Current analysis and design procedures for light-frame wood buildings
do not give consideration to the complex three-dimensional structural
response of the buildings. A full-scale single-story wood house is con
structed and tested under lateral loads at various stages of loading t
o evaluate the structural response and load-sharing characteristics. D
ifferent sheathings, fastener arrangements, and openings are incorpora
ted to create shear walls with varying stiffnesses. Extensive force an
d displacement readings are made of the building during testing to qua
ntify the structural response. Results of the study indicate that the
roof diaphragm affected the distribution of lateral load to the shear
walls of the building. The roof diaphragm behaved nearly like a rigid
diaphragm. Load distribution among the shear walls is a function of wa
ll stiffness and position within the building. The walls transverse to
the loading direction carried between 8% and 25% of the applied later
al load. Stiffness contributions provided by additional layers of shea
thing are directly additive.