Efficiency means nothing if a product isn’t also predictable and up to code. DonoBrace has undergone rigorous independent testing to ensure that it performs to the same high standard – every time.
As a team of construction professionals, we see compliance with industry standards as just the first step of quality assessment. DonoBrace is a reliable, high quality tension-only rod bracing system that is suitable for a range of weather conditions.
We first developed DonoBrace to use in our own Coresteel structures, so it was important to us to understand the system inside and out. We have completed comprehensive testing for DonoBrace to ensure that our product does what it says on the tin.
Why test beyond industry requirements?
We understand that, for structural engineers, the most important part of choosing a new product is having full confidence in the system’s predictability. Assurance is about knowing how and when a product fails after attaining peak force, and that it will perform exactly the same way every time.
DonoBrace provides confidence when it comes to load requirements and capacity. But as industry professionals working around the world, we also wanted to make sure it would suit a variety of high load conditions – including seismic, wind and low-temperature environments.
We tested above and beyond because we wanted a complete picture of how this product works and how it responds to real world conditions. For a full report of testing outcomes, refer to the DonoBrace Technical Guide.
Even portal frame structures outside of seismic areas or extreme environments benefit from more well-rounded quality assurance. There is an ongoing need to design and engineer structures to withstand extreme and unpredictable environmental forces. As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has indicated, unusual and significant weather patterns are becoming more common around the world.
To counteract our changing planet and climate, it’s important to have building and structural systems that you can predict.
The testing process
DonoBrace has undergone extensive dynamic, cold temperature performance, and hydrogen embrittlement testing.
When testing a system for ductility, the product is stretched in a machine until it attains peak force, and well beyond, until it eventually breaks. This capacity beyond peak force is of particular interest to engineers as it provides a level of resilience to the system. This process was repeated again and again to ensure that the product performs consistently and the system has a reliable resilience.
Understanding the strength in the elastic region was also attained by testing the capacity of the system when it was under strain.
During the DonoBrace development process, we wanted to be sure that we could confidently provide exceptional, quality assured standardised specification details. We chose to partner with Holmes Solutions because of their commitment to evidence-based design and the way they evaluate product performance through real-life testing.
As international leaders in the industry, they understand product design from an engineering perspective – and their testing provides full transparency on how a product will perform when in use.
Innovation naturally dips into areas or processes previously unexplored. “DonoBrace had a significant amount of R&D and a lot of experimental evaluation. They really set a new standard for tension-only rod bracing in this industry,” according to Adshead.
Holmes Solutions Senior Engineer Sam Adshead breaks down the testing procedure for DonoBrace into three parts:
Extensive testing has ensured that the DonoBrace system always performs the same way after experiencing peak force, so that failure can be predicted with confidence.
“We are really proud of this project, and proud to partner with Donovan Group. Them allowing us to poke, prod and test the product gave us the confidence to specify DonoBrace in our projects,” said Adshead.
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DonoBrace has been designed for continuous quality checking – from design testing, to QA check sheet at the fabrication workshop, studio, to onsite sign off.
As our Head Engineer Kerry McCollum describes it, DonoBrace is a “no-surprises product.” Consistent, predictable confidence – that’s what testing is about for us at Donovan Group.
For more information about independent testing, or how DonoBrace meets industry compliance standards in your country, get in touch with our expert team.