Editing Shear wall (section)

=== Loading and failure mechanisms ===

[[File:Figure 1 Chris.png|thumb|440x440px|'''Figure&nbsp;1''' Failure mechanisms of shear walls. (a) flexural failure, (b) horizontal shear, (c) vertical shear, (d) buckling.]]
A shear wall is stiffer in its principal X and Y axes than it is in its Z axis. It is considered as a primary structure which provides relatively stiff resistance to vertical and horizontal forces acting in its plane. Under this combined loading condition, a shear wall develops compatible axial, shear, torsional and flexural strains, resulting in a complicated internal stress distribution. In this way, loads are transferred vertically to the building's foundation. Therefore, there are four critical failure mechanisms; as shown in Figure&nbsp;1. The factors determining the failure mechanism include geometry, loading, material properties, restraint, and construction. Shear walls may also be constructed using light-gauge steel diagonal bracing members tied to collector and ancor points.