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2017 User Guide – U.S. Shearwalls Tutorial

Instructions
For Design Office 11

Canadian Wood Council

American Wood Council

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The American Wood Council and the Canadian Wood Council make no representations or
warranties with respect to the contents of this user guide and specifically disclaim any implied
warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. The contents of this
documentation may include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors.
The American Wood Council and the Canadian Wood Council disclaim all warranties with respect to
the software contained on disk or in printed form, including all expressed or implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness; and any stated or expressed warranties are in lieu of all obligations or
liabilities of the American Wood Council and the Canadian Wood Council for damages, including,
but not limited to special, indirect or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with
the performance of the software.
As always, the engineer is ultimately responsible for his or her design.
Refer to Read Me for further information.

© 2017 Copyright by CWC

 Shearwalls Tutorial 1 – Design a Single Shearwall (US)
Click here to download the shearwalls file (.wsw) which will be created after running through the
instructions in this tutorial.
1.1 Modify Design Settings
1. Click the Settings… button in the main menu to open the design settings.
2. In the Design tab, under the Design procedures section, uncheck the box Include deflection
analysis.
Note doing this will automatically modify the Rigidity for shear force distribution based on… to
Shearwall Capacity).
3. Press OK to exit the Settings window.

Shearwalls Tutorial 1 – Design Settings

1.2 Creating a Structure Block
1. Start Shearwalls. The Structure button is highlighted and the Structure Input form is active.
2. Define a structure block by clicking & holding the left mouse button while the cursor points
at approximately X=0 & Y=0 and dragging the cursor to approximately X=15 & Y=15. You may
need to manually adjust the Location and Extents in the Structure Input form to define the
structure block. It may be necessary to adjust the View in the Settings tab, so that the entire
 block can be seen. Note that the Y extent dimension is irrelevant in this case as load will on
be applied to a shearline along the x-axis.
3. In the Structure Input window, under Diaphragm flexibility, uncheck the Rigid Analysis
checkbox.
4. Leave all other parameters as default, although both the wall length and wall height are
defined in this window.

Shearwalls Tutorial 1 - Creating Structure Block

1.3 Modifying Wall Details

1. Click the Walls button and highlight all the walls by pressing Ctr+a.
2. Leave the Type of wall as Segmented.
3. In the wall and shearline input view, ensure that there are no unknowns on the Exterior Side
of the wall.
4. On the Interior Side of the wall, specify the Sheathing Material as None.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 1 – Modifying Shearline Wall Details
1.4 Creating Openings
1. Click the Openings view, and ass openings as desired (None have been added for this tutorial)
 Shearwalls Tutorial 1 – Openings View

1.5 Modifying Roof Shape

1. Click on the Roof Blocks button. In the Roof Input form, under Construction select the flat
roof checkbox.
Shearwalls Tutorial 1 – Modifying Roof Block
1.6 Add Loads and Forces
1. Click on the Loads and Forces button to open the Load input Window.

Shearwalls Tutorial 1 – Loads and Forces View

2. In the Load input Window, click Add…, select the Type as Seismic, the Profile as Point
load, click the checkbox to Add as factored force directly (parallel) to the shearline,
under Location, Apply to…Shear line specify A, input a Magnitude (lbs) of 3000, and press
OK.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 1 – Add Seismic Point Load
1.7 Run Design and View Results
1. Click on the Run Design button and view the Results report.
2. Navigate to the flexible diaphragm seismic shear results, by using the Go To Table, button.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 1 – Go To Table navigation

3. Review the Shear results for shearline A. Click here to download a pdf of the design results.

Shearwalls Tutorial 1 – Shearline A Elevation View

 Shearwalls Tutorial 2 - Quick Start (U.S.)
A copy of the shearwalls file (.wsw) created from going through this tutorial can be downloaded by
clicking here.
2.1 Creating Main Block and Adjusting View
1. Start Shearwalls. The Structure button is highlighted and the Structure Input form is active.
2. Define a structure block by clicking & holding the left mouse button while the cursor points
at approximately X=0 & Y=0 and dragging the cursor to approximately X=25 & Y=35. You may
need to manually adjust the Location and Extents in the Structure Input form to define the
structure block. It may be necessary to adjust the View in the Settings tab, so that the entire
block can be seen.
3. Increment No. of Levels in the Structure Input form to 3 levels for the selected structure
block.

Shearwalls Tutorial 2 - Creating Main Block and incrementing levels

2.2 Modifying Block Walls
1. Click the Walls button and highlight wall 2-1. You may change the length, location, type or
material of the wall in the Wall Input form.
2. Split wall 2-1 by pointing the cursor at (25,20) holding down the left mouse button while
dragging the cursor to (25,0), then releasing the left mouse button. Walls 2-1 and 2-2 will now
be created.
3. Move wall 2-1 by pointing the cursor at (25,10) holding down the shift key & left mouse but-
ton while dragging the cursor to (15,10), then releasing the shift key & left mouse button.

Shearwalls Tutorial 2 – Modifying Block Walls

2.3 Creating Openings
1. Click the Openings button, point the cursor at (15,5), hold down the left mouse button & drag
the cursor to (15,15) and release the left mouse button. You may change the offsets, width
and height of the opening in the Opening Input form.

Shearwalls Tutorial 2 – Creating Openings

2.4 Extending Levels and Creating Roof
1. Click on the Extend Levels button. This will automatically create the levels 2 and 3 as a copy
of level 1.
2. Click on the Roof Blocks button. In the Roof Input form, under Construction select Hip for the
north and south sides of the building, and enter overhangs of 2 ft for all sides of the building.

Shearwalls Tutorial 2 – Extending Levels and Creating Roof

2.5 Add Loads and Forces
1. Click on the Generate Loads button to open the Generate Loads View. Loads will be added
manually for this example, therefore do not generate loads and proceed to step 2 below.
2. Click on the Loads & Forces button, click Add…, select Wind Shear, West Building Face,
Line Load, apply from level 1 to 3, Magnitude equal to 50 plf and click OK.

