1 2005 APA The Engineered Wood Association

Technical Topics
Explanation of IRC Continuous
Structural Panel Sheathing Option
to Meet Wall Bracing Requirements
Since the 1970s, building codes provide methods for prescriptively bracing wall lines. Those methods traditionally
require a braced wall segment (typically 48" wide) at each end of the wall and at a maximum intermediate spacing of
25', or 35', depending on local lateral loads. For situations involving higher lateral loads, a larger percent of the wall
length is required to have bracing segments.
Section R602.10.5 of the 2003 International Residential Code (IRC) has an alternative to the traditional method of
wall bracing. This alternative method requires that the residence have all sheathable wall areas covered continuously
with wood structural panels and requires that the corners be constructed in accordance with the prescriptive provi-
sions of IRC Figure R602.10.5. By requiring more sheathing, the continuously sheathed method provides greater lat-
eral resistance to loads, and the perpendicular-walls at the corners provide sufficient overturning restraint. Increased
lateral resistance and overturning restraint provides improved performance of the structure. The method allows more
flexibility by:
1. Permitting bracing segments to have height-to-width ratios as narrow as 4:1, depending on the adjacent opening
size (Table R602.10.5)
2. Permitting a reduction in the total length of full-height bracing segments along a given wall line (Section
R602.10.5)
The continuously sheathed structural panel option (Section R602.10.5) is based on Section R602.10.3, Method 3 brac-
ing, except that it:
1. Requires all sheathable wall areas to be covered with plywood or OSB (also referred to as wood structural panels),
and
2. Requires that a prescriptive corner detail be provided.
TT-079A MAY 2005
2 2005 APA The Engineered Wood Association
The best way to demonstrate the continuously sheathed method is by an example:
DESIGN EXAMPLE 1:
TWO-STORY BUILDING WITH NARROW-WALL GARAGE FRONT
Assume:
2-story building
Seismic Design Category C
Wind speed less than 110 mph
Plan dimensions shown in Figure 1
All wall corners detailed in accordance with IRC Figure R602.10.5
8 ft wall height
Figure 1. First story plan view.
Design Solution:
Wall Line 1 (garage front with narrow piers)
Footnote b to Table R602.10.5, which allows 4:1 wall segments adjacent to garage openings, is not applicable since a
two story structure is beyond the scope of the footnote. Therefore, use 16-inch garage-wall segment per APA Narrow
Wall Bracing Method (NWBM, APA Form No. D420, Narrow Walls That Work). The NWBM permits the garage door
to be widened by decreasing the required length of the bracing panels at both sides of the opening.
Wall Line A (35' long wall with man-door)
Per Table R602.10.1, the 35' wall line requires bracing at each end and at a maximum 25' on center, and at least 30%
full-height bracing along the wall line. To avoid using 48" minimum-length wall bracing segments on either side
of the garage door openings and satisfy the requirements of Section 602.10.5, the garage must have continuously
sheathed walls on all sheathable areas and corner details per Figure R602.10.5. The required minimum sheathed wall
length required by Table R602.10.1 is 30% of the braced wall line. This may be reduced by a factor of 0.90 per Section
35 ft
20 ft
1 2
A
B
1.) Window openings less than 0.65 wall height
2.) Man door openings less than 0.85 wall height
3.) Corners constructed per Figure R602.10.5
1
6

f
t

-

3

i
n
.

G
a
r
a
g
e

D
o
o
r
3 2005 APA The Engineered Wood Association
We have field representatives in many major U.S. cities and in Canada who can help answer questions involving
APA trademarked products. For additional assistance in specifying engineered wood products, contact us:
APA HEADQUARTERS: 7011 So. 19th St.

Tacoma, Washington 98466

(253) 565-6600

Fax: (253) 565-7265

APA PRODUCT SUPPORT HELP DESK: (253) 620-7400

E-mail: help@apawood.org
DISCLAIMER: The information contained herein is based on APA The Engineered Wood Associations continuing
programs of laboratory testing, product research, and comprehensive field experience. Neither APA nor its members
make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the use, application
of, and/or reference to opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations included in this publication. Consult
your local jurisdiction or design professional to assure compliance with code, construction, and performance
requirements. Because APA has no control over quality of workmanship or the conditions under which engineered
wood products are used, it cannot accept responsibility of product performance or designs as actually constructed.
R602.10.5 to 0.30 x 35' x 0.9 = 9' 6" of full-height braced segments. For the wall segments to be considered effective,
they must be at least the minimum length required by Table R602.10.5. The full-height segments adjacent to the win-
dows (window height less than 65% of wall height) must be at least 24" wide per Table R602.10.5.
Similarly, for the segments adjacent to the door to be considered effective (door height not more than 85% of wall
height), they must be at least 32" wide. Each end of the wall is required to have a 24" wide segment (Table R602.10.1).
There is a multitude of possible scenarios to achieve the required 9' 6" of braced wall line. One must remember that
the segments next to the windows must be at least 24" wide and the segments next to the doors must be at least 32"
wide to be considered as effective.
Wall Line B (35'-long wall with windows)
This wall is sized similar to Wall Line A. Since the maximum opening height is 65% of the wall height, the amount
of sheathing required per IRC Table R602.10.1 may be reduced by a factor of 0.8 (Section 602.10.5). Therefore, the
amount of braced wall line is 0.30 x 35' x 0.8 = 8' 5". Since an intermediate braced wall panel is required every 25', at
least one wall segment next to the center window must be at least 24" wide to qualify as a braced wall panel per Table
R602.10.1.
Wall Line 2 (Back Wall)
Per Section R602.10.1.1, the spacing between braced wall lines shall not exceed 35 feet
(a)(b)
; therefore, this building
configuration meets the wall spacing requirements for Seismic Design Category C. Per Table R602.10.1, the 20' wall
line requires bracing at each end and at least 25' on center. The wall length is 20', therefore, no intermediate bracing is
required. Since there are no openings, the required amount of bracing may be reduced by a factor of 0.8. For this wall
line the minimum length of bracing is 0.30 x 20' x 0.8 = 4' 10". By inspection, the continuous sheathed wall easily
meets this amount of bracing.
REFERENCES
ICC, 2003, International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings (IRC). International Code Council, Inc.
Country Club Hills, IL.
APA, 2003, Narrow Walls That Work, APA Form Number D420, APA The Engineered Wood Association, Tacoma, WA.
(a) For seismic design category D
1
or D
2
, wall line spacing shall not exceed 25 feet per section R602.10.11. For this building configuration, an interior
wall line must be located within 25' of either Wall Line 1 or 2.
(b) Wall line spacing may also be as much as 50 feet per section (R602.10.1) if bracing amounts are increased.
Form No. TT-079A
Revised May 2005