lateral resistance in exterior wall
lateral resistance in exterior wall
(OP)
What is the best way to add lateral resistance to a 35 foot high exterior wall. The interior of the building is totally open so the walls are 35 feet high. I would like to install windows just below the roof trusses but do not wish to weaken the stucture. This building is 70 years old and was once an army drill hall. It is currently being used by gymnasts.






RE: lateral resistance in exterior wall
RE: lateral resistance in exterior wall
RE: lateral resistance in exterior wall
Could the installation of the new windows not be done easily in conjunction with providing additional bracing of at the top the wall.
I do not recommend performing any work without the design of an engineer, but one idea might be to provide lateral bracing from the bottom of the windows to the roof diaphram. This would effectively "shorten" the wall. Keep in mind that you still have to transfer the gravity/uplift forces through to the wall.
Just one of many solutions.
CottageGuy
RE: lateral resistance in exterior wall
I would like to add to Cottage Guy's suggestion: since the problem we have here is out-of-plane loading, the only way to efectively shorten the design height of the wall is to provide substantial bracing (i. e., "kickers") from the roof framing. This might not look too bad if attention is paid to the astetic appeal of such a system enhancement.