Coastal and Floodplain Construction Inspector's Practice Exam

What is a shear wall designed to do?

1. Resist vertical load in structures

2. Provide insulation in buildings

3. Resist lateral forces parallel to the plane of a wall

4. Support roofing structures

The correct answer is: Resist lateral forces parallel to the plane of a wall

A shear wall is primarily designed to resist lateral forces that are parallel to the plane of the wall. These forces are typically induced by wind, earthquakes, or other lateral loads acting on a structure. Shear walls play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of buildings, particularly in areas susceptible to seismic activity or strong winds. By effectively distributing and resisting these lateral forces, shear walls help prevent tilting or swaying of the structure, ensuring stability and safety. This function is especially important in multi-story buildings where lateral loads can be significantly greater in relation to their height. Other functions attributed to walls, like providing insulation, supporting roofing structures, or resisting vertical loads, are not the primary purpose of shear walls. Instead, they can coincide with other structural elements designed specifically for those purposes.