In plane shear wall offset and new ASCE7-10 commentary

[ronanzj]

I have a soft story upgrade project (wood framing) including the in plane shear wall offset design. Based on ASCE7-10 3rd print, it indicates I don't have to design the connections with overstrength factor, but for sure the BEAM and column need to be designed with overstrength factor. However, our local DBI plan checker told me I had to design the connection with the Omega factor, and I told him my interpretation of the new ASCE7-10 commentary was the connection doesn't need Omega factor, and he refused to read what I highlight here.

What is you opinion on this?

 

[wannabeSE]

The way I read it assuming a 2 level structure with a 2nd level shear wall that is not continuous to the 1st level. The connections from the 2nd level shear wall to the first level (2nd floor framing) do not require load combinations with overstrength. But the connections for the 1st level elements (including second floor framing) supporting the discontinuous shear wall need to be designed with the overstrength load combinations. In other words, the 2nd level shear wall and its connections to the 2nd floor are designed like normal. The overstrength factor is used to design the 2nd floor framing and first level shear wall connections. A sketch would probably make things clearer.

 

[ronanzj]

Hi Wannabe SE,

I have attached the pic from ASCE 7-10 indicates the lower story connection doesn't need to be designed with Omega. it shows BEAM shear connections to post and tie-down anchor are all designed with Standard load combinations.