Wood-Framed

Buildings
Group 8 – 4C
Introduction
• Wood-framed buildings – one of the best
structures to resist earthquakes.
• Wood structure - safe, durable and economical
building material.
• Performed excellently and behaved remarkably.

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 Northridge Lesson
Some of the Northridge Earthquake 1994 results or the damages in wood-framed buildings

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 Framing Connections
• Toenailing – used to connect the individual
wood elements to meet a violent
earthquake.

Crawl Spaces
• Most revealing to show the response of
wood-framed buildings under seismic loads.

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 Cripple Walls
• Two panels nailed together – commonly used
where extra ceiling height is needed.

Stucco and Wood Frame Assembly

• Stucco – a kind of binder that is used for
coating.

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 Vaulted Ceilings

• Ridge beams with only a thin metal anchor to

connect beams and post.

Garages
• One of the most neglected structures.
• Relatively large opening created in the front
– major weakness.

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 Chimney and Fireplaces
• An unreinforced chimney and fireplace can
be made stronger against seismic forces.
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 Construction Defects and Earthquake Damage
Case 1
• Sagging of the roof was the result of earthquake-
caused damage.
Inspection of the loft found large wood knots at a
critical location in two adjacent roof rafters.
Case 2
• Vaulted ceiling was sagging due to earthquake damage.
It turned out that a minor horizontal crack caused
by the earthquake had split the rafter lengthwise.
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Trained engineering eye and
Proper Metal Hardware
CASE 1:
STEEL REINFORCED
WOOD-FRAMED
BUILDING

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PROJECT DISCRIPTION
The project is an 8400 sq. ft.
wood-framed residential
building consisting of a partial
underground basement of
reinforced masonry
construction and two-garage-
and-shop, 1900 sq ft attached
structure.

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STEEL FRAME ANALYSIS AND DESIGN, GRIDLINE
Design of Beams
Largest beam moment = 198.6 k-in, for beam 16
Try W8 x 24 Section:
L = 15.2 ft F = 22 ksi S = <18.2
Section Modulus:
OK

Design of Columns
Maximum moment = DL+(0.75LL)+(0.75WL) = 147.8 k-in
Try 6 x 4 x HSS- Structural tubing:
L = 120 ft = 15.6 ksi S = 9 = 46 ksi
A = 6.58 P (axial) = 6.30 k
Maximum allowable bending stress:

= = 14.92 ksi
= = 0.96 ksi
OK

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 CASE 2:WOOD-FRAMED
TWO-STOREY HOME

Seismic: Moderate- to High-Seismicity Area

 The structure comprises living
quarters at ground level and a game room
and portion of a balcony at the second
level. Building total length is 94.0 ft
measured along its centerline. The

PROJECT footprint of the building forms a V shape;

the lower roof and second floor act as a

DESCRIPTION continuous diaphragm that activates all

the shear walls resisting wind or seismic.
A three-car garage attached to the wing of
the building will be treated as separate
entity for lateral forces.
Roof LL 20 psf; floor LL 40 psf;
external balcony LL 60 psf Soil profile SC
Allowable bearing pressure 1000 psf
Wind 75 mph, exposure C UBC 1997
design provisions were followed
SEISMIC ANALYSIS
Mass of First-Story Structure
Second-floor and balcony weight

Lower Roof

Upper Roof
Longitudinal Analysis:
Wind is not a determining factor in the longitudinal direction at its base shear:

Between the two longitudinal shear walls the inner (rear) shear wall carries
a larger unit shear:
Hold-Down /Uplift
SEISMIC IN TRANSVERSE DIRECTION

Seismic in the transverse direction is resisted by several walls on the left side
but lesser shear walls on the right-hand side of the building 250 WOOD-FRAMED
BUILDINGS (kitchen/ family room). The share of lateral force on each wall will be
calculated on the basis of tributary areas. As the width of the building, effective to
counter lateral forces, is constant, the exercise is reduced to length issues
proportional to tributary areas. Because the total length of the building is 94.0 ft
measured along its centerline, the central wall adjacent to the stairs shares
The total length of the shear wall including the dining room wall
aligned within 2.0 ft of the stair wall is 31.0 ft:

