Shear wall panel

Abstract

A shear wall panel is utilized in building walls to reduce the tendency of the wall from moving relative to a foundation during periods of external forces (e.g. earthquakes, tornados, or hurricanes). The shear wall panel includes a top and a bottom horizontal support, a first and at least a second parallel and vertical support, and a third vertical support parallel to the first and second vertical supports. The top and bottom horizontal supports are parallel to one another and are located proximate the top and bottom of the wall respectively. The first and second vertical supports each have a first and a second end secured to the top and bottom horizontal supports respectively, and are perpendicular to the top and bottom horizontal supports. The third vertical support includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a connector. The first end portion passes through the bottom horizontal support and is secured to the foundation. The second end portion passes through the top horizontal support and includes a plate secured to a distal end of the second end portion. The a connector joins the first and second end portions of the third vertical support and applies a constant, predetermined force against the foundation and the plate, which in turn applies the force against the top and bottom horizontal supports and the first and second vertical supports.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to wall structures and more particularly, relates to shear wall panels.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] A large portion of the United States periodically suffers from earthquakes, tornados, or hurricanes. Low-level wooden buildings, including nearly all residential structures, are particularly susceptible to damage from these events.

[0003] During one of these disasters, the structure is sometimes subjected to large lateral forces applied in a direction parallel to, and in the plane of, the walls. This can cause the upper section of the wall to move relative to the lower section that is anchored to the foundation. When the upper sections of the wall move to much relative to the anchored lower section, damage can occur to the frame of the wall resulting in catastrophic failure of the wall, and possibly complete structural failure of the entire building.

[0004] Consequently, even one such event can damage or destroy large numbers of wood-framed structures and their contents, causing billions of dollars of damage, displacing thousands of people from their homes, and seriously injuring or killing their occupants.

[0005] Because of the significant damage and loss of life which can result from a tornado, hurricane, or earthquake, the Uniform Building Code (UBC) began to impose requirements in the 1970s for providing additional shear strength in the walls of low-level wood-framed structures. Originally, plywood shear panels nailed onto a wooden wall frame and attached to the building's base with hold-downs were used to provide the extra shear strength needed to meet the UBC requirements. However, plywood shear panels suffer from many disadvantages, such as being labor intensive and bulky.

[0006] Modular shear panels manufactured off site were designed to solve many of the problems associated with plywood shear panels. However, the modular shear panels also suffer from many problems. For example, during the building process, last minute changes in the design of the bulding often result in slightly different wall structures. Because the modular shear panels are constructed ahead of time, they consequently often do not fit in the resulting wall structure. As a result, the builders must either modify the wall (if possible), or order a new modular shear panel resulting in added cost and time in any event.

[0007] Another problem associated with modular shear panels is cost. While installation time may be reduced in some cases, the modular shear panels themselves are often expensive due to their complex design, the materials used, and shipping costs.

[0008] Furthermore, many pre-manufactured modular shear panel systems utilize complicated diagonal bracing systems that involve numerous intricate compound beveled cuts. These compound beveled cuts are very time consuming to construct, and also result in a great deal of wasted material.

[0009] A further problem associated with many known shear panel systems is their inability to be installed in an existing wall structure without the removal of much of the existing wall. This process is very time consuming and expensive.

[0010] Yet another problem associated with many known shear panel systems results from a lack of adequate reinforcing of the header or top beam. Many of the known systems reinforce only the footer beam to the foundation when used in single story structures. While this may add a degree of safety over non-reinforced structures, failure may still occur from the movement of the header beam relative to the footer beam.

[0011] Accordingly, what is needed is a system that supports both the header and the footer, even in a single story structure, to further reduce the tendency of the wall to move relative to the foundation. The system should be easy to install, inexpensive, and capable of being built and installed at the building site into an existing wall structure. The system should be easily and inexpensively adapted work with a multitude of wall structure dimensions.

SUMMARY

[0012] The present invention features a shear wall panel having an upper support and a lower support disposed proximate the foundation, and at least two shear panel sections at opposite ends of the wall panel. Each shear panel section includes at least two vertical braces connected to the upper and the lower supports, a vertical shaft positioned between the two vertical braces, and at least one planar member, preferably oriented strand board or plywood, which is attached to each of the shear panel sections.

[0013] The vertical shaft, preferably a threaded rod, includes a first and a second end portion and a tensioner. The first and a second end portions pass through the upper and the lower supports respectively and are attached to the upper support and the foundation respectively. The second end portion of the vertical shaft is preferably secured directly to or molded into the foundation.

[0014] The tensioner applies a constant, predetermined force to the vertical shaft, which in turn applies the force to the upper support, the lower support, and the vertical shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the tensioner is a two side threaded fitting or a turnbuckle.

