structural T he scope of the American Society of Civil The typical method of framing a multi-story

Engineers ASCE 7-16 (ASCE 7) is to provide wood building is to use either the platform fram-
minimum loads, hazard levels, associated criteria, ing method or the balloon framing method. In

COMPONENTS
and intended performance goals for structures. addition to traditional framing, there is a method
One of the performance goals of ASCE 7 is to being used where the top plates extend to the bottom
provide General Structural Integrity (GSI). The side of the floor sheathing (Figures 1 and 2). In these
GSI requirement for anchorage of structural walls cases, the WSW out-of-plane forces are anchored by
is specified in Section 1.4.4.; “The anchorage shall the diaphragm sheathing. This puts the diaphragm
provide a direct connection between the walls sheathing in direct tension and compression.
and the roof or floor construction.” There are ASCE 7 Commentary Section C1.4, under the
additional requirements for seismic out-of-plane guidelines for the provision of general structural
wall anchorage in Section 12.11. integrity, specifies:
ASCE 7, the 2015 International Building Code Generally, connections between structural com-
(IBC), and the American Wood Council’s (AWC) ponents should be ductile and have a capacity for
Special Design Provisions for Wind & Seismic, 2015 relatively large deformations and energy absorption
edition (SDPWS), are vague when it comes to under the effect of®abnormal conditions. Details

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the specific requirements for anchoring wood that are appropriate for resistance to moderate
stud walls (WSW) for out-of-plane forces. The wind loads and seismic loads often provide suf-

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requirements for ficient ductility.
anchoring concrete How can ductility be provided in the out-of-plane
Anchorage of Wood Structural Walls
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h t and masonry walls wall anchorage of a WSW to a wood diaphragm to
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Cop are better defined. meet the requirements for GSI, as well as provide
When a structural ductility and redundancy in a wood structure

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engineer designs a structure, it is important, when relying on the wood sheathing alone?
By Greg McCombs, S.E.,
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requirements are vague, to remember ductility, Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be constructed to meet
and Steven M. Petroff, P.E. redundancy, and GSI.
i n the intent, material standards, and specifications

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The goal of this article is to clarify the wall
z
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anchorage of WSW’s to wood diaphragms
Greg McCombs is currently retired,
a
for out-of-plane forces to meet the GSI
g
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having worked as an engineer in
requirement. Keeping the intent and per-
California for 18 years and another
a
formance goals of the code in mind, please
5 years in Utah. Greg currently
volunteers his time as a member of
the Seismic Com-mittee of SEAU.
m
consider the following question.
Is it appropriate to rely on the wood sheath-
ing alone to provide ductility, redundancy,
([email protected])
and GSI of WSWs out-of-plane anchorage
Steven M. Petroff is a Project Engineer forces? Major sources of ductility in wood
at ARW Engineers in Ogden, Utah, structures are provided in FEMA P-751.
and serves on the Seismic Committee GSI is not only important for earth-
and Resilience Committee of SEAU. quake-resistant design, but also for
([email protected]) resisting loads from wind, floods, explo-
sion, progressive failure, and even such
ordinary hazards as foundation settle-
ment. It is essential to consider the
requirements of the ASCE 7 section being
used, as well as to consider the intent of Figure 1. Framing of wall parallel to floor joist.
ASCE 7 for GSI as a whole. Consider the
purpose of Section 11.1.1 which clari-
fies that the detailing requirements and
limitations prescribed in Chapter 11,
and referenced standards, are required
even when the design load combinations
involved include forces other than seismic
such as wind loading. ASCE 7 Section
C11.1.1 specifies that “This detailing is
required so that the structure resists, in
a ductile manner, potential seismic loads
in excess of the prescribed wind loads.”
ASCE 7 Commentary Section C12.1.3
has some clarifying language, “Good…
engineering practice is to provide as much
ductility and redundancy as possible.” Figure 2. Framing of wall perpendicular to floor joist.

STRUCTURE magazine 22 August 2018

in ASCE 7. In Figure 3 and Figure 4, anchors boundaries. This is also con-
are utilized to connect the joists and blocking sistent AWC SPDWS Section
to the wall, putting the diaphragm nailing 4.1.4 for Boundary Elements:
in shear for the seismic out-of-plane WSW Shear wall and diaphragm

anchorage force. If the joists or blocking are boundary elements shall be
not anchored to the WSW, the diaphragm provided to transfer the design
sheathing is in tension or compression. tension and compression forces.
Without anchoring the joists and blocking Diaphragm and shear wall
to the wall, the joists and blocking may slip. sheathing shall not be used to
Ductility and redundancy are not provided splice boundary elements.
by the wood diaphragm sheathing in direct The purpose of commenting
tension or compression. The ductility is pro- on diaphragms and boundary
vided by the diaphragm nailing, in shear, members is to reinforce the
to the joists and blocks as well as the metal intent that wood sheathing is
anchors and straps. not to be used to resist ten-
Section 12.14.7.5 of ASCE 7 directly sion or compression forces in ®

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instructs that, “Structural walls shall be any manner. Figure 3. Modification of Figure 1 to meet the intent of building codes.
anchored to all floors, roofs, and members To illustrate, consider the fol-

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that provide out-of-plane lateral support for lowing calculations to adequately
the wall…” This section continues with an detail Figures 3 and 4.

