Shear Wall and Where it is Provided

 

A shear wall is a vertical structural element that resists lateral forces in the plane of the wall through shear and bending.

Shear wall, In building construction, a rigid vertical diaphragm capable of transferring lateral forces from exterior walls, floors, and roofs to the ground foundation in a direction parallel to their planes. Examples are reinforced concrete walls or vertical trusses. Lateral forces caused by wind, earthquake, and uneven settlement loads, in addition to the weight of structure and occupants, create powerful twisting (torsional) forces. These forces can literally tear (shear) a building apart. Reinforcing a frame by attaching or placing a rigid wall inside it maintains the shape of the frame and prevents rotation at the joints. Shear walls are especially important in high-rise buildings subject to lateral wind and seismic forces.

Shear walls are especially important in high-rise buildings.

In residential buildings, shear walls are external and form a box that provides all of the lateral support for the building.

Resist: Lateral loads, Seismic loads, Vertical Forces (gravity).

Reduces lateral sway of the building.

Provide large strength and stiffness to buildings in the direction of their orientation.

Rigid vertical diaphragm transfers the loads into Foundations.

Shear wall behavior depends upon: the material used, wall thickness, wall length, and wall positioning in the building frame.

Classification of Shear Walls:

Simple rectangular types and flanged walls.

Coupled shear walls.

Rigid frame shear walls.

Framed walls with in-filled frames.

Column-supported shear walls.

Core-type shear walls.

Advantages of Shear Walls:

Provide large strength and stiffness in the direction of orientation.

Significantly reduces lateral sway.

Easy construction and implementation.

Efficient in terms of construction cost and effectiveness in minimizing earthquake damage.

Thinner walls.

Lightweight.

Fast construction time.

Fast performance.

Enough well-distributed reinforcements.

Cost-effectiveness.

Minimized damages to structural and Non-structural elements.