Wood shear wall - Lateral Load only

[rn14]

I have a case where we have a steel frame and need to use wood shearwalls for the lateral load. Is is possible to stop the wood wall from taking vertical load from the steel beam above? Do I have to do something like add a bunch of shear only links to connect the wall to the beam?

 

[jayrod12]

It is possible, but why? can't you design it to take the vertical load as well?

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Another alternative is to just model in a "gap" between the beam and the wall, then connect it only at the ends. Either way could work. I just think this way would be simpler to model.

 

[rn14]

Jay, it isn't out of the question.

Josh, I had thought about that. So would you just copy the node at the top of the last 2 columns down and inch or two and connect your wall panel there?

 

[rn14]

I think the best way is to turn off the physical member property of the beams with walls below. Seems to act as expected.

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Yes, unchecking the physical member flag is an excellent solution as well. Probably the most elegant solution actually.