Do Brace Walls Need To Have Internal Footing?

The International Residential Code (IRC) has introduced several changes to its wall bracing guidelines, including the requirement for braced wall panels to be spaced no greater than 25 feet along a braced wall line and begin no more than 12.5 feet from the end of a braced wall line. The IRC also provides minimum required bracing amounts for braced wall lines spaced apart by up to a maximum of 60 feet for wind loads.

For buildings up to 50 feet wide, there is a choice to include an interior wall equipped with bracing or increase the area of braced panels in the exterior walls. The presentation will provide a systematic overview of the various methods of compliance, as well as the layout of bracing lines to ensure good seismic performance.

In two-story buildings located in Seismic Design Category D2, all interior braced wall panels must be supported on continuous foundations. Interior braced wall lines must be fastened to floor and roof framing in accordance with Table R602.3 and to required foundations in accordance with Section R. Exceptions allow two-story buildings to have interior braced wall panels supported on continuous foundations at intervals not exceeding 50 feet (15 feet).

The Minnesota State Building Code requires exterior and interior walls to be braced in accordance with the Minnesota State Building Code. When the footing depth is required to be 12 inches or greater, a minimum spacing of 60 feet for wind bracing and 25 feet for seismic bracing is required.

Additional framing or blocking is required below an interior braced wall panel when attached to the floor, and the required bracing amounts are dependent on the spacing between parallel braced wall lines.