Shearwalls Tutorial 2 – Add Wind Shear Line Load

Shearwalls Tutorial 2 – Plan View: Loads and Forces
2.6 Run Design and View Results
1. Click on the Run Design button and view the Results report. Note that Rigid Analysis will not
be completed because the structure is only loaded in one direction. You can navigate directly
to the desired results in the Results view using the Go To Table button. Click Go to Table,
Wind Design, Flexible Diaphragm Design, Shear Results.
2. A pdf of the design results can be downloaded by clicking here.

Shearwalls Tutorial 2 – View Results

3. Click on the Loads and Forces button, highlight wall A-1 and click on the Elevation View
button to see the load distribution graphically on a shearwall or entire shearline.
4. If you close an Input form, click on the Forms button to restore the appropriate form.

Shearwalls Tutorial 2 – Shearline A Elevation View

 Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Two Storey Structure Tutorial (U.S.)
In this tutorial you will create a two-story wood-frame structure with a one-story garage and design
it for automatically generated wind and seismic loads. The following tutorial is also demonstrated in
the following online video.
The example.wmf file which is imported in this tutorial can be downloaded by clicking on here. The
shearwalls file (.wsw) which you will create by going through this tutorial can be downloaded by
clicking here.
To begin, start the Shearwalls program or select File/New to start a new file if you are already in
Shearwalls.
3.1 Define Settings
Define the initial settings and preferences for your project.
Company Information
1. From the Settings menu, select the Company Information tab.
2. Enter your company information.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Company Information

 Project Description
1. Now click on the Project Description tab.
2. Enter the relevant project description.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Project Description

 View Options
1. Click on the Plan View tab.
2. Set the snap increment to 6 (in).
3. Set Fit View Area to Window and Fit Building to View Area to off.
4. Set the Display Gridlines… to off

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – View Settings

3.2 Design Options
1. Click on the Design tab.
2. Click on Reset Original Settings.
3. Click OK.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Design Settings

 3.3 CAD Import
1. Click on the Import CAD Drawing button and select Number of Levels with CAD drawings as
2.
2. Click Import file, change the file format to Metafile (*.emf,*.wmf), select the file
example.wmf file and click Open. Repeat for second level.
Note: The file example.wmf file can be downloaded by clicking here.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Import Metafiles

Note: For multi-level buildings with varying layouts on each level, importing different metafiles for
each level can be done
3. Following the Import Wizard instructions, select the Start Positioning button and enter the
first reference point as the bottom left hand corner of the building using the mouse.
4. Use Default coordinates of (0,0), and Select Next.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Specify Default Coordinates for Level 1

5. Select the bottom right corner of the building as the second reference point.
6. Enter 20 (ft) as the distance between the two reference points.
7. Click Finish level 1.
8. Continue with CAD Import Wizard scaling instructions for level 2, and repeat steps 4 to 6.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Specify Default Coordinates for Level 2

3.4 Structure Blocks & Levels
1. Click on the Structure button.
2. Use the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons to adjust the CAD building image to fill the viewing
area.
3. Layout the first Structure Block along the exterior walls by clicking and dragging a rectangle
from the top right hand corner of the structure to the only inside corner on the left hand side
of the building. With the block still highlighted, enter Main in the Block Name field and select
2 as the number of levels. This block will represent the two-story living space of the structure.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Create Main Block

4. Layout a second structure block representing the garage portion of the structure by clicking
and dragging a rectangle from the bottom left hand corner of the structure to the inside
corner on the right hand side of the building where the garage ends. Blocks must abut or
overlap slightly. Enter Garage as the block name and select 1 as the number of levels.
5. Set the foundation elevation as 3 ft. Modifying the foundation elevation for the Garage block
will automatically modify the foundation elevation for the Main block to the same height.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Create Garage Block

3.5 Create Walls for Level 1
Click on the Walls button.
Extend outward the main entrance of the structure. Click on wall 4-1 and click and the mouse
from a point on wall 4-1 where the main entrance extension first begins to where it ends.
There should now be three walls along shearline 4, including 4-1, 4-2 and 4-3.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Splitting Shearline 4

Move wall 4-2 to the right to extend the main entrance and match the CAD file by holding
the Shift key and clicking on wall 4-2. While holding the shift key & left mouse button down,
move the arrows to the new position and release.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Extend Shearline 4 to match CAD drawing

 Continue this process until the building footprint matches the CAD file as shown below.
Add three walls by clicking at the start of each wall and dragging the mouse to the end of the
wall.
Select all three interior walls by holding CTRL and clicking on walls.
Change all three walls to Interior Segmented in Wall and Shearline Input.
Note: The CAD drawing has been toggled off in the Figure below to see where the interior shearwalls
were specified.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Add Interior shearwalls on Level 1

 3.6 Create Openings for Level 1
1. Click on the Openings button.
2. Create a garage door opening by selecting wall 3-1 and clicking on a point offset 3 ft from the
edge of the building and dragging a 14 (ft) opening. This can also be achieved by directly
entering input in the Opening Input form.
3. Continue to place door and window openings around the structure as desired.
4. To ease viewing, click on the Import CAD button to remove the CAD image from the
background. This can be turned back on at any time.
Note: Other Openings can be drawn, but for the purpose of the Tutorial only the garage opening has
been drawn on level 1.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Creating Garage Door Opening

 3.7 Create Walls for Level 2
1. It is recommended that the model be saved at this point. It is not possible to go back once
the next step of extending walls upwards is complete, so saving the model beforehand is best
practice. Click on the Extend Walls button. This automatically creates the upper levels for all
multi-leveled blocks. In this case the second level is created for the Main structure block.
2. The current level should be level 2.
3. Click on the Walls button. Add interior walls on the level 2 directly above the interior walls
on level 1, as desired.
Note: Other Interior shearwalls can be drawn, but for the purpose of the Tutorial only two walls have
been drawn on level 2.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Extending Walls to Level 2 and Adding Interior Non-shearwalls

 3.8 Create Openings for Level 2
1. Click on the Openings button.
2. Select wall E-1 and create two small 6 (ft) wide window openings with a 3.75 (ft) height and
3 (ft) offset from the bottom.
3. To view the current openings, select wall E-1 and click on the Elevation button.
4. Select level 1 to 2 in the data bar.
Note: Other Openings can be drawn, but for the purpose of the Tutorial only the two openings along
shearline E have been drawn on level 2. Also, it can be seen in elevation view that based on the two
openings, there is only one 8 ft section of shearline E which meets the required code aspect ratio and
will be utilized for resisting shear forces when the analysis is complete. Non-shear wall segments are
indicated with a grey hatch in elevation view.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Shearline Elevation View

