By Jim Haslip
I have always considered that the capacity of the Brace to care a load should not be considered when calculating spans, loads, etc, since the purpose of the braces is not to carry loads, but rather, to prevent the racking of the frame and stabilizng it against lateral loads.
I agree, but I do not think that we should continue to ignore the shear forces that the braces are capabale of exerting when they are loaded in compression. For this reason, I do not believe that placing the scarf joint over the brace is any better than placing it over the post. Tom.
