Timber Framers Guild Forums Tools Timberframe Design Knee Brace proportions

I'm looking for some advice on proportions for a large knee brace. The braces are 56" (measured horizontally from the post to the end of the brace tenon). The post is 8x8 and the plate is 8x10. Currently I have them designed as a 4x8 with a curve bringing them to 4x6 in the middle. My hunch is that this is still a bit scrawny. Anyone out there have advice?

so are you saying that the leg length is 56", and the brace length is 79.19"? that would be a long brace, and you may want to size it up closer to the principal timber size....say 6x8 rather than 4x8....
this brace may affect headroom?

Hi Mark,

Yes, it is a long brace (79" in length). They are on a wall so headroom is not an issue. I could make them thicker (ie: 6") but I was concerned that the width (8" curved to 6") might be too narrow. It looks a little skinny when I view it on my CAD model.

Dave,

How's it going?

I agree with Mark, that sounds a bit smallish for such a big brace. I would consider starting with a 6x10. I have found that if the scale looks wrong in the drawing, it probably is. Draw it a few different ways and see if anything looks better.

have fun,

Gabel

Dave

If the brace looks a bit scrawny as you say, then it is also an appearance issue. Why not size it up to dimensions that are pleasing? This certainly won't adversely affect the structure.

J.E.B.

Thanks for the advise John and Gabel. I decided to go with a 4x10 (curved to 4x8 in the middle). Looks much better in CAD.