3.9 Creating Roof Blocks
1. Click on the Roof Blocks button. Roof blocks will automatically be assigned to all structure
blocks having an initial geometry based on the defaults set in Settings/Default Settings
2. Select the Main block. Set the East and West slopes of the roof at 30 degrees and set
overhangs of 2 ft on all sides of the roof.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Modifying Roof Input for Main Block

3. Select the Garage block. Set the ridge direction to E-W, set the North and South slopes of the
roof at 30 degrees and set overhangs of 2 ft on all sides of the roof.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Modifying Roof Input for Garage Block

3.10 Generating Loads
1. Before generating loads, click on the Site Information toolbar icon. From the Load Generation
Site Information input dialog you can set the parameters to be used to generate wind and
seismic loads. To change the Design Code selection, go to the Settings/Design tab.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Load Generation Site Information

 2. Close Site Information.
Note: You can limit load generation to specific levels by selecting only the range of floors. Skipping
floor load generation can be achieved by selecting the "Loads and Forces" screen, select the floor for
which you do not want loads generated and "Delete all Showing."
3. Click on the Generate Loads toolbar icon.
4. Select Wind and Seismic loads to be generated from level 1 to 2. All other setting should
remain as shown.
5. Click on Generate Loads on Selected Levels to automatically generate loads.
6. The log file, which includes the details for the loads generated by shearwalls is now available
to be viewed. Click here to download a pdf of the log file.
7. Use the Show button menu in the data bar to turn on and off viewing of a variety of data.
8. To view seismic loads, click on Show/Seismic/Seismic Loads and Forces. Go to
Show/Orientation to view an alternative load orientation.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Plan View Generated Loads Level 1

3.11 Modifying & Manually Applying Loads
1. Click on the Loads and Forces button.
2. Select the South wall (A-1) on level 1. All generated loads acting on wall A-1 will appear in
the Load Input form.
3. Generated loads can be modified or deleted at this stage based on your judgement.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Plan View: Loads and Forces

 3.12Plan View
To view the various loads and forces applied, use the Show menu.

1. Select Show/Seismic to switch to the seismic loads generated by the program

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Show Forces in Plan View

3.13Elevation View
1. Select wall E-1 and click on the Elevation button.
2. Set the levels from 1 to 2 to show both levels at once.
3. Shear forces, hold-down forces and dragstrut forces are shown.
4. Select Show/Forces/Hold-downs/Separate to view the hold-down force broken-up by its
components.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – Forces in Elevation View

3.14Results
1. Click on the Design button. The Design Results view will appear. You can download a pdf of
the design results by clicking here.
2. A pdf of the log file, which now includes additional details for the torsional analysis can be
downloaded by clicking here.
3. Scroll up and down to view the results. There are still a number of deficiencies which need
to be addressed by modifying the wall details and hold-downs along the shearlines for the
purpose of creating a design that meets the code.
4. The Show button options allow the Design Results to be customized.
5. Print the results by clicking on the Print button.

Shearwalls Tutorial 3 – View Results

 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Structure and Roof Block Strategy (US)
The decision to model a structure using a single structure block or several structure blocks depends
on the configuration of the structure and the designer’s intentions regarding of the generation of
lateral loads on each level. If a structure is to be designed for wind loads generated by the software
using the low-rise method, the designer has no choice but to define the structure using only one
block, as it is not possible to generate loads for multiple blocks using the low rise method, as the ASCE
7-10 does not provide guidance for this situation. In cases where multiple roof blocks are utilized in
a model, it is necessary to utilize the all heights method to generate wind loads.
Structure blocks establish the initial shell of exterior walls for all levels of the structure. Blocks
maintain the integrity of the structure by ensuring that this shell does not have any gaps. Two
common misconception with Shearwalls is that the blocks of the structure must match the roof shape
perfectly and that you must utilize multiple structure blocks to achieve the shape of your structure,
although this is not the case. The reason for using multiple blocks in a model would be if you have
portions of your structure which vary in height (i.e. 2 story house with a 1 story garage attached). If
your entire structure is consistently the same elevation on each level, then you only need one
structure block to start modelling your building. Once in walls view, it is possible to adjust the model
to match the actual perimeter of the structure by splitting walls (tracing over them) and then utilizing
the shift key on your keyboard to move the walls to achieve the shape of the building. If your roof is
not flat and includes multiple hips and valleys, once in Roof view, it is possible to add multiple roof
blocks to achieve the desired roof shape.
This tutorial will go over the structure block creation strategy for a two story house, as well the roof
block creation for the two story structure.
Each model and structure is different, and the choice to use 1, 2 or more blocks is ultimately up to
the user. In the experience of the WoodWorks Software Technical Support Team, it has been found
that using too many structure blocks over complicates models, and it best practice to limit the
number of structure blocks utilized in a model.
Note: The pdfs of the floor print of the structure can be downloaded by clicking the following link:
Level 1, Level 2
4.1 Structure Block and Roof Block Creation Strategy
The following three figures include the 1st floor, 2nd floor and roof plan view of the structure. Note
that the second story, does not cover the full area of the garage. Some users would assume that it
is necessary to utilize more than one structure block to model this structure accurately, but it is
possible to move walls into the structure when on the second story, so for this structure it is only
necessary to utilize one structure block. Furthermore, some users would assume that multiple
structure blocks would need to be utilized to create the roof, but it will be demonstrated in the roof
block generation portion of the tutorial that it is possible to add multiple roof blocks once in the
roof block view. Throughout this project a strategy for saving multiple versions of the file after
various steps is demonstrated.
Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – 1st Story Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – 2nd Story
Plan Plan

Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Roof Plan View

 4.2 Define Settings
Define the initial settings and preferences for your project.

Company Information
1. From the Settings menu, select the Company Information tab.
2. Enter your company information.

Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Company Information

 Project Description
1. Now click on the Project Description tab.
2. Enter the relevant project description.

Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Project Description

 Default Values
1. Click on the Default Values tab.
2. Click on Reset Original Settings.

Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Default Values

 Snap Increment
1. Click on the Plan View tab.
2. Set the Mouse clicks recorded at to 2 in snap increments.

Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Set Snap Increment

 Design Settings
1. Click on the Settings, Design Tab.
2. Change the Wind Load generation procedure to ASCE 7-10 Directional (All heights).
3. Unclick the box Include deflection Analysis.
4. Rigidity for shear force distribution based on… will automatically change to Shearwall
capacity (wood based panels and Fiberboard only).
5. Under Ignore non-wood panel contribution… click the All gypsum-based materials,
fiberboard and lumber sheathing for seismic design.
6. Press OK for the settings changes to take effect.

Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Design Settings

7. Save a copy of the model Tutorial_4_settings.wsw
4.3 CAD Import
1. Click on the Import CAD Drawing button and select Number of Levels with CAD drawings as
2.
2. For Level 1, Click Import file, select the file Tutorial_11_Floor_1.pdf file and click Open.
3. For Level 2, Click Import file, select the file Tutorial_11_Floor_2.pdf file and click Open.
Note: The pdfs of the floor print of the structure can be downloaded by clicking the following link:
Level 1, Level 2
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Import Metafiles
4. Following the Import Wizard instructions, select the Start Positioning button and enter the
first reference point as the bottom left hand corner of the garage bump-out using the mouse
(See red circle in figure below).
5. Use Default coordinates of (30,0), and Select Next.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Specify Default Coordinates for Level 1

6. Select the bottom right corner of the building as the second reference point (See red circle in
figure below).
7. Enter 10 (ft) as the distance between the two reference points.
8. Click Finish level 1.
9. Continue with CAD Import Wizard scaling instructions for level 2, and repeat steps 4 to 8.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Specify Default Coordinates for Level 2
8. Save a new copy of the model Tutorial_4_CAD_import.wsw
4.4 Structure Blocks & Levels
1. Click on the Structure button.
2. Use the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons to adjust the CAD building image to fill the viewing
area.
3. Layout the first Structure Block by clicking and dragging a rectangle from the top left corner
of the structure to the bottom right corner. This is the only structure block which is necessary
to create an accurate model of the structure. With the block still highlighted, make the
following modifications:
a) Enter House in the Block Name field.
b) Specify the X location as 0 ft
c) Specify the X extent as 40 ft
d) Specify the Y location as 0 ft
e) Specify the Y extent as 55.5 ft
f) Select 2 as the number of levels.
g) Modify the Foundation elevation to 1 ft.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Create House Block
4. Save a new copy of the model Tutorial_4_Block.wsw

4.5 Create Walls for Level 1

Click on the Walls button.
Click on wall B-1 and click and the mouse from the point on wall B-1 where the main
structure ends to the end of the wall. There should now be two walls along shearline B,
segments B-1 and B-2.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Splitting Shearline B

Click on segment B-2, while holding the shift key & left mouse button down, move the wall
down to the wall on the exterior North side of the structure and release.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Extend Shearline B to match CAD drawing

Click on wall A-1, and using the same technique as described for Shearline B, split the wall
into four equal segments of 10 ft. There should now be four walls along shearline A,
segments A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4.
Note: The location of the segments can be adjusted using the Wall Form view (See red Box in Image
below)
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Splitting Shearline A

5. Click on segment A-1, while holding the shift key & left mouse button down, move the wall
upwards to match exterior of the structure on the South Side and release.
6. Click on segment A-2, while holding the shift key & left mouse button down, move the wall
upwards to match exterior of the structure on the South Side and release. Note that the wall
segment will rename itself shearwall A-1 based on step 5.
7. Click on segment A-3, while holding the shift key & left mouse button down, move the wall
upwards to match exterior of the structure on the South Side and release. Note that the wall
segment will rename itself shearwall A-1 based on step 6.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 - Extend Shearline A to match CAD drawing
8. Save a new copy of the model Tutorial_4_wall_before_extending.wsw
Note: For the purpose of simplifying this tutorial, no interior walls will be drawn in the mode. If
desired interior shearwalls or interior non-shearwalls could be added to the model, but note that
any walls which are added to the model before extending walls upwards will be included on the 2nd
storey, so adding interior walls after extending walls upwards would make more sense as the
interior walls between the two storeys is not consistent throughout the structure.
4.6 Extend Walls Upwards and Adjust Walls on Second Storey
1. Click on the extend walls upwards icon.
2. Click on wall A-1, and move it so that it is in line with wall B-1, effectively creating one
shearline, with wall segments B-1 and B-2.
3. Click on wall B-2, and press the delete key to create one wall segment known as B-1.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Adjusting Shearlines on top of the Garage
Note: To move wall B-1 to be on the other side of wall C-1, it must be done in two steps. First you
must align wall B-1 with wall C-1, then adjust wall B-1 a second time to be on the other side of wall
C-1.
4. Click on wall B-1, hold the shift key and move the wall to be in line with wall C-1.
5. Click on the portion of wall now known as C-2 (based on step 4), hold the shift key and
move wall C-2 to be in line with the exterior wall above the garage.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Modifying Level 2 to match CAD drawing
6. Save a new copy of the model Tutorial_4_wall_level_2.wsw
4.7 Create Wall Openings on Levels 1 and 2
1. Click on the Openings button.
2. Create openings by clicking on a wall and tracing a line where an opening should be. Follow
the opening on the CAD drawing and adjust accordingly using the Opening form view.
Note: Although the size of the openings does not matter for segmented shearwalls, for the purpose
of this tutorial, all doors will have a height of 6.75 ft with a 0 ft offset from bottom, and all windows
will be a height of 2.75 ft with a 3 ft offset from bottom.
Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Openings on Level 1
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Openings on Level 2
3. Save a new copy of the model Tutorial_4_openings.wsw

