Slide 18 of 67
Notes:
How Shear Walls Provide Stiffness
- How do shear walls provide stiffness?
- The stiffness of the shear wall, just like its strength, depends on the combined stiffness of its three components: lumber, sheathing and fasteners.
- The size and grade of end stud(s), thickness and grade of sheathing, and the sheathing fastener diameter determine how flexible a wood shear wall will be.
- When present, hold-down devices also contribute to the overall stiffness of the shear wall. If hold-down devices stretch or slip, the top of the shear wall will move horizontally. This horizontal movement adds to the movement allowed by the lumber, sheathing and fasteners. Any additional movement from the hold-down will reduce the effective stiffness of the shear wall.
