Seismic Bracing

The National Construction Code (NCC) requires that non-structural elements within buildings are designed to resist structural loads, including loads arising from gravity, wind and earthquake events. These loading requirements apply to the insulated paneling used to construct cool rooms and processing rooms.

However insulated panel systems are routinely used in structural applications, including large-span external roof and wall cladding on buildings, and roof and wall panels on transportable buildings. The structural properties that make this possible can be utilised in the design of coolroom structures for seismic loads. In most cases, typical coolroom installations can be designed and detailed to achieve the seismic performance requirements of the NCC, without the addition of seismic cable bracing.

While an emerging practice has been to introduce seismic cable bracing to coolroom ceilings, coolroom panel structures are lightweight and relatively stiff, and will likely deflect less than the primary building structure in a seismic event. Failure to consider this differential movement could result in seismic cable bracing applying significantly larger loads to a coolroom than would occur without this cable bracing.

KUSCH Consulting Engineers are experienced in the design of insulated panel systems for the loading requirements of the NCC, and support CRH Australia and their clients with structural design & certification.