Wood Shear Wall Deflection Calculator

Wood Shear Wall Deflection Equation:

\[ \delta_v = \frac{v h^3}{G A} \]

Shear (v):

N/m

Height (h):

Shear Modulus (G):

Area (A):

m²

Vertical Deflection (δ_v):

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1. What is Wood Shear Wall Deflection?

Wood shear wall deflection (δ_v) represents the vertical displacement of a wood shear wall under applied shear forces. It's a critical parameter in structural engineering for assessing the performance and stability of wood-framed structures under lateral loads.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wood shear wall deflection equation:

\[ \delta_v = \frac{v h^3}{G A} \]

Where:

\( \delta_v \) — Vertical deflection (m)
\( v \) — Shear force per unit length (N/m)
\( h \) — Height of the wall (m)
\( G \) — Shear modulus of the material (Pa)
\( A \) — Cross-sectional area (m²)

Explanation: The equation calculates the vertical deflection based on the applied shear force, wall geometry, and material properties.

3. Importance of Deflection Calculation

Details: Accurate deflection calculation is crucial for ensuring structural integrity, preventing excessive deformation, and meeting building code requirements for wood-framed structures subjected to lateral loads.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter shear force in N/m, height in meters, shear modulus in Pascals, and cross-sectional area in square meters. All values must be positive and valid.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical shear modulus for wood?
A: Shear modulus for wood typically ranges from 400-1000 MPa (400,000,000-1,000,000,000 Pa) depending on wood species and grade.

Q2: How does wall height affect deflection?
A: Deflection increases with the cube of wall height, making taller walls significantly more susceptible to deflection under the same shear load.

Q3: What are acceptable deflection limits?
A: Building codes typically limit deflection to h/240 to h/600 of the wall height, depending on the application and jurisdiction.

Q4: Does this equation account for all deflection components?
A: This equation calculates elastic deflection. Total deflection may include additional components from nail slip, panel shear, and other factors.

Q5: When is this calculation most critical?
A: This calculation is particularly important in seismic and high-wind regions where lateral loads can cause significant deflection in wood shear walls.