Wood Shear Wall

Quick start

1. Add a Wood Shear Wall calculation. Enter the seismic and building inputs or choose Import Lateral Analysis to copy them from another calculation.
2. Use the distributed-weight (psf) method for the shear-wall tables.
3. Complete the active floor’s wall-line data in both directions, including grid-line geometry and available wall lengths.
4. Run the model and review the resulting wall-line loads and shear in plf.
5. On Shear Wall Design, review the shared wall, post, drift, and gravity-load inputs. Choose Design Wall for the required line.
6. Select the wall type and segment layout. For multiple segments, open each segment and complete its holdown selection and design review.
7. Review capacity, holdown, and deflection results for every segment before accepting and printing the design.

Wall-line and design inputs

The floor wall tables distribute the calculated loading to the entered wall lines. Verify the direction, grid geometry, tributary information, and total available wall length. The length for a line is the sum of its resisting wall segments, not the overall distance including openings.

The Shear Wall Design tab contains common inputs such as end-post E, holdown-post area, drift limit, Cd, wall weight, gravity loads, and overstrength factor. Review the values used by each design rather than assuming a previous selection applies to every wall.

In the wall-design form, the gravity-load option uses the Shear Wall Design tab values. Review the tributary widths and load combinations shown for the individual wall. The combination-details link opens the explanatory form; row details show the corresponding calculation.

Segments, lengths, and the drawing

Select 1 to 5 segments; one is the default. Enter lengths in feet. Fields display two decimal places. Segments are arranged left to right as S 1, S 2, and so on, with schematic gaps.

When editing the earlier lengths, the last segment is filled from the remaining line length. It is still editable. You can revise the layout, but all lengths must be positive and their sum must equal the line’s total wall length before the design is calculated.

The drawing updates when you leave a length field. It scales the horizontal lengths; the wall height and gaps are schematic. Green indicates h/l at or below 2. Orange indicates h/l above 2 and at or below 3.5. A segment exceeding h/l = 3.5 is not drawn and cannot be accepted for design. Correct its length or the applicable wall height.

How segment forces are distributed

The current implementation applies a common wall type to the line and distributes its force in proportion to adjusted segment lengths. Segments with h/l at or below 2 use their full length. Taller, narrower segments use length multiplied by 2l/h.

Consequently, segment force is not always the main-table plf multiplied by segment length. That simple distribution applies when all segments have the same adjustment factor. Review the load arrows and segment summary for the calculated individual forces and plf demands. The segment forces sum to the wall-line force.

Wall type, holdowns, and deflection

Select the shear-wall assembly for the line and review the applicable capacity adjustment options, including the displayed Ga and inside-wall holdown options. These settings affect calculations and should reflect the actual assembly.

For multiple segments, use the segment buttons or summary rows to open each segment. The common wall type is retained, while each segment has its own holdown selection and result. Review shear capacity, tension demand, holdown capacity, and deflection for every segment.

The detailed form shows overturning moment, resisting moment, and tension/compression under its seismic combinations, including overstrength cases. The deflection display shows the SDPWS 2021 Eq. 4.3-1 terms, total, allowable value, and status.

Not calculated or Select holdown is not a pass. A shear-capacity pass alone is also insufficient if holdown capacity or deflection fails. In a multi-segment line, use the individual segment results rather than expecting a single wall deflection value.

Saving, reports, and scope

Save the project to retain wall-line layouts and segment selections. Rerun after changing seismic inputs, wall geometry, or design settings. Importing Lateral Analysis copies inputs and clears results; it does not create a live link.

Use the available print controls and report options to review the analysis and selected wall-design documents. Check the segment labels, dimensions, loads, and holdown selections against the current design.

This module documents the implemented seismic wall-line and segment workflow. It does not replace review of the complete load path, diaphragm and collector design, anchorage details, or project-specific conditions outside the model.