Family Room /Bedroom 2 and 3 Shear Wall

End Wall, Right Elevation

VERTICAL LOAD ANALYSIS

Master Bedroom Door Header

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CASE 3: STEEL-REINFORCED
TWO-STORY DUPLEX

Seismic: Moderate- to High-Seismicity

Area
PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This is a wood-framed construction, two-story residential duplex at the

riverfront in a moderate- to high-seismicity area (Figure 8.19). The engineering
analysis took into consideration the seismic region as well as the 75-mph winds in
the area. The soil profile is SC. The allowable bearing pressure is 1500 psf per the
geotechnical report. The front frame is reinforced with HSS steel columns (Figure
8.20) and rolled wide flange steel beams at roof level and GLBs at the second-
floor balcony level.
 WIND LATERAL ANALYSIS
Riverfront Frame
The riverfront frame receives roof reaction because wind impacts on the
front frame blowing downstream in the north–south direction. The major
impact is at eaves level. Using the 1997 UBC projected-area method, the
lateral wind pressure on the gable end at 23.0 ft CG height, exposure C, is

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 Design Steel Beam

Note: A36 vs. A992 A992 is noted as the preferred structural steel in the AISC Manual
of Steel Construction, LRFD, 3rd edition, 2005. A concern about the welding properties of
A992 as opposed to the old A36 was addressed by AISC Technical Assistance Director Kurt
Gustafson, S.E.
33
WOOD-FRAMED
COMMERCIAL
BUILDING
CASE 4
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This is a 50 80-ft commercial building on a 56,000-sqft
lot in Victorville, California, with a retail area of 4000 sq
ft, in a high-seismicity area (Developers: Glen & Pearl
Ludwig. Architect: Steve Shover). Plate height is 14.25 ft,
parapet height is 16.0 ft, and roof structure is open web
trusses.

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3
Foundation plan showing the layout of the building.

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3
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CASE 5: WOOD-
FRAMED
RESIDENTIAL
BUILDING
Seismic: High-Seismicity Area.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION

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LATERAL ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
The lateral analysis covered seismic analysis and wind analysis.
Seismic
Analysis

Slide Title
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Wind
Analysis

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Shear Wall
Design

Slide Title
50
 Garage (Right), Dining,
External Master Bedroom Wall Kitchen Shear Wall Complex

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Porch/Bedroom 2 Wall FamilyRoom / Bedroom Wall

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Left (Rear) Shear Wall System Garage Front Wall

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GRAVITY LOAD ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
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FOUNDATION DESIGN
57
 CASE 6: WOOD-
FRAMED GARAGE
AND WORKSHOP

Seismic: Low- to Moderate-Seismicity

Area
 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
 Soil profile, Sc
 Allowable bearing pressure: 1000 psf
 Code used for analysis and design: 1997 UBC
 Wind: 70 mph

Garage:
 One-story height, footprint 18 x 36 ft, length
of building 36.0 ft
 Plate height: 14.0 ft.
 Maximum roof height: 16.0 ft
 Maximum tributary width for longitudinal
shear walls: = 12.0 ft for wind acting on front

Workshop:
 Attached to the garage is a 48-ft-wide
workshop, self-supporting against lateral forces
such as wind
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 WIND ANALYSIS

• Basic wind stagnation pressure: 12.6 psf

• Combined height, exposure coefficient for 0 –15.0 ft
high: Ce= 1.06

Use Method 2, projected-area method.

