CLT Shearwall Design at Bowdoin College | Connections, Seismic Analysis and Details

One of the most common trends in mass timber buildings in the US is the use of non-wood structural components for vertical lateral force resisting systems. Such examples include concrete shear walls and structural steel braced frames. However, that narrative is slowly changing, with the use of mass timber systems, particularly CLT shear walls in some low-rise projects. This in part is due to new prescriptive code recognition of CLT shear walls (and diaphragms) with the 2021 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) produced by the American Wood Council, as well as 2 system options for CLT shear walls within ASCE 7-22, where an R = 3 and an R = 4 option are now given.

One project to recently use CLT shear walls is the Bowdoin College Mills Hall and Center for Arctic Studies in Brunswick, Maine. This video shares a conversation that I recently had with Lauren Piepho of HGA, the structural engineer for the project. She shares their seismic and wind design approach to the structure, noting items such as base of panel connection details for shear and uplift, panel to panel and diaphragm to wall connections, working with the local building officials and lessons learned.

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Ricky McLain is a structural engineer and mass timber specialist at WoodWorks. This video and this channel are based purely on Ricky's own observations, experiences and opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinion nor beliefs of WoodWorks.

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[billsmith]

Will shear wall be limited to low strength design, or is it likely to be used for designs in areas subject to the Cascadia subduction zone earthquakes, with strong ground forces lasting minutes?