Episode 114 - Yielding for a Better Brace
From The Structural Engineering Podcast by Zach and Max
May 27, 2026 · 1h 0m · Season 7
About this episode
The episode discusses buckling restrained braced frames and their effectiveness in seismic systems with guest Brandt Saxey from CoreBrace.
In Episode 114, we dig into buckling restrained braced frames with Brandt Saxey, SE, of CoreBrace.We talk through how BRBFs work, what makes them different from traditional concentrically braced frames, and why yielding in both tension and compression without global buckling makes them such an effective seismic system. The conversation also covers brace behavior, energy dissipation, detailing considerations, coordination with manufacturers, common design misconceptions, and how BRBs are being used in mass timber and other modern structural systems.Guest Profile:Brandt Saxey, SE, is the VP of Preconstruction Sales / Technical Director at CoreBrace. He brings deep technical experience in buckling restrained brace systems, including design support, preconstruction coordination, and helping engineers understand how BRBFs behave in real projects. His work sits at the intersection of seismic design, constructability, manufacturer coordination, and practical application of BRBs in modern structures.Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by IDEA StatiCa. Download the latest version of IDEA StatiCa Software | IDEA StatiCa 14-Day Free Trial | IDEA StatiCaLinks & Resources:StructurEd (our free…
People in this episode
Hosts: Zach, Max
Guest: Brandt Saxey
Topics covered
- buckling restrained braced frames
- seismic design
- energy dissipation
- structural systems
- design misconceptions
Keywords
- buckling
- braced frames
- seismic systems
- energy dissipation
- design considerations
Sponsors
IDEA StatiCa
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: CoreBrace
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