Structural Components

The structural components of a building are just that . . . they constitute the backbone which supports the structure. The components must be sufficient in both design and construction to ensure that the tremendous forces to which a house or building are subjected during high winds or such natural phenomenon as an earthquake, are dissipated without damage to the occupants of the home and its contents. These forces (called deadload, lateral load, and overturning forces) must be anticipated in the design and building of the structure. Construction defects in structural components increase the probability and extent of injury to inhabitants and damage to the structure and its contents. Most commonly found defects include:

• Missing plywood shear walls
• Improperly designed and/or constructed plywood shear walls
• Missing or inadequate nailing of shear walls
• Missing or inadequately installed drag straps, hold downs, and vertical
• Failure to properly make the required structural connection between straps the foundations, walls, and roof
• Plywood shear walls exceed height /width specifications