Shear Wall System Somerville MA

Architecture is a blend of art and science, two diametrically opposite disciplines. The artist wants the entire wall to be glass, like a giant landscape portrait; the scientist needs enough wall to hold the house up.

On one recent project the architect and engineer wrangled about a suitable window-to-wall ratio. The result was a system with massive timber columns, interior and exterior plywood, full-height steel rods, and about every size hold-down in the universe. It was costly and complicated, and we were installing hardware for weeks. So it was good news when we found Simpson Strong-Tie's newly code-approved (IBC, IRC, and UBC) Steel Strong-Wall shear wall, which will help resolve these complicated conflicts.

How It Works

The Steel Strong-Wall is designed to support vertical and lateral loads produced by wind or earthquakes, creating a strong but narrow shear wall. They're superior to, and can replace, Simpson HD and HDA hold-down assemblies and wood composition panels when attaching to a foundation.

The Steel Strong-Wall shear wall is a 10-gauge galvanized steel panel with a 2-by wood stud secured to either side and a steel plate top and bottom.

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