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explanation that the anchorage is selected For the purposes igh of the cal-
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to have the strength to resist the out-of- pyr
culations, theCofollowing design
plane force. From this, it seems the intent of information is assumed. The

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ASCE 7 is to utilize an anchor for out-of- structure is a multi-story wood

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plane force transfer from the wall into the structure with a 10-foot floor-
supporting element, whether it be a floor, to-floor height. Seismic design
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roof, or another structural element. criteria is provided as Ss = 1.5,
z
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ASCE 7-16 Section 12.11.2.2 provides S1 = 0.5, Fa = 1.0, Fv = 1.8,
additional anchorage requirements for a
Ie = 1.0. Wind design criteria
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concrete and masonry walls to the diaphragm. is provided as V = 120 mph,
In ASCE 7-10, this same section applies to all a
Exposure C, h = 30 feet, Kd
structural walls, not just concrete or masonry.
The disparity between code cycles introduces m
= 0.85, Kzt = 1.0, and Ke = Figure 4. Modification of Figure 2 to meet the intent of building codes.
1.0. The architectural finish
confusion. What is the intent of this section? of the wall uses 4-inch face-brick veneer. 7-16. Listed there is Exterior Stud Walls with
Does this additional anchorage requirement The distance between vertical elements that Brick Veneer at 48psf. With all the values
also apply to WSWs? What is the intent of provide lateral support to the diaphragm determined, calculate Fp.
the codes regarding wood sheathing to resist L f = 50 feet. With the design criteria for
forces in tension or compression? wind and seismic determined, it is now Fp = 0.4 * 1.0 * 1.5 * 1.0 * 48psf = 28.8 psf
ASCE 7 Commentary Section C12.11.2.2.3 possible to calculate the out-of-plane forces
specifies that the, for seismic and wind. Wind forces are determined per ASCE 7-16,
Material standards for wood structural panel Seismic forces are determined per ASCE 7-16, Section 27.3
diaphragms permit sheathing to resist shear Section 12.11.2.1, Wall Anchorage Forces.
forces only; use of diaphragm sheathing to p = qGCp ‒ qi (GCpi ) (Eqn. 27.3-1)
resist direct tension or compression forces is Fp = 0.4SDS kaIeWp > 0.2kaIeWp (Eqn. 12.11-1)
not permitted. Note that q is determined at the mean roof
L
This is also consistent with ASCE 7 where ka = 1.0 + 100 f
= 1.0 + 100
50 =1.5 height, h, for walls and roofs of enclosed
Commentary Section C11.2 which, under (Eqn. 12.11-2) buildings and that qi is evaluated at the highest
the sub-section Shear-Controlled Diaphragm, opening that could affect the positive internal
explains that wood-sheathed diaphragms are where Wp = the weight of the wall tributary pressure; for simplicity and conservatism, this
“diaphragms that are intended to yield in to the anchor. Note that the minimum is taken as qh. The gust effect factor G is deter-
shear rather than flexure” (flexure results in requirement for Fp, the right side of the mined per Section 26.11.1 and taken as 0.85 for
tension and compression in the diaphragm). inequality, controls whenever SDS is less this example. The internal pressure coefficient,
Per the SPDWS Section 4.2.6.1 Framing than 0.50. The design earthquake response GCpi, is determined from Table 26.13.1 and
Requirements: acceleration parameter at short periods, SDS, taken as ±0.18. The external pressure coefficient,
Diaphragm boundary elements shall be
 is per Section 11.4.5 Cp, is determined from Figures 27.3-1, 27.3-2,
provided to transmit the design tension, and 27.3-3, where only Figure 27.3-1 is used
compression, and shear forces. Diaphragm SDS = 23 SMS = 23 Fa Ss = 23 * 1.0 * 1.5 = 1.0 for this example. A simplification of Equation
sheathing shall not be used to splice boundary (Eqn. 11.4-1 and 11.4-3) 27.3-1 is possible considering that q and qi are
elements. both evaluated as qh.
Diaphragm chord members are used to resist To determine the weight of the wall
the tension and compression forces at the assembly, refer to Table C3.1-1a of ASCE p = qh (0.85Cp ‒ (±0.18))

