Gypboard/ Drywall Shear Walls

[Loui1]

I am looking into using gyp sheathed shear walls for an interior shearwall on a two story house. Design is per IBC where wind controls. Not seismic. Placed on walls that will never be removed. I know where to get the shear values, and how to design it, etc. I just want opinions about why not to use it. Any bad experiences?

 

[DaveAtkins]

I think gyp sheathing is fine, especially on an interior wall. I have heard stories of gyp board deteriorating on exterior walls, but I think even that is a thing of the past now that products like Dens-Glass Gold exist.

DaveAtkins

 

[WBUW]

Well, GWB has a different seismic response depending on how you interpret the IBC you may be required to apply that R factor in a number of locations.

I have heard that over time with any movement GWB wall lose effectiveness as the GWB is brittle enough to flake off around the nail so you have some slop before the nails engage the sheathing.

 

[RARWOOD]

If it was my house I would use Plywood or OSB. You can use gypsum most of the time to resist lateral loads and meet the code.

If it was my house I would want it to be the one standing after the tornado goes down the street.

I have also hear that in a seismic event the GWB will fail around the nails and reduce the wall effectiveness in future lateral events.

 

[bjb]

I think quality control is a major issue. The allowable load depends on the fastening to the wall studs, andd you have to make sure that the fastening matches the allowable load tables. You say the wall will never be removed, but can you be sure?

I agree with what RARSWC says.

 

[Loui1]

Understood, though, I'm designing the entire house per R=2 because of the gypboard which addresses the brittleness of the material. The cooler nails are being required as the code states.

Unless they make a 2 family townhouse into an oddly configured 1 family mansion, no the interior wall in question will not be removed.