Full Description

1.1 This practice describes methods for evaluating the shear capacity of a typical section of a framed wall, supported on a rigid foundation and having load applied in the plane of the wall along the edge opposite the rigid support and in a direction parallel to it. The objective is to provide a determination of the shear stiffness and strength of any structural light-frame wall configuration to be used as a shear-wall on a rigid support.

1.2 LimitationsThis practice is not intended to be used as a basis for classifying sheathing shear capacity or as an evaluation of combined flexure and shear resulting from the wall being loaded on a flexible foundation.

1.2.1 The effect of sheathing variations is assessed by holding all other variables constant. Permitted variations in framing configuration and boundary conditions, however, require accurate documentation of the test setup to validate across-study comparisons of sheathing contribution to wall shear capacity.

A wall tested on a flexible foundation is evaluated by comparing shear stiffness and strength results to those of an identical wall tested on a rigid foundation, following this practice. However, no methods are given for the measurement of wall bending displacements or assessment of stress distribution resulting from foundation flexure. Any extrapolation of wall racking behavior from the foundation conditions specified by this practice to flexible conditions shall be done with the support of a comparative test on a representative foundation.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.