Gyp Board Shear Walls for Multi Story Apartment Building

[AlexH15]

I'm designing a 4 story apartment complex (wood framed). It is quite long and narrow. The layout is townhouse style so there are full width party walls that can provide a lot of shear capacity. I would like to use gyp board for the shear walls and it works from a load standpoint. My concern is during construction - the contractor wont be able to install the gyp until the roof is installed. This means there will only be temporary bracing on the lower floors while upper floors are being installed. Does this mean that I can't use gyp on the lower floors? I'm currently calling out for temporary bracing at all floors until the sheathing can be installed, but I'm worried that might not be enough. Any thoughts?

 

[DaveAtkins]

I think if you put the onus on the contractor to brace the structure during construction, you are covered. Specifically mention that in specs, general notes on drawings, etc.

 

[JAE]

If you are the structural engineer of record and you are working for a contractor on a Design-Build basis, then looking into the phases of construction and temporary bracing might be your responsibility. You should be concerned as to how the framing is laterally braced against drifting prior to the shear wall sheathing installation.

However, if you are working for an client directly, or through an Architect, you should be careful on inserting yourself into the "means and methods" of bracing during construction. Speaking for my own firm, we avoid telling the contractor how to build and how to brace as our insurance doesn't cover that. It's the contractor's responsibility.