Simplified Wall Bracing Using Wood Structural Panel Continuous Sheathing

Before the introduction to the inaugural versionof the International Residential Code (IRC) in 2000,code conforming wall bracing was poorly understoodwith marginal code compliance in some areas of theUnited States. The first version of the IRC provided acomprehensive methodology for providing prescriptivewall bracing, including expanding the methods ofbracing, and expanding the applicability of theprescriptive provisions. With each triannual updateof the IRC, the prescriptive bracing provisions havecontinued to evolve into very complicated solutions toprescriptively brace walls for wind and seismic loads.The IRC provisions have raised the awareness to codeofficials; thus strict compliance to the building codeis now being required by jurisdictions throughoutthe United States. However, the complexity of theresidential code makes it difficult for designers andbuilders to navigate the various options of the IRC.The IRC attempted to address this issue by introducinga simplified wall bracing method in 2012, though thissimplified method was still fairly complicated.