Which structural characteristic of shear panels impacts their strength?

The strength of shear panels is significantly influenced by their opening configuration because the placement and size of openings (such as windows, doors, or other penetrations) can disrupt the continuity of the shear panel, affecting its load-carrying capacity. Properly designed openings can minimize stress concentrations and maintain the integrity of the shear panel, ensuring it can effectively resist lateral forces during events such as earthquakes or high winds.

When openings are improperly configured, they can weaken the overall performance of the shear panel, leading to increased deflection and potentially structural failure. As shear panels are critical in providing lateral stability to buildings, understanding the impact of opening configuration is essential for ensuring the structural integrity and safety of a building.

While options like material composition, joint types, and fastening techniques also play roles in the overall performance of shear panels, it is the configuration of openings that notably alters how forces are transmitted through the panel and can present unique challenges to maintaining its strength.