Importance factor: I = 1.0
Wind pressure acting on walls and roof: p = CeCqqsIw
p = 1.06 * 1.3 * 12.6 * 1.0
p = 17.4 psf
Wind pressure on half of left facade:
H = ()(7.0 + 2.0) * 17.4
H 3860 lbs.
 LONGITUDINAL
ANALYSIS

Total length of shear walls: 2 * 4.0 = 8.0 ft.

Resistance along longitudinal front wall of building

Linear shear:

**Provided by -in. OSB with 8d at 3, 3, 12 in. OC.

 DESIGN OF FRONT TRANSVERSE TWIN
SHEAR WALLS

Maximum wind on the twin walls = 3860 lb Note:

Maximum overturning on each wall: (14.0 ft) = 27.0 k-ft
1000 lbs. = 1 kip
Maximum uplift at HD of 6 x 6 posts:

= 6.75 k

Less weight of roof and wall = 0.85 k

Net uplift 5.90 k or 5900 lbs. < 7910 lbs.
 DESIGN OF 6 x BEAMS FOR
WORKSHOP ROOF

Span 24.0 ft.

Tributary width 12.0 ft
Total uniform roof load acting on beam including weight of beam:

Mmax =

Sreq. =

**Provided by 6 x14 beam. OK!

 DESIGN OF 2 x ROOF
RAFTERS

Span 12.0 ft
Try 2.0 ft OC:

WD + L =
* Say 58 lb/ ft including weight of roof rafter

Mmax =

Sreq. =
NG on 2.0 ft OC.
**

**2 x 6 rafters must be at 16 in. OC.

 External Footing
Maximum gravity load:

FOUNDATION OK!

DESIGN Individual Pad Footing for 6 x 6 Posts

Maximum vertical load:

Required footing size:

OK!
 LIGHT-GAUGE STEEL AS ALTERNATIVE TO WOOD
FRAMING

The interest in light-gauge steel for residential construction is based on the strength and
uniform quality of studs and joists as compared to their lumber counterparts. Steel framing offers
fire safety and termite protection. In addition, the strength and ductility of steel are a good
prospect to resist wind and seismic loads. An added advantage is that about 25% of the content
of manufactured steel today is derived from recycled sources. So why not build more steel
houses? According to Timothy J. Waite, P.E., of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
Research Center, there are several reasons: While steel framing material costs are now
competitive with lumber, labor and engineering costs tend to be higher. There is a lack of skilled
framing labor in steel framing. There is an inherent higher connection cost using screws and
screw guns versus nails and nail guns. Also, because there are no standards in the energy codes,
steel suffers a penalty in extra insulation costs in colder climates. Finally, consumers are not
aware of all the benefits of steel.
 BUILDING CODE PROVISIONS

As another example of the interaction between building codes and other standards, IBC 2003 adopted
the North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members (AISI-
NASPEC) for the design and construction of cold-formed stainless steel structural members in Section
2209, ‘‘Cold-Formed Steel.’’ Section 2210 of the code addresses cold-formed steel light-framed
construction specifically for the design, installation, and construction of cold-formed carbon or low-alloy
steel, structural and nonstructural steel framing. In this case the code adopts the Standard for Cold-Formed
Steel Framing—General Provisions of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI—General) as well as
AISI-NASPEC. Section 2211 of IBC 2003 devoted several pages to cold-formed steel light-framed shear
walls, including detailed tables for shear values for wind and seismic forces. The 2006 IBC, Sections 2209
and 2210, very much abridged as compared to IBC 2003, prescribe that the design of cold-formed carbon
and low-alloy 278 WOOD-FRAMED BUILDINGS steel structural members should comply with AISI-
NAS. The design of cold formed stainless steel structural members, on the other hand, must follow the
provisions of ASCE 8. Cold-formed steel light-framed construction should comply with IBC 2006, Section
2210. Section 2210 of IBC 2006 specifically addresses steel light-framed construction, which in general
should adhere to the recommendations of AISI—General, AISI-NAS, and in each specific case AISI-
Header, AISI-Truss, AISI-WSD for wall stud design, and AISI—Lateral for lateral design for light-framed,
cold-formed steel walls and diaphragms to resist wind and seismic loads
CASE 7: LIGHT-
GAUGE STEEL
IN MULTISTORY
PROJECT
Seismic: High-Seismicity Area
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Light-gauge steel curtains and partition walls for
two nine-story concrete towers in Long Beach,
California
Clear curtain wall stud height 9 ft, 4 in.
Maximum hollow pier/fin stud height 19 ft, 4 in.
Design by 1997 UBC, zone 4
SCOPE OF WORK
The following calculations cover Light-Gauge
Steel Curtain Walls and Internal Partition Walls
1. Light-Gauge Steel
Curtain Walls
The light-gauge steel components in the project
fall into two categories: curtain walls and fins
and other architectural (LGS) facade features
(Figure 8.28):
(a) Curtain Walls. The span is 9.33 ft for 10.0 ft
floor-to-floor height. These walls will be designed
for wind pressures corresponding to the highest
floor elevation, that is, LVL 9 with an average of
93 ft above ground. Exposure is type C of the
1997 UBC, Table 16-G, method 1, Normal Force
Method, and 70 mph basic wind speed:
qs = 12.6 psf (16-F)

