A whole string of questions all at one time:
Q) If handrails fixed on doubles, Is that considered a node point?
A)The definition of a node is as follows:
“theoretical point where two or more members are connected together.”
This however can be slightly misleading in the application we would like to use it.
For strength and suitability purposes we need a node that is restrained in two directions the guardrail connection is only restrained in a single direction with minimal restraint in the second direction from the bending capacity of the guardrail.
Q) Would the brace make it a fully restrained node.
A) Yes
Again this is a qualified answer as follows:
but only on the outside leg as the inside leg has neither guard rail or brace.
Q) So if this is acceptable why not do it all the time.
A) You can do this every time but it is not the most economical solution.
I refer you to my previous answer about the inside leg being unrestrained. In this event you have severely devalued the load bearing capacity of the leg thus requiring double standards sooner.
You have introduced twice as many braces and couplers as you would have on a normal ledger bracing pattern, this also results in a dead weight increase thus diminishing the available leg load yet again.
This system of bracing CAN NO LONGER BE USED WITH ANY FORM OF CLADDING.
And so it go’s on
I hope this is of some help
regards
Alan
