Lateral Force for One-Story Wall

In wood, concrete and masonry structures, the most common element used to resist lateral loads are shear walls or cores walls. A shear wall is a segment of wall that is stiff enough to attract the lateral loads applied to a structure and transfer them down to the buildings foundation.

Lateral loads are live loads that are applied parallel to the ground; that is, they are horizontal forces acting on a structure. They are different to gravity loads for example which are vertical, downward forces. The most common types are: Wind load.

Lateral loads are live loads that are applied parallel to the ground; that is, they are horizontal forces acting on a structure. They are different to gravity loads for example which are vertical, downward forces. The most common types are: Wind load.