IBC Section 2305.3.7.2.1, Item 2. allowable shear of 490plf?

[antimatter]

Can anyone tell me if the 490plf maximum allowable shear load is the absolute maximum allowed? In other words, is the 490plf limit applied to even a double sheathed shear wall segment?

 

[zenom]

It's open to interpretation. Ask you building official. The limits were placed there by committee members who don't like the "perforated" shear walls and a 490 plf design shear wall is the highest that was tested in the US, so that's the basis for that limit. There is no data to suggest the concept would not work for higher capacity shear walls. The numerous limitatations of 2305.3.7.2.1 make the method difficult to use. Try 2305.3.7.1 in which you can design your shear wall with openings by "rational analysis" if you want fewer limitations in your design.

 

[AlohaBob]

I don't see the 490 plf limit in that section. My experience has been the limit applied to each withe. IE two layers at 490 = 980 plf with the only limit being only 2 sides.