[0015] The vertical shaft preferably includes a support plate mounted on a top surface of the upper support and attached to the first end portion of the vertical shaft. In another embodiment, the shear wall panel further includes at least one horizontal brace and at least one vertical brace.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the method of constructing the shear wall panel includes constructing at least two shear panel sections within an existing wall. A foundation connector is secured to the foundation and the upper and lower supports are installed along the top and the bottom of the wall. The lower support includes a first hole that allows the foundation connector to pass through the lower support.

[0017] Next, at least two vertical braces are secured to the upper and lower supports on opposite sides of the first hole, and the first end of the vertical shaft is secured to the upper support. The tensioner is then connected to the foundation connector and the vertical shaft, and is adjusted to create the constant, predetermined force. Lastly, the planar member is secured to the shear panel sections.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the act of securing the end of the vertical shaft to the upper support further includes drilling a second hole in the upper support between the vertical braces and positioning the support plate, mounted on a distal end of the vertical shaft, through the second hole such that the support plate contacts an upper surface of the upper support. In another embodiment, the method includes securing at least one horizontal brace and at least one vertical brace to the shear panel sections and the planar member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a front view of another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] A shear wall panel 10, FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention, preferably includes at least two shear panel sections 11, disposed at opposite ends of the shear wall panel 10, which support the upper support (header) 12 and the lower support (footer) 14, thereby reducing the tendency of a wall from moving relative to the foundation 16. According to one embodiment, each shear panel section 11 includes at least two vertical supports (or braces) 18 and a vertical shaft 20 having a tensioner 32. The exact size and materials used in the shear wall panel 10 will depend upon federal, state, and local building codes and is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art.

[0024] As will be described in greater detail below, in practice the tensioner 32 applies a generally constant and predetermined force F against and between the foundation 16 and the upper support 12. The force F is consequently applied against the lower support 14 and the vertical supports 18, thus reducing the likelihood of catastrophic failure of the wall.

[0025] The lower support 14 is disposed generally horizontal and proximate the foundation 16, while the upper support 12 is disposed generally horizontal and parallel to the lower support 14. The upper 12 and lower 14 supports can be any type of support members known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, 2×4, 2×6, etc., metal supports such as I-beams and the like, as well plastic and composite supports.

[0026] The vertical supports 18 are molded into or otherwise securely attached in a generally vertical manner to the upper 12 and lower 14 supports. The shear panel section 11 preferably includes at least two vertical supports 18a, 18b. Additional vertical supports 18 may be necessary depending upon the load requirements of the shear panel section 11 and the relevant codes. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical supports 18 are constructed from wood, though metal, plastic, and composite supports are also envisioned.

[0027] The vertical shaft 20 is preferably positioned between the vertical supports 18a, 18b, and is substantially vertical to and parallel to the vertical supports 18. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical shaft 20 is a threaded rod and includes a first end portion 22, a second end portion 24, and a tensioner 32. The first end portion 22 passes through the lower support 14 and is preferably molded into or otherwise securely attached to the foundation 16. The second end portion 24 passes through the upper support 12 and preferably includes a support plate 26 on the distal end 28 of the second end portion 24. The support plate 26 is positioned on the top surface 30 of the upper support 12 and distributes the force F across the upper support 12.

[0028] The tensioner 32 is a device capable of creating the force F that is applied against the first 22 and second 24 end portions of the vertical shaft 20. In a preferred embodiment, the tensioner 32 is a two-sided fitting or a turnbuckle, though the tensioner 32 may include any device that brings the end portions 22, 24 closer together such as, but not limited to, a ratchet, pulley, winch, etc.

[0029] The shear wall panel 10, according to another embodiment, may also include a planar member 34. The planar member 34 provides additional rigidity and strength to the shear wall panel 10 by connecting two or more shear panel sections 11. The planar member 34 is preferably constructed from plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), but may include any material known to those skilled in the art such as, but not limited to, fiberglass, particle board, plastics and composites, or metal. In a preferred embodiment, the shear wall panel 10, FIG. 2, may include at least one horizontal brace 36 and at least one vertical brace 38 secured to the planar member 34 and to the shear panel sections 11. The horizontal 36 and vertical 38 braces further increase the shear wall panel's 10 ability to resist catastrophic failure by adding additional strength and rigidity.

[0030] The shear wall panel 10 may be constructed either on-site or in a manufacturing facility. In a preferred embodiment, the method of constructing the shear wall panel 10, FIG. 3, includes constructing at least two shear panel sections 11 within an existing wall. A foundation connector 40 is secured to the foundation 16, and the upper 12 and lower 14 supports are installed along the top and the bottom of the wall. The lower support 14 includes a first hole 42 that allows the foundation connector 40 to pass through the lower support 14.