STRUCTURE magazine 23 August 2018

 qz = qh = 0.00256KzKztKdKeV 2 with 10d nails spaced at 6 inches at the boundar-
(Eqn. 26.10-1) ies and edges. Per SDPWS-2015, the nominal
unit shear capacity, Table 4.2A, is 640 plf. The
Per Table 26.10-1, Kz at 30 feet for Exposure ASD design unit shear capacity per Section
C is 0.98. Therefore, solving Equation 4.2.3 of SDPWS-2015 is 320 plf. The length,
26.10-1 provides: or drag, into the diaphragm is at least:
808lb
qz = qh = 0.00256KzKztKdKeV 2 = 0.00256 * LDIA = = 2.53 ft = 30.4 in
320plf
0.98 * 1.0 * 0.85 * 1.0 * 1202 = 30.7 psf
If joists are spaced at 16 inches o.c., this
Consider that, per Table 27.3-1, only the would require a minimum of two (2) joist
wall pressure coefficients are of interest for spacings. As joist layouts are undetermined
this example. Recall that, per Section 26.4.1, until framing is underway, it is unknown
positive pressure acts toward the surface and what the spacing between the wall and the
negative pressure acts away from the surface. first joist is. Depending on the joist layout,
Worst case compression forces would be at this spacing may ® be less than 16 inches. It

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the windward wall, Cp = 0.8, and worst-case is recommended to specify a minimum dis-
TILT-UP CONSTRUCTION tension forces would be at the leeward wall, tance in addition to a minimum number of
SOLUTIONS
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Cp = -0.7. Solving the simplified version of joists spaces to account for this condition.
Equation 27.3-1 provides: For this example, the authors would use
Dayton Superior has been

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ht three (3) joist spacings with a minimum of
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synonymous with quality, pcompression = Cop
30.7psf (0.85
* 0.8 – (±0.18)) 36 inches. The increase in force to select an
= 26.4 psf anchor per Section 12.11.2.2.2 is not required

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safety, professional ptension = 30.7psf (0.85 * (-0.7) – (±0.18)) to determine the development length into
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service, and an unmatched

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= ‒23.8 psf the diaphragm.
tilt-up product portfolio.
i n Note that Figure 4 has additional tie straps

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The allowable stress design load coefficients for over the joist, as the joist interrupts the
WWW.DAYTONSUPERIOR.COM/
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seismic and wind are 0.7 and 0.6, respectively, continual length of the blocking. These con-
SOLUTIONS/TILT-UP a
per Section 2.4.1. Seismic and wind out-of-
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tinuous tension straps are to be considered

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plane forces can be summarized as follows. at each joist intersecting the drag length into
a the diaphragm to ensure adequate tension
m FpASD = ±0.7 * 28.8 = ±20.2 psf
pcompressionASD = 0.6 * 26.4psf = 15.8 psf
transfer. An alternate approach is to use a
continuous strap.
ptensionASD = 0.6 * ‒23.8psf = –14.3 psf For the condition presented in Figure 3,
the approach to determine the out-of-plane
Therefore, seismic controls both the tension tension and compression force would be
and the compression force for this example. the same. The main deviation between the
Consider out-of-plane anchors installed at approach presented for Figure 4 is that no
4 feet on-center (o.c.) along the length of blocking is required, as the out-of-plane
TILT-WERKS.COM the wall. This produces a tributary area of 40 force can be transferred from the wall into
square feet, (4 x 10). The engineer should con- the joist via the wall anchor. This anchor is to
SCALE NEW HEIGHTS sider that, when the anchor spacing exceeds
4 feet o.c. per Section 12.11.2.1, the struc-
be designed to the same out-of-plane force as
determined above. The engineer may consider
IN PRECISION AND tural wall is to be designed to resist bending specifying boundary nailing along the top of
EFFICIENCY between the anchors. As the anchor spacing the joist for the length into the diaphragm
of this example does not exceed 4 feet o.c., required to develop the anchorage force.
Tilt-Werks® is a this design check is not required. The ASD In conclusion, it appears ASCE 7 intends
Unique and Powerful level forces for compression and tension are: that the wood diaphragm sheathing alone
should not be used to provide the out-of-
New Technology FpASD = 40ft 2 * ±20.2psf = 808 lb plane wall anchorage of any structural wall. To
• Developed specifically answer the question previously posed, using
Using this force, the SE would then select an wood diaphragm sheathing alone to resist
for the tilt-up industry anchor with a minimum of 808-pound ten- tension or compression forces to brace WSWs
• Web based — Data can sion capacity. The SE is also to consider the for out-of-plane anchorage is not consistent
be accessed and edited requirement of Section 12.11.2.2.2 to increase with the intent of the building codes. The
from anywhere, anytime the out-of-plane force by 1.4 for specific steel out-of-plane WSW anchorage forces must be
elements. An additional step is to determine the developed a sufficient distance into the dia-
length that blocking must be extended into the phragm by use of framing members, anchors,
diaphragm to resolve the tension and compres- blocking, etc. Detailing with adequate atten-
sion force. For this example, use a diaphragm tion to anchor load paths meets the intended
[email protected] composed of 19⁄32-inch sheathing on 2x material performance goals of ASCE 7 for GSI.▪

STRUCTURE magazine 24 August 2018