Narrow Shear Walls - A Portal Frame Solution

1. Summary In the past 5 years, there has been an unprecedented amount of research in the U.S. related to the performance of narrow shear walls or bracing units. Confusion has existed regarding how to properly design and construct narrow walls (defined as having an aspect ratio of greater than 2:1). In order to develop a solution that provides adequate strength and stiffness for use as bracing in traditional North American light-frame wood construction for narrower walls, a portal frame design was developed by APA - The Engineered Wood Association. Monotonic and cyclic testing has been conducted on the APA portal frame design. Recommended design values for engineered use of the portal frames have also been developed and these have been compared to existing prescriptive bracing wall designs. This paper will review this testing program and provide guidance for the design of these narrower wall elements to resist both wind and seismic forces.