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Bearing Wall Seismic Force System 65' Height Restriction

Thread starter padgett01
Start date May 17, 2006

Status: Not open for further replies.

May 17, 2006

padgett01

Structural

I have noticed that building codes before approx. 1999 allow a maximum building height of 160' for a bearing wall with light frame shear walls as the seismic-force-resisting-system for seismic design category D or worse. But then in the 2000 & 2003 IBC, ASCE 7-05, etc, the height restriction has been reduced to 65'. In most cases, we have the structural capability with our light frame (cold-formed steel) buildings to design greater than 65'.
Does anyone know why the big decrease from 160' to 65'? Thanks.