[0031] Next, at least two vertical braces 18a, b are secured to the upper 12 and lower 14 supports on opposite sides of the first hole 42, and the first end 44 of the vertical shaft 20 is secured to the upper support 12. The tensioner 32 is then connected to the foundation connector 40 and the vertical shaft 20, and is adjusted to create the constant, predetermined force F. Lastly, the planar member 34 is secured to the shear panel sections 11.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the act of securing the end 44 of the vertical shaft 20 to the upper support 12 further includes drilling a second hole 46 in the upper support 12 between the vertical braces 18a, b and positioning the support plate 26, mounted on a distal end 28 of the vertical shaft 20, through the second hole 46 such that the support plate 26 contacts an upper surface 30 of the upper support 12. In another embodiment, the method includes securing at least one horizontal brace 36 and at least one vertical 38 brace to the shear panel sections 11 and the planar member 34.

[0033] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

Claims

1. A shear wall panel comprising:

an upper and a lower support, said lower support disposed proximate a foundation;

at least two shear panel sections at opposite ends of said wall panel, each comprising:

at least two vertical braces connected to said upper and said lower supports; and

a vertical shaft positioned between said two vertical braces, said vertical shaft comprising:

a first and a second end portion passing through said upper and said lower supports respectively, said first end attached to said upper support and said second end attached to said foundation and said first end attached to said upper support;

a tensioner applying a constant, predetermined force to said vertical shaft which in turn applies said force to said upper support, said lower support, and said vertical shaft; and

at least one planar member attached to each of said shear panel sections.

2. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vertical shaft further includes a support plate mounted on a top surface of said upper support and attached to said first end portion of said vertical shaft.

3. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said planar member includes oriented strand board.

4. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said planar member further includes at least one horizontal brace and at least one vertical brace.

5. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vertical shaft is a threaded rod.

6. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 5 wherein said tensioner is a two side threaded fitting.

7. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 6 wherein said tensioner is a turnbuckle.

8. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second end portion of said vertical shaft is secured directly to said foundation.

9. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second end portion of said vertical shaft is molded into said foundation.

10. A shear wall panel comprising:

a top and a bottom horizontal support located proximate a top and a bottom of said wall respectively, said top and said bottom horizontal supports parallel to one another;

a first and at least a second parallel and vertical support, each support having a first and a second end secured directly to said top and said bottom horizontal supports respectively and perpendicular to said top and said bottom horizontal supports; and

a third vertical support, parallel to said first and said second vertical supports, and comprising:

a first end portion passing through said bottom horizontal support and secured to said foundation;

a second end portion passing through said top horizontal support and including a plate secured to a distal end of said second end portion; and

a connector joining said first and said second end portions of said third vertical support and applying a constant, predetermined force against said foundation and said plate which in turn applies said force against said top and said bottom horizontal supports and said first and second vertical supports.

11. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein said shear wall panel includes at least two parallel shear panel sections at opposite ends of said wall panel, wherein said shear wall panel further includes a planar member attached to at least one side of each of said shear panels sections.

12. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein said planar member includes plywood.

13. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein said planar member includes oriented strand board.

14. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein said planar member further includes at least one horizontal brace and at least one vertical brace secured to said planar member and said shear panel sections.

15. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein said third vertical support is a threaded rod.

16. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 15 wherein said connector is a two side threaded fitting.

17. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 16 wherein said connector is a turnbuckle.

18. A method of constructing a shear wall panel within an existing wall structure comprising the acts of:

constructing at least two shear panel sections within at least two portions of said existing wall, wherein constructing each shear panel section comprising the acts of:

securing a foundation connector to said foundation;

installing an upper and a lower support along a top and a bottom of said existing wall, wherein said lower support includes a first hole to allow said foundation connector to pass through said lower support;

securing at least two vertical braces to said upper and said lower supports on opposite sides of said first hole;

securing an end of a vertical shaft to said upper support;

connecting a tensioner to said foundation connector and said vertical shaft; and

adjusting said tensioner to apply a constant, predetermined force against said foundation and said upper support which transfers said force against said upper, said lower, and said vertical supports; and

installing a planar member to at least one side of each of said shear panel sections.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18 wherein said act of securing said end of said vertical shaft to said upper support comprises:

drilling a second hole in said upper support between said vertical braces; and

positioning a support plate, mounted on a distal end of said vertical shaft, through said second hole, wherein support plate contacts an upper surface of said upper support.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein said method further includes the acts of:

securing at least one horizontal brace and at least one vertical brace to said shear panel sections; and

securing said planar member to said horizontal and vertical brace.

21. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein said planar member includes plywood.

22. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein said planar member includes oriented strand board.

23. The shear wall panel as claimed in claim 19 wherein said third vertical support is a threaded rod.