What is a Shear Wall?
A shear wall is a wall which is designed to resist shear, the lateral force which causes the bulk of damage in earthquakes. Many building codes mandate the use of shear walls to make homes safer and more stable, and learning about shear walls is an important part of an architectural education. Architects are obliged to think about shear walls and other safety features when they design a structure, so that they can accommodate the walls to make the structure sound while also aesthetically pleasing. When a shear wall is built, it is constructed in the form of a line of heavily braced and reinforced panels. In some regions, shear walls are known as braced wall lines for this very reason. The wall ideally connects two exterior walls, and also braces other shear walls in the structure. Bracing is accomplished with metal brackets and heavy timbers or support beams which keep the shear wall strong and sturdy. An effective shear wall is both stiff and strong. Stiffness alone will not be enough
• Shear walls are vertical elements of the horizontal force resisting system. • The figure shows a typical shear wall. • Shear walls are typically wood frame stud walls covered with a structural sheathing material like plywood. • Shear walls have four parts: • Framing members • Sheathing • Nails • Hold-downs • The length of a shear wall is determined by the location of the hold-downs • When the sheathing is properly fastened to the stud wall framing, the shear wall can resist forces directed along the length of the wall. When designed and constructed properly, shear walls will have the strength and stiffness to resist the horizontal forces.