4.8 Creating Roof Blocks

1. Click on the Roof Blocks button. One large roof block will automatically be generated by the
program which follows the initial shape of the structure block. The initial geometry will be
based on the defaults set in Settings/Default Settings. The next steps will go over how to
create the roof shape of the model.
2. Set the current level to 2.
3. Select the House block.
a) Adjust the roof block so that it only convers the main structure. See Figure for geometry.
b) Adjust the Ridge orientation to East-West.
c) Adjust both the East and West ends of the roof block to be Hip.
d) Set the Slopes of the roof at 30 degrees
e) Set the Overhangs to 2 ft on all sides of the roof.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Modifying Roof Input for House Block
4. Create a second roof block, by clicking the top left corner of the structure and running the
new roof block into the main roof block. Make the following adjustments to the new roof
block known as Block 2:
a) Adjust the roof block so that it matches the extents of the structure. See Figure
for geometry.
b) Set the Ridge orientation to North-South.
c) Adjust the North end to be a Gable, and the South end to be Joined.
d) Set the Slopes of the roof at 30 degrees.
e) Set the Overhangs to 2 ft on all sides of the roof.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Creating and Modifying Roof Block 2

5. Create a third roof block, by clicking the just below the location of the front door and run the
new block into the main roof block. Make the following adjustments to the new roof block
known as Block 3:
a) Adjust the roof block so that it matches the extents of the structure. See Figure
for geometry.
b) Set the Ridge orientation to North-South.
c) Adjust the South end to be a Gable, and the North end to be Joined.
d) Set the Slopes of the roof at 30 degrees.
e) Set the Overhangs to 2 ft on all sides of the roof.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 - Creating and Modifying Roof Block 3

6. Set the Current Level to 1.

7. Create a fourth roof block, by clicking the bottom left corner of the structure and running the
new roof block into the main roof block. Make the following adjustments to the new roof
block known as Block 4:
a) Adjust the roof block so that it matches the extents of the structure. See Figure
for geometry.
b) Set the Ridge orientation to North-South.
c) Adjust the North end to be a Joined, and the South end to be Hip.
d) Set the Slopes of the roof at 30 degrees
e) Set the Overhangs to 2 ft on all sides of the roof.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 - Creating and Modifying Roof Block 4

8. Create a fifth roof block, by clicking near the bottom right corner of the structure and running
the new roof block into Block 4. Make the following adjustments to the new roof block known
as Block 5:
a) Adjust the roof block so that it matches the extents of the structure. See Figure
for geometry.
b) Set the Ridge orientation to North-South.
c) Adjust the South end to be a Gable, and the North end to be Joined.
d) Set the Slopes of the roof at 30 degrees
e) Set overhangs of 2 ft on all sides of the roof.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 - Creating and Modifying Roof Block 5
9. Save a new copy of the model Tutorial_4_roof.wsw
4.9 Generating Loads
1. Before generating loads, click on the Site Information toolbar icon. From the Load Generation
Site Information input dialog you can set the parameters to be used to generate wind and
seismic loads. It is recommended to use the links provided in the wind speed and spectral
response acceleration to determine appropriate inputs.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Load Generation Site Information

2. Click on the Generate Loads toolbar icon.

3. Select Wind and Seismic loads to be generated from level 1 to 2. All other setting should
remain as shown.
4. Click on Generate Loads on Selected Levels to automatically generate loads.
5. Use the Show button menu in the data bar to turn on and off viewing of a variety of data.
6. To view wind loads, click on Show/Wind.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Plan View Wind Loads Generated on Level 2
7. Save a new copy of the model Tutorial_4_loads_generated.wsw

4.10 Results
1. Click on the Loads and Forces icon to enable the Run Design icon.
2. Click on the Design button to run the design. The Design Results view will appear.
3. Scroll up and down to view the results.
4. The Show button options allow the Design Results to be customized.
5. Print the results by clicking on the Print button. Click here to download a pdf of the design
results.
6. Click here to download a pdf of the log file including the load generation and torsional analysis
results.
7. Save a new copy of the model Tutorial_4_final_design.wsw.
Shearwalls Tutorial 4 – Review Results
 Shearwalls Tutorial 5 – Matching Published Design example (U.S.)
The following Tutorial goes through how to recreate the shearline from SDPWS Commentary
C4.3.3.4.1. The tutorial will go over commentary example for capacity based distribution (C4.3.3.4.1-
2), although the distribution method along shearlines can be modified to deflection based
distribution to recreate example C4.3.3.4.1-1.
Note that it is not possible to 100% recreate the calculations demonstrated in the SDPWS
commentary example problem for two main reasons.
1. Shearwalls does not use the same load level for calculating shear resistance and calculating
deflection as is done in the SDPWS commentary examples. Shearwalls software utilizes ASD
level forces when checking the shear capacity of a shearline, but when calculating deflection,
the load level is brought back to strength level loads as per ASCE 7-10.
2. When using deflection based distribution, Shearwalls software iterates the load going
between segments along a shearline until deflections are equalized, while the SDPWS
commentary example C4.3.3.4.1-1 determines how much the segment SW2 will deflect based
on the deflection of SW1 when it is loaded to capacity.
Click here to download the shearwalls file (.wsw) which will be created by going through this tutorial.
5.1 Define Settings
1. Click on the Settings, Design Tab.
2. Under Rigidity for shear force distribution based on… select Shearwall capacity (wood
panels and fiberboard only).

Shearwalls Tutorial 5 – Design Settings

 5.2 Plan View Settings
1. Click on the Settings, Plan View Tab.
2. Modify Mouse clicks recorded at to 2 in snap increment.
3. Click OK.

Shearwalls Tutorial 5 – Plan View settings

5.3 Structure Blocks & Levels
1. Click on the Structure button.
2. Create a Structure Block, and adjust its dimensions so that the X and Y locations are both
set to 0 (ft), set the X extent equal to 15 (ft), and the Y extent equal to 15 (ft).
3. Set the Wall height of Level 1 to 8 (ft).
4. Set the Floor/Ceiling depth of 0 (ft) between each level.
5. Adjust the Foundation elevation equal to 0 (ft).
6. Under Diaphragm flexibility, uncheck the rigid analysis checkbox.
Note: The Y extent is irrelevant for this problem as manual loads will be generated for the shearline
along the Southern end of the model
Shearwalls Tutorial 5 – Creating Structure Block
 5.4 Create Openings for Levels 1 and 2
1. Click on Walls View.
2. Click on Openings View.
3. Toggle Shearline A-1.
4. Add an opening that is offset from edge by 8 (ft), with a width of 4.67 (ft).
Note the height and offset from bottom of the opening are irrelevant since segmented shearwalls
will be specified, which do not account for the areas above and below wall openings when
completing shear analysis.

