Studco Building Systems presents a simple support brace solution designed to help improve rigidity and minimise lateral deflection on freestanding walls.

The Studco M110 StrongArm brace is engineered for rapid in-wall strengthening of freestanding steel stud walls in commercial applications.

Suitable for standard steel stud walls, the support brace meets all structural compliance requirements of Australian Standards and BCA guidelines.

Bracing structural walls

Freestanding or isolated walls often require an additional structural member to limit deflection and improve rigidity. Using heavy gauge steel framing, and installing supporting rods or anchors are popular methods of limiting deflection. However, these methods typically require custom-made structural steel sections that can include lengthy wait times, construction delays and additional costs.

The Studco M110 StrongArm structural wall brace provides additional strength to the frame, minimises lateral deflection on the wall, and can be applied to a standard (92mm or 150mm) steel stud wall. The brace can also be installed without having to rework the entire construction of the wall. After the wall frame is built, the StrongArm brace is inserted into the track, fixed to the concrete, and bolted to the stud.

StrongArm in a 1200mm high freestanding wall

Figure 1: An internal view of the StrongArm in a 1200mm high freestanding wall.

Key features of Studco M110 StrongArm structural wall brace:

Designed for freestanding walls, half-height walls, framed balustrades, nib walls, free-hanging bulkheads, smoke baffles and acoustic baffles
Easily installed – simply bolt into studs and concrete with M12 bolts
Specifically designed for application with Studco structural wall framing
Designed for resistance against wind forces and impact loads
Does not protrude outside of the framing line of a 92mm or 150mm stud wall
Engineered to meet all structural compliance requirements of Australian Standards and BCA guidelines
Tested for internal and external applications
Finished in hot dip galvanised coating for maximum longevity
Fixes to concrete, timber or structural stud
Made in Australia, using 12mm thick steel
Supplied with all the necessary bolts, nuts, anchors and screws needed for a standard application
Readily available from Studco for same day dispatch

The support brace is supplied in a standard 1200mm length for ease of application. It can be easily used in shorter walls by cutting the bracket down to the desired height with an angle grinder.

StrongArm applied to an internal half-height wall

Figure 2: The StrongArm applied to an internal half-height wall.

As seen in Figure 2, this half-height wall has been built using Studco 92mm structural stud & track (1.15BMT). As the wall does not extend all the way to the ceiling, there is less support surrounding the wall, which creates a potential for deflection. The StrongArm brace has been installed to provide in-wall strengthening and additional support to the frame.

Relieve concerns about deflection or movement in your structure in a very straightforward way using Studco’s StrongArm structural wall brace. Constructed from Australian BlueScope steel and protected by a hot-dip galvanised coating, you can be sure of its durability. The StrongArm’s simple design and installation form the perfect structural complement to structural steel framing.

Architecture & Design Team

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Studco Building Systems

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