Wood Shear Wall Deflection Limit

[BadgerPE]

Hey all,

Is there a code provision (IBC, ASCE, etc.) that limits the allowable lateral deflection on a wood shear wall for wind loads? This particular building is a single story with an eave height of 15' and flexible finshes on inside and out. Without any code info, I am thinking of limiting the deflection to L/240. Any help would be great!

 

[woodman88]

Yes and No.
The 2009 IBC states in section 1604.3 Serviceability "Structural systems and members thereof shall be designed to have adequate stiffness to limit deflections and lateral drift. See section 12.12.1 of ASCE 7 for drift limits applicable to earthquake loading."
The SDPWS-2008 states in section 4.3.1 "Permissible deflection shall be that deflection that permits the shear wall and any attached elements to maintain their structural integrity and continue to support their prescribe loads as determined by the applicable building code or standard."
Wood shear walls will have a maximum lateral deflection based on the maximum allowable shear load (per the code) being applied to them. What this turns out to be I have no idea.
For a single story building (even at 15' eave height, I would think that the allowable deflection for the finishes would control.

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.