Allowable Shear Wall Footing Penetrations

[WDG2508]

I have found codes on the allowable penetrations for wood shear walls, but the topic seems to be silent on the footings for a shear wall. Does anyone know of a standard, code, reference, guideline, or rule of thumb even that indicates the amount of penetrations per linear foot or some other guideline like "x" percent of the area of a concrete reinforced shear wall? Any assistance would be appreciated.

 

[rlflower]

As you may know, the capacities of wood shear wall panels are determine by lab tests. Concern regarding wood shear wall panel penetrations has been discussed for many years, resulting in the latest revisions to the International Building Code.

As far as I know, foundation analysis has not shared a similar history because the materials used for foundations are not at all similar to wood framing. Generally speaking, structural analysis in conformance to ACI 318 and standard practice should result in a satisfactory design. That being said, I am not aware of any allowable "penetrations per linear foot" or similar such guidelines offered by ACI.

However, the 1997 Design of Reinforced Masonry Structures published by the Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada offers a section entitled "Rigidity of Shear Walls with Openings" - this may be of help. This explains quite well the notion of load dissipation in terms of rigidity. There have been other publications that have addressed this same issue.

Richard L. Flower, P. E., LEED Green Associate
Senior Structural Engineer
Complere Engineering Group, Inc.