The following design sample illustrates the steps that are used when the design professional determines lateral loads to the shearwall Fx, using proper code provisions, and then determines the resultant ASD level wall shear and overturning forces as distributed by the appropriate gravity and seismic code load combinations. These ASD loads are then provided to Simpson Strong-Tie in the form of cumulative tension (for rod design), incremental bearing (for take-up device and bearing-plate design) and cumulative compression (for when end-of-wall bearing post and stud design is requested). Simpson Strong-Tie will use this input to design the specific continuous Strong-Rod tiedown system as the tension restraint for the shearwall.
During the design process of the overall structure, the Designer will have already determined the wall length, minimum wall height-to-width ratios, sheathing thickness and grade, nailing schedule, Δa for horizontal drift (or Designer to assume Δa = 0.2), floor-to-floor height (including floor depth to determine plate height) and all other requirements in accordance with the applicable building code.