No fair counting bracing. If you get support from the bracing it is grace. With shifting loads, wind, the brace can take up the load or leave it hanging.

Thanks Tim;

Next question. I am setting this on a concrete slab up against the house (see pictures, hopefully). I plan on drilling through existing pavement (8 inch hole to insert 8" sonotube) to plant the 3 posts in front (see design of patio). Is there a post anchor that will not show at the base of post? Like a bar going up the middle of the post or something? I have looked around on-line but not seen too much.
Thanks.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/104999752743...=COHcsubylLWTZg

You're venturing into creative work there. How about a simple pin set in the concrete and drill a corresponding hole in the post bottom. Doesn't help much with up lift though. Maybe a section of flat stock with a hole for a pin or bolt. Plunge cut with a chainsaw into the post bottom.(I didn't just recommend that).

Another bracing question. Can the braces have a 3 inch tongue instead of a 4 inch tongue? I want to cut down on the amount of Mortise depth on the corner posts since the brace mortises are at the same height on the post. is 3 inches deep enough. Also The width of the tongue, can it go as little as 1 inch wide?
Also, the shape of the tongue. I have noticed that in the Guilds Timber framing book, the article on cutting a brace has quite a different tongue shape than what is in the SketchUp samples. Also which is easier to do, a brace centered on the post, or a brace on the outside edge?
Any thoughts?

Hi Bob, perhaps someone else will chime in with a different perspective than just mine. All my brace tenons are only 3" long, but with a 1" housing it ends up going 4" into the post, unless I am scribing with no housings or reductions. With a 1" thick tenon if you felt you needed more working contact the shoulder could haunch into the post while still using a 3" tenon, the heal of the brace will give more bearing in addition to the smaller 1" tenon. Can't comment on the shape of the tenon but will post a video of a brace tenon. If your housing or putting a haunch on the brace it is easier done on the edge of the post.

Not a finished tenon but gives the idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UPFAFwG3ts