In structural engineering, a shear wall is a vertical element of a system that is designed to resist in-plane lateral forces, typically wind and seismic loads. In many jurisdictions, the International Building Code and International Residential Code govern the design of shear walls.

What do you mean by shear wall?

A shear wall is a structural panel that can resist lateral forces acting on it. ... Shear walls are particularly important in large, or high-rise buildings, or buildings in areas of high wind and seismic activity. Shear walls are typically constructed from materials such as concrete or masonry.

How can you tell if a wall is shear?

Shear walls are typically identified on blueprints by a solid line with a thinner line indicating the sheathing that will cover it (and which is usually then specified in a separate sheathing schedule). Shear walls are one of many building components that are shown on architectural plans.