Construction adhesive in wood shear walls

[Devanb]

I am in the process of desinging a 4 storey wood condo building in a low seismic zone and I am questioning the shear wall design we have used in the past.

On past projects typical OSB shear walls with specified nailing patterns have been combinded with construction adhesive to each framing member. I have asked around the office and nobody can tell me where this designs have come from or what kind of capacity can be given to the adhesive.

Am I able to increase the wood panel perimeter nail spacing if construction adhesive is used or is the use of adhesive discouraged all together?

Your response/input is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
db

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Check the IBC. I have never seen any info for or against its use.
Personally, if you have the time and money - I would love it. Does it help - probably. How much?? No clue!!

 

[JAE]

Never seen such a thing as structural glue.

 

[JAE]

....in wood construction.

 

[msquared48]

You can use it, but will get no additional shear value for it. Only peace of mind, if that helps.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[WillisV]

You said you were in a low seismic zone so it is not as big of an issue but the use of typical construction adhesives for shearwalls (e.g. liquid nails) severely diminishes their ductility which is generally provided in no small part by nail to panel deformations.

 

[Devanb]

WillisV,
That was my concern also, that you lose most (or all) of the ductility with the adhesive. Seismic does not govern in this case (PGA in the area is 0.059g, very minimal) so the shear walls are basically for wind loads only.

I'd actually found some results of a test done by the National Research Council up here in Canada which I found quite interesting. Here's the link if anyone is interested;

http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/l91-091

Cheers,
db