Seismic Shear Wall Design: SDC D Residential per SDPWS 4.1.4.1

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Seismic Shear Wall Design: SDC D Residential per SDPWS 4.1.4.1

Summary: Design a 9 ft × 10 ft wood shear wall for seismic lateral force per SDPWS 4.1.4.1 and Table 4.3A (Va = Vn/2.8). Free shear wall design calculator. In a…

Overview

Building / scenario

  • Occupancy / use: Residential, SDC D
  • Geometry / size: 9 ft × 10 ft
  • Site / exposure: ASCE 7-22

Problem statement

In a residential building in Seismic Design Category D, a 9 ft × 10 ft wood-frame shear wall carries a lateral seismic force of 3,200 lb at the top. Dead load is 60 plf. Design the shear wall per SDPWS §4.3.5, §4.3.6. Seismic capacity uses Va = Vn/2.8 per SDPWS 4.1.4.1.

Workflow in StructSuite

StructSuite's free shear wall design tool applies SDPWS §4.1.4.1 (seismic Va = Vn/2.8), Table 4.3A (nominal Vn), §4.3.3 (aspect ratio), Eq 4.3-7 (boundary forces T, C). Enter geometry in Step 1, lateral force in Step 3, gravity in Step 3; select sheathing in Step 2. In Step 4 Boundary Members & Hold-Downs, select a Simpson Strong-Tie hold-down model to satisfy overturning demand. Design Verification (Step 5) shows D/C check.

Design considerations (excerpt)

In SDC D, shear walls are primary lateral system. Aspect ratio h/b < 2 avoids SDPWS §4.3.3.2 reduction. Taller walls (larger h) increase overturning and drift; wider walls (larger b) increase capacity. For 9×10 ft residential (h/b=0.9), wall is relatively stiff. Plan dimensions must match actual framing—openings reduce effective b.

Seismic force E is ASD; Va = Vn/2.8 (SDPWS §4.1.4.1) reflects higher uncertainty than wind (Vn/2.0). In SDC D, base shear distributed by Fx to diaphragms then to wall lines. E = 3,200 lb for 9×10 ft wall is typical for two-story residential in moderate-to-high seismicity. Higher E requires tighter nails or thicker panel.

Seismic overturning uses 0.6D (ASCE 7)…

Related terms

  • StructSuite
  • structural engineering
  • design example
  • shear wall
  • SDPWS
  • single wall seismic

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