Effect of Relative Rigidities of Shear Resiting System in Timber 1

[digrazi]

For flexible horizontal diaphrams (wood framing in single family residences) I have always assumed that the lateral shears transfer to the vertical shear resisting panels in proprotion to their relative stiffnes (as a function of their construction-widtn etc). Is there a "common practice" in the allocation of horizontal shear to vertical shear panels beyond the typical North-South/East-West analysis approach? We are currently allocating shear based primarily on the shear capacity of shear panel types that are installed along a wall direction and not really considering the effect of the relative rigidities of the panels working as a system. We are assuming that the overall shear distribution of the system averages out over the entire shear resiting system due to the inherent flexibility of wood framing. Are we missing a critical concern or method?

 

[whyun]

Go to

http://www.seaint.org/papers.asp

Second to the last paper entitled "Panel Discussion on Wood Seismic Issues" talks about an envelope approach using both flexible and rigid diaphragm theory.

 

[digrazi]

Thanks! Good resource.