Shearwalls Tutorial 5 – Adding Openings in Shearline A

5.5 Creating Standard Walls
As default, all of the walls on level 1 should be specified as exterior segmented, which consists of
wood structural panels on the exterior and gypsum wallboard on the interior. These details need to
be modified to match the SDPWS commentary example.
Modifying Wall A-1 on Level 1
1. Click on Walls.
2. Click on ctr+a, to toggled all the walls on the storey.
3. Specify the Type as segmented.
4. Specify the following parameters for the Exterior Side:
a) Material is Structural Sheathing.
b) Thickness is 15/32 in.
c) Orientation is Horizontal.
d) Click on the OSB box.
e) Click on Blocking box.
f) Fasteners type as Common wire nails
g) Fasteners Sizer of 8d.
h) Fastener Edge Spacing as 6 (in).
i) Fastener Interior Spacing as 12 (in).
j) Framing material as Lumber.
k) Framing Species as D.Fir-L.
l) Framing Grade as No.2.
m) Framing Thickness b as 2 in nom.
n) Framing Width d as 4 in nom.
o) Framing Stud Spacing as 16 in.
p) End studs at left is 2.
q) End Studs at Right is 2.
r) Specify Hold-down HDU5-SDS2.5 for the Left and Right Ends of the wall
5. Specify the following parameters for the Interior Side:
a) Material as None.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 5 – Modifying Standard Walls
5.6 Roof Block
1. Navigate to Roof Input View.
2. Specify the Construction as Flat roof.
 5.7 Applying Manual Loads
Skip the Building Site and Generate Loads buttons, as loads will be manually applied for this tutorial.
1. Click on the Loads and Forces button.

Shearwalls Tutorial 5 – Loads and Forces

2. Set the current Level to 1.
a) Click on wall A-1, Click Add…,
b) Click on Add as a factored force directly (parallel) to the shearline.
c) Select Type of load as Seismic Shear
d) Select Profile type as Point Load
e) Modify Levels to From 1 To 1.
f) Modify Location to Apply to… Shearline A
g) Specify a Magnitude of 2400 lbs.
h) Set Distribution method as Both.
i) Click OK.
 Tutorial 5 – Add Wind Load on Level 1
5.8 Run Design and Compare Design Results to Wood Design Manual
1. Click on Run Design.
2. In the Results View, click on Go To Table, Seismic Design, Flexible Diaphragm Design, Shear
Results.
3. Compare Seismic Shear results to those shown in SDPWS 2015 Example C4.3.3.4.1-2.
4. Click here to download a pdf of the design results.
 Shearwalls Tutorial 5 – Seismic Shear Results
5.9 Additional Practice
1. Go to the Design Settings tab
2. Under Rigidity for shear force distribution based on… select Deflection of wall segments or
perforated walls.
3. Press OK.
4. Click on Run Design.
5. Compare seismic shear results to those shown in SDPWS 2015 Example C4.3.3.4.1-1 (Take
note of the differences as per explanation at the beginning of the tutorial).
 Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Model – 3 Storey Apartment Building (U.S.)
The 3storeybuilding.pdf file used to create the shearwalls model in this tutorial can be downloaded
by clicking here.
Click here to download the shearwalls model (.wsw) which has been saved at the point just before
extending walls upwards. If using this file, you may want to move forward to step 6.7.
To begin, start the Shearwalls program or select File/New to start a new file if you are already in
Shearwalls.
6.1 Define Settings
Define the initial settings and preferences for your project.

Company Information
1. From the Settings menu, select the Company Information tab.
2. Enter your company information.

Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Company Information

Project Description
1. Click on the Project Description tab.
2. Enter the relevant project description.

Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Project Description

Design Settings
1. Click on the Design Settings tab.
2. Under Rigidity for shear force distribution based on… select Shearwall Capacity (wood
panels and fiberboard only).
3. Under Ignore non-wood-panel contribution… select All gypsum-based materials, fiberboard
and lumber sheathing for seismic design.
 Tutorial 6 – Design Settings
Plan View Settings
1. Click on the Plan View tab
2. Adjust the Mouse clicks recorded at to 2 in.
3. Adjust the Display Gridlines to Every 36 snap increments.
4. Click OK.
 Tutorial 6 – Plan View Settings
6.2 CAD Import
1. Click on the Import CAD Drawing button and select Number of Levels = 3.
2. Click Import pdf from the Examples subdirectory under the Shearwalls directory, select the
Three_storey_apartment-Model.pdf file and click Open. Repeat for second and third levels.
 Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Import PDF
3. Following the Import Wizard instructions, select the Start Positioning button and enter the
first reference point as the bottom left hand corner of the building using the mouse. Do not
select the corner of the balcony, select the bottom left corner of the family room in apartment
3.
4. Use Default coordinates of (12,0), and Select Next.
 Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Specify Default Coordinates for Level 1
5. Select the bottom right corner of the building as the second reference point. Do not select
the corner of the balcony, select the top left corner of the family room in apartment 1.
Note: That picking the second reference point as the other end of the structure is not necessary. If
there is a closer known distance, or gridlines are included in the sketch, then it is recommended to
utilized a shorter distance as the second reference point.
6. Enter 60 (ft) as the distance between the two reference points.
7. Click Finish level 1.
8. Continue with the same CAD Import scaling instructions for levels 2 and 3.
Note that setting the default coordinates for the structure may take several iterations until the
Cad drawing is properly placed in shearwalls. For this particular import, suggest clicking on points
at the exterior edges of the exterior walls, as to ensure the walls will line up in both the x and y
directions on each storey.

6.3 Structure Blocks & Levels

1. Click on the Structure button.
2. Use the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons to adjust the CAD building image to fill the viewing
area, or hold the ctrl key and use the scroll wheel on your mouse to zoom in or out.
Note: There are many ways in which the shape of the structure can be modelled. For the purpose of
this example, one block will be created, then exterior walls will be split and moved.
3. Create a Structure Block along the most Northern and Southern exterior walls by clicking and
dragging a rectangle from the top right hand corner of the structure to the only inside corner
on the left hand side of the building. Coordinates of the block can be seen in the Figure below.
With the block still highlighted, select 3 as the number of levels.

Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Creating Structure Block

6.4 Extending East and West Walls of Structure

1. Click on the Walls button.
2. Split both walls 1-1 and 2-1 into three separate walls by drawing additional walls on top of
the walls. Click on wall 1-1 and click and the mouse from the bottom to the point where the
bedroom begins (ie. From 0 ft to 12 ft along wall length). Draw another line along the wall 1-
1 from the edge of Bedroom 2 in Apartment 1 to the end of the wall line (ie, From 12 ft to 68
ft along wall length). There should now be three walls along shearline 1, including 1-1, 1-2
and 1-3. Repeat the same steps for shearline 2-1. (Note: The CAD drawing has been hidden
by toggling the Import CAD Drawing button in the screen capture below for clarity).
 Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Splitting Shearlines 1 and 2

3. Move wall 1-2 to the left to extend the block and match the CAD file by holding the Shift key
and clicking on wall 1-2. While holding the left mouse button down, move the arrows to the
new position and release (Wall should now be located along gridline -3 ft). Repeat the same
steps for wall 2-2 (Wall should now be located along gridline 87 ft, and will be renamed to 4-
1).
 Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Extending Shearlines 1 and 2 to match CAD drawing
6.5 Drawing Interior Walls
Now that the exterior perimeter of the structure has been established, it is time to draw all of the
interior walls. For now, we will not worry about wall types as it is more important to establish the
walls within the building. Modifying wall types will be done once all of the walls have been drawn
and openings have been added. There are two options when drawing interior walls. Either draw
every wall, including partitions, or only those walls which will be utilized as shearwalls. For simplicity,
only the walls which are going to be utilized as shearwalls will be drawn. Below is a summary of the
walls drawn in the model.
North-South Walls

Name X (ft) Start Y End Y Name X (ft) Start Y End Y

(ft) (ft) (ft) (ft)
1-1 -3 12 68 4-1 47 0 80
2-1 12 0 12 5-1 72 0 12
2-2 12 12 40.5 5-2 72 12 40.5
2-3 12 40.5 68 5-3 72 40.5 68
2-4 12 68 80 5-4 72 68 80
3-1 37 0 80 6-2 87 12 68
East-West Walls

Name Y (ft) Start X End X Name Y (ft) Start X End X

(ft) (ft) (ft) (ft)
A-1 0 12 72 C-2 40.5 47 87
B-1 12 -3 12 D-1 68 -3 12
B-2 12 72 87 D-2 68 72 87
C-1 40.5 -3 37 E-1 80 12 72

Note: In the Figure below, the CAD drawing has been hidden by toggling the Import CAD Drawing
button in the screen capture below for clarity.

Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Drawing walls on level 1

6.6 Create Openings for Level 1
Click on the Openings button. For simplicity, all doors and window will have the same height and
offset from bottom as specified in the table below:
Opening Height (ft) Offset from
Type bottom (ft)
Door (D) 7 0
Window (W) 3 4
Note: It is possible to quickly draw openings within walls by clicking and dragging a line where the
opening is to be placed. It is recommended to draw all of the window openings using this method
and then adjusting them accordingly.
North-South Wall
Name Opening Offset from Width Name Opening Offset from Width
Type Edge (ft) (ft) Type Edge (ft) (ft)
1-1 W 5.5 4.5 4-1 D 35.5 3.5
W 19.5 4.5 D 41 3.5
W 32 4.5 5-1 D 2.5 7
W 46 4.5 5-2 D 11 3
2-1 D 2.5 7 D 15 3
2-2 D 11 3 5-3 D 10 3
D 15 3 D 14 3
2-3 D 10 3 5-4 D 2.5 7
D 14 3 6-1 W 5.5 4.5
2-4 D 2.5 7 W 19.5 4.5
3-1 D 35.5 3.5 W 32 4.5
D 41 3.5 W 46 4.5
East-West Walls

Name Opening Offset from Width Name Opening Offset Width

Type Edge Type from Edge
A-1 W 16 5 E-1 W 16 5
D 26.5 7 D 26.5 7
W 39 5 W 39 5

Note: Now that the walls and openings have been established, the CAD drawing has been toggled
off so that it is easier to view the walls in the model.

Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Creating Wall and Door Openings

 6.7 Creating Standard Walls
For the purpose of the tutorial, a number of different standard walls will be utilized. Except for
shearlines B and D, all of the exterior walls will be specified as non-shearwalls. The exterior non-
shearwall standard wall will be named extnoshear. Three standard segmented standard wall types
will be created (1 for floor). Each floor will be designated a Standard wall type known as shear#. The
# will be numbered 1, 2, or 3, depending on the story. The goal is to have one standard shearwall
construction for each story of the structure. Standard Wall Shear1 will be specified on the stop story,
Shear2 on the second story, and Shear3 on the bottom story. The model will have four shearlines in
the North-South direction (Circled in Black in Figure below), and three shearlines in the East-West
direction (Circled in Red in Figure below).
All the standard walls will be created before extending walls upwards. Doing this will help facilitate
easily modifying the shearlines on the upper storeys.

Tutorial 6 – Establishing Shearlines for Model

 Creating Standard Wall Shear1
1. Click on Walls.
2. Go to Form View.
3. Click on Edit Standard Walls.
4. Click New.
5. Name new standard wall Shear1.
6. Under Type, specify Segmented.
7. Leave the Relative Rigidity per unit length equal to 1.
8. Specify the following parameters on the Exterior Side:
a) Material is Structural 1.
b) Thickness is 15/32 mm.
c) Click on the OSB box.
d) Click on Blocking box.
e) Set Span rating to 32/16.
f) Orientation is Horizontal.
g) Fasteners type as Common wire nails.
h) Fasteners Sizer of 10d
i) Fastener Edge Spacing as 6 in.
j) Fastener Interior Spacing as 12 in.
k) Framing material as Lumber Stud.
l) Framing Species as D.Fir-L.
m) Framing Grade as No.2.
n) Framing Thickness b as 2 in.
o) Framing Width d as 4 in.
p) Framing Stud Spacing as 16 in.
q) End studs at left is 2.
r) End Studs at Right is 2.
9. Click on the Interior Side and set the material to None.
10. Click OK.
11. Click Yes to the pop up window to save standard wall details.
Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Creating Standard Wall Shear1
 Creating Standard wall Shear 2
1. Click on Edit Standard Walls.
2. Set the Standard wall to Shear1
3. Click Copy.
4. Name new standard wall Shear2.
5. Set the Fastener Edge Spacing 4 in.
6. Click Save.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Yes to the pop up window to save standard wall details.

Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Creating Standard Wall Shear2

Creating Standard wall Shear 3
1. Click on Edit Standard Walls.
2. Set the Standard wall to Shear1
3. Click Copy.
4. Name new standard wall Shear3.
5. Set the Fastener Edge Spacing 3 in.
6. Click Save.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Yes to the pop up window to save standard wall details.
 Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Creating Standard Wall Shear3

Modifying Exterior Non-shear Standard Wall

1. Click on Edit Standard Walls.
2. Specify Standard wall as Shear1.
3. Click Copy.
4. Rename the Standard Wall as Extnoshear.
5. Specify a hold-down configuration of non-shearwall.
6. On the Exterior Side of the wall, specify the following parameters:
a) Material is Structural 1.
b) Thickness is 15/32 mm.
c) Click on the OSB box.
d) Click on Blocking box.
e) Set Span rating to 32/16.
f) Orientation is Horizontal.
g) Fasteners type as Common wire nails.
h) Fasteners Sizer of 10d
i) Fastener Edge Spacing as 6 in.
j) Fastener Interior Spacing as 12 in.
k) Framing material as Lumber Stud.
l) Framing Species as D.Fir-L.
 m) Framing Grade as No.2.
n) Framing Thickness b as 2 in.
o) Framing Width d as 4 in.
p) Framing Stud Spacing as 16 in.
q) End studs at left is 2.
r) End Studs at Right is 2.
7. Leave the Interior Side of the wall Material as None.
8. Click Save.
9. Click OK.
10. Click Yes to the pop up window to save standard wall details.

Tutorial 6 – Shearwalls Standard Wall Extnoshear

6.8 Specifying Wall Types on Level 1
1. Click Ctrl+A to select all of the walls.
2. Specify all of the walls as Shear1.

Tutorial 6 –Specifying all walls as Shear1

3. Click elsewhere on the screen so that no walls are toggled.
4. Hold the Ctrl key and Click on walls 1-1, 6-1, A-1 and E-1, and specify the walls as Extnoshear

Tutorial 6 – Specifying Extnoshear walls

6.9 Extending Walls Upwards
1. Click on the Extend Walls Upwards Button.
2. Set the current Level to 2.
3. Hold the Ctrl key and Click on walls B-1, B-2, C-1, C-2, D-1, D-2, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3. 2-4.
3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, and 5-4. Modify the wall types by specifying them as shear2
from the drop-down menu in the wall form view.
4. Set the current Level to 1.
5. Hold the Ctrl key and Click on walls B-1, B-2, C-1, C-2, D-1, D-2, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3. 2-4.
3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, and 5-4. Modify the wall types by specifying them as shear3
from the drop-down menu in the wall form view.

Tutorial 6 – Specifying Shearwalls on Level 1 as standard wall Shear3

 6.10 Creating Roof Blocks
1. Click on the Roof Blocks button.
2. Modify the roof block Construction to be specified as Flat roof.

Note: Additional steps can be taken to adjust the location of the roof block to match the shape of
the structure perfectly, then additional roof blocks can be added where. The size of the flat roof block
is going to affect the seismic load generation. For simplicity, in this model the roof block will be left
as is covering the four corners of the model.

Tutorial 6 – Modifying Roof

6.11 Generating Loads

1. Before generating loads, click on the Site Information toolbar icon. From the Load Generation
Site Information input dialog you can set the parameters to be used to generate wind and
seismic loads. The following parameters of been input for load generation.
 Tutorial 6 – Load Generation Site Information

2. Click OK.
3. Click on the Generate Loads toolbar icon.
4. Select Wind and Seismic loads to be generated from level 1 to 3.
5. Click on Generate Loads on Selected Levels to automatically generate loads.
 Tutorial 6 – Load Generation Input Form

6.12 Modifying & Manually Applying Loads

1. Click on the Loads and Forces button.
2. Select the south wall (A-1) on level 1. All generated loads acting on wall A-1 will appear in the
Load Input form.
3. Generated loads can be modified or deleted at this stage based on your judgment.
4. For the purpose of the tutorial, no generated loads will be modified or deleted.

6.13 Run First Design and Review Results

1. Click on the Run Design Button.
2. Once the analysis is complete, click on Go To Table, Structural Data, Sheathing and Framing
Materials.
3. From this page, it will be possible to review the resultant shearwall nail spacing needed to
resist the loads lateral loads.

Tutorial 6 – View Sheathing Materials Results

4. Click on Go To Table, Design Summary.
5. From this page it can be observed that the sheathing framing details determined by the
program are adequate in resisting all of the Wind and Seismic Loads for both a rigid and
flexible diaphragm.

Tutorial 6 – Reviewing Shearwall Design Summary

6. Scroll down the page, and the Hold-down design summary should be visible. From the
summary, it can be observed that the specified hold-downs do not currently have adequate
capacity along a number of shearlines at each level.

Tutorial 6 – Reviewing Hold-down Design Summary

7. To remedy these failures, it will be necessary to go back into the Walls View, and modify the
specified hold-downs on levels 1 to have a higher capacity.
8. Set Current Level to 1, Hold the Ctrl key, and click on all the shearwalls (Shear3). In the
shearwalls Form View, modify the hold-downs to HDU14-SDS2.5.
 Tutorial 6 – Modify specified Hold-downs on levels 1
9. Click on Run Design.
10. Review the design results in the Design View. Check all other designs, such as story drift,
components and cladding loads, etc. Continue to modify wall details until a final solution is
found.
11. Accept the design by clicking on the Accept Design icon.
12. Click here to download a copy of the design results created from the model.
13. Click here to download a copy of the log file created from this model.