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This illustrative four-color guide was developed to help building designers, builders, building officials and others using the code in the application of the lateral bracing requirements of the 2009 International Residential Code.
While bracing is just one of many important factors to consider when designing, performing plan review, building or inspecting a structure, it appears to be one of most common sources of confusion and misapplication. This book was jointly developed by ICC and APA—the Engineered Wood Association to help designers, builders, building officials and others effectively understand and apply the wood-frame lateral bracing requirements of the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). This new guide covers lateral forces on a house, the history of bracing provisions, code limitations, permissible bracing options, connection details for bracing systems, pony and cripple wall requirements, and whole house considerations using illustrated design examples. It also includes more than 140 full-color tables, figures, and photographs. The authors identify and explain the key elements of bracing and demystify the prescriptive bracing provisions of the 2009 International Residential Code.
Topics covered include:
- Understanding the forces that act on a house.
- History of bracing and how it works.
- Bracing and its use in the 2009 International Residential Code.
- The physical limits under which bracing can be used.
- Bracing options available to the builder/designer.
- Determining how much bracing is required with adjustments and variations.
- Special considerations for bracing.
- Attachment details for bracing units.
- Pony and cripple walls.
- Whole house considerations.
The basic concepts, historical perspective, and the correct application of the 2009 International Residential Code bracing provisions are presented in a logical format incorporating appropriate examples, specific applications, and suggested solutions.
From the Preface
This illustrated guide was developed to help building designers, builders, building officials and others using the code in the application of the lateral bracing requirements of the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). While bracing is just one of many important factors to consider when designing, performing plan review, building, or inspecting a structure, it is a common source of confusion and misapplication. The authors of this publication worked closely with the International Code Council (ICC) staff to identify and explain the key elements of bracing and to demystify the prescriptive bracing provisions of the IRC.
Some of this book's content has been adopted from A Guide to the 2006 IRC Wood Wall Bracing Provisions, published to support the 2006 International Residential Code; however, this edition has been rewritten extensively to reflect the 2009 bracing provisions that are significantly different in organization, scope and detail from the previous version of the code.
As in the 2006 guide, basic concepts of the forces acting on buildings, historical perspective, and the correct application of the IRC bracing provisions are presented in a logical format. Background information, examples, specific applications and suggested solutions can be found throughout the book. The final chapter of the book is dedicated to whole house application and includes several residential building plans in various wind and seismic regions that have been analyzed for proper wall bracing application. Other aspects of the structure that work in conjunction with bracing to form a safe building, such as diaphragms, wall cladding and interelement connections, are addressed briefly as necessary to enhance the bracing discussion.
Although written to explain the prescriptive bracing provisions of the 2009 International Residential Code, the information presented in this book may also be applied to those bracing provisions of the International Building Code (IBC) Section 2308 (Conventional Light Frame Construction) that are similar to the International Residential Code. The provisions of the IRC and IBC have evolved differently, but the underlying concepts and theory of bracing are the same.
The ultimate goal of this guide is to promote the accurate understanding and the correct application of the code, resulting in safer buildings and communities; a goal shared by the ICC and APA - The Engineered Wood Association.
About the Authors
Edward Keith PE is the Senior Engineer for the APA Technical Services Division. With over 25 years experience in wood engineering, product development and building code development, he has served on numerous national committees, including the SBCCI Standards for Hurricane-Resistant Residential Construction (SSTD-10) and Seismic Resistant Construction (SSTD-13). Keith is currently a member of the ICC Ad Hoc Committee on Wall Bracing. He is registered in the states of Florida and Washington.
Greg Bates is an APA Engineered Wood Specialist. His responsibilities include supporting the proper application of engineered wood products for efficient and durable building solutions for residential and commercial construction. Bates regularly works with builders, designers and code officials in wall bracing training and practical implementation of the code in the field. He received his B.S. degree in Industrial Technology from the University of Wisconsin – Stout.
Table of Contents
Preface: A Guide to the 2009 IRC Wood Wall Bracing Provisions. Chapter 1: Understanding the Lateral Forces that Act on a House. Chapter 2: Wall Bracing - How it Works and Code History. Chapter 3: Getting Started. Chapter 4: Loads and Limits of the International Residential Code. Chapter 5: Description of Bracing Methods. Chapter 6: How Much Bracing Is Needed? Chapter 7: Braced Wall Panels and Braced Wall Lines. Chapter 8: Bracing Connection and Foundation Anchorage Details. Chapter 9: Cripple Walls. Chapter 10: Wall Bracing for Stone and Masonry Veneer. Chapter 11: Whole House Considerations. Bibliography. 2009 IRC Code Reference Index. 2009 IRC Bracing Methods Overview. |
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