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How it Works: Shear Walls

In seismic zones, as in high-wind zones, shear walls are an important structural asset for a house. In this "How It Works" article, senior editor Rob Yagid explains how overwhelming natural forces can destroy a regular wall and then how a shear wall can withstand those forces. The forces working against the structure are lateral, uplift, compression, and sliding resistance.

From Fine Homebuilding222 , pp. 18-19 September 8, 2011