Design Codes Available

Important Note – These are descriptions to changes implemented in WoodWorks Shearwalls for version 9 and may not reflect current behavior.

There is no longer a choice in the Design Settings of design codes to be implemented by the program. Formerly, you could choose between UBC, IBC, and SDPWS.

1. SDPWS and IBC
   1. SDPWS vs. IBC

      The 2009 IBC now references the 2008 SDPWS for all design procedures, except those using staples, which are not permitted by SDPWS. Shearwalls does not include staples, so there are no longer differences between SDPWS and IBC in the program. Therefore the choice between these procedures has been dropped.

   2. SDPWS Update

      In Shearwalls, the SDPWS has been updated to the 2008 edition from the 2005 edition. Most of the changes in the following sections describe this update.

   3. IBC Update

      The IBC has been updated 2006 to 2009. This involves removing IBC 2006 provisions that are now handled by reference to SDPWS, and changing reference numbers to those that remain and are identical to SDPWS.

2. UBC

   The design provisions and load generation procedures from the Uniform Building Code (UBC 1997) are no longer available. To check designs that were made using IBC, it is necessary to run Shearwalls 8.22 or earlier.

3. WFCM Provisions

   The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM 1995) provisions are now limited to out-of plane bending values for lumber sheathing materials and one thickness of plywood (see ). Otherwise, there is no longer recourse to WFCM if a particular provision is not addressed by IBC or SDPWS.

4. ASCE 7-05

   The program uses ASCE 7 05 for all load generation procedures. It has been updated for Supplement 2, issued Dec 18, 2007.