Strong-Wall® High-Strength Wood Shearwalls: Standard and Balloon Framing on Concrete Foundations

Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong-Wall high-strength wood shearwalls combine design flexibility with performance. Field trimmable, they can be customized to accommodate varying heights or rake walls. They are evaluated to the 2018 IRC/IBC and are listed by ICC-ES.

Installation

• All panels may be field trimmed to a minimum of 74 1/2". Trim height from top of panel only, do not trim from sides or bottom. Drilling holes in the Strong-Wall high-strength wood shearwalls is not allowed except as shown.
• Anchor bolt nuts should be finger tight plus 1/2 turn.
• Maximum shim thickness between the shearwall and top plates or header is 7/8". For additional shim thicknesses, see detail 9/WSWH2.
• Walls may also be used in 2x6 wall framing. Install the panel flush to the outside face of the framing and add furring to the opposite face as required to accommodate finish material. See detail 6/WSWH2.
• Top connection installs with a combination of SDS25600 Heavy-Duty Connector screws and SWS16150 Strong-Wall screws.

Codes: ICC-ES ESR-2652, City of LA Building Code Supplement and State of Florida FL5113

Strong-Wall High-Strength Wood Shearwall Naming Legend

Strong-Wall High-Strength Wood Shearwall Product Data

1. To achieve evaluated panel heights listed in the allowable load table or for those not listed, order the next tallest panel and trim to fit. Minimum trimmed height for all panels is 74 1/2".
2. All panels are supplied with preattached holdowns, two heavy hex nuts, two heavy bearing plates, one WSWH-TP top connection plate (width based on panel model), required fasteners and installation instructions.
3. All panels are 3 1/2" thick.

First-Story Installation with Wood Floor System
Specify panel height from top of foundation to underside of the top plates or beam.

1. Allowable shear loads are applicable to installations on concrete with specified compressive strengths as listed using the ASD basic (IBC Section 1605.3.1) or the alternative basic (IBC Section 1605.3.2) load combinations.
2. Load values include evaluation of bearing stresses on concrete foundations and do not require further evaluation by the designer. For installations on masonry foundations, bearing capacity shall be evaluated by the designer.
3. Seismic design based on 2018 IBC using R = 6.5. For other codes, use the seismic coefficients corresponding to light-frame bearing walls with wood structural panels or sheet-steel panels.
4. Allowable vertical load denotes the total maximum concentric vertical load permitted on the panel acting in combination with the allowable shear loads.
5. Allowable shear, drift and anchor tension values may be interpolated for intermediate height or vertical loads. For panels 74 1/2"–78" tall, use the values for a 78"-tall panel.
6. To achieve required WSWH panel evaluation height, trim next tallest full-height panel.
7. Drifts at lower design shear may be linearly reduced.
8. See allowable out-of-plane and axial capacities.
9. Angled SDS screws may be omitted from the WSWH-TP top connection for all panels taller than 100", as reduced allowable out-of-plane loads may apply.
10. High-strength anchor bolts are required for anchor tension forces exceeding the tabulated allowable load for standard-strength bolts. See WSWH-AB anchor bolt information and anchorage solutions.
11. Tabulated anchor tension values assume no resisting vertical load. Anchor tension loads at design shear values and including the effect of vertical load may be determined using the following equation: T = [(V x H) / B] – P/2, where:
    T = Anchor tension load (lb.)
    V = Design shear load (lb.)
    P = Applied vertical load (lb.)
    H = Panel height (in.)
    B = Moment arm (in.); 7.625" for WSWH12, 12.50" for WSWH18, 17.50" for WSWH24.

Allowable Out-of-Plane Loads for Single-Story Walls on Concrete Foundations (psf)

1. Loads shown are at ASD level in pounds per square foot with no further increase allowed.
2. Loads consider a maximum deflection limit of H/240.
3. Allowable out-of-plane loads can be applied in combination with the allowable vertical loads.
4. Angled SDS screws may be omitted for WSWH panels taller than 100" in standard applications; however, SWS16150 screws must be installed for all fastening conditions. When angled SDS screws are omitted, a reduced allowable out-of-plane load may apply.
5. Allowable values for header panel attachment assume a maximum header depth of 12". Use a load reduction factor of 0.94, 0.88 and 0.82 for 14"-, 16"- and 18"-deep headers respectively.
6. Allowable values shown for header panel attachment require the use of the portal straps to resist header rotation.
7. N/A = Not Applicable.

Allowable Axial Loads for Single-Story Walls on Concrete Foundations (lb.)

1. Allowable ASD vertical load is the lesser of the WSWH panel buckling capacity and concrete bearing capacity beneath the holdowns assuming a minimum specified concrete compressive strength f'_c = 2,500 psi.
2. Allowable vertical loads assume concentric point load or uniformly distributed load without lateral loads present. See combined lateral and vertical loads.
3. Tabulated loads apply to single-story panels on concrete foundations.
4. N/A = Not Applicable.