There are several design tools and standards to assist engineers, architects, and building officials with the design of shear walls. Prescriptive approaches such as those outlined in International Code Council's (ICC) 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) and AWC's 2001 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings tend to provide conservative results. Engineered approaches such as those outlined in AWC's 2008 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) typically result in more efficient designs. This course will outline several resources available for shear wall design and compare design results.

Learning Outcomes: 

1. Identify and understand the basic shear wall system to resist wind and seismic loads.
2. Understand the difference between segmented and perforated shear wall design.
3. Understand hold down design.
4. Be able to identify and analyze shear walls per the 2009 IRC, 2001 WFCM, and 2008 SDPWS and understand the differences between them.

Equivalencies: 1.0 Hours of Instruction = 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1 Learning Units (LU)

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Apply provisions developed by the wood industry for use of the metric system as mandated by the federal government for all federal construction projects.

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The NDS for Wood Construction 2001 contains many changes from the 1997 edition which are summarized in this eCourse. Significant changes include new product chapters on prefabricated wood I-joists, structural composite lumber, wood structural panels, poles, shear walls and diaphragms, fire design, and a new appendix for local stresses in members at connections. The course also covers revised provisions for: shear design (coinciding with increased shear design values) and notching, end grain bearing, volume factors, connections, and connection tables.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this eCourse, you will be:

1. Familiar with the many changes between the 2001 and 1997 NDS, including:
• new product chapters on I-joists, structural composite lumber, wood structural panels, poles, shear walls and diaphragms, fire design
• new Appendix for local stresses at connections
2. Knowledgeable about revised provisions for shear design with increased shear design values, notching, end grain bearing, volume factors, connections, and connection tables.

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This learn-by-example workbook-course provides a design example, typical checklist, and background information related to design of a wood-frame structure in accordance with AWC's Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two- Family Dwellings, 2001 Edition. The design example uses plans from a 2-story residence as the basis for a structural design to resist wind, seismic, and snow loads. The workbook is heavily referenced to the 2001 WFCM to aid in understanding how to use the time-saving tools and tables offered by the 2001 WFCM. Download the PDF workbook and work through it from the beginning.

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