1. Nominal 1-inch by 4-inch
(25 mm by 102 mm) continuous diagonal braces let into
top and bottom plates and intervening studs, placed at
an angle not more than 60 degrees (1.0 rad) or less than
45 degrees (0.79 rad) from the horizontal and attached
to the framing in conformance with Table
2304.9.1.
2. Wood boards of 5/8 inch
(15.9 mm) net minimum thickness applied diagonally on
studs spaced not over 24 inches (610 mm) o.c.
3. Wood structural panel
sheathing with a thickness not less than 5/16
inch (7.9 mm) for a 16-inch (406 mm) stud spacing and
not less than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm)
for a 24- inch (610 mm) stud spacing in accordance with
Tables 2308.9.3(2)
and 2308.9.3(3).
4. Fiberboard sheathing panels
not less than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm)
thick applied vertically or horizontally on studs spaced
not over 16 inches (406 mm) o.c. where installed with
fasteners in accordance with Section
2306.4.4 and Table 2306.4.4.
5. Gypsum board [sheathing
1/2-inch-thick (12.7 mm) by 4-feet-wide
(1219 mm) wallboard or veneer base] on studs spaced not
over 24 inches (610 mm) o.c. and nailed at 7 inches (178
mm) o.c. with nails as required by Table
2306.4.5.
6. Particleboard wall sheathing
panels where installed in accordance with Table
2308.9.3(4).
7. Portland cement plaster
on studs spaced 16 inches (406 mm) o.c. installed in accordance
with Section 2510.
8. Hardboard panel siding
where installed in accordance with Section
2303.1.6 and Table
2308.9.3(5). For cripple wall bracing, see Section
2308.9.4.1. For Methods 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8, each
panel must be at least 48 inches (1219 mm) in length,
covering three stud spaces where studs are spaced 16 inches
(406 mm) apart and covering two stud spaces where studs
are spaced 24 inches (610 mm) apart. For Method 5, each
panel must be at least 96 inches (2438 mm) in length where
applied to one face of a panel and 48 inches (1219 mm)
where applied to both faces. All vertical joints of panel
sheathing shall occur over studs and adjacent panel joints
shall be nailed to common framing members. Horizontal
joints shall occur over blocking or other framing equal
in size to the studding except where waived by the installation
requirements for the specific sheathing materials. Sole
plates shall be nailed to the floor framing and top plates
shall be connected to the framing above in accordance
with Section 2308.3.2. Where
joists are perpendicular to braced wall lines above, blocking
shall be provided under and in line with the braced wall
panels.
2308.9.3.1 Alternative bracing.
Any bracing required by Section 2308.9.3 is permitted to
be replaced by the following:
1. In one-story buildings,
each panel shall have a length of not less than 2 feet
8 inches (813 mm) and a height of not more than 10 feet
(3048 mm). Each panel shall be sheathed on one face with
3/8-inch-minimum-thickness (9.5 mm) wood structural panel
sheathing nailed with 8d common or galvanized box nails
in accordance with Table
2304.9.1 and blocked at wood structural panel edges.
Two anchor bolts installed in accordance with Section
2308.6 shall be provided in each panel. Anchor bolts
shall be placed at each panel outside quarter points.
Each panel end stud shall have a tie-down device fastened
to the foundation, capable of providing an approved uplift
capacity of not less than 1,800 pounds (8006 N). The tie-down
device shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations. The panels shall be supported directly
on a foundation or on floor framing supported directly
on a foundation that is continuous across the entire length
of the braced wall line. This foundation shall be reinforced
with not less than one No. 4 bar top and bottom.
Where the continuous
foundation is required to have a depth greater than 12
inches (305 mm), a minimum 12- inch by 12-inch (305 mm
by 305 mm) continuous footing or turned down slab edge
is permitted at door openings in the braced wall line.
This continuous footing or turned down slab edge shall
be reinforced with not less than one No. 4 bar top and
bottom. This reinforcement shall be lapped 15 inches (381
mm) with the reinforcement required in the continuous
foundation located directly under the braced wall line.
2. In the first story of
two-story buildings, each wall panel shall be braced in
accordance with Section 2308.9.3.1, Item 1, except that
the wood structural panel sheathing shall be provided
on both faces, three anchor bolts shall be placed at one-quarter
points, and tie-down device uplift capacity shall not
be less than 3,000 pounds (13 344 N).
2308.9.3.2 Alternate bracing
wall panel adjacent to a door or window opening. Any
bracing required by Section 2308.9.3 is permitted to be
replaced by the following when used adjacent to a door or
window opening with a full-length header:
1. In one-story buildings,
each panel shall have a length of not less than 16 inches
(406 mm) and a height of not more than 10 feet (3048 mm).
Each panel shall be sheathed on one face with a single
layer of 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) minimum thickness wood structural
panel sheathing nailed with 8d common or galvanized box
nails in accordance with Figure
2308.9.3.2. The wood structural panel sheathing shall
extend up over the solid sawn or glued-laminated header
and shall be nailed in accordance with Figure
2308.9.3.2. A built-up header consisting of at least
two 2 x 12s and fastened in accordance with Item 24 of
Table 2304.9.1 shall
be permitted to be used. A spacer, if used, shall be placed
on the side of the built-up beam opposite the wood structural
panel sheathing. The header shall extend between the inside
faces of the first full-length outer studs of each panel.
The clear span of the header between the inner studs of
each panel shall be not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) and
not more than 18 feet (5486 mm) in length. A strap with
an uplift capacity of not less than 1,000 pounds (4,400
N) shall fasten the header to the inner studs opposite
the sheathing. One anchor bolt not less than 5/8 inch
(15.9 mm) diameter and installed in accordance with Section
2308.6 shall be provided in the center of each sill
plate. The studs at each end of the panel shall have a
tie-down device fastened to the foundation with an uplift
capacity of not less than 4,200 pounds (18 480 N). Where
a panel is located on one side of the opening, the header
shall extend between the inside face of the first full-length
stud of the panel and the bearing studs at the other end
of the opening. A strap with an uplift capacity of not
less than 1,000 pounds (4400 N) shall fasten the header
to the bearing studs. The bearing studs shall also have
a tie-down device fastened to the foundation with an uplift
capacity of not less than 1,000 pounds (4400 N). The tie-down
devices shall be an embedded strap type, installed in
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The panels shall be supported directly on a foundation
that is continuous across the entire length of the braced
wall line. This foundation shall be reinforced with not
less than one No. 4 bar top and bottom.
Where the continuous foundation
is required to have a depth greater than 12 inches (305
mm), a minimum 12-inch by 12-inch (305 mm by 305 mm) continuous
footing or turned down slab edge is permitted at door
openings in the braced wall line. This continuous footing
or turned down slab edge shall be reinforced with not
less than one No. 4 bar top and bottom. This reinforcement
shall be lapped not less than 15 inches (381 mm) with
the reinforcement required in the continuous foundation
located directly under the braced wall line.
2. In the first story of
two-story buildings, each wall panel shall be braced in
accordance with Item 1 above, except that each panel shall
have a length of not less than 24 inches (610 mm).
