combines
the benefits of lightweight design as well as the ability to
sustain normal loads. • Galvanised Finish*
Suitable to use in most environments
Uni-Brace© comes complete. All you need to do when
installing is open the telescopic parts as required and • Full Bracing Effect
secure with metal self-drilling and tapping Tek screws. The Works in Compression and Tension
system is screw fixed to the parts of the structure being
braced. The pre-installed bolts in the centre assembly are • No Cutting
then tightened. No waste
The only tools required are a drill, with driver bits capable
of installing 14#20-22 self-drilling and tapping metal Tek • Lightweight
screws into steel, and clamps to hold the Uni-Brace© in Easy on site handling and installation
position during installation.
It’s that easy!

75 mm
MAX

Uni-Brace© Top Connection Uni-Brace© layout on even ground. Uni-Brace© layout on uneven ground.

300 mm
MIN

75 mm
MAX 200 50

Uni-Brace© Bottom Connection Minimum overlaps of diagonals and location of metal Tek screws

* Adjustable Uni-Brace components are manufactured from Supagal® ERW Steel Tube to AS/NZS 1163:2009 C350L0.
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 © EASY SELECTION GUIDE

The tables below apply for cross bracing between stumps, such as Uni-Pier and steel posts up to 3.6 metres in height
and a maximum spacing of 4.8 metres. Uni-Braces© are available in four nominal sizes from 900mm to 1800mm.

Uni-Brace© Product Range

From the measurement taken in Step 1 choose the Uni-Brace© required (eg diagonal measurement of 2450mm
would require UBR12).

UBR9 UBR12 UBR15 UBR18

Nominal Supplied Length 900mm 1200mm 1500mm 1800mm
Minimum Extension 1640mm 1940mm 2240mm 2540mm
Maximum Extension 2100mm 3300mm 4500mm 5700mm

Uni-Brace© SELECTION TABLE

To further assist selection, the following table can also be used as a guide to determine Uni-Brace© size requirements.
This table assumes that posts to be braced are on level ground and are the same height.
MAXIMUM POST SPACING (GRID)
1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.7 3.0 3.3 3.6 3.9 4.2 4.5 4.8
0.6 N/A N/A UBR9 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR18
0.9 N/A UBR9 UBR9 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR18 UBR18
MAXIMUM POST HEIGHT

1.2 UBR9 UBR9 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR18 UBR18
1.5 UBR9 UBR9 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR18 UBR18
1.8 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18
2.1 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18
2.4 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18
2.7 UBR12 UBR12 UBR12 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18
3.0 UBR12 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18
3.3 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18 N/A
3.6 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR15 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18 UBR18 N/A N/A
Allow to overlap post. Refer to Step 1.

Uni-Brace© QUANTITY TABLE

The following table is to determine the number of Uni-Braces© required on each grid, assuming a single storey
house and a maximum roof pitch of 35 degrees. Ensure that correct wind classification is applied.
* If unsure of wind classification consult a registered structural engineer.

Pier Spacing Grid Wind Class* Wind Class Wind Class Wind Class
Maximum N1 N2 N3 N4
2.0m 1 Uni-Brace© every 1 Uni-Brace© every 1 Uni-Brace© every 1 Uni-Brace© every
2nd row 2nd row row row
3.0m 1 Uni-Brace© every 1 Uni-Brace© every 1 Uni-Brace© every 2 Uni-Braces© every
2nd row row row row
4.0m 1 Uni-Brace© every 1 Uni-Brace© every 2 Uni-Braces© every 2 Uni-Braces© every
row row row row
4.8m 1 Uni-Brace© every 2 Uni-Braces© every 2 Uni-Braces© every 3 Uni-Braces© every
row row row row
NB: Bracing of Uni-Piers is not required in many situations where the base of a building is built with masonry walls.
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 © THE SIMPLE BRACING SYSTEM

Step 1. Check measure and note diagonal measurements

making sure to allow for the lap of the Uni-Pier over the
post. This is to determine the size of Uni-Brace© required.
Handy Hint: Uni-Brace© diagonals should extend to as close to the top
and bottom of the post as possible. Select the Uni-Brace© from the table
(Uni-Brace Span Table) in the Easy Selection Guide in this brochure.
s s
Step 2. Open out the Uni-Brace© assembly on the ground in
between the posts to be braced with the centre assembly
positioned midway. Lift the top arm at one end and allow it
to slide out to into position at the top of one of the posts.
Affix with ONE only screw* using one of the predrilled holes
in the brace. Repeat to the top of the other post.
Handy Hint: Ensure that only one screw is fitted at this time to enable
adjustment of the bracing assembly into position. Note also, if the
extension arm happens to come apart from the assembly, it may be
necessary to raise the centre assembly to assist with this step.