Ce = 1.58 (16-G)

Cq = 0.80 inward (16-H)

Iw = 1.0 (16-K)

p = (1.58) (0.8) (12.6) (1.0) = 15.93 psf

for highest floor elevation
From Table 6.6 of the NASFA (North American
Steel Framing Alliance) ‘‘Prescriptive Method for
Cold-Formed Steel Framing,’’ 2000 edition, with
a stud spacing of 16 in. and a 10.0-ft span, the
550S162-33 stud (33 mils, 20 gauge), the wall is
good for 110 mph wind with exposure C.
 Deflection. The 550S162-33 stud is allowed to span
12 ft, 1 in. for an L/360 and 15.0 psf wind pressure.
(Reference: CEMCO Design Tables, Table 5, p. 34
‘‘Allowable Curtain Wall Spans.’’) The maximum
shear force at each end, top and bottom of stud, is

allowable capacity of two #10 screws

Reference: NASFA, ‘‘Prescriptive Method for Residential Cold

Formed Steel Framing,’’ 2000 edition, p. 160.
(b) Hollow Piers and Fins. Maximum span of 19.33
ft is at first and second stories, 550S162-68 (14
gauge) studs at 16 in. OC. Maximum wind pressure
with Ce 1.23, exposure C, method 1, is

p = 1.23(0.8)(12.6)(1.0) = 12.4 psf

The hollow piers/fins have four side walls of 2 x 6,

14-gauge (68-mil) studs cross-braced and bridged
at 32 in. OC. Therefore a sound load sharing exists
between the walls—the side and rear walls each
sharing at least 33% with the front wall. Thus the
applied uniformly distributed wind load on an
external stud at 16 in. OC is

w = (0.33)(12.4) = 5.5 psf

From Table 1, p. 5, of CEMCO, ‘‘CS-Punched C
Studs & Joists, 1 in. Flanges,’’ the inertia of
550S162-68, 14-gauge, 5 in.-deep studs is

Ix = 2.922 in­4

The maximum deflection under the above

uniformly distributed wind load with a 19.33-ft
span is

Δ­­max­­ =

Deflection is OK.
 2. Partition Walls
350S125-18 (gauge 25) studs at 16 in. OC
Floor-to-floor height 10.0 ft, giving clear stud
height of 9 ft, 4 in.
Maximum allowable stud height for non-load-
bearing partition walls for 350S125-18 (gauge 25)
stud at 16 in. OC: 10 ft, 8-in.

10 ft, 8 in. > 9 ft, 4 in. OK.

Reference Table 7.1, NASFA, ‘‘Prescriptive Method for

Residential Cold-Formed Steel Framing,’’ 2000 edition
THANK YOU!