This presentation provides an overview of the Force Transfer Around Openings (FTAO) shear wall design approach, recent research in this area, and a side-by-side comparison of design results between segmented, perforated, and FTAO design methods. This methodology is based on a joint research project of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, University of British Columbia (UBC), and USDA Forest Products Laboratory that examined variations of shear walls with code-allowable openings. The study evaluated internal forces generated during testing and assessed the effects of opening sizes, full-height pier sizes, and different construction techniques, including the segmented, perforated, and FTAO methods. Asymmetric piers, multiple openings, and C-shaped sheathing were investigated and rational design methodologies in accordance with the International Building Code have been created.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will investigate past and current methods for determining force transfer around openings for wood shear walls through discussion of the joint research project of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, the University of British Columbia (UBC), and the USDA Forest Products Laboratory (FPL).
- Participants will compare the effects of different opening sizes, full-height pier sizes, and their relationships to the three industry shear wall approaches by illustrating use of the segmented, perforated, and FTAO methods.
- Participants will observe how the study examined internal forces generated during loading by reviewing full-scale wall test data as well as analytical modeling performed in determining statistical accuracy.
- Participants will conclude that research results obtained from this study can be used to support different design methodologies in estimating forces around openings accurately.
Equivalencies: 1.5 Hours of Instruction = 0.15 Continuing Education Units (CEU) = 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH) = 1.5 Learning Units (LU)
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