Hi Todd,
I wouldn't say there is a clear, straight forward answer. You could either engineer the frame or, with some experience, use a "common sence". Drawings with dimensions would be very helpful here.
Not every brace can be ommited or replaced by SIPs, eg.
load-bearing braces cannot be touched at all (hammer beam braces, braces under posts, etc.) These braces are usually in a bent plain.
Braces providing lateral stability can be removed when:
- SIPs are properly anchored directly to the beams originaly connected by a brace.
- SIPs are in a large portion of the bay (not too many openings or small/fragmented pannels)
- screw spacing and pannel layout shall be reviewed by an engineer
- you provide enough bracing to support frame before SIPs are installed
Finally, not every bay needs to be braced. You can do three bays without bracing and every fourth brace. The best practice is to brace the first and the last bay.
Even you suggested braces at each corner, which sounds good, I think it is not enough unless you make sure SIP anchors are properly spaced/designed.
Michal
TFDesign
at various intervals (the largest space being 12'-2). I have braces on every post and beam intersection which makes joinery challenging and reduces window/door sizes. Are braces at each corner enough? What is the method for determining where to put them and how many do I need??