drywall as structural diaphragm
drywall as structural diaphragm
(OP)
Is there any reference or publication that would permit the use of drywall on the inside face of exterior walls to be used to resist lateral wind forces (parallel to the length of the wall) where wood sheathing is not used on the exterior face of the wall?






RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
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RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
Public codes is a free service from ICC I think, for online viewing only - printing and free downloading is not permitted.
Go to section 25 re gypsum, which will refer you to sections 2306.3 for wood-framed gypsum-sheathed shear walls or section 2211.6 for steel-framed gypsum-sheathed shear walls.
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
To Ingenuity - thanks very much. On further thought, the drywall would normally be screwed rather than nailed, but this table seems to cover screws as well.
To wannabeSE - ok thanks. I suppose I would have to buy this publication if I wanted to see the relevant tables, which may be worth doing. Thanks. Perhaps I should check with the Canadian Wood Council first.
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
My first thought was perhaps that I can check if the drywall sheathing on the inside face can take the in-plane wind loads. I thought that I had found a solution when you people drew my attention to the load capacity Tables. However, I wonder if there is still an issue, namely that the drywall on the inside face of the wood studs would not overlap the wood perimeter rim boards and therefore has no way of transferring the in-plane wind forces down to the foundations. What do you think?
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
I would likely be willing to accept the drywall in this application, it can't be requiring some crazy capacity or anything if it's wind-governed.
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
@ajk1: the CWC handbook tabulates the capacities that you're looking for in the Shearwall Selection Tables.. I'd reference a table number but they don's seem to have any. With 16" o/c studs, you'll get a minimum of 0.84 kN/m.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
Maine Professional and Structural Engineer. www.fepc.us
(Just passed the 16-hour SE exam, woohoo!)
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
The American Wood Council has a read-only pdf of the SDPWP that can be downloaded for free: http://www.awc.org/pdf/AWC_SDPWS-2015_web-viewonly... . If this link doesn't work, look below the "buy" icons for the link to the free pdf.
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
All Plywood shear walls better be blocked. GWB and GSB, correct for the most part.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
The CWC publishes shearwall values for un-blocked wood diaphragms. I generally try to stay within the ranges of the unblocked capacities because I've had nothing but fights from contractors when specified.
They'd rather put twice as many nails into an unblocked shearwall then have to cut and install blocking at 4' or even 8' centres. It is anywhere from a 20-40% reduction in capacities depending on the specified nailing pattern.
RE: drywall as structural diaphragm
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)