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Designing for Openings in Wood Diaphragms (12:30pm – 2:00pm Eastern)

Speaker:
Kimberly Kramer, Ph.D., P.E., S.E.
Date:
April 9, 2025
Session Details

This SEU Presentation will explore structural considerations for openings in wood diaphragms, using a Vierendeel Truss approach to analyze force redistribution. During the presentation, Dr. Kimberly W. Kramer will use an example project with the analysis following ATC guidelines to ensure structural integrity. Design Steps covered are: establish baseline forces without openings, analyze local effects using the Vierendeel Truss model, determine net changes to chord forces, distribute net shear into the diaphragm sheathing, calculate resultant diaphragm shear, and evaluate forces in framing members around openings. Key findings and simplified analysis criteria will be presented, and strategic placement and reinforcement of openings will be used to maintain structural integrity while minimizing redesign efforts.

Learning Objectives

  • Calculate wood-frame diaphragm deflection to classify wood-sheathed diaphragms as flexible or rigid.
  • Identify the mechanisms of the concentration of shear around openings.
  • Design for openings in flexible wood-framed diaphragms using the Truss Frame Analogy.

Current SE University subscribers can access the recording in their SEU Resource Center account. Please use the link below to view the session page in the SEU Session Library.

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SEU is a program of SE Solutions, LLC. SE Solutions, LLC is not an educational institution, but rather provides continuing education to structural engineers.