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Research Report 154: Wood Structural Panel Shear Walls

Research Report

In order for a building to resist the lateral forces caused by wind or an earthquake, the building must include a lateral force resisting system. When the walls, roofs and floors are designed and constructed in such a way to serve as the lateral force resisting system, they are commonly referred to as diaphragms. Vertical diaphragms which act to transfer lateral loads from horizontal diaphragms down into the foundation are usually termed shear walls.

This publication is designed for: engineers, designers, code officials

This testing was conducted to develop design information for constructions that were not listed in traditional tables of recommended design shears and to present supporting data for various footnotes and other design provisions for the standard shear wall tables.

Key sections include:

  • Materials, test set-up and procedure, and results for six test series:

    • Unblocked shear walls

    • Stapled shear walls

    • Wood panels attached to metal-framing

    • Double-sided shear walls

    • Panels over gypsum sheathing

    • Effect of stud spacing and stud width

Published by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.

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