Wood Shearwall Design
Wood Shearwall Design
(OP)
I am curios how others here detail their shearwalls for net uplift due to vertical wind loads. In my particular case, my segmented shearwall is subjected to 335 plf of net uplift due to vertical wind loads at the truss/top plate interface (Exp C--60' clear span trusses). I am detailing currently in accordance with APA recommendations for combined shear/uplift on wood panels. It ends up being a fair amount of extra nailing and blocking to keep the load path continuous to the base. The other alternative would be to add a bunch of strapping at the top/bottom plate connections with AB or holddowns connecting to the foundation. This also seems to be a lot of extra accessories and labor to complete the load path.
I am located in the midwest (US) so most of my designs are in the 90 mph region(115-ASCE 7-10). Is one method better than the other from an economical/labor standpoint?
Any help or thoughts would be appreciated!
I am located in the midwest (US) so most of my designs are in the 90 mph region(115-ASCE 7-10). Is one method better than the other from an economical/labor standpoint?
Any help or thoughts would be appreciated!






RE: Wood Shearwall Design
A Simp. H7Z will carry 985lb of uplift. I would use that at each truss and then just resolve the uplift force to the foundation with Hold-Downs. You can easily then resolve the force into the foundation with Simpson MASA mudsill anchors at 2ft on center (they are cheap). Those are good for 920lb of uplift on a 2x6 sill plate. Or you could just resolve it with the anchor bolts.
RE: Wood Shearwall Design
When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.
-R. Buckminster Fuller
RE: Wood Shearwall Design
60'x150' Clear span wood storage building. 14' eave 4:12 roof. We are still designing per ACSE 7-05 here.
Manstrom,
No floor to counteract uplift...I wish it was that easy.
While I did list a specific project I am working on, I am more interested in what method others use. Do you use proprietary straps/ties/anchors to take all of the uplift forces to the foundation? Or do you fasten the trusses to the top plate and then detail blocking and special nailing requirements in accordance with SDPWS guidelines? I know this is not a one-solution method, but I am curious what others usually do.
To complicate matters, we required 14" minimum heel height for energy requirements. Therefore, our truss heel does not overhang the wall at all, so additional consideration is needed to complete the load path on the same side of the wall.
RE: Wood Shearwall Design
Hurricane clips are typical on just about every project (i.e. metal strap from truss to top plate / stud). Typically blocking between trusses is installed to prevent "roll-over". Note that you will need some hole in them to provide ventilation.
EIT
www.HowToEngineer.com
RE: Wood Shearwall Design