Step 3. With both top braces screwed into position with one
screw* on each side, extend the bottom arms to the base of
the post and secure each with one screw*.
Handy Hint: When lifting the centre assembly, the upper braces will retract
and the bottom braces will extend further.

Step 4. With all four corners of the brace assembly now

held in place lift and adjust the centre assembly so that the
diagonals are as close to as straight alignment as possible.
Ensure that no part of the WARNING label is visible. Once
positioned, use a timber offcut placed vertically and resting
on the ground and clamp it to the bracing. Screw the
diagonal braces together as per the diagram using 14-20x22.
A minimum of 2 screws to each brace must be used.
Handy Hint: It may be necessary to move the centre assembly both “up and
down” as well as “sideways” “laterally” to achieve alignment.

Step 5. Install remaining screws* into the posts using the

pre-drilled holes.

Step 6. Finally, fully tighten the M8 bolts located on the

centre connection plate using a hexagonal driver fitted to
the drill.
Handy Hint: It may be necessary to hold the hexagonal nut firm with a ring
spanner while the head of the bolt is mechanically tightened.

* 14-20x22 to AS3566 Class 4 for steel and type 17, 14-10x65 AS3566 Class 4 for timber (use treated screws if required).

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 s
Screw fixing Uni-Brace© to top of post. Affixing Uni-Brace© to a timber post.

Screwing diagonals together. Uni-Brace© connections.

Adjusting the alignment of Uni-Brace© prior to final fixing.

Assembled Uni-Brace© packaged for delivery.

Warning label. Refer to Step 4.

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 © DESIGN ASSUMPTIONS

1 Data is provided for five wind regions in four groups according to AS 4055-1992 as follows:

AS4055 Equivalent to:

N1 W28N permissible
W34N limit state
N2 W33N permissible
W40N limit state
N3 W41N permissible
W50N limit state
N4 & C1 W50N & W41C permissible
W61N & W50 limit state

2 Maximum height of posts or stumps is 3.6m.

3 Height from ground floor level to highest point on roof should not exceed 5.5m.

4 Allowed Design Loads:

Dead load of floor 0.5 kPa
Live load of floor 1.5 kPa (for internal areas)
Live load of floor 3.0 kPa (for external areas eg. verandahs)
Tile and Sheet roofs are considered
Live load on roof 0.25 kPa
Allowance made for stud walls lined with plasterboard

5 Maximum roof pitch is 35 degrees.

I hereby certify that the Uni-Brace including its design tables, bracing details and connection details as well as other information contained, has been prepared in accordance
with the relevant Australian Standards and the Building Code of Australia.

Trevor Hall, FIE Aust. CPEng rpeq 5081

Kneebone, Beretta & Hall Pty. Ltd.
Consulting Engineers

Caution
Uni-Brace© is generally designed for residential applications, including roof
and floor loads.
Where buildings have large “point loads” or where buildings are of an
unusual structural design, Uni-Brace© recommend that advice be sought
from a registered practising structural engineer. All screws and bolts used
with Uni-Brace© must be mechanically tightened.
If in doubt, always consult a registered practising structural engineer.
This brochure was prepared to comply with the relevant Australian
Standards and contains technical information for the design for flooring of
residential structures and to be applied by a registered practising engineer.
Uni-Pier Australia Pty Ltd reserves the right to revise or amend this manual
without notice.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

© Uni-Pier Australia Pty Ltd ACN 131 900 546
1300 366 362 www.unipier.com.au
Copyright. The material in this publication is published by and is the property of Uni-Pier Australia Pty. Ltd. and may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the publisher. This product shall perform as specified if used in accordance with the recommendations provided
by Uni-Pier Australia Pty. Ltd. Information in this publication is correct at the time of printing but is subject to change without notice.

Uni-Brace© – July 2015