SDPWS 4.3.2.1 Individual Full Height Wall segments defines each segment between openings as a "wall", whereas Shearwalls defines a Segmented wall as one with or without openings consisting of one or more of the "walls" defined in SDPWS. 4.3.2.1, which we refer to as "segments". A "shear resisting element" is a wall segment.
These walls are used in traditional shear wall design where hold-downs are required at the ends of all segments, as specified in SDPWS 4.3.6.4.2, and segments containing openings are neglected when distributing shear forces, so that these segments do not contribute to the shear wall resistance.
Segments that are too narrow according to rules in SDPWS Table 4.3.3 also do not draw force or contribute to shear wall resistance. SDPWS 4.3.2.1 also define shear reductions for wall segments that are permissible but lie within a range of aspect ratios.
These walls appear solid in Plan View, however narrow segments within them are shown as as hollow. In Elevation view, non-shear resisting portions above and below openings and narrow segments are shown in gray.