R Value, Walk-out Basement

[00Z]

I am designing a three story wood home (2 stories + walk-out basement). The walk out basement has reinforced masonry walls on 2 sides with the remaining 2 walls being wood. I am having trouble demonstrating that I meet the criteria for two-stage analysis in Section 12.2.3.2.

My question is do I have to use the R value for the masonry walls for the whole structure. The remaining structure uses wood shear walls. I think the answer is yes but I'm hoping there might be some other justification for using it at just the basement level.

Does anyone have any suggestions for avoiding using the lower R value?

 

[KootK]

I think the answer is yes but I'm hoping there might be some other justification for using it at just the basement level.

I vote yes as well. Your two masonry walls meet at a corner, right? If so, it's hard to imagine that there aren't also torsional irregularity issues.

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.